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Dose of Reality

Dose of Reality – Get the Facts on Opioids

Opioids impact lives, but knowledge and community save them. Start real conversations, take simple steps to prevent harm, and remember—help and recovery are always within reach.

Prevention Starts with Real Talks, Action, and Hope

Opioids are powerful drugs, but our communities are stronger. In Wisconsin, prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl cause more deaths each year than car crashes—yet by working together, we can make a difference. Real talks—open, honest conversations—are the first step toward prevention, support, and recovery. Learn simple ways to reduce opioid harm, from safe medication disposal to recognizing overdose signs. Recovery is possible, and help is available through inclusive programs and community support. Together, we can change lives and build a safer future.

Dose of Reality: Get the Facts on Opioids

Opioids are powerful drugs. Prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl are responsible for more deaths in Wisconsin each year than car crashes. 

Get The Facts

Prevent Opioid Harm-It starts with real talks.

Real talks are open and honest conversations. Talking with the people in your life about opioids can be awkward, but it is one of the most important things you do for them. 

Start Talking

Three Steps to Save Lives.

There are simple ways to reduce the dangers of opioid use. Whether it is following tips for safer use, disposing of unused medications, or knowing how to respond to an overdose, it all makes a difference

Three Steps

Recovery is possible. Help is all around you.

We are lowering barriers to these services, creating inclusive spaces, and broadening our understanding of what health and wellness means for people with different experiences. 

How To Get Help

Concerned about someone’s
well-being?

Call 211 or 1-833-944-4673
The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline can help you find local services and support. It’s free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Call 211
Call 1-833-944-4673

Understand the Risks, Signs, and How to Stay Safe

Get the Facts About Opioids

Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic began more than 20 years ago. It started with the overprescribing of prescription pain relievers. When these drugs became harder to get by those who craved them for nonmedical use, heroin use increased. Heroin was more available and cheaper.

Today, opioids illegally manufactured and mixed with other drugs are causing the most damage to our families and communities. Help the people in your life understand the dangers of opioid use by getting the facts for yourself.

A Quick Look at These Powerful—and Risky—Pain Relievers

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are powerful drugs—both legal and illegal—that affect the brain and body in different ways. They’re often prescribed for pain but are sometimes misused to cope with emotional or life challenges. Misuse can lead to overdose and death, even when people think they’re being careful.

Prescription Pain Relievers

Prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methadone that relieve pain by changing the way the brain and body feel pain. They don’t cure the pain, but they help a person manage it.

Fentanyl

There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally manufactured fentanyl. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is sold for its heroin-like effect.

Set Clear Expectations

Make sure kids know that underage drinking is illegal and unacceptable. Set clear expectations for their behavior and enforce your house rules consistently.

Be a Resource

Become your kid’s go-to for information and support – instead of friends or the internet – by taking all of their questions seriously and providing calm, non-judgemental answers.

You're Not Alone—Explore Resources Ready to Support You or Someone You Care About

How To Get Help

You can be the one to keep the people you care about safe. It starts with real talks. It is easy to think that people won’t listen. But they do. Real talks about opioid use with the people in your life is an opportunity to provide real help. Don’t worry, it is easier than you think. Let’s us show you how to prevent opioid harm with real talks.

Keep it casual and in an appropriate time and space

All you need to do is take a moment to think about what you want to share with the person before diving in. Consider a private setting with limited distractions where you and the person will feel comfortable, such as at home or on a walk.

Listen To What Is Said

Show the person that you’re interested in what they have to say. Give them your undivided attention. Listen both to what they are saying and also to what they are not saying. Acknowledge their feelings. Try to understand their perspective.

Offer Support Not Judgement

Take a pause before responding to what is said to think how you can react with compassion. Instead of reacting, think of a question you can ask them: about their experience, their feelings, or their support network. Remind the person that you’ll always be there for them and why you are glad they are in your life.

Stay Connected

Helping a person doesn’t happen overnight. Continue reaching out with offers to listen. Invite them to activities. Encourage them to talk to a health care professional, spiritual advisor, or other friend or relative if they don’t want to talk with you.

Understand the Risks, Signs, and How to Stay Safe

Three Steps That Could Save a Life from Opioids

Opioid overdoses can happen fast—but knowing what to do can save a life. These three simple steps will help you recognize the warning signs, respond with confidence, and connect someone to the support and treatment they need. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or stranger, your actions in those critical moments can make all the difference.

Together, We Can Spot the Signs and Help Save Lives in Our Community

Three Life Saving Steps

Knowing what to do in an opioid emergency can save a life. These three simple steps will teach you how to spot the signs of an overdose, respond safely and effectively, and connect someone to the help they need. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or someone in your community, being prepared can make all the difference.

Dose of Reality: Safer Use

Opoids can harm you. That’s why we are sharing safer use tips to reduce the harms you or someone you love may experience when using opioids. While these tips won’t eliminate all dangers of opioids, they will lower your chances of an overdose, infection, or other bad outcome. The purpose of these tips is to keep people who use opioids alive and well.

Dose of Reality-Safe Disposal

Safely disposing of unused and expired medications and used medical supplies helps protect the people around you and your environment. There are many safe disposal options available to everyone throughout Wisconsin.

Dose of Reality: Opioid Overdose

Anyone who use opioids can experience an overdose at any time. When a person survives an opioid overdose, it’s because someone knew what was happening and how to take action. Call 911 immediately if you think someone is experiencing an opioid overdose.

Find Tools, Support, and Hope for Every Step of the Journey

Resources For Recovery - 1.Peer, 2.Clinical & 3.Medical Resources

Recovery is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone. Explore trusted resources to help you or someone you love take the next step toward healing and a healthier future.

Peer Recovery: Recovery Residences

This option provides opioid-free housing to people without a safe and secure place to live.

More Info

Peer Recovery: Mutual Support Groups

This option provides a space for people to share stories, talk about challenges, and share personal achievements with people with similar life experiences.

Peer Recovery: Peer Recovery Centers

This option provides a space for people to drop-in to talk with people with similar life experiences.

More Info

Peer Recovery: Peer-Run Respites

This option provides a space for people to schedule a stay of up to seven days surrounded by other people in recovery to focus on their health and wellness.

More Info

Clincal Recovery: Outpatient counseling:

This option helps people understand their opioid use disorder and their reasons for using opioids. This form of treatment can be done at a clinic or office or by telehealth. - *Clinical supports supports are offered by licensed professionals.

Clinical Recovery: Inpatient or Residential Treatment

This option provides a supportive environment to help people recover without distractions or temptations. - *Clinical supports supports are offered by licensed professionals.

Clinical Recovery: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

This evidence-based approach combines FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or methadone with counseling and behavioral therapies to support long-term recovery and reduce relapse risk. - *Clinical supports supports are offered by licensed professionals.

Clinical Recovery: Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

IOPs offer structured therapy sessions multiple times a week while allowing individuals to live at home, making them a flexible yet comprehensive option for those needing more support than standard outpatient care.. - *Clinical supports supports are offered by licensed professionals.

Medical Recovery: Methadone

Methadone is available as a daily liquid. Patients take it at a certified opioid treatment program until they are cleared for at-home doses.

Medical Recovery: Buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Subutex®, Zubsolv®, Sublocade®)

Buprenorphine is available as a dissolving tablet, cheek film, or six-month implant under the skin. Qualified health care professionals prescribe the at-home doses (tablet or film) or administer the implant in an office setting.

Medical Recovery: Naltrexone (Vivitrol®)

Naltrexone is available as a monthly injection. Any health care professional who can legally prescribe medication can provide it.

Concerned about someone’s
well-being?

Call 211 or 1-833-944-4673
The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline can help you find local services and support. It’s free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Call 211
Call 1-833-944-4673
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This website is supported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award funded by ONDCP. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ONDCP, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

This publication was also made possible by grant number H79T1083320 from SAMHSA. The views, opinions and content of this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of SAMHSA or HHS.

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