Created by Irinel Fishlock, Licensed Therapist at Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching
1. What Are Types of Opioids
- Prescription Opioids: Medications prescribed by doctors for moderate to severe pain, such as after surgery or an injury.
- Examples: Morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and fentanyl (when prescribed).
- Synthetic Opioids: Drugs that mimic natural opioids but are made in laboratories.
- Example: Fentanyl (when made illegally is extremely potent and dangerous).
- Illegal Opioids: Drugs that are not prescribed or regulated.
- Example: Heroin.
2. How They Work
- Opioids bind to specific receptors in the brain and body to reduce the feeling of pain.
- They can also cause euphoria (a feeling of being “high”), which contributes to their potential for misuse.
3. Uses
- Treating acute pain (e.g., post-surgery, injuries).
- Managing chronic pain in certain conditions (though other treatments are often safer).
- Palliative care (e.g., cancer pain).
4. Risks
- Addiction: Opioids can be highly addictive because they alter how the brain perceives pleasure and pain.
- Tolerance: Over time, a person may need more of the drug to achieve the same effect, increasing the risk of misuse.
- Overdose: Taking too much can slow breathing to dangerous levels, which can be fatal.
- Withdrawal: Stopping after regular use can cause symptoms like nausea, sweating, and pain.
Understanding Drug Use from an Emotional Standpoint
In addition to opioids, substances such as marijuana, nicotine, and alcohol are prevalent drugs that individuals use to cope with difficult emotions, pain, or anxiety. It is a common misconception that the use of said drugs help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and help one “feel calm” in the moment. However, the use of these addictive substances actually worsens one’s anxiety in the long-run and fail to address the root cause. People often use drugs to cope with emotional pain because substances can temporarily relieve distress, distract from problems, or numb overwhelming feelings.
This behavior, called self-medication, stems from several psychological, biological, and social factors:
- To escape or numb emotional pain
- To temporarily relieve stress or anxiety
- To boost mood or energy
- Difficulty facing problems or coping with trauma
- Social and environmental factors that normalize drug use
How to Talk to your Children About Opioid Use: Tips From a Licensed Child and Family Therapist
Like any substance, talking to children about opioids is essential in helping them understand the extensive risks and make informed decisions. As a parent, you can approach the conversation effectively by fostering an open space for children to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the dangers and severity of opioid use.
Tailor the Conversation to their Age
For Young Children (Ages 6–10)
- Use simple language: Explain that medicines help when used correctly but can be harmful if misused.
- Focus on safety: Emphasize the importance of only taking medicine from a trusted adult, like a parent or doctor. Make it clear to your child not to take medicine when unsupervised.
- Set rules: Make it clear they should never take pills or substances they find in your home or someone else’s home.
For Preteens and Teens (Ages 11–18)
- Be honest: Share factual information about how opioids can be dangerous, even if prescribed, if not used correctly.
- Provide examples for teens through stories or videos to make it more realistic.
- Discuss peer pressure: Role-play scenarios where they may feel pressured and teach them to say no.
- Talk about risks: Explain the potential for addiction, overdose, and how misuse can affect their health, goals, and relationships.
- Connect to their lives: Highlight how opioid misuse can interfere with their interests, like sports, peers, school, or hobbies.
Foster Open Communication
- Ask questions: “Have you heard about opioids?” “Do you know anyone who’s used them?”
- Listen without judgment: Allow them to share their thoughts and concerns freely.
- Encourage them to ask questions: Make it clear they can come to you anytime for information or help.
Focus on Prevention
- Teach refusal skills and promote advocacy: Give them ways to confidently say no, like, “No thanks, I don’t want to risk my health.” It is far too often that medical providers suggest opioids after a big procedure following an injury, or even for an operation as common as wisdom teeth removal. Teach your child to advocate for themselves by declining and asking for a pain reliever that is less detrimental such as tylenol.
- Build self-esteem: Encourage healthy friendships, hobbies, and activities that build confidence. Discuss with your child the importance of developing relationships with peers that uplift and inspire them to lead positive lifestyles.
- Discuss coping strategies: Teach them how to handle stress, anxiety, or pain without resorting to drugs.
Be a Role Model
- Avoid misusing medications yourself. (vaping, marijuana, nicotine use, smoking cigarettes, alcohol use)
- Practice self-care, emotional regulation, and healthy coping skills as a parent.
- Expressing positive self-talk, affirmations, self-love
- Safely store and dispose of any prescription drugs at home. Keep all medicines in a lock box or a locked cabinet.
Provide Resources
- Offer them credible sources, such as school counselors, health websites, or hotlines, if they want to learn more or talk to someone privately.
- Narcotics Anonymous is a free resource available to those with an addiction
- Nar-Anon is a free community of support groups available to those who love someone with an addiction, who don’t have an addiction themselves.
- SAMHSA 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- What to expect: If your child or teen has to go to a rehabilitation facility, it is recommended that they stay a minimum of three months in a residential program.
By making the conversation age-appropriate, open, and ongoing, you’ll equip children to make safe and informed choices about opioids and other substances.
Healthy Coping Skills for Children and Teens
Encourage your child to develop a toolbox of healthy coping skills that they can resort to in times of distress. Here are some strategies you can equip your child with to help them process and release their emotions in an effective way.
- Build a self-soothe kit together. A self-soothe kit consists of an array of objects that can help to regulate your child’s nervous system when anxiety is heightened. A self-soothe kit may include sensory-stimulating items such as playdough, fidget toys, a chime or another small musical instrument, a healthy snack, incense or essential oils, or a warm rice pillow. You can also add items of importance like photos of loved ones, poems or quotes, a prayer card, positive affirmations, or a journal. Your child’s self-soothe kit can be kept in their bedroom so it is easily accessible.
- Provide opportunities for your child to engage in physical activity. Individuals become dependent on substances to provide them with the dopamine boost that their brain is desperately craving. Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day, however, naturally releases dopamine and serves as an outlet for your child to feel confident and happy.
- Do things together as a family. Engaging in shared activities ensures that your child or teen is not left unattended. Instead, they are present with the family and fostering healthy connection with siblings and caregivers. Think of small family rituals such as eating dinner together as a family away from screens and asking “What was the best and most challenging parts of your day?” Have a family board game night.
- Teach mindfulness strategies. This can include guiding your child through meditation, deep breathing exercises, grounding, using crystal singing bowls.
