Q: What is opioid use disorder? A: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is not just an individual using a lot of opioids to get “high”. It refers to a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down opioid use, making a lot of efforts …
Opioid addiction and withdrawal: What you should know Read More »
A long-sought tool in the fight against America’s opioid crisis is becoming available later this year: Narcan, the nasal spray that can stop opioid overdoses as they are happening, will finally be sold over the counter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the change on Wednesday, a regulatory overhaul that patient advocates and community health groups …
What is Narcan? The opioid overdose spray, explained. Read More »
Double doctoring, also known as “doctor shopping,” is the deliberate use of more than one physician in order to obtain prescriptions for a greater amount of medications than would be prescribed by a single physician. Doctor shopping can also refer to the act of seeking a doctor who is known for being generous with medication …
Precipitated withdrawal is a sudden onset of withdrawal symptoms such as fever, cramping, and sweating, brought on by medication-assisted treatment to manage substance use disorders, particularly opioid dependencies. Unlike withdrawals from substance dependencies, precipitated withdrawal is caused by the use of medication and not the deprivation of a substance. Another key difference between precipitated withdrawal and typical withdrawal …
Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that works like codeine to relieve moderate pain. It is often prescribed in combination with other compounds in products like Vicodin or Lortab, which contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is the most widely available opioid in the United States, which means that it is inexpensive and easy to come by. Many victims of …
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) refers to the withdrawal symptoms that newborns experience at birth when they’ve been exposed to opioids in the womb. When a person uses opioids during pregnancy, the drugs can cross the placenta and affect infants. Babies are then born dependent on these drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms. As …
People who have a substance use disorder often find that overcoming it is more challenging than they expected. They may feel that addiction is a myth and they can quit any time they want or that they are an exception to the rule. This can also occur with behavioral addictions involving activities such as eating, sex, gambling, …
If you’re taking opioids for chronic pain, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the medication. Opiate drugs are extremely habit-forming; tolerance, physical dependence, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms are all possible. As a result, there is a high potential for misuse and addiction, even when use begins with a prescription. Prescription opioids include: Codeine Demerol …
Knowing what to say to a friend or loved with a drug addiction can be challenging. But, if you’re like most people, you probably mean well but don’t realize that some comments and statements cause more harm than good. What’s more, people struggling with drug addiction often are sensitive, emotional, and insecure about their situation, especially in …
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Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is processed from morphine, which comes from the seedpod of the opium Asian poppy plant. Its use is a serious problem in the United States. Recent studies suggest a shift from injecting heroin to snorting or smoking because of increased purity and the misconception that these forms of use will not lead …
