DB 18-09 Opioid Epidemic

Question 1

Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death for Americans under ______ years old, and opioid addiction is driving this epidemic

Answer 1

50

Question 2

This bulletin seeks to:

Answer 2

-inform members of the dangers posed by opioid misuse through a fact-based examination of the opioid epidemic as it relates to first responders.

Question 3

Opioid painkillers are highly addictive. After just _____ days of prescription opioid use, the likelihood that you’ll develop long-term dependence on these drugs rises steeply - increasing your risk of eventual addiction and overdose.

Answer 3

5 days

Question 4

An emerging treatment challenge with opioid use is Opioid-induced ___________.

Answer 4

-hyperalgesia

(Hyperalgesia is a condition whereby a patient receiving opioids for the treatment of pain could actually become more sensitive to certain painful stimuli.)

Question 5

Medical conditions that increase your risk of dangerous side effects from opioid medications include:

Answer 5

• Sleep apnea

• Obesity

• Anxiety or depression

• Fibromyalgia

Question 6

Mental health and substance abuse problems that increase your risk of opioid abuse and addiction include:

Answer 6

• History of severe depression or anxiety

• Heavy tobacco use

• Prior drug or alcohol rehabilitation

• Family history of substance abuse

• Personal history of substance abuse

Question 7

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illicit drug heroin as well as what type of licit prescription drugs?

Answer 7

-Pain relievers

(such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and others.)

Question 8

According to the NFPA—

Rather than seek professional medical treatment, first responders traditionally attempted to cope with job trauma, stress, and no sleep by?

Answer 8

self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol

Question 9

Alcoholism increases the likelihood of developing co-occurring conditions such as a substance use disorder.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, men and women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are _____ times more likely to report nonmedical use of prescription drugs than people who don’t drink at all.

Answer 9

18 times

Question 10

The rate of alcoholism in the fire service is approximately ______%, twice the national average.

Answer 10

30%

Question 11

For individuals who are already recovering from alcoholism or any other form of chemical dependency, it would be advisable to seek out ______ that can direct you to pain management techniques that do not employ the use of opiates.

Answer 11

-Pain management specialists

(And in the event opiates are necessary for a limited amount of time, seek out an Addiction Medicine Specialist)

Question 12

Your physical/emotional health and chronic pain are also ______ factors to developing opioid abuse.

Answer 12

Risk factors