Opiates: From "Harmless" Pills to Lethal Injections

1. Opiates: From "Harmless" Pills to Lethal Injections Matt Glowiak, MS, NCC, LPC matthew.glowiak@waldenu.edu www.counselingbyglowiak.org

5. Heroin Use in Illinois • According to analysis of the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), emergency room mentions for heroin over two years (2008 to 2010) for the Chicago metropolitan area: • Increased 27% among those aged 20 and younger, • Increased 12% among those aged 21 to 29, • Declined 2% among those aged 30 to 44, • Increased 1% among those aged 45 and older. Source: Schmitz, S. & Kane-Willis, K. (2012). Heroin Use: National and Illinois Perspectives: 2008 to 2010. Chicago: Roosevelt University.

6. Heroin Use in Illinois • According to analysis of Illinois’ public treatment admissions for heroin the following age cohorts: • Under age 18 increased 22% in one year, • Aged 18 to 20 increased 17% in one year, • Aged 21 to 24 increased11% in one year, • Under age 30 increased 13% in one year, • Over age 30 decreased 5% in one year. Source: Schmitz, S. & Kane-Willis, K. (2012). Heroin Use: National and Illinois Perspectives: 2008 to 2010. Chicago: Roosevelt University.

7. Heroin Use in Illinois • Of those admitted for to public treatment, there were significant demographic differences between younger and older users in 2009: • Of those under age 30: • 77% were white, • 7% were African American, • 14% were Latino. • Of those over age 30: • 13% were white, • 76% were African American, • 9% were Latino. Source: Schmitz, S. & Kane-Willis, K. (2012). Heroin Use: National and Illinois Perspectives: 2008 to 2010. Chicago: Roosevelt University.

8. Heroin Use in Illinois • Mortality is increasing throughout Illinois due to heroin. From 2007 to 2011: • Overdose deaths attributed to heroin increased by 115% in Lake County • Overdose deaths attributed to heroin increased by 100% in Will County • Overdose deaths attributed to heroin increased by 50% in McHenry County Source: Schmitz, S. & Kane-Willis, K. (2012). Heroin Use: National and Illinois Perspectives: 2008 to 2010. Chicago: Roosevelt University.

9. Commonly Abused Opiates • Fentanyl (Duragesic®) • Hydrocodone (Vicodin®) • Oxycodone (OxyContin®) • Propoxyphene (Darvon®) • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) • Meperidine (Demerol®) • Diphenoxylate (Lomotil®) Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013). The science of drug abuse and education. Retrieved from: <www.drugabuse.gov>.

10. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013). The science of drug abuse and education. Retrieved from: <www.drugabuse.gov>.

11. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013). The science of drug abuse and education. Retrieved from: <www.drugabuse.gov>.

14. M.A.T. (Medication-Assisted Treatment) • Methadone (Dolophine or Methadose), a slow-acting, opioid agonist. Methadone is taken orally, so that it reaches the brain slowly, dampening the “high” that occurs with other routes of administration while preventing withdrawal symptoms. • Buprenorphine (Subutex, Suboxone), a partial opioid agonist. Buprenorphine relieves drug cravings without producing the “high” or dangerous side effects of other opioids. Suboxone is a novel formulation, taken orally, that combines buprenorphine with naloxone (an opioid antagonist) to ward off attempts to get high by injecting the medication. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013). The science of drug abuse and education. Retrieved from: <www.drugabuse.gov>.

15. M.A.T. (Medication-Assisted Treatment) • Naltrexone (Depade, Revia) an opioid antagonist. Naltrexone is not addictive or sedating and does not result in physical dependence; however, poor patient compliance has limited its effectiveness. Recently an injectable long acting formulation of naltrexone called Vivitrol received FDA approval for treating opioid addiction. Given as a monthly injection, Vivitrol should improve compliance by eliminating the need for daily dosing. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013). The science of drug abuse and education. Retrieved from: <www.drugabuse.gov>.