Victoria Nanez

Professor Massie

English 1301

14 March 2020

Opioids Informative Essay Outline

I. The point of this essay is to inform the readers of the purpose of opioids, the different

forms of opioids, and the side effects that often lead to addiction.

II. The main purpose for opioids is to relieve pain.

A. At one point in time, opioids were only prescribed to those with cancer to help

manage pain.

B. In result, regulations were altered due to many advocating for a broader use of

opioids for those with noncancerous chronic pain.

III. Different forms of opioids include prescription pills and street drugs like heroin and

fentanyl.

A. A few common prescription opioids include hydrocodone, oxycodone, and

codeine.

B. Common opioids that are not used medically are heroin and fentanyl.

IV. The side effects of opioids often lead to addiction, which the United States is

currently fighting.

A. Side effects include drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and clouded thinking.

B. These side effects often lead individuals to addiction that sometimes end in death.

V. Opioids are medications used for pain management, but over time has become a crisis

in the United States.