Guest post by Rob Castillo,

Heath Ledger, Prince, Tom Petty, Philip Seymore Hoffman, Mac Miller, and Taylor Hawkins. These celebrities all have one thing in common: they fell victim to an epidemic that continues to impact our nation and many other countries. I am talking about the heroin and opioid epidemic that persistently spreads and kills its victims indiscriminately from every walk of life.

The Rising Opioid Epidemic Affects Us All

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One does not have to be famous to be impacted by this epidemic. Sadly, this scourge destroys lives from every socio-economic status. These casualties could be our nieces and nephews, sons and daughters, siblings, parents, and friends. For a realistic view of who these fatalities are, one can visit the real faces and stories of this heartbreaking trend by visiting a memorial page such as The Hero Foundation Memorial for a sample view.

Let me give you one more perspective. According to the IDPH, in 2020 there were 2,944 opioid-related deaths in IL. This was a 33% increase from 2019. The same study indicated this number represents 2.2 times more overdose deaths than the number of homicides. Since 2013, heroin deaths have risen by 80%! The problem is not getting better. Why is this?

Finding Relief: Natural and Medicinal Approaches to Managing Pain

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Most of us experience some pain and discomfort at various times in our life. It is natural and understandable to want relief from that pain. Our brain produces naturally occurring chemicals (neurotransmitters) that help reduce pain when needed. These naturally occurring chemicals include endorphins, endomorphins, dynorphins, and enkephalins. When we experience pain, our brain reacts by releasing and producing these powerful neurotransmitters. However, there are times when these natural remedies are not enough. That is when we need help with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription (RX) medications.

There are actually a lot of ways in which OTC medications can be more effective than RX medications. OTC medications tend to have a specific task and goal. For example:

  • Aspirin is a salicylate (sa-LIS-il-ate). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.It is also sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (source).
  • Acetaminophen (APAP) is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic agent used to treat pain and fever. Clinicians can use it for their patients as a single agent for mild to moderate pain, and it is sometimes used in combination with an opioid analgesic for severe pain (source).
  • Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Ibuprofen can also be used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury.

Exploring the Differences Between OTC and Prescription Medications

Based on the previous description, OTC analgesic medications tend to have a specific, targeted task and help to resolve specific concerns, such as fever, swelling, and inflammation, which could be the root cause of pain.

Opioids tend to do one thing and one thing only; opioid-based medications work by attaching to the receptors in the brain and changing the way a person responds to pain and pleasure. This results in blocking pain messages throughout the body’s central nervous system, “tricking” the person into believing the reason they initially needed the opioid medication is now resolved. Unlike the OTC medications, these RX medications do little to reduce swelling, inflammation, or fever. Many of these post-secondary issues also occur:

  1. Because the body is “tricked” into feeling less (or in some cases, no) pain, the brain can either reduce or stop production of the naturally occurring neurochemicals that address pain. When your prescriber stops prescribing the medications, the body can react severely. Pain levels can be exaggerated because there are insufficient or no natural pain-relieving chemicals to alleviate the pain.
  2. The RX opioid medications also produce a euphoric feeling that the user finds comforting and soothing, which assists in pain relief. The user can become dependent upon this feeling and resist leaving this effect. Remember, these are mind (brain) altering chemicals.
  3. Because the body is “tricked” into feeling better than it really is, the person may tend to exert physical activity that they supposed to refrain from. The end result is either re-damaging or exacerbating an initial injury. This often leads to the cycle of the patient requesting (and getting) higher doses of pain medications.

Understanding Opioid Overdose

An opioid overdose happens for many reasons. According to MedLine Plus, an opioid overdose can happen for a variety of reasons, including if you:

  1. Take an opioid to get high (as opposed to for medical purposes).
  2. Take an extra dose of a prescription opioid or take it too often (accidentally or on purpose).
  3. Mix an opioid with other medicines, illegal drugs, or alcohol.
  4. Take an opioid medicine that was prescribed for someone else.

Because these powerful meds can cause people to become forgetful, they often do not remember if they have taken their dose and will double (or more) their dosing, leading to an overdose. Using meds/drugs from an unreliable source can also lead to a more potent dose than expected.

The Signs of an Opioid Overdose

Know the signs of an overdose. The signs of an opioid overdose include:

  • Pinpoint pupils
  • “Nodding” (appears to be falling asleep or loss of consciousness)
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Vomiting
  • Limp body
  • Faint heartbeat
  • Purple lips and fingernails – If you see this, call 911 right away

Access to Naloxone: A Life-Saving Medication for Opioid Overdose

Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. I often tell my clients, “If you are struggling with this addiction, it is imperative to always have quick access to this life-saving medication. If you have a loved one who struggles with this addiction, get access to Naloxone.” There are numerous ways to gain access, and I highly recommend reading Access to Naloxone Can Save a Life During an Opioid Overdose to learn more.

The Growing Number of Individuals Who Struggle with Addiction

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It’s essential to be aware this is not a problem that is getting better. Also, do not look at these individuals struggling with addiction as “those people” or as part of an ever-growing throw-away society. Please do not label them as addicts, felons, or losers. They are people, not drug addicts. They are people with a disease that should not define them. They were/are people who had hopes and dreams. They were/are our sons and daughters, individuals who were once someone’s child playing dress up in cowboy boots and tiaras.

Get Help for Heroin or Opioid Addiction

Seeking professional help for heroin or opioid addiction is the first step towards reclaiming control over your life. Remember, it’s never too late to start the journey to recovery, and numerous resources and support systems are available to assist you along the way. Please contact FCS or some of the other resources listed below to get help for yourself or a loved one who struggles with heroin or opioid addiction.

Additional helpful resources related to heroin and opioid addiction: