Opioid Fact Sheet

Download

Coast to Forest Resources

Thank you for exploring our fact sheet series. To learn more about substance use and mental health, check out our other fact sheets. To find local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides. For a variety of national and state-focused resources, please visit our Helplines & Practical Tools page.

What are Opioids?

Opioids, also known as narcotics, are a class of drugs that provide pain relief.¹ Opioids may be prescribed by a healthcare provider to manage moderate-to-severe pain after surgery or for chronic diseases like cancer.² Opioids are controlled substances in the U.S., meaning that they are regulated by the government and have varying potential to be misused. It is important to note, that while the terms opioid and opiate are often used interchangeably, opioids refer to all synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural opioids while opiates refer only to natural opioids.³

Natural vs. Semi-Synthetic vs. Synthetic Opioids^1,3

The Opioid Crisis

1990: First wave begins. Most overdose deaths related to prescription opioids⁴
1995: American Pain Society launched "pain as the fifth vital sign". Unfortunately, this led to a reliance on opioids for management⁴
2010: Second wave of the opioid crisis begins. Most overdose deaths related to Heroin⁵
2013: Third wave begins. Most overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids⁴
Current Data suggests that a fourth wave is beginning that is characterized by polysubstance use, with a noted increase in stimulant and/or opioid use.¹⁵ Research is underway to better understand this new wave and pinpoint when it began.

Facts and Statistics

National

In 2020, 68,630 deaths involved opioids⁶
In 2020, 56,516 overdose deaths reportedly involved synthetic opioids (excluding methadone)⁶

Oregon

On average 5 Oregonians die each week of opioid overdose⁷
From July 2019-June 2020 heroin and fentanyl were involved in 29.7% and 23.7% of overdose deaths, respectively⁸
From 2019 to 2020, the number of fentanyl related deaths increased from 75 to 298⁸

Common Names

Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown Sugar, Junk, Black Tat, Big H, Paregoric, Dover’s Powder, MPTP (New Heroin), Hillbilly, Heroin, Lean or Purple Drank, OC, Ox, Oxy, Oxycotton, Sippin Syrup¹

Prescription Names

Oxycodone

OxyContin®, Roxicodone®, Oxecta®, Oxaydo®, Xtampza ER®, Percodan®, Targiniq®, Xartemis XR®, Oxycet®, Roxicet®, Tylox®, Percocet®⁹

Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen

Vicodin®, Norco®, Lorcet®, Zamicet®, Verdrocet®, Lortab®, Anexsia®, Co-Gesic®, Hycet®, Liquicet®, Maxidone®, Norco®, Xodol 10/300®, Zolvit®, Zydone®⁹

Morphine

Duramorph®, Infumorph P/F®, MS Contin®, Oramorph SR®, Avinza®, Arymo ER®, Kadian®, Morphabond®, Roxanol-T®⁹

Fentanyl Cirtrate

Actiq®, Fentora®, Abstral®, Lazanda®, Onsolis®, Sublimaze®⁹

Fentanyl

Duragesic®, Subsys®⁹

Forms

Tablets, pills, capsules¹
Skin patches¹
Powder or chunks ranging in color from white to brown or black¹
Liquid that may be consumed orally, via injection or suppository¹
Lollipops¹

How Opioids Work

Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors found primarily in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in reduced cell excitability and neurotransmission.¹⁰Thus, opioids do not treat the cause of pain, but rather work by decreasing the perception of pain.

Short Term Health Effects

Drowsiness¹⁰
Confusion¹⁰
Nausea¹⁰
Constipation¹⁰
Euphoria¹⁰
Slowed breathing¹⁰
Overdose¹⁰

Long Term Health Effects

Overdose¹⁰
Breathing problems during sleep¹⁴
Constipation¹⁴
Insomnia¹⁴
Tooth decay¹⁴
Tolerance, dependence, and opioid use disorder (OUD):
- Tolerance: Reduced response to a substance with repeated use³
- Dependence: Adaptation to a substance that produces symptoms of withdrawal when the substance use is halted³
- OUD: Follows opioid tolerance and dependence and involves a pattern of opioid use that results in significant impairment and distress³

Withdrawal Symptoms

Given the symptoms of withdrawal, a person may need medical supervision to ensure their safety during the process.¹⁶

Early symptoms

Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, and sweating¹

Later symptoms

Restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, tremors, severe cravings, severe depression, vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and chills alternating with flushing and excessive sweating¹

Overdose

An overdose can be intentional or unintentional, and is when a large enough dose of an opioid is taken to have serious adverse health effects, including life threatening symptoms or death¹

Physical signs

Constricted (pinpoint) pupils, cold clammy skin, confusion, convulsions, extreme drowsiness, and slowed breathing¹

In the event of a suspected overdose

Call 911
Administer CPR if breathing has stopped¹¹
Administer naloxone¹¹
- To find naloxone in your county, please visit our Resource Guides. For general information please visit SAMHSA's page on naloxone.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Studies have shown that a combination of medical and therapeutic interventions, such as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the most effective treatment¹²

Medications

Buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Subutex®)
Methadone
Extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol®)¹³

Therapeutic interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)¹²
Contingency Management¹²
Motivational interviewing¹²
Multidimensional Family Therapy¹²

Treatments in development

Vaccines¹³
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation¹

Resources

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP

SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders

"Talk. They Hear You." Mobile App

"Talk. They Hear You." is a phone app geared towards parents or caregivers to help facilitate conversations with children about drug use

CDC Opioid Overdose Prevention Guidelines

CDC Opioid Overdose Prevention Guidelines Includes in-depth opioid and pain management prescribing resources for healthcare providers and patients

CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control - Opioid Overdose

A gateway website to access the CDC's latest data and critical updates about drug overdoses.

References

Acknowledgments

This fact sheet was developed by the Oregon State University Coast to Forest team, a collaboration of the College of Health, OSU Center for Health Innovation and OSU Extension Service Family & Community Health program. We would like to thank the H 310 Health Field Experience students for their contributions.

For more information and to explore local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides.