Opioid Use Disorder

What is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)?

Opioid Use Disorder is a treatable disease that can be caused by frequent opioid use, both prescription and non-prescription. It is sometimes called opioid addiction. Symptoms of OUD may include:

• Feeling a strong desire for opioids
• Feeling unable to stop or reduce opioid use
• Needing more opioids to get the same effect
• Spending a lot of time trying to find and use opioids
• Feeling unwell after stopping or reducing use

OUD in pregnancy increases the risk of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes, including NAS.

Treatment and Recovery

Naloxone (Narcan) Nasal Spray – You have the power to save a life.

Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, restoring breathing and consciousness within minutes of being administered to a person who has overdosed. Naloxone can be administered by a bystander (non-healthcare professional) before emergency medical assistance becomes available, but it is not intended to substitute for professional medical care. Individuals should call 911 immediately when an opioid overdose is suspected, before administering Naloxone.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) has free Naloxone (Narcan) Nasal Spray kits available to the community during regular business hours at certain office locations. Since December 2022, DOH-Orange has offered this lifesaving medication to the public.

Kits consist of two Naloxone nasal sprays that are administered even without a health care professional present.

Naloxone kits are free, and no appointment is necessary.

Naloxone kits can be obtained at DOH-Orange County offices during regular business hours Monday through Friday at the following locations:

The iSaveFL website provides information on finding Naloxone in your community and resources on treatment, overdose education, and prevention.