Opioid dependence
Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. Some opioids are made from the opium plant, and others are synthetic (man-made).A doctor may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some doctors prescribe them for chronic pain.Opioids can cause side effects such as drowsiness, mental fog, nausea, and constipation. They may also cause slowed breathing, which can lead to overdose deaths. If someone has signs of an overdose, call 911:The person's face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touchTheir body goes limpTheir fingernails or lips have a purple or blue colorThey start vomiting or making gurgling noisesThey cannot be awakened or are unable to speakTheir breathing or heartbeat slows or stopsOther risks of using prescription opioids include dependence and addiction. Dependence means feeling withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to compulsively seek out drugs, even though they cause harm. The risks of dependence and addiction are higher if you misuse the medicines. Misuse can include taking too much medicine, taking someone else's medicine, taking it in a different way than you are supposed to, or taking the medicine to get high.Opioid misuse, addiction, and overdoses are serious public health problems in the United States. Another problem is that more women are misusing opioids during pregnancy. This can lead to babies being addicted and going through withdrawal, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Opioid misuse may sometimes also lead to heroin use, because some people switch from prescription opioids to heroin.The main treatment for prescription opioid addiction is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It includes medicines, counseling, and support from family and friends. MAT can help you stop using the drug, get through withdrawal, and cope with cravings. There is also a medicine called naloxone which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and prevent death, if it is given in time.To prevent problems with prescription opioids, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions when taking them. Do not share your medicines with anyone else. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about taking the medicines.NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Disease Alternative Name
230 Views
, 2 Likes
, 6 Answers
1 View
, 1 Like
, 5 Answers
Recent Cases of Opioid dependence
Browse recently discussed Opioid dependence cases by specialistsTop Cases of Opioid dependence
Selected by editors, top cases are known for unique problem or best solutionTop Opioid dependence Doctors on Curofy
Top doctors who continously share their opinions on Opioid dependenceAarogyam, GLA University.
Medical Officer
Institute of Palliative Medicine
F.P.M
Geetanjali Medical College & Hospital
Assistant Professor
Gauhati Medical College
MD Psychiatry
Govt Medical College Kottayam
Senior Resident
Govt Medical College Kottayam
MD Psychiatry
Barnala Manorog Hospital
Consultant Psychiatrist
Patna Medical College And HOSPITAL
MBBS
Trending Diseases
Trending Cases
Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death in children, with nearly 500,000 young lives lost to diarrhoea each year. Almost all these lives could be saved with a low-cost & widely available treatment - oral rehydration salts (ORS). A new study has revealed that ORS is under-prescribed in India; 50% of children with diarrhea did not receive this lifesaving treatment. There are several popular explanations for the under-prescription of ORS in India. What may be the major reason in your opinion?
Doc Insights4 Likes10 Answers- Login to View the image
M.70yrs. Cough with severe pain right chest. 10 days
Dr. Syam Sundar Patro0 Like8 Answers - Login to View the image
36 years old female complained about painful Lymph nodes on the neck region. *Chief Complaints* Painful & swallon lymph nodes at submandibular region of neck. *History* She was experienced with painful lymph nodes last year. She visited ENT, endoscopy showed grade 1 Tonsillitis & Chronic Pharyngitis. Montex was negative Usg neck showed reactive lymphadenopathy. She got resolved after using Antibiotics and some other medicine last year. Now again same complaints, patient is experiencing. *Vitals* Normal *Physical Examination* Normal apart from lymph nodes.
Dr. Suresh Sankabar0 Like7 Answers - Login to View the image
32 years female, complained that reddish discoloration developed after given Nuerobian Injection at Buttock. *Chief Complaints* No Pain & inflammation No rash *History* She had taken Injection Nuerobian intramuscularly left side buttock. After some time at the Left side of the Gluteus Maximus region developed reddish brown color. This discoloration just below the injection site. Not exactly on Injection site. *Vitals* Normal Vitals *Physical Examination* Normal
Dr. Suresh Sankabar1 Like5 Answers - Login to View the image
Hypertension frequently coexists with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or the metabolic syndrome etc. The identification and management of these risk factors is an important part of the overall management of hypertensive patients. In this learning series post which may be helping with the doctor community to revisit important Hypertension related treatment scenario & insights.
Curofy Upskill5 Likes5 Answers
10 Views
, 2 Likes
, 9 Answers