...Opioid Addiction What causes a person to become addicted to opioids? When first exploring the topic of opioid addiction, I did not understand how huge of an issue opioid addiction really was. “The number of prescriptions for opioids (like hydrocodone and oxycodone products) has escalated from around 76 million in 1991 to nearly 207 million in 2013, with the United States their biggest consumer globally, accounting for almost 100 percent of the world total for hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin) and 81 percent for oxycodone (e.g., Percocet)” (Volkow). This is astonishing to know that, so many people are being prescribed a drug that could potentially lead to long term addiction. Opioid addiction does not discriminate, it affects every gender, race, and social status. Being that pain medications have been somewhat easy to obtain has only increased this problem. Most people within their lifetimes will be prescribed some type of opioid. Wither it is...
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...The opioid epidemic was announced by President Donald Trump, as a national health emergency on July 2017. It is not a recent issue, but it is the deadliest drug crisis in American history. The overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1999 when it was surveyed in 2015, the numbers could be greater now. Although opioids come in different forms, they are most often used in pain killers that are prescribed from medical professionals. Examples of opioids are hydrocodone, fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, and heroin. When an opioid is ingested it binds to the receptors in the body that controls a person's pain, doctors generally prescribe them to alleviate pain from accidents, surgeries, stressed muscles, etc. During World War II is where opioids...
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...The issue in question involves the overuse of prescribed opioid medication and the unnecessary overdose death rates that accompany it. Drug overdose is a big ongoing issue throughout the United States. The medication that is supposed to help with pain causes more harm than healing. A temporary fix creates a more permanent problem, “death” rather than a permanent solution. With proper guidelines and stricter regulation on dosage, usage, and physician prescribing, the chances of overdosing and death due to overdose could be decreased over time. The programs in place now are not as effective as they should be, this is seen with the increase in the rate of overdose from prescription drugs. Ayesha Sajid et al. states, there was a twofold increase...
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...How Medical Cannabis Affects Chronic Pain Do you suffer from chronic pain? You're not alone. Chronic pain is typically characterized as pain that endures for more than twelve weeks—the amount of time it usually takes for the body to heal itself from wounds and injuries. Studies show that one in every five Canadians suffer from chronic pain, with the aging population being more acutely affected. These numbers are concerning, no matter who you are or how you currently feel. If you're not affected by chronic pain now, you may be plagued by it in the future. At the very least, you might encounter a friend or support a loved one living with the realities of long-term pain. Chronic pain comes in many forms: Headaches and migraines, backaches, joint...
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...tolerance. “There is evidence that after prolonged use, heroin is highly addictive. People who use heroin regularly can develop dependence and tolerance to it, which means they need to take larger amounts of heroin to get the same effect”. (NIDA research report series, 2005) Heroin is also an opioid drug and with Heroin, it can be snorted, smoked, injected and inhaled. Once heroin substance is administered the pharmacological route involves crossing the blood brain barrier where the permeability of heroin is ten times higher than morphine. “Once heroin crosses the blood brain barrier, it is hydrolyzed into 6-acetyl morphine and morphine, which then quickly bind to opioid receptors. The “rush” felt by heroin users is the sensation caused by the rapid entry of heroin into the brain and the attachment of 6-acetyl morphine and morphine to opioid receptors. Opioids in general can change the neurochemical activity in the brain stem causing a depression in breathing. In the limbic system opioids cause an increase in feelings of pleasure, and have the ability to block pain signals sent through the spinal cord”. (NIDA research report series, 2005) The physiological changes with heroin and other opioid substances stem from long term use of the drug which causes neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain. The biggest change that occurs with dependence and addiction of heroin substances is with the brain circuitry which deals with the wiring and reward pathway of the brain. “Whenever...
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...This paper will explore Case World scenario of Leigh who has been involved in a rally car accident and has sustained injuries (School of Nursing & Midwifery 2014). This paper scopes the pathophysiology of the lungs as well as a pneumothorax and how this injury can affect the normal functions of the cardiac and respiratory systems. It also looks into how kinetic energy from a car accident aided these injuries. Secondly, the paper looked into the use of an under water sealed drain (UWSD) and how it can prevent the development of a tension pneumothorax. Furthermore, it also discusses two medications Leigh has been prescribed and are linked to his injuries with a rationale and pharmacology explained. Lastly, the paper will explore one sign and symptom and why they manifest in conjunction with his pneumothorax. The human lungs are two paired...
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.............................................. 2 Opioids ................................................................................................ 2 Local Anaesthetics .............................................................................. 3 Side Effects.......................................................................................... 3 Pharmacodynamics ............................................................................. 4 Pharmacokinetics ................................................................................ 5 Legal Aspects ...................................................................................... 6 Conclusion .......................................................................................... 6 References .......................................................................................... 7 Table 1. Effects of CNS depression associated with increasing plasma concentrations of lidocaine................................................................. 4 1 Summary This report discusses the intended uses and advantages of two types of analgesic drugs, opioids and local anaesthetics. The severity of the side effects for each category of analgesia are assessed. Methadone is an opioid that is regularly used in veterinary medicine, the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of this opioid are compared against that of the common local anaesthetic, lidocaine. Opioids are classed as either schedule 2, 3 or 5 controlled...
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...physiological dependence on the substance, and the person will cannot live a normal life. A drug addicted person will become unable to cope without the drug they are addicted too. Addiction can lead to antisocial behavior, violence; crime of all sorts, even murder to get what they want. Giving up drug addiction takes strength, mind strength mostly because the mind is responsible for the addiction. It is the beginning of addiction and the end of addiction. The mind and the body crave pleasure and stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain and the addiction finds pleasure in the drugs and the sensation itself. Any withdrawals from the drug will bring about depression, irritability, suicidal thoughts, restlessness, and anxiety. Addiction is mind control and can be overcome if the person wants, learning about his or her condition will give insight and understanding as why he or she may be addicted. There are three categories that certain drugs can share and have many differences. Depressants can slow down the body and its activity from the nerve and brain which slows down the communication between the two. Depressants can relax muscles, calm nerves, useful for medical purposes for such cases as insomnia. Stimulants can stimulate the central nervous system and the brain, making the communication between the two faster. They can increase physical activity...
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...A Comparison of Methadone and Suboxone in Opioid Treatment Program Julien Nougarou Upper Iowa University Abstract Addiction to opioids is a common problem throughout the world. Maintenance treatments such as Methadone and Suboxone are effective in lessening the desire to consume illicit drugs, but they are not perfect options for drug treatment as each has negative effects, too. In this paper, both the positive and negative effects of the drugs Methadone and Suboxone will be determined and evaluated in order to better ascertain the better treatment. It was concluded that the effectiveness of each treatment can only be determined on a case-by-case basis, as the factors of success are often dependent on the patient receiving the treatment. There are various criticisms for both modes of treatment, but no other means of treating opioid addiction have yet to be found. There are improvements that could be made for both treatments, but regardless of improvements each mode of treatment is risky as there is no miracle cure for opioid addiction. Introduction In 1864, The New York State Inebriate Asylum, the first in the country, opened in Binghamton, NY. It was the first of a growing network of inebriate asylums that treated alcoholism and addiction to drugs such as opium, morphine, cocaine, chloral, ether, and chloroform. Today, when talking about opioid addiction and dependency treatments, two controversial but efficient treatments stand out from the lot: Methadone and Suboxone...
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...As one prescription drug abuser in his early 20’s explained: Once people (pill brokers) know you take them prescription opioids, they’ll start calling you. “Oh, it’s this time of the month.” Then they wait for that person to get their script. They know exactly in their head what day the script’s getting ready to come so they got the patterns down. Pill brokers and dealers reported congregating in open air drug markets typically strip mall and pharmacy parking lots, and outside methadone clinics to buy, sell, and trade prescription drugs. These markets were reported to involve a variety of transactions, including the purchase of prescription drugs for cash, as well as trades for crack and heroin. Pill brokers also reported the purchase of used fentanyl patches from nurses who have stolen them from pain patients or from disposal containers in hospitals. Some individuals frequenting the drug markets also barter their oxycodone for other opioids or benzodiazepines, typically alprazolam. Doctor Shopping focus group participants indicated that even in a small state like Delaware, doctor shopping appeared to be fairly easy. The vast majority of abusers reported obtaining medications through doctor shopping, and most reported frequenting at least four physicians in order to obtain sufficient amounts of their desired medications. Occasionally clinics and hospital emergency rooms were reported as locations for doctor shopping as well. A heavy user stated: Another focus group member...
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...be filled with granulation tissue before re-epithelialization can occur, hence contracting the wound edges and assisting in wound closure (Sussman & Bates-Jensen, 2011). Procedures that result in secondary intention healing result in a large amount of scarring (Carville, 2003). Tertiary intention healing involves some stages of secondary intention healing. Wounds are left open to heal the current infection, before re suturing. This allows for the wound edges to become well approximated, and allows for the suturing/re suturing of the wound to occur, leaving behind partial scarring (Schilling McCann, 2006). There are many factors that can affect Mrs. Baxter’s wound healing. Local factors are established by Dempsey et.al, 2009, are influences that affect the wound directly, whilst systemic factors are defined as factors pertaining to the whole body (Anderson, Novak, & Keith, 2001). Local factors that have affected Mrs. Baxter’s ability to heal include, trauma, oedema, infection, and limited oxygenation (Dempsey, French, Hillege, & Wilson, 2009). These factors impact healing as it places pressure on the wound, interferes with circulation and places strain on the immune system. Systemic factors that influence Mrs. Baxter’s healing progress are known to comprise of: age, circulation, weight, alcohol consumption and nutritional status. These issues have increased her risk of infection, and altered her immune system, hence delaying the wound from healing in a orderly and timely manner...
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...Southwestern Assemblies of God University School of Distance Education Methadone Treatment Programs are Effective in Stopping Heroin Use A Paper Presented to Professor Loyd Uglow, Ph.D In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Course THE 5113 Research Literature and Technology Sharon Pete November 28, 2012 THESIS STATEMENT: To investigate Methadone maintenance is found to be more effective in treating heroin addiction than 180 day detoxification. The objective is how methadone maintenance, a widely used but controversial method of weaning heroin addicts off the drug—with counseling has psychosocially enriched 180 day methadone assisted detoxification. OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION A. History of Heroin B. History of withdrawals II. How Methadone is used to treat Heroin? III. Research Findings IV. CONCLUSION V. Work Cited Methadone Treatment Programs are Effective in Stopping Heroin Use Substitution treatment or maintenance pharmacotherapy programs using methadone are today the most sought after and effective form of treatment for opiate addiction and dependence. Because methadone is a long-acting opiate whose dosage can be stabilized, it is well suited for daily administration and has proven effective in the elimination of narcotic craving, a driving force behind continued heroin use. And, because it can be administered orally, methadone dramatically reduces heroin injecting frequency...
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...Vicodin Table of Contents Background………………………………………… Page 1 Hydrocodone……………………………………….. Page 1 and 2 Acetaminophen……………………………………... Page 2 and 3 History and Social Impact…………………………. Page 3 and 4 Drug Abuse…………………………………………. Page 5 and 6 Conclusion…………………………………………... Page 6 and 7 Appendix …………………………………………… Page 8 and 0 Defined Terms……………………………………… Page 10 Work Cited…………………………………………. Page 11 Background: Vicodin is an orally taken painkiller composed of a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, classifying it as an opioid pain reliever. In this capacity, Vicodin will bind to opioid receptors and reduce the sending of pain messages to the brain 1. Opioid receptors are used to control pain, slow breathing, and have a general calming affect. In a regular Vicodin tablet, there is 5mg of hydrocodone, which reacts with the 300mg of acetaminophen 2. Individually, hydrocodone and acetaminophen are medically used drugs that are used to relieve pain, however when employed together they having a much more hard-hitting effect. The combined drug works similar to other opiates by travelling along neurological pathways and increasing dopamine levels, resulting in euphoria and pain relief 3. Currently, Vicodin is classified as a level three controlled substance due to its tendency to cause psychological dependence, potential abuse, and its acceptance for medical treatment in the United States. As of 2006, more than 6.4 million people reported that they had misused Vicodin...
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...overdose is not easy to deal with. Unfortunately, many people hear those same words every day. The problem is that drugs are very popular in today’s society. Countless efforts are being made to try and end this problem. One topic that has recently become popular is safe injection sites. These sites allow people to have a secure place for injection while under the supervision of doctors. The doctors are constantly monitoring, and ready to act in case of an emergency. People can also get information about withdrawal, addiction counselling, and other treatment alternatives through the help of social workers. Safe injection sites are a valid response in fighting the opioid epidemic. One way that the sites help is by preventing the spread of diseases. A heroin addiction is known as “an immediate health crisis” because of how common it is for people to get infections...
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...Oterom Edgardo Durantini, Juana J. Silber, Leonides Sereno, Devens Gust, Thomas A. Moore, Ana L. Moore, and Stuart M. Lindsay published in June 6, 2006. This article was most likely written for scientists or college grads majoring In the field because it was more into depth and was pubished on www.pnas.org[->0]. While the popular article is mostly intended for high school or junior high students as its published on pysc.org[->1], a website explaining this process in a simpler form. Both articles helped me understand this topic greatly. The goal of the scientific article if to understand one of the roles of the car in photosynthesis and to explore the role as gatable electronic components. As for the popular article the goal was to explain how biomolecules called carotenoids participate in this process of...
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