Opioid Misuse Prevention

Videos

Medication & Counseling

In order to successfully recover from opioid addiction, a combination of medication and counseling is recommended. On average, it takes 14 months for the brain to chemically allow a person to feel good again. Read more about MAT
(Medication Assisted Treatment)  https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment#medications-used-in-mat

Taper Off of Your Opioid Medication

You could experience pain and other unpleasant symptoms if you suddenly stop taking opioids. Talk to your doctor about gradually reducing your opioids in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-identifies-harm-reported-sudden-discontinuation-opioid-pain-medicines-and-requires-label-changes?fbclid=IwAR1OaiqvQa1xjpFuEPtgT4mr_gix-2sqHpM5kEgqPyRjkfigRU3knfmDANU

Avoid an Accidental Overdose

Many Montanans require long term opioid use for chronic pain management care. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid an accidental opioid overdose, including overdose reversal agents called Naloxone (also known as Narcan®)

 When taking opioids, over time the brain adapts by reducing its number of opioid receptors. Brain cells may even produce less of the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, dopamine. The changes that happen in the brain result in tolerance (needing to take more and more for the same effects) and withdrawal (very unpleasant symptoms when the drug is not available). This is why medication assisted treatment is recommended. MAT treatment can relieve stress on the brain so the brain can return to its original state. 

 43% of Montana's opioid overdose deaths occur in people aged 45 and older.
To find out more about how to prevent opioid overdose click below.

Older Adults and Medication Safety