Opiates Research Paper

Therefore, the overall estimates of OUD reported in this paper are combinations of the prevalence of disordered use of these opioids. Moreover, in this paper, incidence of OUD is described by reporting past-year first time use of opioids. This measure is an alternative for reporting of incidence rates due to challenges with its measurement (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014). This paper describes the occurrence of OUD and its risk factors. Moreover, this paper will highlight prevention and treatment models, as well as abuse-deterrent technologies that have been created. Altogether, the findings of the paper demonstrate demographics changes in the trends of OUD occurrence, as well as the challenges in treating and preventing OUD.

After prolonged use, the body becomes physically reliant; the long-term effects of this addiction are synonymous with withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal is especially difficult since they moderate dopamine; once use is reduced or put to an end, the induced euphoria is as well, and the pleasure centers are often left impaired (Tigerin Peare and drugfreeworld.com). Additionally, one can suffer from restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, and cold flashes, often coinciding with

If you have been working in EMS for longer than a week you will probably already know the epidemic that America is facing. The epidemic that I am referring to has no discrimination and anyone can fall victim to it. If it hasn't already destroyed your family in some way then you are one of the lucky few.

Opioid abuse is a crisis that is plaguing America, in 2015 there we an estimated 15,000 deaths due to prescription opioids*. People are dying, and families are being ripped apart, a radical change needs to occur in order to save lives. Although there are many ways to attempt to solve this problem, here are three solutions that could potentially save lives; decriminalize all drugs, limit prescribed painkillers, and provide access to Narcan (naloxone).

Opioids are making a resurgence in the black market, evident by the rapidly increasing opioid overdose rates in an increasing fatality count for Maryland every year. The state and local governments have been working to alleviate the issue with increased access to counteractive medications and required rehabilitation. This, however, is draining government funds only to stall, if not worsen, the problem. The best approach to stopping the opioid epidemic of Maryland is to take a similar approach to smoking in treating the situation as a matter of addiction instead of one of drug abuse.

Opioid abuse is a growing epidemic within the United States. Not only are people abusing the prescription forms of opioids (such as oxycodone - OxyContin, hydrocodone - Vicodin, codeine, and morphine) by taking more than they are supposed to, but they are also being bought, sold, and used on the streets illegally; such as heroin. Opioids are highly addicting because of the high they can induce in a person, causing a dependence and yearning for continued use (NIDA, n.d.) In 2007, the United States was responsible for over 99 percent of the global consumption of hydrocodone and 83 percent of the global consumption of oxycodone (United Nations Publications, 2009).

Current medications that can be used to treat opioid disorders include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Patients who are addicted to heroin and narcotics have been treated with methadone for years. In 1937, methadone was synthesized by the german scientist Max Bockmuhl and Gustav Erhart (18). They created the drug in hopes that I will be less addictive then your typical pain killers, although some believe it can be more addictive than heroin (18). While taking this drug it is recommended to be a part of a comprehensive medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for optimal results. By changing how the brain and nervous system react to pain, methadone can make opioid withdraw; less painful (13). It is taken once a day and can be given

With assistance from local educators such as Dr. Fagan and government policies could help bring awareness to opioid addiction to reduce and limit opportunities for misuse. Communicating this problem among healthcare physicians, providers, health departments can provide the public with information to help those with recovery and prevent further exposure. With effective communication, healthcare providers can spread knowledge, stories, break the stigma surrounding opioid use, and bring more discussion. “Children who learn about the dangers of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs.”Therefore, we must start a conversation to break the stigma that affects individuals and families throughout our communities. Within the environment, some individuals may feel stigmatized by substance abuse which can be a barrier for those to seek help and contributes to poor mental and physical health ultimately increasing rates of relapse, delay recovery and increase involvement in risky

Does anyone you know and or love currently struggle with opioid addiction? Have you witnessed the loss of a life due to opioid addiction? Opioid addiction is a major issue we are all facing the United States either directly or indirectly. The opioid epidemic has continued to grow yearly, and shows no real solutions in the trend of it slowing down or it coming to an end. Doctors are well aware of this information and are working to reduce the number of opioid abuse cases created at the source. There are options available to addicts including but not limited to inpatient rehabilitation programs, detoxification programs/facilities, and outpatient counseling support. These options cost a significant amount of money, unaffordable to most addicts,

Patients with any type of a mental health issue or substance disorders are at a high risk for an addiction from medical based opioids. With knowing how opioids affect the brain, it is easily to say that it can be highly addictive by repeatedly using them over time. Now with those patients who have any pain or mental health issues may get addicted to opioids since it relieves them from the level of pain they are in. This induces tolerance which happens when the person's body no longer responds to that pain reliever as strongly as they may have in the beginning; thus, the only way to get that same effect they will take a higher dosage. Patients with chronic pain who use opioids with stronger potent along with benzodiazepines are at a higher risk to overdose (Volkow). In 2015, the opioid epidemic affected the nation by killing more than 33,000 people (Brauer). Four in five new heroin users started out misusing opioids. The main advantage of opioids is controlling the level of pain. Opioids produce some type of “high”; the faster acting they are, the more the intense of the high. The side effects of opioid abuse varies and includes drowsiness, paranoia, nausea, and depression (Patterson). A lot of people are suffering from prescribed drugs. Ms. Steen is a witness of this epidemic. She is 46 years old and one of many people who get suboxone from two doctors who are licensed to prescribe it (Scott). What is suboxone? It is a type of narcotic that

Additionally, prolonged use of opioid drugs changes the way opioid receptors work in the brain, making the receptors dependent on the drug to function normally. This is referred to as dependency. When a person is dependent on opioid drugs, they will become physically ill if they stop taking them. These symptoms, which can sometimes be mistaken for the flu, are known as withdrawal symptoms and they are the body’s response to no longer having the drug in their

Opiate use disorder is an epidemic, and continues to be a growing problem. It is defined as the overuse of opiate medication, which can be prescribed or obtained illegally (Lin, Bohnert, Price, Jannausch, Bonar, and Ilgen, 2015). Sobriety continues to be a struggle for patients. This is true for those who have completed inpatient treatment as well. The documented pattern in this disorder is that multiple relapse episodes is a direct indicator of fatality (Ohannessian, 2014). Increased perception of acceptable pain levels have been shown to be an important indicator of opiate use (Lin, et al, 2015). Further review of the literature shows accountability can also be a key factor in increasing sobriety rates (Weiss, et al, 2014). The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is equipped to combine these findings using a therapeutic relationship with the patient (Thorkildsen, Eriksson, & Råholm, 2015). The trusting relationship has the potential to increase patient compliance with clinic sessions as well as openness to share emotional and physical triggers that may lead to relapse. This is a holistic approach to care that can potentially save many lives. The role of learned helplessness in patients dealing with recurrent pain has been shown to lead to misuse of pain relieving medications (Sheftell & Atlas, 2002) Given the addictive nature of opiates, this misuse can be a leading risk factor for

Study shows that around 25% of adult patients experience severe and moderate pain that leads them to request medication such as opioid. Health Care Professionals (HCPs) sometimes has difficulty to offer other options in treating pain. HCPs had to assess patients and can only rely on the information provided by patients such as its side effects. If opioid is commonly prescribed for uncontrolled pain, how can HCPs assure it is use in a timely manner, or only as prn, and even to avoid misuse or abuse?

At one time, drug addicts were viewed as a creepy individual that hung around alleys looking to score drugs. Today, we realize that drug addiction affects people from every walk of life. Drug addiction or more precisely, opiate addiction might affect a housewife next door, a graduate student, a grandparent, a teacher, doctor, lawyer, celebrity, beauty queen, model, baby sitter, or the teen delivering the newspaper. Opiate addiction is a new phenomena that is slowly taking over the country. Just about everyone knows someone that has experienced a drug problem now or in the past. However, opiate addiction treatment has saved numerous lives.

Diacetylmorphine is the chemical name for heroin. In its physical form, it looks like white crystals or fine powder. It is made through the acetylation of morphine with acetic anhyrdride. Different methods of taking heroin result in different effects. When injected, morphine goes to one’s brain and removes its acetyl groups, resulting in its metabolization into morphine. The morphine then binds with opioid receptors and thus creates the “high.” When taken orally, the heroin has the same effects as oral morphine. The molecular formula of heroin is C21H23NO5 and its molecular weight is 369.41102 g/mol (NCBI, 2015). Figure 5.3 below shows its structure: