Brief Description
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin as well as powerful pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and many others. These drugs are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but they are frequently misused (taken in a different way or in a greater quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription) because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief. Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can produce dependence, and when misused or abused, opioid pain relievers can lead to fatal overdose. The current epidemic of prescription opioid abuse has led to increased use of heroin, which presents similar dangers.
Also more about:
- Naloxone - a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose
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| Drug | Time Period | 8th Graders | 10th Graders | 12th Graders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heroin | Past Year | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Narcotics other than Heroin | Past Year | - | - | 4.80 |
| Vicodin | Past Year | 0.80 | 1.70 | [2.90] |
| OxyContin | Past Year | 0.90 | 2.10 | 3.40 |
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| Drug | Time Period | Ages 12 or Older | Ages 12 to 17 | Ages 18 to 25 | Ages 26 or Older |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heroin | Past Year | 0.30 | 0.10 | 0.60 | 0.30 |
| Pain Relievers | Past Year | 4.70 | 3.90 | 8.50 | 4.10 |
Related Publications
Related Resources
- Fact Sheets: Prescription Opioid Abuse and Heroin Use Epidemic (White House)
- Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit - Updated 2016 (SAMHSA)
Emerging Trends & Alerts
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Prescribing Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Pain
