Lecture Week 3 Flashcards
What is the opioid epidemic?
The deadliest drug crisis in American history.
How many people died of drug overdoses in 2016?
Approximately 64,000 people.
What percentage of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them?
Roughly 21-29%.
What percentage of those who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin?
4-6%.
What was Purdue Pharma’s claim about OxyContin in 1995?
That its long-acting formulation was ‘believed to reduce’ appeal to drug abusers.
What did Purdue Pharma conceal about OxyContin?
Significant abuse of the drug in the first years after its introduction.
Why do doctors prescribe opioids despite their risks?
Pressured to treat pain efficiently and lacked resources for alternative treatments.
How much opioid medication was prescribed per person in 2015 compared to 1999?
Triple the amount.
What is the ‘balloon effect’ in drug trafficking?
When a drug supply is limited, users find alternative sources rather than quitting.
Why do opioid users transition to heroin and fentanyl?
Lost access, stronger high, and lower cost.
What is fentanyl?
A synthetic opioid, first made in the 1960s, used for pain relief in sprays, patches, and other forms.
Why is fentanyl so dangerous?
A tiny amount (~2mg) can be lethal.
What is carfentanil?
A synthetic opioid so potent that a few grains can kill a human.
Why is illicit fentanyl more dangerous than heroin?
It is often mixed with heroin without users knowing, leading to overdoses.
What is polysubstance use?
Using multiple substances; half of heroin deaths involve alcohol.
What are key strategies for addressing the opioid epidemic?
Treatment access, overdose-reversing drugs, research, and pain management improvements.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Use of medications, counseling, and behavioral therapy to treat substance use disorders.
How does methadone work?
Prevents withdrawal, reduces craving, and blocks illicit opioid effects.
What is buprenorphine?
A partial opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms with low overdose risk.
Why is Suboxone formulated with naloxone?
To prevent abuse by injection, as naloxone triggers withdrawal if injected.
How does naltrexone help opioid addiction?
Blocks opioid effects, preventing euphoria and reducing cravings.
What is naloxone used for?
Reversing opioid overdoses by quickly restoring normal breathing.
