Opioid dependence can happen in just FIVE DAYS.

It can happen to anybody.

While many people take Prescription Opioids as directed under a doctor’s care, there are risks that we should know.

Risks Include:

  • Taking Opioids puts you at risk for dependence and addiction
  • Opioids affect the brain’s “reward circuit” and flood the brain with the chemical messenger dopamine.
  • Dopamine surges encourage you to repeat the unhealthy behavior of taking drugs – which can lead to dependence and addiction.
  • Addiction is a disease – a primary, chronic disease of the brain’s reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry – it’s called “Substance Use Disorder” (SUD) or “Opioid Use Disorder” (OUD), and it can be treated.

It can happen to anybody.

While many people take Prescription Opioids as directed under a doctor’s care, there are risks that we should know.

Risks Include:

  • Taking Opioids puts you at risk for dependence and addiction
  • Opioids affect the brain’s “reward circuit” and flood the brain with the chemical messenger dopamine.
  • Dopamine surges encourage you to repeat the unhealthy behavior of taking drugs – which can lead to dependence and addiction.
  • Addiction is a disease – a primary, chronic disease of the brain’s reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry – it’s called “Substance Use Disorder” (SUD) or “Opioid Use Disorder” (OUD), and it can be treated.

More than 115 Americans die every day from Opioid overdose.

West Virginia has the highest drug overdose death rate in the nation.

Prescription drug misuse is highest among those ages 18 to 25.

80% of heroin users started with prescription pain killers (aka Opioids)

Types of Prescription Opioids:

  • Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®, Percodan®)
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®)
  • Diphenoxylate (Lomotil®)
  • Morphine (Kadian®, Avinza®)
  • CodeineFentanyl (Duragesic®)
  • Propoxyphene (Darvon®)
  • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
  • Meperidine (Demerol®)
  • Methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®)

Citations: National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens; National Institute on Drug Abuse

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