Explore the following information to learn more about opioids and the trends in Rock County's numbers and find local treatment and support resources.  

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Opioid Trends

 

What are opioids?

  • Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain
  • These include pain relievers available legally by prescription and heroin

Prescription Opioids

  • Prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain, but can also have serious risks and side effects
  • Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl
  • Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is more powerful than other opioids.  It is normally used to treat severe pain like pain from cancer.

Heroin

  • An illegal opioid
  • Natural substance that is processed from various opium poppy plants
  • Can be white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin
  • A common street name for heroin is smack


For more information visit the CDC’s website on opioids.

Impact of Opioids

Health

  • Opioids have been shown to be effective for pain treatment when used appropriately based on a healthcare provider’s instructions
  • Opioids can have harmful effects, including drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, slowed breathing
  • When taken in excessive amounts or with other substances they can lead to overdose and death
  • Opioids can be highly addictive

Economic

  • In Rock County, it is estimated that the opioid epidemic costs as much as $50 million in lost wages and productivity, healthcare costs, costs of incarceration
  • Estimates of the financial costs of the opioid epidemic include lost earnings, productivity, tax revenue, as well as costs to the healthcare system, criminal justice system, social service agencies that stem from opioid overdoses and deaths

Social

  • Opioid use can have emotional impacts on families, communities, and individuals
  • Research has shown that children who grow up in a household with parents who are abusing substances are more likely to engage in risky health behaviors and to develop health chronic conditions later in life.

 
The difference between misuse, dependence, and addiction (substance use disorder)


Misuse

  • Use in any way not directed by doctor
  • Using another person’s prescription
  • Using a prescription in greater amounts, more often or longer than prescribed

Opioid Dependence

  • A state in which the body functions normally only in the presence of drug use
  • Unpleasant symptoms occur when opioid use is stopped.

Addiction (Substance Use Disorder)

  • Disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior
  • Inability to control use of illegal or legal drug or medication

For more information visit the CDC’s website on opioids.

Treatment Resources
The first step to individuals seeking treatment is to reach out to the Rock County Substance Use Walk-In Clinic.
Contact the substance use walk-in clinic case manager at 608-743-2405.

 


Janesville Counseling Center 113 S. Franklin St.
Janesville, WI 53548 Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
2 pm - 4 pm


Beloit Counseling Center
64 Eclipse Blvd. (at the Eclipse Center) Beloit, WI 53511
Tuesday
2 pm - 4 pm

 


For more information visit Rock County Human Services Substance Use Walk-In Clinics webpage.