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How do opioids work?
Effects
Images and commercial & street names
How do they work?
Opioids are drugs that contain or are derived from opium. They are prescribed for pain relief and are only available by prescription. Most opioid or painkilling drugs are non-refillable and are safe and effective when used properly under a medical doctor’s supervision. Morphine derivatives (narcotics) come from opioids and are used to therapeutically treat pain, suppress coughing, alleviate diarrhea, and induce anesthesia. When using these narcotics, abusers experience a general sense of well-being through reduced tension, anxiety, and aggression. These drugs affect the brain regions that mediate pleasure.
Effects might include
- Severe drowsiness, apathy, lack of energy
- Inability to concentrate, confusion
- Pinpoint pupils
- Flushing of the face and neck, cold and clammy skin
- Constipation, nausea, vomiting
- Convulsions
- Respiratory depression
- Long term: addiction, increased tolerance, overdose
Drug | Uses | Commercial and street names |
Hydrocodone
Photo courtesy of http://www.addictionsearch.com |
Often combined with acetaminophen for use as a painkiller
|
Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Dilaudid; Vike, Watson-387
juice, smack, D, footballs, dillies |
Oxycodone |
A narcotic painkiller
|
Tylox, OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet; Oxy, O.C., oxycotton, oxycet, hillbilly heroin, percs
|
Morphine |
The powerful, active ingredient in opium, used as a painkiller and sedative
|
MSContin, OramorphSR, Roxanol, Kadian, Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff
|
Codeine |
Weaker in action than morphine, but also used as a painkiller
|
Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide: doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup)
|
Fentanyl and Analogs |
A man-made opioid painkiller similar to morphine that is adminsitered as a skin patch or injected
|
Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze; Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash
|
Methadone
Photo courtesy of prescriptiondrug-info.com |
A long-acting opioid that is often given to maintain and treat drug withdrawal symptoms
|
Methadose, Dolophine; fizzies, amidone, (with MDMA: chocolate chip cookies)
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http://www.opiatewithdrawls.com