HEROIN, OPIOIDS & NARCAN (Naloxone),
Opioid abuse and deaths related to opioid overdose have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. According to the CDC, Opioids were involved in 42,249 overdose deaths in 2016 (66.4% of all drug overdose deaths). Opioids—prescription and illicit—are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths. Source: www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/statedeaths.html
According to NCADD, Facing Addiction One in three households are directly impacted by substance use disorders, which costs our economy over $442 billion a year, and a 90% treatment gap for those suffering continues to persist.
It's frightening when you find out that your loved one is using heroin. NARCAN can reverse the effects of opioids (provided that there are no other depressant drugs used (such as valium, xanax, alcohol) Keeping this kit can give you a tool to use in case of an overdose. Remember… being informed and aware is the first step in understanding how to help someone with a Substance Use Disorder.
The sneaker photo below is one that I took when searching. If you suspect drug use, the snooping rule goes out the window.
According to NCADD, Facing Addiction One in three households are directly impacted by substance use disorders, which costs our economy over $442 billion a year, and a 90% treatment gap for those suffering continues to persist.
It's frightening when you find out that your loved one is using heroin. NARCAN can reverse the effects of opioids (provided that there are no other depressant drugs used (such as valium, xanax, alcohol) Keeping this kit can give you a tool to use in case of an overdose. Remember… being informed and aware is the first step in understanding how to help someone with a Substance Use Disorder.
The sneaker photo below is one that I took when searching. If you suspect drug use, the snooping rule goes out the window.
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Here is a training video for the newer NARCAN nasal sprays. Please watch and if you have a loved one that may need it one day get trained and keep one with you.
Please keep in mind that when the person is revived they will most likely be aggressive because they'll be in instant withdrawal, sick and extremely mad that you ruined their high. |
As of September 25, 2018, According to new preliminary data from the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, New Jersey saw 2,750 drug overdose fatalities in 2017—approaching eight per day on average. That number represents an increase of approximately 24 percent over the 2016 death toll of 2,221 drug overdose deaths (approximately 6 per day).
To look up New Jersey real time county specific data on overdose deaths, naloxone administrations and written opioid prescriptions go to www.njcares.gov.
The following are Stats for 2017 are from www.njcares.gov/#monm for Monmouth County as of November 11, 2018Clonidine works by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger sympathetic nervous system activityClonidine works by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger sympathetic nervous system activity
- 671 Narcan reversals in 2017, as a result of opioid overdose.
- 371,731 opioid prescriptions dispensed in 2017
- There were 164 suspected overdose deaths reported in 2016. 2017 states not available yet
Stats for Ocean County in 2017 can be found here: www.njcares.gov/#ocea
What are the effects of an overdose?
Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at a high risk of overdose or death.
The effects of a heroin overdose are: Slow and shallow breathing, blue lips and fingernails, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and possible death.
Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP)
http://www.barnabashealth.org/Specialty-Services/Behavioral-Health/The-Institute-for-Prevention/Programs/Opioid-Overdose-Recovery-Program.aspx
Naloxone Training Video by Dr. Ken Lavalle
http://oceancountyprosecutor.org/naloxone/
NJ Office of Emergency Services
http://www.state.nj.us/health/ems/naloxone_info.shtml
Naloxone National Training
https://www.bjatraining.org/tools/naloxone/Naloxone%2BBackground
Overdose Prevention Agency
http://overdosepreventionagency.com/mission/
MAT (Medicated Assisted Treatment)
The four most-common medications used to treat opioid addiction are:
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)- o Naltrexone binds and blocks opioid receptors, and is reported to reduce opioid cravings.
o Naltrexone is available in a tablet and a long acting injectable form.
o Patients should be completely withdrawn from opioids before naltrexone can be administered.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)- o Buprenorphine works by suppressing and reducing cravings for the abused drug.
o It is available in a variety of formulations (sublingual tablet and sublingual film) that is placed under the tongue. Buprenorphine is also available as an implant given every 6 months by a certified healthcare professional or a monthly injection.
o Oral formulations of buprenorphine are usually co-formulated with the opioid antagonist naloxone which reduces the likelihood of abuse by injection, but is not absorbed when taken as directed.
o Buprenorphine can be prescribed from a wider range of doctors and in larger amounts than methadone, increasing patient accessibility and convenience, but also increasing the risk of diversion or abuse.
Methadone- o Methadone lessens the painful symptoms of opioid withdrawal and blocks the euphoric effects of other opioids (i.e. heroin).
o It is available as a tablet.
o Methadone for addiction treatment is only available through methadone clinics and administered in clinic daily.
o Methadone can safely be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Clonidine is also sometimes used. It is a bloop pressure medication, but It works for opioid withdrawals by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger sympathetic nervous system activity. It can reduce symptoms like sweating, hot flashes and restlessness. It also reduces anxiety to help with the detox process.
To learn more about what each medication can do for you, click on the link below:
drugfree.org/parent-blog/medication-assisted-treatment/
SAMHSA Treatment Directory
dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/directory.aspx
Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a612022.html
SAMHSA Toolkit for Overdose Survivors and Their Families
http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA13-4742/Toolkit_Survivors.pdf
Prescribe to Prevent
Information for Pharmacists, Prescribers, Public Health Workers and others working on overdose protection and Naloxone access.
http://prescribetoprevent.org
Heroin
Opiates &
Opioids
Heroin is a narcotic and can be detected in the urine for up to 24 hours and in the blood for as long as 48 to 72 hours after use. It is a Federally Classified Schedule 1 Drug, which means it is one of the most dangerous class of drugs with a high potential for abuse and severe psychological and physical dependence.
What are common street names?
Common street names for heroin include: Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Hell Dust, Horse, Negra, Smack,and Thunder.
10 Signs of Heroin Addiction
www.narconon.org/blog/heroin-addiction/10-signs-of-hidden-heroin-addiction/
According to www.drugfree.org/heroin?gclid=CLO0u6Doxc4CFQ1Zhgod4a8NLA :
Heroin and other opioids are ravaging communities across America. Deaths from heroin increased 248% between 2010 and 2014. More Americans die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by Rx painkillers.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) counted 10,574 heroin overdose deaths in 2014, which represents more than a fivefold increase of the heroin death rate from 2002 to 2014
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Restlessness
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Sleep issues
- Muscle spasms
- Cold flashes
- Severe muscle and/or bone pain
- Severe cravings
Heroin Addictions; Signs, Side Effects & Withdrawl
heroinresources.org/addiction/
What is the difference between an Opiate and an Opioid?
Opiate drugs originate from naturally-occurring alkaloids found in the opium poppy plant.
Opiate drug types include:
- heroin
- opium
- morphine
- codeine
Opioids are synthetic drugs that produce opiate-like effects. So when comparing opiate vs. opioid, both substances provide pain-killing effects.
Some examples of opioid drugs are:
- Demerol
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
- Percodan
- Percocet
Source: www.dea.gov
Heroin can cause many health issues. Below are common short and long term effects that can happen:
Short-term effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Flushing of the skin
- Nausea
- Severe itching
- Drowsiness
- Mental cloudiness
- Heavy feeling in the arms and/or legs
- Insomnia
- Constipation/stomach cramping
- Abscesses
- Liver or kidney disease
- Collapsed veins (due to injections)
- Lung complications
- Heart lining and/or valve infections
- Mental disorders (such as depression or anxiety)
Signs and Symptoms (Courtesy of The Partnership of Drug Free N.J.)
www.drugfreenj.org/signsandsymptoms/
WATCH AS THIS DOCTOR TELLS A FAMILY THAT THEIR DAUGHTER DOESN"T NEED A PRESCIPTION