Prescription Opioids | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/opioid-overdose-response/prescription-opioids
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Prescription Opioids | Vermont Department of Health
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Prescription Opioids
Opioid Overdose Response
Know Opioid Overdose
Vermont's Response to Opioids
Prescription Opioids
What you need to know about prescription opioids
Opioids are powerful medicines that may be prescribed by your doctor to manage pain. Common opioid pain medicines are hydrocodone (Vicodin®) and oxycodone (Percocet®, Oxycontin®).
If you were prescribed an opioid medication, always follow your doctor's directions.
Ask about minimum duration and dosage, side effects and how to safely stop.
Ask about alternatives for pain management.
Important Links
Get help
Get free naloxone
Safely get rid of medications for free
Opioid patient information
Vermont's opioid prescribing rule
How do I reduce my risk for addiction and overdose?
1. Talk with your doctor.
Ask about minimum duration and dosage, side effects and how to safely stop.
Ask about alternatives for pain management.
2. Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
Naloxone can reverse an overdose caused by opioids. In Vermont, it's free to obtain and legal to carry. Get naloxone for
free in the mail
or for
free at locations in your community
.
Learn more about preventing and responding to an opioid overdose.
3. Safely get rid of unused and expired medication.
Drop off your unused and expired medications at a
free kiosk at a location in your community
or mail them to a disposal center using a
free mail-back envelope
. Both methods are free and confidential.
Learn more about medication storage and disposal options.
What is my risk for addiction?
Anyone can be at risk for opioid addiction.
Even if you’ve never had a personal or family history of substance misuse, you can still be at risk for prescription opioid addiction.
Prescription opioids can rewire brain chemistry, making anyone susceptible to addiction. Stay safe, learn how to properly use a prescription and spot the signs of addiction early.
Opioids affect different people in different ways, but they are highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms can develop in as little as a few days.
What are the signs of developing addiction?
The signs of addiction can be easy to overlook. If you have been prescribed an opioid medication, be mindful of changes to your habits that may be early signs of opioid use disorder.
Signs you may be developing opioid use disorder
Acting more irritable or moody than normal
Changes in your sleep pattern, including sleeplessness
Changes in your daily routine, like not wanting to do things that you normally enjoy
Taking your prescription when you are not in pain, just in case
Canceling plans with family and friends, not responding to calls and texts, or missing work
Experiencing cravings and watching the clock until you can take your next pill
Escalating use by taking more pills than your doctor instructed
Treatment & Recovery Support
VT Helplink
is a free resource for Vermonters, providing confidential, non-judgmental support and referrals based on your individual needs. A caring Helplink Specialist will listen to you, answer your questions, and help you or your loved one take a step towards recovery.
Call or text "LINK" to
802-565-LINK (5465)
or toll-free
833-565-LINK (5465
).
Available 24 hours a day, everyday
Free and confidential
Visit VTHelplink.org
More Information
Opioid alternatives
Safely get rid of unused and expired medications
Learn more about opioid prescriptions
Treatment & recovery support at VT Helplink
Learn more about prescription opioids from the CDC
Tips for parents at ParentUp
Contact Us
Substance Use Programs (DSU)
Vermont Department of Health
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8340
802-651-1550
[email protected]
Topics:
Alcohol/Drug Use
Last Updated:
November 7, 2025
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Prescription Opioids
Opioid Overdose Response
Know Opioid Overdose
Vermont's Response to Opioids
Prescription Opioids
What you need to know about prescription opioids
Opioids are powerful medicines that may be prescribed by your doctor to manage pain. Common opioid pain medicines are hydrocodone (Vicodin®) and oxycodone (Percocet®, Oxycontin®).
If you were prescribed an opioid medication, always follow your doctor's directions.
Ask about minimum duration and dosage, side effects and how to safely stop.
Ask about alternatives for pain management.
Important Links
Get help
Get free naloxone
Safely get rid of medications for free
Opioid patient information
Vermont's opioid prescribing rule
How do I reduce my risk for addiction and overdose?
1. Talk with your doctor.
Ask about minimum duration and dosage, side effects and how to safely stop.
Ask about alternatives for pain management.
2. Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
Naloxone can reverse an overdose caused by opioids. In Vermont, it's free to obtain and legal to carry. Get naloxone for
free in the mail
or for
free at locations in your community
.
Learn more about preventing and responding to an opioid overdose.
3. Safely get rid of unused and expired medication.
Drop off your unused and expired medications at a
free kiosk at a location in your community
or mail them to a disposal center using a
free mail-back envelope
. Both methods are free and confidential.
Learn more about medication storage and disposal options.
What is my risk for addiction?
Anyone can be at risk for opioid addiction.
Even if you’ve never had a personal or family history of substance misuse, you can still be at risk for prescription opioid addiction.
Prescription opioids can rewire brain chemistry, making anyone susceptible to addiction. Stay safe, learn how to properly use a prescription and spot the signs of addiction early.
Opioids affect different people in different ways, but they are highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms can develop in as little as a few days.
What are the signs of developing addiction?
The signs of addiction can be easy to overlook. If you have been prescribed an opioid medication, be mindful of changes to your habits that may be early signs of opioid use disorder.
Signs you may be developing opioid use disorder
Acting more irritable or moody than normal
Changes in your sleep pattern, including sleeplessness
Changes in your daily routine, like not wanting to do things that you normally enjoy
Taking your prescription when you are not in pain, just in case
Canceling plans with family and friends, not responding to calls and texts, or missing work
Experiencing cravings and watching the clock until you can take your next pill
Escalating use by taking more pills than your doctor instructed
Treatment & Recovery Support
VT Helplink
is a free resource for Vermonters, providing confidential, non-judgmental support and referrals based on your individual needs. A caring Helplink Specialist will listen to you, answer your questions, and help you or your loved one take a step towards recovery.
Call or text "LINK" to
802-565-LINK (5465)
or toll-free
833-565-LINK (5465
).
Available 24 hours a day, everyday
Free and confidential
Visit VTHelplink.org
More Information
Opioid alternatives
Safely get rid of unused and expired medications
Learn more about opioid prescriptions
Treatment & recovery support at VT Helplink
Learn more about prescription opioids from the CDC
Tips for parents at ParentUp
Contact Us
Substance Use Programs (DSU)
Vermont Department of Health
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8340
802-651-1550
[email protected]
Topics:
Alcohol/Drug Use
Last Updated:
November 7, 2025