Current Use of Opiates and Opiate Effects

Question 1

what is the lifetime use of heroin in Canadians aged 15+?

Answer 1

• estimated at 0.4% (less than 1%)

Question 2

what is the medical use of opiates by Canadians aged 15+?

Answer 2

• 13%

Question 3

what is the % of abuse of prescribed opiates?

Answer 3

• 2%

Question 4

what are the routes of administration?

Answer 4

• intravenous administration (most people associate this with opiate use but it’s only most common for heroin users) this is the LEAST common method of administration
• snorting is not effective for opiates bc it’s not well absorbed the mucosal lining
• most opiates are smoked
• oral administration is the MOST COMMON method of use (since most are taken as nonmedical use for medically prescribed pills)
• Poppy Tea: made by brewing dried poppy seed heads called DODA

Question 5

what are some opiate effects?

Answer 5

• when injected: tingling sensation and feeling of warmth in the lower abdomen
• euphoria
• nodding: tranquil drowsiness
• nausea that most first time users will vomit (tolerance to this effect)
• Depressed respiration (death can occur this way)
• itching over the entire body
• constricted pupils (pinpoint pupils)
• constipation (opiates were used for the treatment of diarrhoea - Paregoric is a traditional medicine)
• analgesia: pain without loss of consciousness
• pregnant woman: babies will exhibit withdrawal symptoms upon birth and they will last 7-10 days and there will be discomfort in feeding and comforting baby but there are no lasting effects of experiencing withdrawal ( if they are on opiate maintenance its recommended that they continue maintenance
• opiates are reinforcing