Josh Bressette
Commit to Save a Life, Inc.

Opioids

The epidemic of Opioid abuse has destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States. Many people have died from Opioid overdoses, and many more now suffer from debilitating addiction to drugs that they first used with a prescription to relieve pain. Opioid addiction is not a choice, a behavioral problem, a lack of willpower, or a moral failing. People with substance addiction may have made the initial choice to use, but they did not choose to become addicted.

An Epidemic

Understanding the Epidemic
From the CDC:
www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html

4th Wave of opioids

Polysubstance Use
From Berkshire District Attorney-Andrea Harrington
youtu.be/7LGSLVr-Ypw

What are Opioids

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Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant and that work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including the relief of pain with many of these drugs.
Opioids can be prescription medications often referred to as painkillers, or they can be so-called street drugs, such as heroin.
Many prescription opioids are used to block pain signals between the brain and the body and are typically prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. In addition to controlling pain, opioids can make some people feel relaxed, happy or “high,” and can be addictive. Additional side effects can include slowed breathing, constipation, nausea, confusion and drowsiness. -John Hopkins Medicine
Opioid drugs include:
Fentanyl, Opium, Heroin, Codeine, Morphine, Oxycodone, Methadone, Sufentanil, Tramadol, 
​Hydrocodone

Signs of Opioid Addiction

Physical

• Loss of coordination
• Shallow or slow breathing rate
• Intense nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Shaking
• Sweating

Psychological and Behavioral

• Depression
• Anxiety attacks
• Irritability
• Drastic mood swings
• Lowered motivation
• Poor decision making
• Abandoning responsibilities
• Financial hardship
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Spending less time with family and loved ones

Signs of Opioid Use

• Strange behavior: extremely happy or depressed for no apparent reason; mood swings; hostile, angry, uncooperative; not wanting to be around family/home
• Messy, careless appearance, poor hygiene
• Dishonesty, lies
• Nodding OUT (chin on chest, sleepy, slow to respond)
• Sleeplessness; sleep all day/up all night
• Tired, lethargic, lack of concentration
• Forgetfulness: losing everyday things such as car keys, wallet, money
• Disinterest in hobbies, sports, family activities
• Cash flow problems
• Secretive – phone calls, locked bedroom door, strange numbers on cell phone
• Pinpoint pupils 
• Weight loss; rarely eat meals
• Stealing 
• Burn holes in clothing, bedding, furniture
• Blood stains on clothing, car seats, bedding
• Straws cut in half, empty pens (for snorting)
• Small folded wrappers, empty small baggies; breath mint containers; corners of baggies; small pieces of tinfoil; gem packs, pill capsules broken in half
• Small glass vials and/or bottle caps and covers
• Wide rubber bands and/or drawstrings from clothing
• Syringes, alcohol wipes