through contamination of other illicit recreational drugs, Larochelle and Stoller say.
“What we’re starting to see is concerning emergence of fentanyl-contaminated stimulants — for example, someone who is intending to use cocaine and that cocaine is tainted with fentanyl,” Larochelle says. “For a person who does not use opioids who is exposed to even small amounts of fentanyl, it can lead to an overdose unexpectedly.”
He adds that those are not the people who typically have been targeted for opioid harm reduction efforts because they’re not intending to use opioids.
The numbers for this study were gathered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused drug use and OD rates to start rising again among all race and ethnic groups, Larochelle notes.
That means Black Americans might be even more at risk from opioid OD today than they were before the pandemic.
“The trends in this paper are actually pre-pandemic, but the pandemic has certainly exacerbated the crisis of overdose,” Larochelle shares. “Unfortunately, overall levels of overdose in the population have picked up again in the setting of the pandemic.”
Tips for opioid addiction
If you are suffering from opioid addiction, try the following:
- Set a goal to stopping or reducing your use
- Keep drugs out of your house
- Stay away from peer pressure
- Stay away from temptation
- Keep busy
- Be persistent
It is important to keep in mind that once you cut down your opioid use, your tolerance for that drug lowers. Going back to the same dose you are accustomed to can result in an overdose. You can ask your doctor about medications to reduce your cravings for opioids.
READ: What Are The Medication-Based Treatment Options For Opioid Addiction?
You should never be ashamed to ask for help and support. If you are looking for alternatives to opioids for managing chronic pain, the following is available:
- Cold and heat
- Exercise
- Weight loss
- Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Iontophoresis
- Ultrasound
- Cold laser therapy
- Yoga and tai chi
- Biofeedback
- Therapeutic massage
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- Psychotherapy
- Pain-relieving devices
- Topical pain relievers
- Over-the-counter medications
- Herbal or nutritional pain relievers
- Non-opioid prescription drugs
- Corticosteroid injections