Need urgent help? See crisis and overdose guidance
Evidence-led information · Clinical editorial standards
Guidance on opioid use disorder, overdose prevention, naloxone, withdrawal and evidence-based treatment.
Opioid use disorder can involve heroin, illicit synthetic opioids, or prescribed pain medicines. Its defining features are impaired control, craving, hazardous use,…
Heroin use can rapidly establish tolerance and physical dependence, but severity is defined by control and consequences rather than route or frequency…
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and related synthetic opioids can be extremely potent and may be present in products sold as heroin, pills, or…
Prescription opioid addiction involves compulsive or uncontrolled use despite harm. It is distinct from expected physical dependence during correctly managed pain treatment,…
Opioid withdrawal often causes aches, sweating, yawning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety, insomnia, and intense craving. It is usually not directly fatal in…
Opioid detox manages withdrawal, but it does not treat the full opioid use disorder and can reduce tolerance. Discharge without medication, naloxone,…
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can temporarily reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression. It has no effect on a person who has not…
Buprenorphine and methadone are evidence-based treatments that reduce illicit opioid use and mortality; extended-release naltrexone may suit selected patients after an opioid-free…
Opioid tolerance can fall quickly during detoxification, hospitalisation, incarceration, residential treatment, or a period of non-use. Returning to a previously tolerated amount…