YOUR HEALTHOpioids
What are Opioids?
Opioids cover a range of natural and synthetic substances used to manage pain in clinical settings but are also produced and used non-medically. Opioids have become a public health concern because there has been a dramatic increase in the number of opioid poisonings in Canada over the past 5 years. The increase in opioid poisonings is a result of the illegal drug supply being contaminated with opioids, like fentanyl, which can be fatal at very small amounts.
Common opioids include:
- Buprenorphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone (Oxycocet, Percocet)
When used as directed by a healthcare professional, opioids can help with pain. They can also be risky. People might get addicted because opioids can make them feel a strong “high.” Over time, a person might need to take more of the opioid to feel the same effect. This makes addiction and poisoning more likely.
Health Risks
Short-Term Health Risks
In very small amounts, opioids can cause many short-term health risks, including:
- Feeling very sleepy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble breathing
- Headaches, feeling dizzy or confused, which can cause falls or injuries
Opioid Poisoning
Signs & Symptoms
Signs of an opioid poisoning:
- Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
- Very small pupils
- Very slow or no breathing
- Blue lips or nails
- Cold or clammy skin
- Cannot be woken up
Long-Term Health Risks
The longer-term health risks of using opioids may include:
- Needing more and more to feel the same effect (tolerance)
- Liver damage
- Your body becoming dependent on them
- Substance use disorder, which may involve:
- Difficulty completing duties at work, school, or home
- Giving up hobbies and other activities
- Using more and more over time, even when you didn’t plan to
- Being unable to cut down or control use
- Spending too much money on opioids
- Poisoning / overdose
- Trouble having babies (infertility)
- Serious health problems for the baby if the mother used opioids during pregnancy
Lower Risk Opioid Use
If you use opioids, consider using safer methods. Here are some recommendations for safer use:
- Use sterile equipment. We offer sterile equipment through our Needle Syringe Program.
- Ensure needles and sharps are safely disposed of using Safe Needle Handling practices.
- Store Drugs Safely to prevent poisoning accidents.
- Carry naloxone and know how to respond to an opioid poisoning or access other opioid agonist treatments such as buprenorphine, suboxone, or methadone.
- Don’t use opioids alone – have someone nearby or ask a friend to check in.
- If using opioids with a friend, do not use at the same time.
- Use a testing strip to make sure that the substance is what you think it is.
- Know yourself and changes in your tolerance level. After not using for a while, your tolerance for an opioid can be lower. Do not use the same amount as before and start with smaller amounts.
- Do not mix opioids with other substances or take with alcohol.