Opioids are either are derived from the opium poppy or produced from chemicals to provide or intensify the effects of natural opium. There are many different opioids, including morphine, heroin and codeine. They can be manufactured in regulated labs and used for medical treatment in and outside of hospitals, but they can also be made in illicit labs by people with varying degrees of competence.
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Learn About Opioids
Opioids are psychoactive (mind-altering) drugs that alter our perceptions of pain and slow down our breathing, heart rate, thoughts and actions. They are called opioids because they either are derived from the opium poppy or produced from chemicals to provide or intensify the effects of natural opium. There are many different opioids, including morphine, heroin and codeine (e.g., Tylenol 3).
Safer Injecting: Opioids, crack and crystal meth
Injecting is the riskiest way to use drugs. Some of the risks are related to using needles. Other risks are related to the type of drugs that go in the needles. Here are things you can do to reduce those risks.
Patients Helping Patients Understand Opioid Substitution Treatment
This booklet talks about opioid substitution treatment (OST)—medication-assisted treatment with methadone or Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone). These medications are also opioids, but they provide stable, long-acting relief from withdrawal and cravings.
The list below provides the references to the research studies discussed in Learn About Opioids.
Health is a state of total well-being—physical, mental and social—helping us both survive and…
Opioids are psychoactive (mind-altering) drugs that alter our perceptions of pain and slow down our…
Visions article: heART space
A community art show about overdose
Marion Selfridge, MSW, PhD
Reprinted from the "Youth Facing Health Inequities" issue of Visions Read more
