Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is the use or abuse of heroin or prescription pain medicines that can lead to addiction or dependence. Examples of these pain medicines are oxycodone, codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, methadone, and fentanyl.
Another example is xylazine, a sedative and pain reliever approved only for animals. It's not approved or safe for people. Its street name is "tranq." Xylazine has been found in street drugs, especially heroin and fentanyl. It has been linked to overdoses and death. Severe side effects from xylazine include slow heart beat and breathing, low blood pressure, skin sores, and coma.
Abuse of these drugs puts you at greater risk for:
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Psychological addiction. This is a craving for the drug. You can't stop using the drug even though you think you want to stop.
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Physical dependence. You have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug.
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The loss of your job or your family because of opioid use.
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Serious legal problems for possession of an illegal substance or for driving under the influence of such a substance.
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Accidental injuries to yourself or others while you are under the influence of the drug.
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Coma or death from an overdose.
Health problems
Opioid-related health problems can be different with different medicines. They can also be affected by other medicines you're taking and chronic illnesses you may have. Some of the problems are tied directly to the drugs. Others are related to addiction or dependency. They include:
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Anxiety, depression, or thoughts or attempts at suicide.
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Seizures.
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Constipation.
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Liver infection (hepatitis) or liver failure.
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Blood pressure problems.
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Insomnia.
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Nausea, vomiting, and stomach problems.
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Drowsiness.
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Slurred speech.
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Trouble breathing.
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Dizziness.
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Muscle pain and spasms.
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Stroke.
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Heart attack.
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Kidney failure.
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HIV infection.
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Skin infections.
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Sexually transmitted infections.
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Infection of the valves inside the heart.
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Coma and death.
Home care
Here are some things you can do to help yourself if you have a problem with opioid use:
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Admit you have a drug problem. Ask for help from your family, close friends. and your healthcare provider.
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Seek professional help. This could be one-on-one psychotherapy, counseling, or a drug treatment program. The drug treatment program may be outpatient or residential.
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Join a self-help group for people who abuse drugs.
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Stay away from friends, family, and other people who abuse drugs.
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Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of exercise every day.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider as advised. Contact one of the resources below for help:
Call 911
Call
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Have a seizure.
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Have trouble breathing or slow, irregular breathing.
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Have chest pain.
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Have sudden weakness on one side of your body or sudden trouble speaking.
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Feel very drowsy or have trouble waking up.
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Faint or lose consciousness.
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You have a rapid heart rate.
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You have a very slow heart rate.
When to get medical advice
Contact your health care provider right away if you have:
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Symptoms of withdrawal. These include agitation, anxiety, trembling, sweats, diarrhea, unable to sleep.
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A fever of 100.4ºF (38.0ºC) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider.
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Too much drowsiness or you can't be woken up.
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Redness, swelling, or tenderness at an injection site.
