Opioids Flashcards
Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
loss of control
risky use
social/vocational problems
pharmacological/physical symptoms
What comprises loss of control?
taken in larger amounts and longer periods than intended
desire + unsuccessful efforts to cut down
What comprises risky use?
use in situations in which is it physically hazardous (driving, heavy machinery)
continued use despite knowledge of having a problem
What comprises social/vocational problems?
use resulting in failure to fulfill major roles/obligations at work, school, and home
What comprises pharmacological/physical symptoms?
exhibits tolerance and withdrawal
Why are pharmacological and physical symptoms not considered when diagnosing someone with OUD?
People who are dependent on opioids in a medical context will experience these symptoms; does not necessarily mean they are addicted to opioids
Opiates (definition)
chemical compounds extracted or refined from natural plant matter
Examples of opiates
morphine
codeine
Opioids (definition)
chemical compounds that are not derived from natural plant matter (synthesized in a lab)
Semisynthetic opioid (chemically modified) examples
heroin
hydrocodone
oxycodone
Synthetic opioid examples
fentanyl
Drug Schedule I Classification
no currently accepted medical use and high potential for abuse
Drug Schedule II Classification
high potential for abuse and may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence
Drug Schedule III Classification
moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence
Drug Schedule IV Classification
low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence
Drug Schedule V Classification
lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the opioid crisis?
rates of overdose and relapse significantly rise
total number of nonfatal opioid overdoses increased significantly from 2019 to 2020
What are supervised consumption sites (SCS)?
clean facilities where individuals with an addiction to IV drugs can inject the drug in the presence of nursing staff prepared to stop overdoses + provide clean needles
What are the drivers of the synthetic opioid problem?
high efficacy - last longer than semisynthetic
high affinity - bind to multiple receptors rather than one
Two parts of Opioid withdrawal
Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Characteristics of Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (7)
lasts 1-5 days
insomnia + restlessness
joint and muscle pain
dysphoria
anxiety
gastrointestinal distress
thermoregulation disturbances
Characteristics of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (4)
Lasts min. 6 months
mood disturbances
sleep problems
fatigue
Medication-Assisted Treatments
use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, in the treatment of substance use disorders
What does research suggest about medically-assisted treatment?
Research suggests they are effective
decreases in the number of ODs
increases in retention of patients in treatment
decreases drug use, infectious disease transmission, criminal activity
Why are MATs so controversial and not more widely used if they are so effective?
Related to stigma around individuals who are addicted
They believe people are addicted to drugs of their own free-will rather than an issue of disease
What is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)?
Passive exposure of newborn occurs when a mother uses neuroactive drugs during pregnancy
When an infant is deprived of substances through birth, a withdrawal syndrome may develop
Factors that alter NAS expression
Drug type
Genetics
Sex & gestational age
Physical environment and caregivers
