The Risks of Opioids
Tolerance
The body adapts to opioids quickly. Increasing amounts may be needed to manage the pain, even when taken as directed. Higher doses increase the risk of overdose.
Withdrawal
Symptoms experienced when someone quickly cuts back or stops taking an opioid include restlessness, chills, sweats, aches and nausea. Someone whose body has become tolerant to opioids and would experience withdrawal if they stopped taking them abruptly is experiencing physical dependence.
Addiction
Addiction is a chronic disease in which someone continues to use opioids even in the face of severe negative consequences. The clinical term for this is opioid use disorder.
Overdose
Opioids affect the part of the brain that controls breathing. If someone takes too much, it can slow or stop their breathing and cause death.
Signs of an overdose:
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils.”
- Face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch.
- Body goes limp.
- Fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color.
- Vomiting or making gurgling noises.
- Cannot be awakened or unable to speak.
- Breathing or heartbeat slows or stops.
- For people with lighter skin, the skin may turn blue or purple. For people with darker skin, the skin may turn gray or ashen.
How to save a life:
- Call 911 right away.
- Try to wake the person up.
- Tilt the person’s head back and give naloxone, if available.
- Begin rescue breathing or CPR.
- Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.