Community
Opioid Use Disorder
Dependence on opioid drugs.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment.
Get help now
If you are thinking about ending your life or hurting yourself, you do not have to carry it alone. Help exists right now, and reaching for it is not an overreaction.
- In the US: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Free, confidential, answered 24 hours a day. You can also chat at 988lifeline.org.
- Outside the US: call your local emergency number - 911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 112 in the EU - or find the crisis line for your country at findahelpline.com.
- If you have already hurt yourself or taken something: call emergency services now. Do not wait to see whether it gets worse.
What happens when you call - and what to do if you are worried about someone else.
When to seek help
Seek medical help right away if you have severe, sudden, or worsening symptoms, trouble breathing, chest pain, or any symptom that feels life-threatening. This community is for peer support and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Overview
What are opioids? Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. A health care provider may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some health care providers prescribe them for chronic pain. Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by your provider. However, opioid use disorder (OUD) is still a possible risk. What is opioid use disorder…
Join the Opioid Use Disorder community
Talk with people who understand, share what helps, and find support from others living with opioid use disorder. Private, moderated, and free.
Posts in this community reflect personal experiences, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before changing your treatment.