Training & Consultancy: Courses

Heroin and other Opiates

Duration: 1 day

Who is the course for: Workers with previous drugs training or experience, who need to develop more detailed awareness of heroin and other opiates, harm reduction, dependency and treatment..

About the course: This course offers a master-class in understanding heroin and other opiates. It is a chance for workers to really understand what opiates are, where they come from and how they work. Experienced workers will find this a useful chance to refresh and build on their knowledge. Newer workers will come away confident of their knowledge and able to develop effective responses.

Objectives:

By the end of the course participants will be able:

to list key opiates used in the UK
to summarise key similarities and differences betweeen different opiates
demonstrate routes of administration and summarise key risks and harm reduction related to each route
explain how opiates work on the brain and impact on the dopamine, endorphine and adrenal systems
list key risks associated with opiate use and describe linked harm reduction interventions
describe the impact of opiates with short, medium and long term use
summarise key aspects of opiate tolerance and withdrawal
compare and contrast key treatments for opiate dependency including OST, detoxification options and other treatments
summarise holistic interventions to support recovery from opiate dependency

Course includes

Opiates, what they are and how they work

codeine, tramadol, morphine, fentanyls, oxycodone, methadone and other opiates

Why people use - appeal of opiates
Opiates and neurotransmitters

agonists and antagonists; the endogenous endorphine system

How they are used and reducing risks
Physical and psychological dependence
High risk activities/polydrug use
Treatment modalities; methadone and beyond
Supporting change

Format: Taught sections, small group work, work in pairs, whole group discussion.

Handouts: Full handouts will be provided, and sources of further information

DANOS Modules: AA1, AB1, AB2, AC1, AD1, AF1, AG1, AG2, AG3, AH3, AH4, AH7, AL1, AL2

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