There is an epidemic in the United States that is killing people; It’s opioid addiction. The most frightening thing about this crisis is the number of people it is killing. All the statistics you need to understand how terrible this epidemic is are online, but the fact is that opioids killed five times more people in 2016 than in 1999, over 42,000 people dead in one year because of these drugs.
What Are Opioids?
With this epidemic splattered all over the news and even the cover of Time magazine, it’s hard to imagine that anyone wouldn’t know what opioids are. However, it’s not like opioids are just one drug, it’s a drug classification.
Here is a quick breakdown of the more commonly known drugs that fall into this potentially deadly drug category. There is one major street drug with this classification, as well as many prescription drugs.
1. Heroin
Heroin is the most known name when it comes to opioids and the fault for much of the opioid epidemic running rampant. Heroin overdose is a preventable thing, but not enough people are in the know on how to save a life. Police and paramedics stock Naloxone, which can reverse a heroin overdose. It’s something anyone can train to use.
Heroin is illegal, and the rest of the drugs you’ll read about have medical uses. Its classification is as a schedule I drug.
2. Fentanyl
This drug is even stronger than heroin (like up to 50 times stronger). It is a prescription drug (but that hasn’t kept it off the streets). Fentanyl is a dangerous schedule II drug. One of its main uses is as pain management after surgery.
3. The “Ones”
Instead of listing the many different drugs that fall under the category of opiates, here’s a little easier way to remember the majority of them. Many of these drugs end in “one”; hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone are some of them.
Many of these drugs have common names and are for pain management and other ailments. They include Dilaudid, Percocet, and Vicodin. Methadone is used in the treatment addiction but is an addictive substance itself.
4. The “Ines”
Another chunk of these drugs ends in the letters “ine.” These include codeine, morphine, and Meperidine (Demerol). Most of these drugs are on the lower end when it comes to strength.
Recognizing Opioid Addiction
It’s important to understand that drug abuse and addiction can happen with prescription drugs as commonly as it happens with street drugs. For some people, it’s easy to get their hands on prescription drugs (whether they are for themselves or someone else).
To tell if someone may have an addiction to opiates, here are some of the telltale signs:
- Constricted pupils
- Needle marks (often found on the arms or legs)
- Constant itchy
- Withdrawal from things they enjoyed (people, social activities, hobbies)
- Prescriptions from multiple doctors for painkillers
- Making impulsive decisions, uncharacteristic of the individual
- Taking more risks, that could be harmful
The are many steps for helping an addict find their way free of their addiction. You may need to create an intervention to shed light on the fact that they are hurting themselves and the people they love. They may even have to get into major trouble, or almost die, to want to change.
However, if you suspect someone you know has an opiate addiction you can get them to the doctor for help. Their doctor can step in with prescription changes and help them with their addiction on a more professional level, or they may need to go in for substance abuse counseling, participate in a 12-step program, and may even need to go through detox.
Recognizing an Overdose
Knowing the signs of a drug overdose, especially a heroin overdose, can save lives. Of course, like with any drug, effects can vary person to person depending on many factors. One thing that could affect the signs is if they were doing other drugs as well.
Watch for restricted breathing, bluing of the lips and nails, and a week pulse. The person may seem extremely tired or very disorientated. They may even lose consciousness more than once. They could also go into a coma.
If this is happening and you don’t have Naloxone on you, call 911 immediately. Starting CPR is also a good bet. Fast response is the only thing that might save their life.
Do You Have a Drug Problem?
If you have a substance addiction, contact your doctor and start getting help now. It’s only too late once you’re dead. With many options, including therapy and rehab, you can kick your habit and save your own life.
