FAQ

Questions that people often have about opioids, addiction, how to get help, and more.

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What are opioids?

Opioids include three categories of pain-relieving drugs:

Natural opioids which are derived from the opium poppy, such as morphine and codeine.
Semi-synthetic opioids such as prescription drugshydrocodone and oxycodone and the illicit drug heroin.
Synthetic opioids, such as methadone, tramadol, and fentanyl.

My doctor prescribed me opioids—doesn't that mean they're safe?

Prescription opioids, when used long term or incorrectly can cause the brain to become reliant on the drug and are addictive.

Here are some quick tips for opioid safety, from The Hospital for Special Surgery

Take opioids only as directed. Try to take the lowest dose you need for the shortest amount of time while still keeping yourself comfortable.
Do not combine opioids with alcohol, sleep aids, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, or others), or other controlled substances. Combining opioids with these medications can slow or stop breathing.
Contact your medical care team if you have side effects. Side effects to look out for include: dizziness, constipation, nausea & vomiting, and difficulty urinating. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while using opioids.
You will eventually need to slowly reduce and stop taking opioids. This is a process called tapering. For more on tapering, view the video included in this section.
Store and dispose of opioids safely to protect your family, friends, pets, and other household visitors. Do not share your prescription with others.

learn more

If I use opioids, will I become addicted?

Prescription opioids can cause physical dependence when used as directed or addiction if misused; illegal opioids such as heroin are also highly addictive. People who regularly use prescription opioids or heroin often develop tolerance, which means that they need higher and/or more frequent doses of the drug to get the desired effects.

What is NARCAN?

NARCAN (also known as naloxone) is a drug that can temporarily stop many of the life-threatening effects of overdoses from opioids. NARCAN can help restore breathing and reverse the sedation and unconsciousness that are common during and opioid overdose.

Where can I get NARCAN?

AOK offers free NARCAN at their headquarters. Just come in and take what you need, no questions asked.

AOK HQ

208A West 10th St., Lamar, MO 64759

call or text 24/7

How do I administer NARCAN?

Refer to the videos included here.

Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle area gainst the bottom of the person’s nose. Press the plunger to give a dose of NARCAN Nasal Spray. Remove the NARCAN Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose.

How can I tell if someone has overdosed?

From SAMHSA:

Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
Their body goes limp
Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops

learn more

What do I do if my loved one has overdosed?

Identify overdose and call 911 immediately
Administer NARCAN Nasal Spray
Evaluate and Provide Support
If within 2–3 minutes the patient does not wake up, respond to voice or touch, or breathe normally, use a new NARCAN Nasal Spray to give another dose.

learn more

Where can I find addiction support?

Ozark Center/
New Directions

307 W. 11th St., Lamar, MO 64759

phone directions

Reach out to or visit these resources.

They may be different in your area.

What if me or someone else is having a mental health crisis?

Cox barton county hospital

29 NW First Ln, Lamar, MO 64759

call now directions

Dial 911 or proceeded to the nearest emergency room if safe to do so.

call 911

Where can I get support 24/7?

national suicide prevention lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

This is a crisis hotline that can help with many issues, not just suicide. For example, anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal; family and friends who are concerned about a loved one; or anyone interested in mental health treatment referrals can call the Lifeline. Callers are connected with a professional nearby who will talk with them about what they are feeling or concerns for other family and friends.

Call the toll-free Lifeline, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

call now

crisis text line

Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed.

Text "MHFA" using the button below.

text now

lifeline crisis chat

Visit the link below to chat online with crisis centers around the United States.

website

the trevor project

Trained counselors available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk. Specializing in supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

Call 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678

call text website

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

call text website

Where can I find a mental health provider?

barton county

ozark center / new directions

307 W. 11th St.
Lamar, MO 64759

call now directions

Avenue of Mental Health

1301 East 12th Street
Lamar, MO, 64759

Contact: Nancy Jamerson

email directions

national resources

The National Council for Behavioral Health

Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it—regardless of their ability to pay.

provider search

samhsa

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through an online service locator.

You can search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options (private insurance, cash, or something else), languages spoken, etc.

provider search

What is the P3 app?

what is it?

P3 is a tip management system allowing the public to submit secure and anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers programs and law enforcement agencies with complete confidence.

What are things that I should report on the P3 app?

Acts or threats of terrorism, substance abuse, domestic violence, bullying, crisis intervention, and other criminal acts.

download

android ios

fAQ

What are opioids?

Opioids include three categories of pain-relieving drugs:

Natural opioids which are derived from the opium poppy, such as morphine and codeine.
Semi-synthetic opioids such as prescription drugshydrocodone and oxycodone and the illicit drug heroin.
Synthetic opioids, such as methadone, tramadol, and fentanyl.

My doctor prescribed me opioids—doesn't that mean they're safe?

Prescription opioids, when used long term or incorrectly can cause the brain to become reliant on the drug and are addictive.

Here are some quick tips for opioid safety, from The Hospital for Special Surgery

Take opioids only as directed. Try to take the lowest dose you need for the shortest amount of time while still keeping yourself comfortable.
Do not combine opioids with alcohol, sleep aids, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, or others), or other controlled substances. Combining opioids with these medications can slow or stop breathing.
Contact your medical care team if you have side effects. Side effects to look out for include: dizziness, constipation, nausea & vomiting, and difficulty urinating. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while using opioids.
You will eventually need to slowly reduce and stop taking opioids. This is a process called tapering. For more on tapering, view the video included in this section.
Store and dispose of opioids safely to protect your family, friends, pets, and other household visitors. Do not share your prescription with others.

learn more

If I use opioids, will I become addicted?

What is NARCAN?

Where can I get NARCAN?

AOK offers free NARCAN at their headquarters. Just come in and take what you need, no questions asked.

AOK HQ

208A West 10th St
Lamar, MO 64759

call or text 24/7

How do I administer NARCAN?

Refer to the videos included here.

How can I tell if someone has overdosed?

From SAMHSA:

Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
Their body goes limp
Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops

learn more

What should I do if my loved one has overdosed?

Identify overdose and call 911 immediately
Administer NARCAN Nasal Spray
Evaluate and Provide Support
If within 2–3 minutes the patient does not wake up, respond to voice or touch, or breathe normally, use a new NARCAN Nasal Spray to give another dose.

learn more

Where can I find addiction support?

Reach out to or visit these resources.

They may be different in your area.

Ozark Center/
New Directions

307 W. 11th St.
Lamar, MO 64759

phone directions

What should I do if myself or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis?

Dial 911 or proceeded to the nearest emergency room if safe to do so.

call 911

Cox barton county hospital

29 NW First Ln,

Lamar, MO 64759

phone directions

Where can I get support 24/7?

national suicide prevention lifeline

call now

crisis text line

text now

lifeline crisis chat

Visit the link below to chat online with crisis centers around the United States.

website

the trevor project

call text website

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline

call text website

Where can I find a mental health provider?

national resources

The National Council for Behavioral Health

Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it—regardless of their ability to pay.

provider search

samhsa

provider search

barton county

ozark center / new directions

307 W. 11th St.
Lamar, MO 64759

google maps

What is the P3 app?

what is it?

P3 is a tip management system allowing the public to submit secure and anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers programs and law enforcement agencies with complete confidence.

What are things that I should report on the P3 app?

Acts or threats of terrorism, substance abuse, domestic violence, bullying, crisis intervention, and other criminal acts.

download

android ios

FAQ

fAQ

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