What are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of medications that can be prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. While these medications can be effective when used as directed, they also carry risks, including dependence, overdose, and death.
Prescription opioids can be used to manage pain after surgery, injury, or certain medical conditions.
Safe Use of Prescription Opioids to Reduce Risks
- Take medication exactly as prescribe
- Never share prescriptions with others
- Store medications in a secure location away from children and visitors
- Dispose of unused medication through Drug Takeback Day, the Drug Drop Box, or Deterra Pouches
- Talk to your healthcare provider about other pain management options if interested
Risks of Opioid Use
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Nausea and constipation
- Physical dependence
- Opioid use disorder
- Respiratory Depression
- Overdose
Factors that Increase Risk
- Taking higher doses than prescribed
- Taking more frequent doses than prescribed
- Taking opioids with alcohol or other sedating medications
- Taking opioids that were not prescribed to you
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by healthcare providers to treat severe pain, often for cancer patients or people recovering from major surgery.
In recent years, illegally manufactured fentanyl has become a driver of overdose deaths across the United States. This fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills that may look like a legitimate prescription medication. This kind of fentanyl can be found in Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine and other substances. People may not even know what they are using has fentanyl in it. Because fentanyl is extremely potent, even very small amounts can cause an overdose.
Recognizing an Opioid Overdose
Common Signs Include:
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Unresponsiveness or inability to wake up
- Blue, gray or pale lips and fingernails
- Limp body
- Choking, gurgling or snoring like sounds
If you think someone is experiencing an overdose:
- Call 911
- Administer naloxone is available
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing
- If safe, stay with the person until emergency responders arrive
How can community members help?
- Learn the signs of an overdose
- Carry naloxone
- Safely store and dispose of medications
- Talk openly about substance use and mental health
- Reduce stigma around seeking help for addiction and recovery
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