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Since 1999 the death rate from opioid overdoses has quadrupled. It is fair to say it’s an epidemic and we are in a crisis. But what is an opioid and where to from here?

The word ‘opioid’ means “Opiate Epidemic-like”, the combination of “Opiate Epidemic” and “oid”, which is borrowed from the Greek word meaning “like” or “resembling”. The word was coined by experts to describe any substance with similar biochemical actions to the substance in the Opiate Epidemic poppy, morphine.

The terms opioids and opiates are used interchangeably, but opioids usually refer to prescription drugs.

Opioids cover a large variety of drugs, ranging from drugs that are prescribed by doctors like fentanyl, morphine, and codeine to illegal or street drugs including Opiate Epidemic and heroin.

The most common or well-known opioids include:

• Morphine
• Oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet)
• Heroin
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin and Lortab)

Opiate medicines are very easy to come by in the US, possibly one of the main reasons it’s the biggest drug problem today.

In 2010 alone it is estimated that 210 million prescriptions for opiates were dispensed.This would be enough to medicate every American 24 hours a day, for an entire month.

More than 12 million people admitted to abusing opioids by taking them for non-medical reasons.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,three out of every four heroin users sarted off as prescription opiate users.

Long-term use of opioids puts patients at risk of addiction. This is because people who use them usually develop a tolerance, which triggers the cycle of addiction. When this happens people need more of the substance to get the same ‘high’. The ever-increasing doses are the reason for overdosing.

Short-term effects of opiates can include diarrhea, sedation, delayed reactions, and vomiting. However, it is the long-term symptoms that are more of a concern. These can include:

• Gastric problems including constipation to bowel perforation.
• A weakened immune system.
• Medical issues related to injecting the drugs such as systemic infections, abscesses, and bloodborne illnesses.
• Respiratory depression
• Death

There are treatments available including detoxification programs, inpatient facilities, and outpatient therapy.

Detoxification is the withdrawing from the opioid, usually slowly and with the correct medication under supervision. There are several drugs that may be prescribed to help with the withdrawal symptoms. These include methadone, buprenorphine or suboxone.