Opioid Basics
This synthetic opioid is 100x stronger than morphine and is now the leading cause of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.
Fentanyl
What natural chemical do opioids increase in the brain to create feelings of pleasure?
Dopamine
What does OUD stand for? What does MOUD stand for?
OUD = Opioid Use Disorder
MOUD = Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
What is the difference between stigma and discrimination?
Stigma refers to the negative view or belief of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics.
Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of people based on characteristics such as race, gender, or disability.
Pouring cold water on someone helps reverse an overdose.
True or False?
FALSE
Only Narcan can officially reverse an overdose.
What was the primary cause of the U.S. opioid crisis?
The overprescription of opioids in clinical settings due to misleading claims made by pharmaceutical companies.
Define the difference between “tolerance” and “dependence” when it comes to opioid use.
Tolerance: needing higher doses to achieve the same effect
Dependence: when the body requires the substance to function normally and experiences withdrawal symptoms without it.
What is one of the only medicines that can be used to reverse an opioid-related overdose?
Narcan (Naloxone)
Pragmatic (as opposed to stigma-driven solutions)
Someone says: “Giving naloxone encourages drug use.”
True or False?
FALSE
Naloxone saves lives!! Several studies show that Narcan is associated with decreased opioid use.
Which war in American history first used opioids as a large scale treatment for injured soldiers?
The Civil War
Opioids bind to what in the brain?
Mu Opioid Receptors
An antagonist is a substance that binds to a receptor but blocks the effect
Give one example of how stigma can show up in healthcare.
Patients experiencing judgement from their providers/getting denied healthcare due to an assumption of "drug-seeking behavior"
Injecting directly into the bloodstream.
According to 2022 data released by the CDC, approximately how many individuals died by an opioid overdose in the U.S.?
Over 80,000.
What are some physical symptoms of an overdose?
Shallow Breathing/Depressed Respiration Rate/Cyanosis
Chills/Body Aches
Nausea/Vomiting
Dilated Pupils
Provide an example of an MOUD that is a partial agonist and an MOUD which is a full agonist.
Partial Agonist = Buprenorphine
Full Agonist = Methadone
Give one example of a stigma-driven statement and how you would reframe it.
"They don’t care about recovery” → “Recovery is complex and relapse is common”
If you call 911 for someone who overdosed, they can legally arrest you for being near recreational substances.
True or False?
FALSE
According to the Good Samaritan Law, you will not be arrested for calling to report an overdose, as long as you do not have an amount of substances that suggests intent to distribute.
In ancient times, opioids were first derived from which naturally occurring substance?
The poppy plant
What part of the brain do opioids affect that can cause respiratory depression during an overdose?
The pre-Bötzinger complex located in the brainstem
Give an example of a harm reduction strategy and how it helps.
Fentanyl test strips → help detects what substances have been laced with fentanyl
Syringe exchange programs→ provides a safe place to discard used needles to prevent the spread of bloodborne diseases
What was the significant of labeling addiction as an official medical condition (Substance Use Disorder/Opioid Use Disorder)?
This underscores the complexity of addiction and the physiologic impact opioids have on the body. Encourages those with OUD/SUD to seek help from trained clinicians.
Lisa is a well-respected nurse recovering from a back injury. She was prescribed opioids, but now fears she may be dependent. Worried she’ll lose her job or license, she keeps it to herself. How does stigma show up in this situation, and what kind of support might help her feel safe enough to seek help?
Workplace stigma may label her as “unfit”; supportive responses could include confidential outreach by a supervisor, access to non-punitive treatment programs, and peer support from other healthcare professionals