What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription and illegal forms. Prescription opioids are most commonly prescribed for acute, short-term pain, such as post-surgical pain. Potent, illegal, opioids, such as fentanyl and heroin can be mixed into different drugs, or sold in its pure form without the user’s knowledge.

Oxycodone

The most common prescriptions in the U.S. are Vicodin®, Lorect®, and Vicoprofen®.

Fentanyl

An illegal, synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but 100x more potent.1

Codeine

Often mixed with pain relievers like Tylenol®, it’s primarily prescribed as cough syrup or tablets.

Morphine

Can come in tablets, liquid, or a hospital injection.

Hydrocodone

Usually in tablet or pill form, some brands include OxyContin®, Percocet®, Oxecta®, Roxicodone®.

Heroin

An illegal opioid referred to as dope, smack, H, junk, and skag.


Opioid addiction or opioid use disorder (OUD) refers to a problematic pattern of opioid use characterized by a physical or mental reliance on opioids.

The Escalation of Cravings
Can Happen Quickly

The strength of these pills are so strong that even someone with strong self-control can start to cave to opioid cravings. Opioids “hijack” the brain’s reward system and chemically alter your brain to crave more. Your body also starts to chemically adjust and build a tolerance. In less than a week,5 these small changes can form an opioid use disorder.

Warning Signs Anchor




Identify the Warning Signs

Opioids don’t just change your brain. They can start to affect other areas in your life. These changes may be hard to notice at first, but over time, they can build up and then spiral out of control. Know the warning signs below so you can recognize them early.

Mood Changes

Signs include: feeling more irritable or anxious than you used to be, especially in between pills.

Irregular Sleep Patterns

Signs include: not being able to sleep, tossing and turning at night, feeling really tired, sleeping at odd hours.

New Habits & Routines

Signs include: putting off responsibilities, being less active, slipping into an unhealthy routine, not taking care of yourself.

Detaching From Others

Signs include: canceling plans with friends and family, ignoring calls and texts, starting to miss work, avoiding social interactions.

Increased Cravings

Signs include: watching the clock, counting down to your next pill, upping the dosage, taking more often or “just in case,” even when not in pain.

Fear of Running Out

Signs include: worried about not having extras on hand, seeking out more pills or stealing from friends or family, not leaving home without a pill.


Opioids in Illinois

In 2024, nearly 2,000 Illinois residents lost their lives from an overdose. The CDC estimates that for every opioid overdose death, there are 130 individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This means that approximately 260,000 people—family members, neighbors, coworkers, peers, friends— are struggling with this highly addictive substance.


Curb Cravings and Recover with MAR

Find a way to overcome opioid use disorder without having to quit cold turkey. Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR) is a form of treatment that reduces opioid cravings, allowing you to focus on recovery.

Find Out More


Accidental Overdoses
Are Common

You don’t have to have an opioid use disorder to experience an overdose. Over half of overdoses occur at home2 and taking too much or not exactly as prescribed can increase your risk of overdosing. It can also be hard to tell if someone is overdosing because the changes are so subtle it can look similar to sleeping.






Facing Fentaynl

Fentanyl is a dangerously strong opioid. It’s being found in all types of pills and powders. The number of drugs being cut or laced with fentanyl has grown because it’s 20x cheaper to make.¹⁴ This means drug organizations can use less, increase the potency, and make bigger profits.

Fentanyl is impossible to see, smell, or even taste. No one—not you, your dealer, or the person you get it from—can tell if your pill or powder is laced with fentanyl. It’s also hard to mix evenly, so no hit, bump, or pill has the same amount. This inconsistency means you can’t predict how much is in what you are taking, or trust that what you’re taking is clean. Since it only takes two salt-sized grains of fentanyl to fatally overdose, this complete lack of control over the dose is even more troubling.


Other Emerging Threats

Xylazine, nitazenes, and orphines are increasingly appearing in the illegal drug supply. Xylazine is a powerful veterinary sedative often mixed with fentanyl and cannot be reversed by naloxone. Nitazenes and orphines are highly potent synthetic opioids that may not be detected by some drug test strips, increasing the risk of accidental exposure and overdose.



NEXT:Get Life-Saving Naloxone

An accidental overdose from opioids or fentanyl-laced drugs does not have to be fatal. You can reverse an overdose with the life-saving drug naloxone. See why anyone taking prescription opioids or pills and powders should also get naloxone (Narcan®) from their pharmacy.

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