OPIOIDS

Opioids, such as codeine, heroin, and fentanyl, are classed as depressants - meaning they slow down the central nervous system and slow the messages travelling between the brain and the body. They can be legally prescribed for pain relief (such as codeine and oxycodone), or illegally manufactured for recreational use (such as heroin). Aside from pain relief, the short term effects of opiates include feelings of euphoria, drowsiness, and sedation. Whereas, long term effects include lethargy, paranoia, respiratory depression and nausea. Opioids are highly addictive and regular use can lead to long-term problems associated with drug-dependence (financial, social, mental well-being) and risk of overdose.

Types of Opioids

Heroin

Heroin is available in in three primary forms: fine white powder, coarse off-white granules, and small pieces of light brown 'rock'. It is primarily injected into a vein, but is also smoked and added to cigarettes. Common effects of heroin consumer include pleasure and pain relief, relaxation, drowsiness and clumsiness, confusion, slowed speech, breathing and heart-rate, reduced appetite, vomiting, and decreased sex drive. As heroin is often injected this also presents a number of added health concerns including tetanus, infection, vein damage, while sharing injecting equipment can increase risk of contracting hepatitis B/C, HIV and/or AIDS.

Codeine

Codeine is traditionally used to provide relief from a number of conditions, including: pain, dry coughs, diarrhea, and cold/flu. However, codeine is also misused for recreational purposes to obtain a 'high' or as a form of self-harm. It is available in a variety of forms including tablets, capsules, soluble powders, and liquids. Aside from pain relief, addition effects of codeine consumption include dizziness, fatigue, confusion, euphoria, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, decreased heart rate, nausea and mild allergic rash.

Fentanyl

At about 8- to 100 times stronger than morphine, Fentanyl is prescribed in the event of server pain resulting from cancer, nerve damage, back injury, major trauma and surgery. For medical purpose, Fentanyl can be prescribed in a number of forms, including: patches, lozenges, and intravenous injection. Through illicit use, fentanyl can be illegally diverted (when medication that is prescribed by a medical professional, is not used appropriately, or is given or sold to a third party). Aside from pain relief, effects of fentanyl consumption include: nausea and vomiting, reduced blood pressure, slurred speech, fatigue, euphoria, and confusion. As Fentanyl is commonly injected, it also presents a number of added health concerns including tetanus, infection, vein damage, while sharing injecting equipment can increase risk of contracting hepatitis B/C, HIV and/or AIDS.

Methadone

Methadone is primarily used for pharmacotherpay whereby it is taken as a replacement for heroin and other opioids as part of treatment for dependence on these drugs. This is therapy improves well-being by preventing physical withdrawal, helps to stabilise the lives of people who are dependent on heroin and other opioids, and to reduce the harms related to drug use. It can also be prescribed to relieve pain following heart attacks, trauma and surgery.

Oxycodone

Also referred to as 'oxy', oxycodone is primarily prescribed to relived moderate to severe pain. However, it is often misused for recreational purposes. It is usually swallowed but can also be injected or used as a suppository. Aside from pain relief, effects of oxycodone consumption includes dizziness, fatigue, confusion, euphoria pr negative mood, restlessness, slowed heart-rate, and excessive sweating.

Opioid Use Statistics

Overall, rates of opioid use among IDRS participants has remained relatively stable between 2015 and 2018 following a notable decline from previous rates.

Among recent opioid consumers contributing to the IDRS, almost three quarters screened positive for likely opioid dependence, and two thirds of these individuals were currently involved in drug treatment

The proportion of IDRS participants reporting morphine use in the past 6 months has declined from 2009 (81%) to 2018 (47%)

MS Contin remains the form most commonly used among participants, who typically inject 60-80mg when they use

The proportion of IDRS participants reporting oxycodone use in the past 6 months has substantially declined from 2010 (60%) to 2018 (28%), despite a similar proportion of the sample regarding opioids as their drug of choice
Oxycodone was not frequently used in 2018, at a median of 9 of the past 180 days, and 9% of the sample using it weekly or more frequently.
OP OxyContin was the most commonly used form, most commonly injected.

Nearly one third of IDRS participants in 2018 reported recent use of illicit methadone syrup and physeptone tablets respectively. These rates are a substantial decline since 2009 where half the sample reported recent use of each form, despite around two thirds of the participants each year reporting opioids as their drug of choice
On average, illicit methadone use was infrequent (6-10 days of the last 180), and 11% of participants reported weekly or more frequent use

Non-prescribed use of buprenorphine remains uncommon among IDRS participants

One-sixth of the participants nominated heroin as their drug of choice, but only two reported that this was the drug they had most often injected in the past 6 months