Opiates and Heroin

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When the Prescription Becomes the Problem

  commonly abused medications: Opioids: Derived from the opium poppy (or synthetic versions of it) and used for pain relief. Examples include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Fentora), methadone, and codeine. Benzodiazepines: Central nervous system despressants used as sedatives, to include sleep, prevent seizures, and relieve anxiety. Examples include alprazolam (Xanex), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).In a period of nine months, a tiny Kentucky county of fewer than 12,000 people sees a 53-year-old mother, her 35-year-old son, and seven others die by overdosing on prescription painkillers obtained from pain clinics in Florida.1 In Utah, a 13-year-old fatally overdoses on oxycodone pills taken from a friend’s grandmother.2 A 20-year-old Boston man dies from an overdose of methadone, only a year after his friend also died from a prescription painkiller overdose.3

These are not isolated events. Each day, 44 people in the United States die from overdose of prescription painkillers.

Prescription Painkiller Abuse, Overdose, and Death

A big part of the overdose problem results from prescription painkillers called opioids. These prescription painkillers can be used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and are often prescribed following a surgery, injury, or for health conditions such as cancer. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain, such as back pain or osteoarthritis. The most common drugs involved in prescription overdose deaths include:

  • Hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin)
  • Oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin)
  • Oxymorphone (e.g., Opana)
  • Methadone (especially when prescribed for pain)

Prescription painkiller overdose deaths also often involve benzodiazepines. People who take prescription painkillers can become addicted with just one prescription. Once addicted, it can be hard to stop. In 2013, nearly two million Americans abused prescription painkillers. Each day, almost 7,000 people are treated in emergency departments for using these drugs in a manner other than as directed.

Taking too many prescription painkillers can stop a person’s breathing—leading to death.

READ MORE:

http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/

 

ADDITIONAL INFO:

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/how-heroin-linked-to-prescription-drug-abuse

Andrew Kolodny, M.D., is the co-founder of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) and Chief Medical Officer at Phoenix House has created a startling presentation based on the data and facts of opiate abuse. Download it here.

PRINT PSA'S:

http://drugfreenj.org/media/pdfnj-print-psas/