Opioids

New Campaign to Raise Awareness about Prescription Drug Abuse to be Launched in September
September 23 through September 30, 2012, the Partnership at Drugfree.org will launch a national media awareness week about prescription drug abuse. Download this factsheet about prescription drug abuse and contact Marcia Lee Taylor, SVP, Government Affairs at marcialee_taylor@drugfree.org about opportunities to participate.

In 2009, 7 million Americans reported current (past month) nonmedical use of prescription drugs—more than the number using cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants combined. Perhaps even more disturbing, approximately 2.2 million Americans used pain relievers non-medically for the first time in 2009 (initiates of marijuana use were 2.4 million). The recreational use of prescription opioids is sharply rising nationwide, a trend that shows no sign of stopping.

Opioids are analgesic medications prescribed to relieve pain. Their brand names include Oxycontin, Vicodin, Demerol, and Percoset. Synthetic opioids bind to the same receptors in the brain that heroin does and, similarly, can cause physical and psychological withdrawal effects.

The rise in prescription drug abuse has coincided with the rise in pharmacological treatments of opioid dependence. Traditionally, methadone maintenance has been the only option for opioid dependence; it is joined now by buprenorphine, naltrexone, and vivitrol.

IRETA and the Northeast ATTC are committed to research and training to address the prescription drug epidemic and improve the quality of medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependent patients. The resources listed here provide information about opioid addiction and treatment.

Topics

Risk Management
Buprenorphine
Methadone
Management of Benzodiazepines in Medication-Assisted Treatment