Addiction
What is addiction?
"Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence."
What % of population is addicted?
10%
What is the opioid crisis?
The opioid crisis is the worst addiction epidemic in American history.
What is naloxone?
Naloxone, also known as Narcan is an opioid antidote that blocks the effects of opioids, reversing an overdose. An emergency drug
What are symptoms of addiction?
Impaired control; craving to use/desire and failure to cut down, social problems; can’t complete major tasks at work/with family/in relationships(give social life up to use), risky use; continue use despite risks, drug effects; tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
Drug overdoses kill roughly how many people per year?
More than 64,000
How did the opioid crisis happen?
In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to opioid pain relievers and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. Increased prescription of opioid medications led to widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.
How is naloxone administered?
There are a few different ways to administer naloxone. There are intramuscular injections into the muscle of the arm, thigh or buttocks. There is the nasal spray as well.
What is one of the main reasons why people choose to take drugs?
To feel good, feeling of pleasure, “high”, to feel better, to relieve stress
What % of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them?
21-29% of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them
Name some common opioids
Prescription pain relievers, heroin, fentanyl, oxycontin
How long does it take for narcan to wear off?
It starts to wear off after 30 minutes, and officially worn off after 90 minutes.
Stages of addiction
First stage is functioning individual; retain a job, intact relationships, but suffer. Late stage is non-functioning addict; lose job, use every day(commonly misconceived as what addiction is, but this is rare)
What % of people develop an opioid use disorder?
8-12% develop an opioid use disorder
Name two consequences of opioids.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome from opioid misuse during pregnancy, and the increase injection drug use has also contributed to the spread of HIV and hepatitis C (inflammation of the liver). These viruses spread in two main ways.
Name one pro and one con of why narcan should or should not be supported.
(Various answers).