Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Is there a safe way to use street opioids? Elizabeth Tracey reports
Is there a safe way to use street opioids? Elizabeth Tracey reports
Is there a safe way to use street opioids? Elizabeth Tracey reports
Thursday 22nd February 2024
Uncover the myths about non-injectable opioid use and learn why inhaling, snorting, or ingesting heroin and fentanyl is just as dangerous as injecting.
1 minute
Informative
Eye-opening
Honest
Compassionate
Non-judgmental
About this podcast
Author:
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Family Recovery from Addiction
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
32 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!The Truth About Non-Injectable Opioid Use
Episode Overview
- Inhaling, snorting, or ingesting opioids is not safer than injecting.
- CDC data shows most overdose deaths in 2022 were from non-injection methods.
- Fear of fentanyl potency and injection wounds drives non-injection use.
- Cheap fentanyl leads to persistent non-injection use despite risks.
- Expert Michael Fingerhood has seen many overdoses among non-injectors.
"I've seen many overdoses in people who have not injected" - Michael Fingerhood
Have you ever wondered if there's a safer way to use street opioids? This episode of the Johns Hopkins Medicine podcast tackles that very question. Elizabeth Tracey brings you the latest insights on the myths surrounding opioid use, particularly the belief that inhaling, snorting, or ingesting these drugs is less risky than injecting them. Spoiler alert: it's not true. The CDC's 2022 data reveals a worrying trend—most overdose fatalities from heroin and fentanyl now result from these non-injection methods.
Michael Fingerhood, a substance use disorder expert at Johns Hopkins, joins the discussion to shed light on why this misconception persists. He explains that the fear of overdose from potent fentanyl and the dread of injection-related wounds have pushed many users towards non-injection methods. However, this shift hasn't made drug use any safer. In fact, Fingerhood has witnessed numerous overdoses among non-injectors. He also points out another alarming factor: the affordability of fentanyl.
It's so cheap that people stick to non-injection methods, mistakenly thinking they're reducing their risk. This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about opioid misuse and its deadly consequences. By debunking myths and presenting hard-hitting facts, it offers crucial knowledge that could save lives. So, if you're ready to learn the truth about street opioids and understand why non-injection methods are just as dangerous, tune in now.