PART IV TIPS FOR TEENS OPIOIDS

THE TRUTH ABOUT OPIOIDS

SLANG: O.C./OXY/PERCS/VIKE/M/MONKEY/
WHITE STUFF/LEAN/SCHOOLBOY/SIZZURP/
PURPLE DRANK/LOADS

GET THE FACTS

OPIOIDS AFFECT YOUR BRAIN. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others. They affect both the spinal cord and brain to reduce the intensity of pain-signal perception as well as brain areas that control emotion. They can also affect the brain to cause euphoria or “high”.

OPIOIDS AFFECT YOUR BODY. Opioids slow down the actions of the body, such as breathing and heartbeat. Even a single dose of an opioid can cause severe respiratory depression (slowing or stopping of breathing), which can be fatal; taking opioids with alcohol or sedatives increases this risk.

OPIOIDS ARE ADDICTIVE. Even though heroin is highly addictive, more people struggle with addiction to prescription pain relievers. Many young people who inject heroin report misuse of prescription opioids before starting to use heroin.

OPIOIDS CAN KILL YOU. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with 68,690 drug overdose deaths between March 2017 and March 2018. More than 46,000 of those deaths involved opioids.

OPIOID ADDICTION IS TREATABLE. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are medications that are FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder.

For more information, visit https://www.drugabuse. gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid addiction/efficacy-medications-opioid-use-disorder.

Q. MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED ME OPIOIDS. DOESN’T THAT MEAN THEY’RE SAFE?

A. Prescription opioids—when used long term or incorrectly can cause the brain to become reliant on the drug and are addictive.

Q. IF I USE OPIOIDS, WILL I BECOME ADDICTED?

A. Prescription opioids can cause physical dependence when used as directed or addiction if misused; illegal opioids such as heroin are also highly addictive. People who regularly use prescription opioids or heroin often develop tolerance, which means that they need higher and/or more frequent doses of the drug to get the desired effects.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Many people are prescribed opioids out of medical
necessity, but opioids can still be dangerous and addictive.
Even if someone is prescribed one of these medications—
such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine—misuse
of these substances is rampant. Talk to your parents, a
doctor, a counselor, a teacher, or another adult you trust if
you have questions.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OPIOIDS, CONTACT:
SAMHSA 1–877–SAMHSA–7 (1–877–726–4727)
(English and Español)

Warmest Regards, Coyalita

Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Specialist & Addiction Counselor

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