Opioid Misuse and Addiction - Is Fentanyl Your Best Choice

Article originally published on MedlinePlus. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); Opioid Misuse and Addiction; [updated 2018 Apr 18; cited 2022 Aug 10]; Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/opioidmisuseandaddiction.html

Summary

Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. Some opioids are made from the opium plant, and others are synthetic (man-made).

A doctor may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some doctors prescribe them for chronic pain.

Opioids can cause side effects such as drowsiness, mental fog, nausea, and constipation. They may also cause slowed breathing, which can lead to overdose deaths. If someone has signs of an overdose, call 911:

The person’s face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
Their body goes limp
Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops

Other risks of using prescription opioids include dependence and addiction. Dependence means feeling withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to compulsively seek out drugs, even though they cause harm. The risks of dependence and addiction are higher if you misuse the medicines. Misuse can include taking too much medicine, taking someone else’s medicine, taking it in a different way than you are supposed to, or taking the medicine to get high.

Opioid misuse, addiction, and overdoses are serious public health problems in the United States. Another problem is that more women are misusing opioids during pregnancy. This can lead to babies being addicted and going through withdrawal, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Opioid misuse may sometimes also lead to heroin use, because some people switch from prescription opioids to heroin.

The main treatment for prescription opioid addiction is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It includes medicines, counseling, and support from family and friends. MAT can help you stop using the drug, get through withdrawal, and cope with cravings. There is also a medicine called naloxone which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and prevent death, if it is given in time.

To prevent problems with prescription opioids, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking them. Do not share your medicines with anyone else. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about taking the medicines.

NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Start Here

Help, Resources and Information: National Opioids Crisis (Department of Health and Human Services)
Opioid Addiction (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Opioids (National Institute on Drug Abuse)Also in Spanish
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Diagnosis and Tests

Drug Testing (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Drug Use Screening Tests (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Mental Health Screening (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Opioid Testing (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

Opioid Overdose Prevention: Safety Advice for Patients and Family Members (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) – PDF
What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids (Food and Drug Administration)Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Opioid Abuse and Addiction Treatment: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Related Issues

Benzodiazepines and Opioids (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Know Your Options (to Manage Your Pain Without Opioids) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Specifics

Fentanyl (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Fentanyl (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Heroin: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Hydromorphone (Drug Enforcement Administration)
Opioids (Prescription Pain Relievers) (Partnership to End Addiction)
Prescription Opioids (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Prescription Opioids DrugFacts (National Institute on Drug Abuse)Also in Spanish