Opioid Painkillers

Category: Opioid analgesic

Examples of generic names (and their respective trade names) include: codeine (Tylenol III), meperidine (Demerol), hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) and morphine.

• Pharmaceutical painkillers are usually prescribed medically for the purposes relieving pain, but they are also used recreationally or outside of their prescribed use. Most opioid painkillers that are used recreationally are diverted from prescription use, rather than being illegally manufactured.
• Most come in pill form in various dosages, which can be taken orally, ground up and snorted nasally or diluted into a liquid and injected. Snorting and injecting result in a quicker and stronger effect (though these methods can be very dangerous as they release several hours worth of opioid painkillers into your body at once).

*Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person.*

Effects on brain:

Short term:

• Opioid painkillers activate opioid receptors in the brain, increasing the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, interfering with the transmission of pain signals to the brain and causing feelings of intense happiness, warmth and pleasure.

• Coming soon

Effects on body:

Short term:

• Possible immediate effects include (pain relief), sleepiness, constricted pupils, sweating, loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, itchiness, dry mouth, fatigue, weakness, insomnia, fever, diarrhea, difficulty urinating, abdominal pain, rash, difficulty breathing and convulsions. When snorted, nasal discomfort or damage can occur.

• Possible long term effects include physical addiction and withdrawal symptoms if drug use is stopped. Some opioid painkillers (such as codeine and hydrocodone) also contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver toxicity with regular use and high doses.

Effects on behaviour:

Short term:

• Possible immediate effects include improved mood, euphoria, feelings of relaxation, unfocused thoughts, confusion, and nervousness.

• Possible long-term effects include cravings for more opioid painkillers and decreased interest in sex.

Addiction: Opioid painkillers can be both physically and psychologically addictive. The addictive potential is strong in recreational users as well as in medical users, especially if the drug is used on a daily basis.

Tolerance: Tolerance to opioid painkillers can develop over a matter of weeks, with higher doses needed to achieve the same desired effect (both recreationally and medically).

Withdrawal Symptoms: Symptoms can occur when regular pharmaceutical painkiller use is stopped, and include insomnia, restlessness, muscle spasms, muscle aches, tremors, sweating, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and anxiety.

*Disclaimer! Nothing you do can make using unprescribed pharmaceuticals completely safe. All drug use has inherent risks and dangers. The suggestions in this section can only help you reduce some of the associated risks. The best way to avoid the harms related to drug use is to not take the drug at all.*

• Recreational use of pharmaceuticals is illegal; therefore if you are caught possessing pharmaceuticals without a prescription from your doctor, or exchanging, buying or selling them, it can result in criminal charges.
• Drug use affects the developing mind and body differently than developed ones. Waiting until your mind and body have more fully developed before using substances can have long term health and mental benefits.
• Opioid painkillers have very strong addictive potential! Do not assume that a drug prescribed by a doctor to a friend will be safe for you to take as well. Opioid painkillers are prescribed only for individuals who need it, and can have adverse and dangerous effects on individuals for whom they are not prescribed.
• Similarly, if you have been prescribed opioid painkillers, avoid taking more than the prescribed dosage. Always talk to your doctor or a health professional before taking prescribed painkillers with other substances.
• Some of the negative effects of opioid painkillers can be alleviated by lying down. Negative side effects generally increase with higher doses.
• Some opioid painkillers (such as codeine and hydrocodone) also contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver toxicity with regular use and high doses.
• If injecting, use new, clean syringes and equipment. Prepare your shot on a clean surface. Clean the area you are planning to inject with soap and water or an alcohol pad. You can get clean injection supplies from a syringe exchange, a pharmacy, or your local health department. If you can’t get new needles, try snorting instead. Cleaning needles and works is not risk-free; it’s a last resort. Rinse with cool water 3 times, bleach for 30 seconds, then clean water 3 times.
• Regular injection can cause abscesses, collapsed veins, infections and other complications.
• Regular snorting can cause serious damage to the nose such as a chapped, runny nose, sinus infections, nose bleeds and developing a hole in the cartilage wall between nostrils.
• Avoid sharing equipment (straws, syringes, spoons) since this could lead to transmission of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV
• Snorting and injecting opioid painkillers can result in a quicker and stronger effect. These methods can be very dangerous as they release several hours worth of opioid painkillers into your body at once.
• Avoid using opioid painkillers with other substances, particularly depressants such as alcohol and narcotics.