Patterns of opioid use and treatment in a cohort of patients from the Anuradhapura district

Opioids include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine (1). Opioids can lead to dependence, overdose, and death (1). Symptoms of opioid withdrawal include nausea and vomiting, piloerection, anxiety, insomnia, yawning, hot and cold flushes, perspiration, muscle cramps/ pains, watery discharge from eyes and nose and diarrhoea (2). The use of illicit drugs in Sri Lanka has been in existence as far back as the 17th century (1). In the past, colonial powers regulated the use of opium as a revenue earning measure (3). The main legislation on drug law enforcement is provided in the “Poisonous opium and dangerous drug ordinance of 1936” and was amended by Act No. 13 of 1984, of the same ordinance (4). Despite these legal measures, there has been an increasing tendency among people to use illicit drugs such as