Drug Fact Sheet: Opioids and Opiates
With the ongoing opioid crisis being felt in Toronto, Vancouver, and most towns and cities across North America, many could use a refresher on what opioids are and why they affect the human body so strongly. In the past, opioid referred only to synthetic opiates, drugs that were chemically created to mimic opium. Opiates referred only to drugs derived from opium that is naturally occurring in the poppy plant. However, most medical professionals and the media now use opioid as the general term. What is an Opioid? “An opioid is any agent that binds to opioid receptors (protein molecules located on the membranes of some nerve cells) found principally in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract and elicits a response.” Morphine, methadone, oxycodone, and heroin are examples of opioids you may be familiar with. There are four classes of opioids: Endogenous opioids. These naturally occur in the body as endorphins. Opium alkaloids. Examples are morphine and codeine. Semi-synthetic opioids, like heroin and oxycodone. Fully synthetic opioids. For example, methadone. How do Opioids Affect the Body? The human brain has opioid receptors, so when opioids are injested they attach to those receptors in the brain. The effects include dulling pain, slowed breathing, and a general calm feeling. Naturally occurring opioids like endorphins cannot cause a person to overdose. When opioids are injested they can give the user feelings of intense euphoria. A higher dose can depress the breathing to the point of overdose and death. Respiratory depression is the main cause of death in fatal opioid overdoses. This is especially concerning when opioids are taken in conjunction with other depressants like alcohol and two non-lethal doses combined can lead to a fatal overdose. What if I Have a Problem with Opioids? If it is hard for you to restrict your recreational use of opioids, or feel you are reliant on prescription opioids, there are lots of ways to get help. The federal government has made it easier across the provinces to access drugs like methadone and Suboxone. These drugs allow you to come off of opioids with minimal withdrawal sickness symptoms and come with a plan to eventually taper off of the maintenance medication too. To learn more about methadone and Suboxone read our article here. Our database of drug and alcohol rehabs in Canada makes note of the facilities that offer medical maintenance programs. If you need help navigating the site or have more questions, call or email our specialist here. References: Opiates/Opioids The post Drug Fact Sheet: Opioids and Opiates appeared first on Canada Drug...
Suicide Prevention Week Sept 9 – 15
World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10th, National Suicide Prevention Week is September 9-15, and September is International Suicide Prevention Month. Many health organizations across the world observe this month and host awareness events to help prevent suicide. Suicide in Canada Every day approximately 10 Canadians die by suicide, 9 of them were known to be living with a mental health problem. Between the ages of 20 to 64 men account for approximately 75% of suicides and women account for just over half of the self-harm hospitalizations. For children aged 10 and up, and young adults aged 20 to 29 suicide is the second leading cause of death. For every suicide death, there are 5 self-harm hospitalizations and up to 30 previous suicide attempts. Increasing Suicide Rates in Women More men than women die by suicide in both Canada and the USA. However, between 2000 and 2016 in the USA the rate of women who died by suicide rose 50% compared to a 21% increase for men. In Canada, the change has been less stark, but between 2011 and 2015 there was a 15% increase in female suicide compared to a 12% increase in males. Experts agree it is hard to determine the underlying causes for this increase in suicide rates. Men are at risk for not receiving treatment due to perceived stigma and not wanting to admit to a mental health problem. Whereas the Canadian Women’s Foundation suggests stress and experiencing violence as possible reasons for women being more prone to suicide. Suicide Prevention It isn’t realistic to shoulder the burden of trying to prevent a loved one’s suicide, however, if you notice some of the following warning signs it could be an indication that they need help: increased substance use anxiety, agitation, insomnia feelings of being trapped, of having no reason to live, or hopelessness withdrawal from loved ones dramatic mood changes including anger, recklessness If you feel concerned take a look at the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention page for concerned loved ones here. If you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehab that focuses on mental health and feelings of depression or suicidal ideation contact our specialist for assistance. References: Suicide Rates Among Canadian Women are Rising Faster than Men. It’s Unclear Why. Suicide in Canada Know the Warning Signs of Suicide The post Suicide Prevention Week Sept 9 – 15 appeared first on Canada Drug...
September is National Recovery Month
Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors National Recovery Month to both celebrate those living in recovery, and to spread awareness and understanding of mental health issues and substance use disorders. Recovery Month started life as Treatment Works! Month back in 1989 which focused on the efforts of substance use treatment professionals. In 1998 it turned into National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month when the campaign expanded to include those with substance use disorders in recovery. Finally, in 2011 the day was renamed to National Recovery Month to have a broader scope of all behavioural health. This year’s theme is Join the voices for recovery: invest in health, home, purpose, and community. While this theme may seem broad, it delivers on some of the key factors to a person’s successful recovery. Health and Home Substance use is often the symptom of a larger problem. For some struggling with opioids, it is because they have an unrelated health concern that has required opioid medication they are now dependent on. For others, it may be an undiagnosed mental or physical injury or ailment that they are now self-medicating for. SAMHSA advocates for integrated care so that the individual is receiving the best, most well-rounded care possible. Just as general good health aids recovery, so does a safe and secure living environment. Living on the streets can put people in many different kinds of unsafe situations, as well as additional mental stress and anxiety due to not having a regular place of residence. Working with local governments to ensure supported housing is available can greatly alleviate barriers to recovery. Purpose and Community Something most drug rehabs in Canada will touch on during treatment is finding a person’s purpose, their drive or motivation in life. When someone feels they are not needed, not wanted, it can be hard for them to be inspired to make healthy changes. A community can be the start of fostering a purpose in someone. Whether that means finding a local meeting or contacting our specialist to find an appropriate drug and alcohol treatment centre, finding a community can help pull people through the hard steps of recovery. References: Recovery Month The post September is National Recovery Month appeared first on Canada Drug...
International Overdose Awareness Day – Drug Overdose Statistics in Canada
Since its inception in 2001, August 31st has been International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It began in Melbourne, Australia and since then has been adopted by both government and non-government organizations to hold events to raise awareness and commemorate the loss of life. The climbing accidental opioid-related death toll in Canada has made many Canadians well aware of the danger of overdose. This blog will look at what an overdose is, as well as the current state of opioid-related overdoses in Canada. What is an Overdose? An overdose is when your body cannot handle the amount or combination of drugs you have ingested, injected, or inhaled. Depressants are a class of drug that slow the body’s vitals, like breathing and heart rate. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol all slow the central nervous system. When too much of a depressant is taken into the body, a person can stop breathing or their heart can stop beating. Stimulants can cause overdoses too. Amphetamines, a class of stimulants, can cause heart attack, stroke, or seizure when taken in excessive doses. It is also important to remember that many overdoses do not result in death. They are still extremely dangerous as they can cause long-term mental and physical health problems. Overdoses in Canada The federal government reported 3987 apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada in 2017. 92% of these deaths were ruled as accidental. People can overdose on a large variety of substances, however, most data currently available is specific to opioids as they are the greatest threat right now. Across Canada, 78% of accidental opioid-related deaths happened to men, and while age varied across the country, the highest percentage (28%) was among 30 to 39 year olds. In 2016 just over half of opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl or fentanyl analogues, this increased to 72% in 2017. It is important to note that 71% of all accidental opioid-related deaths in 2017 involved one or more types of non-opioid substances. Mixing drugs is one of the leading causes of overdose and death. If you have any doubt about what the ingredients of your drugs are, do not take them. Contact our specialist if you are looking to reduce your drug consumption and need resources. References: International Overdose Awareness Day Apparent Opioid-Related Deaths JMC – 2018.07.25 The post International Overdose Awareness Day – Drug Overdose Statistics in Canada appeared first on Canada Drug...
New Alcohol Withdrawal Training for Doctors
A new study out of Canada, published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association has called for new training for emergency and family doctors to better help those with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The study urges the use of a questionnaire called the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale. In their research 530 studies involving 71, 000 patients were looked at, with St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver being the only hospital in Canada to use the questionnaire. Dr. Evan Wood is the lead author of the study as well as the executive director of the BC Centre on Substance Use. He believes the use of the questionnaire at St Paul’s has led to improved patient care and noticeable savings to the health care system. How the Questionnaire Works There are ten questions that include whether the patient has previously experienced alcohol withdrawal, if they’ve ever had a seizure or blackout, and if they have consumed alcohol in conjunction with another substance in the last 90 days. In combination with a blood test, these questions can help doctors give their patients more effective treatment. There are a few different prescription medications that can help patients reduce cravings and binge drinking and the BC Centre on Substance Use is planning to release guidelines later this year to assist doctors with the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is also one of the treatments the Centre is advocating for. Why Effectively Managing Those Going Through Alcohol Withdrawal is Important People who consume a significant amount of alcohol can experience seizures, hallucinations, and become violently ill. Many of those trying to detox at home end up in emergency rooms due to the severity of their withdrawal symptoms. The Canadian Centre for Substance Use Research and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction have conducted research that concludes that alcohol use costs Canadian taxpayers an annual $14.6 billion in health care, lost time at work, and the criminal justice system. The goal of the study is to train both family doctors who are doing ongoing care, and emergency room doctors who are seeing patients in distress to alleviate patient’s symptoms while setting them up for better long-term care that results in fewer hospitalizations. If you or a loved one is trying to detox from alcohol contact our specialist for help. References: Improve Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment by Training Doctors: B.C. Study The post New Alcohol Withdrawal Training for Doctors appeared first on Canada Drug...
