Opioids
Opioids in Australia: Understanding the Crisis
Opioids, a class of powerful pain relievers derived from the opium poppy, have become a major public health concern in Australia.
Their effectiveness in managing pain has come at a significant cost, fueling a wave of addiction and related harms.
Understanding Opioids:
Common Types: Prescription opioids like oxycodone, morphine, and codeine, along with illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl, all belong to this category.
Addiction Potential: High risk of dependence and addiction due to their impact on the brain's reward system.
Short-Term Effects: Pain relief, drowsiness, nausea, and constipation
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Long-Term Effects: Overdose, respiratory depression, organ damage, mental health issues, and increased risk of infectious diseases.
Addiction Rates in Australia:
Roughly 300,000 people currently experience opioid dependence.
Opioid deaths have tripled in the past 20 years, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl causing a surge in recent years.
Current Issues in Australia:
What Can We Do:
Overprescribing: High rates of prescription opioid use, often for chronic pain, contribute to dependence and transition to illicit drugs.
Lack of Treatment Access: Insufficient availability of addiction treatment programs, medication-assisted therapy, and support services.
Stigma: Shame and misinformation surrounding addiction create barriers to seeking help.
Social and Economic Costs: The opioid crisis impacts individuals, families, communities, and healthcare systems with significant financial burdens.
National Drug Helpline: 1800 888 236
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Alcohol and Drug Foundation: https://adf.org.au/
Turning Point: https://turningpoint.org.au/
Raise Awareness: Talk openly about the dangers of opioid misuse and addiction.
Seek Help: If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Several resources are available, including hotlines, support groups, and treatment centers.
Advocate for Change: Support policies that address overprescribing, improve access to treatment, and reduce stigma associated with addiction.
Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any questions or concerns regarding opioid use and addiction.
How We Test for Opioids
Testing for opioids in the workplace is one of the best ways to keep your employees safe, healthy, and productive.
The most common opioid testing methods are:
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Urine drug testing – This is the most common method used by employers. A cannabis urine test provides a window of detection that usually ranges from two to 30 days. However, certain factors like method and frequency of use, THC content, diet and body type can affect how long marijuana remains detectable in the body. Urine cannabis tests show that a worker is using marijuana, but don’t correlate well with impairment at the time of testing.
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Hair follicle drug testing – Compared to a urine test, a hair test for cannabis use has a longer window of detection. It can detect cannabis use for the past two to three months, and sometimes even longer. This longer window of detection makes it popular for use in pre-employment cannabis testing.
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Oral fluid drug testing – This is the least common method for cannabis testing. Less invasive than a urine or hair test, oral fluid testing or saliva testing has an approximate window of detection for cannabis of 12 to 36 hours and gives a reasonable match with the period of impairment associated with cannabis use.