Naloxone and Heroin Abuse
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Increased Naloxone Supply and Increased Heroin Abuse
Naloxone is an important tool in the fight against opioid overdoses, and its increased availability is not likely to encourage heroin abuse.
Navigation: What is Naloxone?, Wider Availability of Naloxone Will Not Encourage Heroin Abuse, Study Finds, Why Do People Abuse Heroin?, What is Opioid Use Disorder?, The Dangers of Opioid Overdose, Signs of a Heroin Overdose, Rehab is Your Best Chance
Due to the increased availability of Naloxone, widely known as the opioid reversal drug, there are concerns that it will encourage the use of heroin. A new study suggests that this is not the case.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. There is a belief that the wider supply will encourage heroin abuse. But contrary to concerns, the fact that Naloxone treatment is now widely available will not increase the rate of heroin abuse, at least according to the results of a brand new study.
Researchers say that Naloxone distribution will not inadvertently promote high risk substance abuse among young people. The new study, which focused on more than 900,000 teenagers, found that is not the case.
In fact, the increased availability of Naloxone can even help reduce the stigma associated with opioid use disorders and encourage people to seek treatment. Knowing that Naloxone is available can provide a sense of safety and security, and can help people who use opioids feel more comfortable seeking help if they experience an overdose or other medical emergency. This can contribute to opioid overdose prevention efforts.
Naloxone is an important tool in the fight against opioid overdoses, and its increased availability is not likely to encourage heroin abuse. Instead, it is likely to help reduce the harm associated with opioid use and improve the health and well-being of people who use opioids.
What is Naloxone?
Before we talk about their findings, let’s discuss the drug that helps fight opioid misuse and substance abuse through overdose reversal.
Naloxone is a medication used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist, which means it binds to the same receptors in the brain that opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, or morphine bind to.
The difference is that it does not produce the same effects as these drugs. Instead, Naloxone displaces the opioids from the receptors, which can reverse the effects of the overdose. When naloxone is administered, it allows the person to breathe normally again.
Naloxone can be administered through several routes, including injection, nasal Naloxone distribution, or auto-injector. It is considered a safe medication with very few side effects, although it may cause withdrawal symptoms in people who are dependent on opioids.
Naloxone is commonly used by emergency responders, healthcare providers, and laypeople who have been trained to administer the medication, such as friends and family members of people who use opioids. It is also available without a prescription in some jurisdictions to increase access to the medication and prevent opioid-related deaths.
It typically takes effect within two to five minutes. It’s important to note that Naloxone does not cure opioid addiction or prevent future overdoses. It is a temporary solution that can save someone’s life in an emergency situation. After receiving naloxone, the person still needs to seek medical attention to treat the underlying overdose and address any addiction issues.
Naloxone can literally save lives and reduce the rates of opioid overdose mortality. Just like syringe service programs, this medication is an essential part of health and human services since it helps combat drug and alcohol dependence, particularly opioid addiction.
Wider Availability of Naloxone Will Not Encourage Heroin Abuse, Study Finds
According to a study that was published recently in the International Journal of Drug Policy, the broader availability of Naloxone between the years 2007 to 2019 did not increase heroin use among adolescents. First author Emilie Bruzelius referred to it as an “unfounded concern” based on their findings.
They analyzed Naloxone distribution and adoption at a state-level, also analyzing retail transactions that involved Naloxone. They used a prescription database that captured about 92% of US retail pharmacies.
All states in the US had legislation that improved access to Naloxone by 2019. In a school news release, the researchers encouraged the use of Naloxone for its life saving potential. They also called Naloxone a “key component of the US opioid overdose epidemic response”.
In fact, researchers even found that the increased access to Naloxone was more consistently associated with decreases in injection drug use and heroin use among adolescents.
Why Do People Abuse Heroin?
Despite its potential dangers, why do people still inject drugs like heroin? It is important to understand what the drug is and what it does in order to understand the underlying causes for its widespread abuse.
Heroin is an illegal drug that belongs to the class of drugs known as opioids. It is made from the opium poppy plant, which is primarily grown in Asia, South America, and Mexico. Heroin is highly addictive and has a powerful impact on the brain and body. It is usually sold as a white or brownish powder that can be smoked, snorted, or injected into the veins.
As a depressant that affects the central nervous system, heroin can slow down brain activity and produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. This pleasant sensation is only one of the reasons why people abuse the drug.
Here are some other possible factors that can contribute to heroin abuse:
Genetics: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to addiction, making them more susceptible to developing a dependence on heroin.
Escaping emotional pain: Some people turn to heroin as a way to numb emotional pain, or deal with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Peer pressure: People may start using heroin because their friends or acquaintances are using it, or to fit in with a particular group.
Curiosity: Some people try heroin out of curiosity or to experiment with drugs.
Misuse of their prescription: Some individuals may start using heroin after becoming addicted to prescription opioids, which have similar effects.
Lack of social support: People who lack social support or are struggling with social isolation may turn to heroin as a way to cope with their feelings of loneliness.
Despite having a few short-lived benefits, the consequences of heroin use are far more impactful.
Heroin use can cause serious side effects, including respiratory depression, decreased heart rate, and coma. Long-term use of heroin can lead to addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence, making it difficult to quit without professional help. It can also lead to a range of health problems, including infections, overdose, and death.
Heroin abuse is a serious problem that can lead to a range of negative consequences if left untreated.
What is Opioid Use Disorder?
Heroin is a type of opioid, which means heroin abuse technically falls into the umbrella of opioid use disorder.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic medical condition characterized by a pattern of opioid drug use that leads to significant impairment or distress. Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.
Just like with other addictive substances, individuals with OUD experience intense cravings for opioids and may continue to use them despite the negative consequences it may cause to their health, relationships, and daily life.
They may also develop tolerance to opioids, meaning they need higher doses to achieve the same effects, which can lead to dangerous and potentially deadly overdoses.
Here are some of the symptoms of opioid use disorder to watch out for:
Taking larger amounts of opioids or using them for longer than intended
Trying unsuccessfully to quit or cut back on opioid use
Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from opioid use
Continuing to use opioids despite knowing the negative consequences
Giving up important activities or social relationships because of opioid use
Using opioids despite physical or psychological problems that may have been caused or worsened by opioid use.
Treatment for OUD typically involves a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapies. MAT may involve medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, which can help to reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and the risk of overdose.
Behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management can help individuals with OUD to develop coping strategies, identify triggers for drug use, and build a support network for recovery.
The Dangers of Opioid Overdose
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 69,710 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2020, and opioid-involved overdose deaths accounted for 69.5% of those deaths. This means that there were approximately 48,404 opioid overdose deaths in the US in 2020.
Opioid overdose can have serious and potentially life-threatening effects on the body. For starters, it can cause respiratory depression. This is because opioids slow down the central nervous system. This can cause breathing to slow down or even stop. This is the most common cause of death in opioid overdose.
Opioids can also cause a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to dizziness, fainting, or even cardiac arrest.
It is important to watch out for signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose. Constricted pupils, blue lips and nails, confusion, disorientation, and coma are all signs of an opioid overdose.
Opioid use can cause the pupils to become very small, or constricted, which is a common sign of overdose. Their lips and nails may turn blue due to the fact that they are not getting enough oxygen. This happens during an opioid overdose wherein the person’s breathing slows down or stops completely.
It is also common for opioid use to cause confusion, disorientation, and even loss of consciousness. In severe cases, opioid overdose can lead to a coma or even death.
Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an opioid overdose. Remember that timely intervention can save lives.
Signs of a Heroin Overdose
The signs of a heroin overdose are quite similar to the signs of opioid overdose since heroin is an opioid. Heroin overdose can occur when a person takes too much of the drug. When you are addicted to a substance, you usually lose control over your intake. Even if you are already suffering from the adverse health effects and other consequences, you will still keep taking the drug. This is why overdose deaths are so common.
A heroin overdose in particular can cause respiratory failure, coma, and even death.
Watch out for the possible effects of heroin overdose:
Slow or shallow breathing: Heroin can suppress the respiratory system, causing breathing to slow down or stop. This can lead to oxygen deprivation and damage to vital organs like the brain, heart, and lungs.
Blue or purple skin: Heroin overdose can cause the skin to turn blue or purple due to lack of oxygen. This is called cyanosis and is a sign of a serious medical emergency.
Confusion or delirium: Heroin overdose can cause confusion, disorientation, and even delirium. This can make it difficult for the person to communicate and respond appropriately.
Unconsciousness or coma: In severe cases, heroin overdose can cause the person to lose consciousness or slip into a coma. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention.
Weak pulse: Heroin overdose can cause the heart to beat more slowly, leading to a weak or irregular pulse. This can be a sign of shock and requires immediate medical attention.
Seizures: Heroin overdose can cause seizures, which are involuntary muscle movements that can be very dangerous. Seizures can cause injury or further complications and require immediate medical attention.
Death: Heroin overdose can be fatal, particularly if the person does not receive prompt medical attention. Overdose can cause respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or other life-threatening complications.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on heroin, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Naloxone is often given to individuals who are at risk of an opioid overdose, such as people who use heroin or prescription opioids, as well as their family members, friends, and other caregivers. By making naloxone more widely available, it is possible to save more lives and reduce the number of deaths from opioid overdoses.
Overdose education and Naloxone continue to play key roles in the fight against substance abuse and overdose deaths.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an opioid addiction or heroin addiction, look for a rehab near you and learn more about your treatment options. You can check reliable resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information.
Get started on the road to long-lasting sobriety today.
Rehab is Your Best Chance
Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.
