opioid overdose booklet
DESCRIPTION
Risk Factors & Prevention TipsTRANSCRIPT
Opioid OverdoseRisk Factors and Prevention Tips
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 1
What you can expect to learn from this booklet
• General information about opioids
• General information about an opioid overdose
• Opioid Overdose Risk Factors
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Tips
Disclaimer: The information in this bookletshould not be taken as medical advice. Discuss medical issues with your trustedhealthcare provider.
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 2
What are Opioids?General Information about Opioids
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 3
Opioids Are…
• Drugs made from opium poppies or made in a laboratory
• Drugs that act in the brain and can stop youfrom breathing
• Used to manage physical pain and fortreatment of addiction to other opioids
• Sometimes used for other reasons likeemotional pain, boredom, or for fun
• Drugs that generally make people feel warm,drowsy, and happy
• Drugs that you can become dependent on over time
2
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 4
A Few Common Opioids
• Heroin (Smack, Junk, etc.)• Morphine (Statex®, Kadian®, MS Contin®)• Oxycodone (Oxycontin®, OxyNeo®)• Percocet®, Oxycocet® and Endocet®
(oxycodone + acetaminophen)• Percodan® (oxycodone + acetylsalicylic acid)• Pentazocine (Talwin®)• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®, Palladone®)• Vicodin® (hydrocodone + acetaminophen)• Fentanyl (Duragesic®, etc.)• Codeine (Tylenol 1®,2®,3®)• Methadone • Buprenorphine + Naloxone (Suboxone®)• Opium
3
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 5
When Using Opioids, You May Experience...The high
• Lasts 20 minutes for some opioids, and up to24 hours with others
• Feelings of intense pleasure and reduced pain• Warm skin, dry mouth, and heavy feeling
arms and legs• Nausea, vomiting and severe itching• Slow, shallow breathing
Coming down• Feeling restless, sweaty, stomach cramps
and diarrhea• Irritability, insomnia, yawning, runny nose• Muscle spasms and bone pain• Strong cravings for more opioids
4
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 6
What is an Opioid Overdose?
General Information about Opioid Overdose
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 7
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 8
An opioid overdose happens when you take too much of an opioid and it slowly stops you from breathing. How much is too much depends onthe person.
When you don’t breathe regularly your body andbrain don’t get enough oxygen. This can lead tobrain damage and sometimes it can lead to death.Death may occur hours later. Sometimes people diebecause they choke on their own vomit.
7
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 9
What are the Signs of an Opioid Overdose?
Feels like• You can’t stay awake• You don’t have any energy or strength• You can’t walk, can’t talk
Other things to look for• Slow pulse or no pulse• Slow breathing or no breathing• Skin that looks pale and blue, feels cold• Pupils are pin-sized or eyes are rolled back• Vomiting• Body is limp
8
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 10
How can an OpioidOverdose Be Prevented?
Risk Factors and Prevention Tips
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 11
Overview of Risk Factors
• Mixing more than one drug at a time• Using the same amount of drug again,
when you haven’t used for a while• Changing to a different opioid• Using in a new place• Poor health• Changing the way you take your drug(s)
10
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 12
Overview of Prevention Tips...
• Don’t mix your drugs. This includes prescription,over-the-counter, and illegal drugs
• Try small amounts first (do testers). Use less. Pace yourself
• Use less if the supply, dealer, or town is new to you• When sick, or if you have poor health, be extra
careful• Choose a safer way of taking drugs• Don’t use alone. Make sure someone knows what
drugs you’ve taken• Talk to a trusted healthcare provider
11
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 13
Risk Factor: Mixing more than one drug at a time
• Using alcohol, sedatives, benzodiazepines and other opioids together could increase your chance of overdose
• Some antidepressant medications or SSRIs can increase your risk of overdose
• Using cocaine, crack, and crystal meth (which are stimulants) with opioids isdangerous because it puts your body under too much stress
12
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 14
Overdose Prevention Tip
• Don’t mix your drugs• Know how your pharmacy prescription and
over-the-counter medications work with otherdrugs you are using. Talk to a trustedhealthcare provider
• Make sure someone knows what drugsyou’ve taken (including prescriptions) in caseyou need help
13
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 15
Risk Factor: Using the sameamount of drug again, when youhaven’t used in a while
• When you haven’t used in a while, your tolerancegoes down. If you go back to using your usualamount, you may overdose
• Your risk of overdose is very high when:- You leave treatment or detox- You’re discharged from the hospital- You’re released from prison
14
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 16
Overdose Prevention Tip
• Try small amounts first (do testers). Use less.Pace yourself
15
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 17
Risk Factor: Changing to adifferent opioid
Changing what opioid(s) you use can increase yourrisk of overdose because not all opioids are thesame. For example:
• You may need less (of the new opioid) to get thesame effect (high)
• Long-acting opioids (like methadone) stay inyour body for a long time and may accumulateover days. What was OK on the first day couldstop your breathing on the second or third day
16
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 18
Overdose Prevention Tip
• Try small amounts first (do testers). Use less.Pace yourself
• Be aware that if you use street drugs you cannever be sure of what you’re using
• Don’t use alone – and remember, don’t shareequipment
17
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 19
Risk Factor: Using in a new place
• Using in a new or unfamiliar place can increaseyour risk of overdose
• It’s hard to trust what drugs are being used if thedrug supply, dealer, or town is new to you
• If you use in a new place, the added stress ofbeing in a new place may increase your risk ofoverdose
18
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 20
Overdose Prevention Tip
• Be careful when using in a new place• Try small amounts first (do testers). Use less.
Pace yourself• Make sure you have a buddy in your new
community who can help you if needed
19
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:44 PM Page 21
Risk Factor: Poor health
• When you are sick, tired, or haven’t been eatingregularly, your body can’t break down opioidswell
• If you have liver and/or kidney damage your bodycan’t break down opioids well
• Any illness that affects your breathing (e.g. a common cold, asthma, C.O.P.D.) can increase your risk of overdose
20
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 22
Overdose Prevention Tip
• When sick, use less than you usually would.Be careful if you have a weak immune system,like if you’re HIV positive
• Get tested for liver diseases like hepatitis A, B,C and find out the results. That way you willknow if you have liver damage
• Get your heart and lungs checked• Talk to a trusted healthcare provider
21
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 23
Risk Factor: The way you takeyour drug(s)
• The way you take drugs affects your overdoserisk. For example, injecting drugs puts you athigher risk of overdose than swallowing orsmoking drugs
22
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 24
Overdose Prevention Tip
• Consider taking your drugs in a way that mayreduce your risk of overdose. For example,consider smoking or swallowing your drugsrather than injecting
23
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 25
Other things to remember
In case you do overdose, you want to make suresomeone is able to get help for you as soon aspossible. Here are some tips to remember:
• Tell someone you trust where, when, and whatyou are using
• Make sure the person looking after you can getto you… is your door unlocked?
• An overdose is a medical emergency. Have aplan. Call 9-1-1 when needed
• Keep in mind how quickly emergency medicalservices can get to you
24
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 26
For more information…
• Talk to a trusted healthcare or service provider• Visit: www.ohrdp.ca• Learn how to prevent and respond to an opioid
overdose. Talk to your local Needle SyringeProgram for more information
• Need information about addiction services?Contact the Drug & Alcohol Helpline: www.drugandalcoholhelpline.ca1 .800.565.8603
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 27
Toll Free: 1.866.316.2217E-mail: [email protected]: www.ohrdp.ca
OHR_oo_July29_Layout 1 2014-08-05 1:45 PM Page 28