Opioid Addiction: What You Should Know - May 1, 2006

May 1, 2006 Table of Contents

Please note: This information was as current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.

Information from Your Family Doctor

Opioid Addiction: What You Should Know

Am Fam Physician.�2006�May�1;73(9):1580.

What are opioids?

Opioids (say: OH-pee-oyds) are a kind of drug. Sometimes doctors give these drugs to people to make pain go away. Some people become addicted to them.

What is opioid addiction?

Opioid addiction is when you cannot stop taking the drugs, even if you want to. If you are addicted, you may not feel well if you do not take the opioids. You may have stomachaches, diarrhea, and a temperature. This is called withdrawal.

What can I do if I am addicted?

Your doctor can give you medicine to help you stop taking opioids. You also should stay away from other people who are addicted and from places where you can get the drugs. You can go to a counselor or support group to talk about your problem.

Where can I get more information?

Ask your doctor about places close to where you live that can help you. For more information, go to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Web site: http://www.os.dhhs.gov

Telephone: 1-877-696-6775

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Web site: http://www.samhsa.gov

Crisis hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Narcotics Anonymous

Web site: http://www.na.org

Telephone: 818-773-9999

This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

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