Opioid Medicines and Overdose Prevention

Global Prevalence of Opioid Use

• Approximately 0.7% of the global population aged 15-64 used opioids in the past year.
• Variations in prevalence across regions.

Prevalence of Opioid Use in the United States

• Millions of Americans misuse prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
• In 2019, an estimated 10.1 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids.
• 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, and 745,000 people used heroin.

Psychological Risks Involved with Long-Term Abuse of Narcotics

• Mental health disorders: depression, anxiety, PTSD.
• Cognitive impairment: impaired decision-making abilities, concentration, problem-solving, processing speed.
• Emotional dysregulation: mood swings, irritability, emotional instability.
• Social and interpersonal problems: social withdrawal, isolation, conflict due to mood disturbances.
• Prioritization of drug-seeking behavior over interpersonal relations.
• Psychological distress: feelings of guilt, shame, self-blame, increased risk of suicide.
• Co-occurring substance use disorders (e.g., alcohol).

Cautions and Management

• Overdose risk: deadly when combined with alcohol, sleeping pills, anxiety medication, muscle relaxants.
• Dependence: physical (daily use).
• Risks: breathing problems, reduced blood pressure, withdrawal symptoms.
• Management: isolation from individuals who completed withdrawals, exercise not allowed, difficult behavior to handle.

Physiological Risks

• Respiratory System: sleep-disordered breathing, respiratory depression, increased overdose risk.
• Gastrointestinal System: constipation, severe intestinal blockage, nausea, and vomiting.
• Cardiovascular System: increased risk of myocardial infarction and heart failure.
• Musculoskeletal System: increased fracture risk.
• Endocrine System: infertility, osteoporosis.
• Immune System: increased pneumonia risk.
• Addiction and Misuse: prescription drug abuse prevalent, increased all-cause mortality.