Opioid Misuse & Brain Injury
Brain injury and opioid misuse share a painful, two-way connection. At the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIASC), we’re working to raise awareness, provide life-saving tools, and support those affected—whether you’re a provider, a caregiver, or someone seeking help for yourself or a loved one.
Did You Know?
In South Carolina, 51.5% of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience chronic pain, often leading to opioid prescriptions.
From October 2022 to September 2023, over 1.7 million opioid prescriptions were written in South Carolina.
For Professionals: Training, Resources, and Partnerships
Why It Matters
The relationship between opioid misuse and brain injury is bi-directional:
Individuals with a brain injury may struggle with memory, decision-making, and impulse control, putting them at greater risk of misusing opioids.
Opioid overdose can deprive the brain of oxygen, causing anoxic or hypoxic brain injury.
How We Help
BIASC partners with agencies like:
Challenges Inc., LRADAC (Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council), and SC Department of Public Health to offer evidence-based training and resources for:
Counselors and addiction treatment providers
Rehabilitation facility staff
Healthcare professionals working with individuals affected by substance use disorders
Training includes:
Recognizing the signs of brain injury
Understanding how brain injury increases vulnerability to opioid misuse
Administering Narcan (naloxone) to reverse overdose
SC Opioid Snapshot (2021–2023):
1,864 deaths in SC were linked to opioids in 2021
→ 88% (1,660 deaths) involved fentanyl572,237 opioid antagonist and addiction treatment prescriptions were filled (10/22–9/23)
For Individuals, Families & Caregivers
What Is Opioid Misuse?
Misuse means using opioids in a way other than prescribed—including taking more than directed, using them to get high, or taking someone else’s medication.
How Brain Injury and Opioids Are Connected
If someone has a brain injury, they may forget if they’ve taken their medication, take an incorrect dose, or struggle with judgment or emotional regulation.
These challenges increase the risk of accidental overdose, which can lead to brain injury due to a lack of oxygen.
Narcan Distribution
BIASC is a community distributor of Narcan (naloxone)—a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
To request your free Narcan kit, email samone@biaofsc.com.
We also provide education on how to safely administer Narcan, helping to equip individuals and organizations with essential harm-reduction skills.
Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips are available through most county health departments in South Carolina.
If you think you or someone you know may have a brain injury, call our hotline for guidance and resources.
Know the Law: You’re Protected
If you witness an overdose, call 911 immediately. South Carolina’s Good Samaritan Law protects you from arrest or prosecution for drug possession if you're seeking medical help during an overdose emergency.