Statistics about Opioid Use

9.7 MILLION

PEOPLE IN 2019 AGED 12 OR OLDER MISUSED PRESCRIPTION PAIN RELIEVERS IN THE PAST YEAR

21 PERCENT

OF PATIENTS PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS FOR CHRONIC PAIN MISUSE THEM.

5 PERCENT

OF PEOPLE WHO MISUE PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS TRANSITION TO HEROIN.

5 Fast Facts about Opioids

1

Prescription opioid misuses carry a serious risk of addiction, abuse and overdose.

2

In 2017, over 47,600 Americans died of an opioid-related overdose. Prescription opioids accounted for 35% of these overdoses, or almost 17,000 total.

3

Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.

4

Opioid misuse can cause slowed breathing, which can cause too little oxygen to reach the brain, possibly resulting in coma, permanent brain damage or death.

5

In 2019, 1.6 million people aged 12 or older had an opioid use disorder.

Symptoms of Opioid Misuse

Finishing a Prescription Early

Mood Swings

Isolating

Change in Eating and Sleeping Habits

Drowsiness

Uncontrollable Cravings

Lack of Hygiene

Short Term Effects of Opioid Misuse

- - Drowsiness
  - Lethargy
  - Respiratory Depression
  - Speech problems
  - Loss of coordination
  - Itchiness

Long Term Effects of Opioid Misuse

- - Physical dependence
  - Constipation
  - Increased pain sensitivity
  - Low sex hormone levels
  - Disruption of work

Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms from opiates severity depends on the type that was being used. There usually is an acute withdrawal phase that is followed by a protracted phase that can last for months.

TREMORS

VOMITING

ABDOMINAL PAIN

ANXIETY/IRRITABILITY

DRUG CRAVINGS

Symptoms of Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdose can be severely fatal but can be reversed using a medication called naloxone, available by injection or nasal spray. First responders and medical professionals can administer naloxone to rapidly reverse the overdose and possibly save the individual’s life.

SLOW, SHALLOW BREATHING

LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

SMALL “PINPOINT”
PUPILS

BLUE SKIN COLOR AND DARK-COLORED LIPS

SNORING OR GURGLING SOUNDS

Treatment for Opioid Addiction

With the right treatment, there is always hope for overcoming an addiction. If you are addicted to prescription opioids, there is help available. People who have opioid use disorder can be treated with medications and behavioral counseling. There are currently 1.27 million Americans receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.

Detox

The first step of prescription opioid addiction treatment is detoxing or ridding your body of the drug. Detox should be medically supervised, and it should be done gradually. Do not try to stop taking the drug cold turkey, as this could worsen your withdrawal symptoms. As with every type of drug addiction treatment, detoxing is only the first step of recovery, and should be followed by a longer-term program.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral counseling is strongly recommended for opioid addiction treatment. Opioid addiction counseling addresses many factors that influence substance abuse, such as coping skills, trauma, grief, anger management, communication skills, and relapse prevention. Counseling can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis and can be done alongside medication assisted treatment.

Treatment for Opioid Overdose

If you think someone is overdosing on opioids, call 911. Opioid overdose can be reversed using a medication called naloxone, available by injection or nasal spray. First responders and medical professionals can administer naloxone to rapidly reverse the overdose and possibly save the individual’s life. Naloxone can also be obtained at the pharmacy with a prescription, or over the counter in some states, allowing family members to keep the lifesaving drug on hand in case of an overdose.