Opiate and Opioid Opiate and Opioid AddictionAddiction

By: Paul PurrazzellaBy: Paul Purrazzella

11/10/0811/10/08

What are Opiate’s and an Opioid’s?What are Opiate’s and an Opioid’s?

The word “Opiate” is a broad The word “Opiate” is a broad category category

that all of the different forms of Heroin that all of the different forms of Heroin fall under. fall under.

An Opioid is any type of narcotic An Opioid is any type of narcotic painkiller (Mostly in this casepainkiller (Mostly in this case OxyContin). OxyContin).

Similarities Similarities

Heroin and OxyContin are very Heroin and OxyContin are very similar in a sense of how the drug affects similar in a sense of how the drug affects people. Both of these drugs have almost people. Both of these drugs have almost the same affects and after affects on the same affects and after affects on people when they are used in certain people when they are used in certain ways. ways.

What is Heroin?What is Heroin?

Heroin is a highly illegal street drug Heroin is a highly illegal street drug that that is made from a natural substance is made from a natural substance taken taken from the seed pod of various from the seed pod of various poppy poppy plants.plants.

When Heroin is used, it affects the When Heroin is used, it affects the central nervous system, in the brain central nervous system, in the brain and along the spinal cord. It stimulates and along the spinal cord. It stimulates certain opioid receptors in these areas, certain opioid receptors in these areas, and pain relief will take place. and pain relief will take place.

What is OxyContin?What is OxyContin?

OxyContin is a pill that is prescribed for OxyContin is a pill that is prescribed for chronic pain. This pill has a 12-hour time chronic pain. This pill has a 12-hour time release. When the time release is compromised release. When the time release is compromised the user can receive 12 hours of medication all the user can receive 12 hours of medication all at once, making this drug popular in the streets. at once, making this drug popular in the streets. Due to its popularity among abusers, and drug Due to its popularity among abusers, and drug dealers, OxyContin is now on the Government dealers, OxyContin is now on the Government Controlled Substance List, making it illegal for Controlled Substance List, making it illegal for anyone to posses without a prescription. anyone to posses without a prescription.

What does Heroin and OxyContin What does Heroin and OxyContin look like?look like?

Heroin is mostly found in powder form, Heroin is mostly found in powder form, colors ranging from dark brown to white. colors ranging from dark brown to white. Sometimes it also comes in black stick Sometimes it also comes in black stick substance known as “Black Tar Heroin”.substance known as “Black Tar Heroin”.

OxyContin comes in pill forms ranging in OxyContin comes in pill forms ranging in dosages. This medication comes in dosages. This medication comes in 10,20,40,and 80mg.10,20,40,and 80mg.

How are they used?How are they used?

Heroin and Oxycontin are used in mostly Heroin and Oxycontin are used in mostly the same ways. Both substances the same ways. Both substances reportedly are administered by injection, reportedly are administered by injection, smoking, or snorting. When OxyContin is smoking, or snorting. When OxyContin is used in these ways its time release is used in these ways its time release is compromised and the drug becomes compromised and the drug becomes dangerously powerful along side with dangerously powerful along side with Heroin. Heroin.

Short-Term Affects of Heroin Short-Term Affects of Heroin Abuse.Abuse.

Heroin can cause many short term affects Heroin can cause many short term affects that will appear shortly after the initial use of the that will appear shortly after the initial use of the drug. These affects consist of:drug. These affects consist of:

A “rush” accompanied by a warm sensation A “rush” accompanied by a warm sensation Dry mouth Dry mouth Heavy extremities Heavy extremities Slowed and/or slurred speech Slowed and/or slurred speech Small sized pupils Small sized pupils VomitingVomiting Constipation Constipation

Short-Term Affects of OxyContin Short-Term Affects of OxyContin Abuse.Abuse.

As dosages of pain killer’s get higher, the Short As dosages of pain killer’s get higher, the Short and Long-term affects start looking like those of Heroin. and Long-term affects start looking like those of Heroin. OxyContin is one of the only Narcotic’s that has high OxyContin is one of the only Narcotic’s that has high enough dosages to even compare. enough dosages to even compare.

ConstipationConstipation NauseaNausea VomitingVomiting Dry mouthDry mouth Constricted pupils,Constricted pupils, Drowsiness Drowsiness

Long-Term Affects of HeroinLong-Term Affects of Heroin

Heroin has many long term affects, some Heroin has many long term affects, some of which can be fatal. Chronic users can of which can be fatal. Chronic users can develop:develop:

Collapsed veinsCollapsed veins Infection of the heart lining and valvesInfection of the heart lining and valves AbscessesAbscesses Liver diseaseLiver disease Addiction Addiction ArthritisArthritis Bacterial Infections Bacterial Infections Built up ToleranceBuilt up Tolerance

Long-Term Affects of OxyContinLong-Term Affects of OxyContin

The Prescription Narcotic known as The Prescription Narcotic known as OxyContin has long term affects on a users OxyContin has long term affects on a users body that are the same as Heroin. There body that are the same as Heroin. There are a range of negative health are a range of negative health consequences associated with OxyContin consequences associated with OxyContin abuse. Users will build up a tolerance to abuse. Users will build up a tolerance to this drug as well. The bigger the dosage this drug as well. The bigger the dosage taken in one use, and if taken repeatedly, taken in one use, and if taken repeatedly, addiction and symptoms of withdrawals, addiction and symptoms of withdrawals, long and short-term affects will get worse. long and short-term affects will get worse.

What is Withdrawal?What is Withdrawal?

Withdrawal takes place after an Withdrawal takes place after an abuser of either Heroin or Oxycontin does not have abuser of either Heroin or Oxycontin does not have this substance in their body. In order for a user to this substance in their body. In order for a user to experience the symptoms of withdrawal some sort experience the symptoms of withdrawal some sort of tolerance and addiction must be present within of tolerance and addiction must be present within the person. This means that the users body has the person. This means that the users body has been so used to having these drugs in them, that been so used to having these drugs in them, that when they are taking away you and your body do when they are taking away you and your body do not function properly. The higher the tolerance not function properly. The higher the tolerance and addiction the worse the withdrawal symptoms and addiction the worse the withdrawal symptoms will be. will be.

Withdrawal SymptomsWithdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms, on average last around 6-Withdrawal symptoms, on average last around 6-7 days. After the first 48 hours the next 4-5 days is when 7 days. After the first 48 hours the next 4-5 days is when the symptoms start to peak. Someone experiencing a the symptoms start to peak. Someone experiencing a withdrawal might experience:withdrawal might experience:

RestlessnessRestlessness Muscle and bone painMuscle and bone pain InsomniaInsomnia DiarrheaDiarrhea VomitingVomiting Cold flashes (“cold turkey”)Cold flashes (“cold turkey”) Involuntary leg movements. Involuntary leg movements.

How does OxyContin fall into the How does OxyContin fall into the wrong hands?wrong hands?

Unlawful sale from legal to illegal holders Unlawful sale from legal to illegal holders (usually physicians or pharmacists)(usually physicians or pharmacists)

““Doctor Shopping” (When one person Doctor Shopping” (When one person goes to numerous different doctors to goes to numerous different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions)obtain multiple prescriptions)

Theft from legal obtainersTheft from legal obtainersThefts of institutional drug supplies by Thefts of institutional drug supplies by

health-care workers.health-care workers.

How can Abusers be helped?How can Abusers be helped?

Abusers can be checked into either a Abusers can be checked into either a rehabilitation center, or a detoxification center, rehabilitation center, or a detoxification center, and they not experience the withdrawal and they not experience the withdrawal symptoms after you are giving certain symptoms after you are giving certain substances.substances.

Abusers can also go to their doctor, tell he/she Abusers can also go to their doctor, tell he/she the problem, and he/she will most likely the problem, and he/she will most likely prescribe a drug called Suboxone. This drug prescribe a drug called Suboxone. This drug was invented to block any opiate or opioid if was invented to block any opiate or opioid if used by someone. used by someone.

Just go through with a withdrawal until its over.Just go through with a withdrawal until its over.

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