Description

Educate your community about the facts and dangers of Heroin and Opioid addiction with this informative pamphlet. It addresses the difference between opiates and opioids. Opiates refer to drugs derived naturally from some poppy plants. While opioids refers to opiates and synthetically created drugs that mimic the same effects.

Opioid use has been on the rise for over a decade, resulting in a greater number of emergency room visits. Plus a huge increase in overdose deaths. As this epidemic continues to spread, it is important that drug education programs confront this issue head on.

Opioids are frequently prescribed by a doctor for extreme pain. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. There are also illegal opioids. The most well known is heroin. Heroin and morphine are responsible for over half of the accidental drug overdose deaths.

Effects of Opioids.

Users will experience an instantaneous rush, accompanied by intense relaxation. Individuals have difficulty coordinating their movements as well as impaired vision and speech. In addition, their heart rate and breathing will slow down. Which could lead to a coma or death. In the long term, opioid use causes hormonal imbalances, osteoporosis, and emotional problems.

Once users build a tolerance to the effects of opioids, they become dependent on it. They will experience withdrawal if they attempt to stop using. Withdrawal should be medically supervised since it can be a lengthy and painful process. 90% of opioid addicts will relapse in the first year of recovery. Relapse during recovery significantly increases the risk of an overdose.

The concluding statements of the trifold address recovery. It notes that success in treatment programs depends on the individual. Opioid addictions are particularly devastating. But the cycle can be broken.

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This brochure is also available in Spanish.

If you like this pamphlet, then check out more of our Heroin and Opioid Addiction Prevention materials here.

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