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Opioids

An opioid is a drug in derivative form of natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Used as a means of pain relief medically from the result of receptors in the brain responding, opioids can produce highly addictive results due to the morphine-like effects.

Resource Links

National

Department of Health and Human Services Opioids

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This site is provided from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services about opioid prevention and addiction resources. This is a list of links that includes places to dispose of prescription medication, pain management options and recovery options.


Family Doctor

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Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) represents 129,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.  Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. This website is a resource for with concise information on what constitutes as an opioid, side effects from prescription use and abuse and warning signs and causes of an opioid addiction.


Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

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The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has been at the forefront of the alcohol and drug addiction treatment field for nearly 70 years, saving lives, restoring families and shaping increasingly effective rehab programs. The experts are dedicated to providing clinical care, education and research in the field of addiction, treatment and recovery so that you are assured of receiving the best drug and alcohol rehab available, personalized to each patient, and aimed at achieving lasting sobriety.


Mayo Clinic

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The Mayo Clinic explains risk factors for a forming an opioid addiction including biological, social and psychological risks and variables that commonly lead to addiction. This article also summarizes the long and short term bodily and social impacts of abusing opioids.  Lastly this is a helpful link to learn about preventative measures for yourselves and for family and community members.


Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths

Opioid Summaries by State - National Institute on Drug Abuse

In 2016, there were 119 opioid-related overdose deaths­­­ in Idaho—a rate of 7.4 deaths per 100,000 persons—compared to the national rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 persons. The number of overdose deaths attributed to specific categories of opioids continue to rise. From 2012 to 2016 the number of prescription opioid-related deaths increased from 45 to 77 deaths and synthetic opioid (mainly fentanyl) related deaths rose from 11 to 20 deaths. The number of heroin-related overdose deaths in Idaho have been available since 2014. Since then, they have risen from 11 to 25 deaths.


Remove the Risk Toolkit 

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Remove the Risk raises awareness of the serious dangers of keeping unused opioid pain medicines in the home and provides information about safe disposal of these medicines.

Use these free toolkit materials—public service announcements (PSAs), social media images and posts, fact sheets, and more—for talking with others about safe opioid disposal.


VeryWell Mind What to Know Before Signing a Pain Management Contract

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This article provides the reader with comprehensive information on what a pain management contract is and the basic requirements for most pain management contracts. Additionally this article breaks down why pain management contracts are now required.


VeryWell Mind When a Loved One is Addicted to Opioids

VeryWell

This article from VeryWell Mind summarizes signs of opioid abuse and the biological roots of addiction.  Further provided here is an explanation of medically assisted therapies, twelve step programs and evidenced bases practices for talk therapy treatment to help the addict as well as family members.


World Health Organization Information Sheet

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The World Health Organization Information Sheet on opioid overdose includes an explanation of what opioids are made from, warning signs of overdose, what to do in the case of an emergency overdose and how to work towards preventing opioid overdoses.