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Tips offered to prevent opioid overdose

Craig Press staff report
Many of today's most addictive drugs are not being sold by drug dealers on street corners but can be found in almost every home inside the medicine cabinet. Opiates have long been used by physicians to help their patients deal with pain, but one of the worst side affects of opiates is addiction.
John F. Russell

Prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine, as well as illicit opioids, such as heroin and illegally made fentanyl, are powerful drugs that carry the risk of a potentially fatal overdose. Anyone who uses opioids can experience an overdose, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain factors may increase risk including, but not limited to the following

• Combining opioids with alcohol or certain other drugs.
• Taking high daily doses of prescription opioids.
• Taking more opioids than prescribed.
• Taking illicit or illegal opioids, such as heroin or illicitly-manufactured fentanyl, that might contain unknown or harmful substances
• Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, or reduced kidney or liver function
• Age greater than 65 years old

Death from an opioid overdose happens when too much of the drug overwhelms the brain and interrupts the body’s natural drive to breathe. To learn more about opioids, opioid abuse, addiction and overdose visit cdc.gov/drugoverdose.


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