Heroin, Fentanyl and other Opioids: Awareness, Research and Resources
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“Opium: that terrible truth serum. Dark secrets guarded for a lifetime can be divulged with carefree folly after a sip of the black smoke.” ― Roman Payne
Heroin, Fentanyl and other Opioid Research
Heroin, Fentanyl and other Opioids
"Heroin, Fentanyl, and other opioids are a group of powerful drugs that are derived from or mimic the effects of opium, a natural substance extracted from the poppy plant. These substances have both medical and recreational uses, but they also pose significant risks due to their potential for addiction and overdose.
"Heroin, Fentanyl, and other opioids are a group of powerful drugs that are derived from or mimic the effects of opium, a natural substance extracted from the poppy plant. These substances have both medical and recreational uses, but they also pose significant risks due to their potential for addiction and overdose.
Heroin: Heroin is an illegal opioid drug synthesized from morphine, which is derived from opium poppies. It is typically sold as a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance known as "black tar" heroin. Heroin is commonly abused for its euphoric and pain-relieving effects. However, it is highly addictive and can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory depression, infections, and overdose.
Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is much more potent than both morphine and heroin. It is used medically for pain management, particularly in patients with severe pain or those undergoing surgery. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has become a major concern due to its involvement in a significant number of overdose deaths. It is often mixed with other drugs, including heroin and cocaine, without the user's knowledge, leading to increased risk of overdose.
Other Opioids: Besides heroin and fentanyl, there are other opioids used for medical purposes, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine. These drugs are commonly prescribed for pain management. However, they also have a potential for abuse and addiction. Misuse of prescription opioids can lead to serious health consequences, including addiction and overdose.
Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord called opioid receptors. This binding results in pain relief, relaxation, and a sense of euphoria. However, it also depresses the central nervous system, leading to slowed breathing and potentially fatal respiratory depression.
The opioid epidemic has become a major public health crisis in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States. Overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, have risen dramatically in recent years. Efforts to address this crisis include improved access to addiction treatment, prescription monitoring programs, harm reduction initiatives, and public education about the risks of opioid misuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, it's important to seek help from a healthcare professional or a treatment center. Opioid addiction is treatable, and there are various evidence-based approaches available to help individuals recover and manage their addiction. (Source: ChatGPT 2023)
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Evidence synthesis - The opioid crisis in Canada: a national perspective NIH
Exposure to fentanyl-contaminated heroin and overdose risk among illicit opioid users in Rhode Island: A mixed methods study ScienceDirect
Fentanyl: One Pill Kills
Fentanyl Awareness United States Drug Enforcement Administration
Fentanyl Facts CDC / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Fentanyl Vaccine Potential ‘Game Changer’ for Opioid Epidemic University of Houston
Fentanyl and the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Council on Foreign Relations
Health Research and Development to Stem the Opioid Crisis PDF Report from the Executive Office Of The President Of The United States
Fentanyl and the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Council on Foreign Relations
Heroin vs Fentanyl: Uses & Classifications American Addiction Centers
Health Research and Development to Stem the Opioid Crisis PDF Report from the Executive Office Of The President Of The United States
How Is Fentanyl Addiction Different From a Heroin Addiction? Ashley
Is Fentanyl More Addictive Than Heroin? Tulip Hill Recovery
More Than 80% of People Who Inject Drugs Test Positive for Fentanyl, But Only 18% Intend to Take It New York University
New nasal spray to reverse fentanyl and other opioid overdoses gets FDA approval NPR
Opioids and Drug Overdose Prevention Connecticut Official State Website
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Policing on the Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis Police PDF Download Executive Research Forum
Once feared, illicit fentanyl is now a drug of choice for many opioid users NBC Health
Opioid Misuse in Rural America USDA
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Opioid Overdose World Health Organization
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Opioids and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) MedilinePlus
Parents Guide to Fentanyl Mental Health and Motivation
Policing on the Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis Police PDF Download Executive Research Forum
Prevent Opioid Abuse and Addiction U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Reasons to avoid fentanyl APM / Annals of Palliative Medicine
The Future of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids RAND Corporation
The Opioid Crisis: A Contextual, Social-Ecological Framework BMC
The Future of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids RAND Corporation
The Opioid Crisis: A Contextual, Social-Ecological Framework BMC
The Opioid Epidemic: A Geography
in Two Phases PDF Download USDA
Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic CDC / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Why fentanyl is Deadlier than Heroin, in a single photo Stats
What is fentanyl and why is it behind the deadly surge in US drug overdoses? UMass Chan Medical School
What are Opioids? - Video