Navigation: Opioid Overview, The Opioid Epidemic, The Opioid Epidemic Compared to other Drug Problems
The opioid epidemic, also known as the opioid crisis, refers to the growing number of deaths and hospitalizations involving opioids. This includes prescriptions, illicit drugs, and analogues. Death rates across the US have ramped up to over 40,000 a year, in recent times. Approximately 115 people die each day because of opioid-related causes.
In fact, drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, which is largely attributed to the opioid epidemic.
This national catastrophe first gained notoriety around 2010. However, the factors behind it began manifesting several years earlier. Because every state and all demographics have been impacted by the crisis, it is important to take a closer look and learn all about it.
Opioid Overview
Opioids are drugs that are derived from opium. But unlike opiates, which are natural derivatives, opioids are synthetic and semi-synthetic. Most opioids are prescribed for pain-relieving purposes. Nowadays, opioids are almost synonymous with pain relief.
Examples of opioids include: codeine, Demerol, Dilaudid, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and tramadol.
Despite their widely accepted medical use, opioids have a dangerous side due to their addictive properties. Many people start out taking opioids as prescribed by their doctors but end up abusing their prescription. This is because opioids produce a euphoric sensation while blocking the brain’s pain receptors.
The highly addictive nature of these drugs makes it easy for the human brain to develop an addiction. Even people who are taking it as prescribed may suddenly crave for more. This is why some people misuse their prescription and take more opioids even when they are not supposed to. Some people take their opioids too often and run out too soon.
Many users don’t realize they have become dependent on the effects of opioids until they try to stop taking them. At that point, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. A drug dependent individual will have to keep taking the drug just to feel “normal”.
Withdrawal symptoms and cravings will cause an addicted individual to relapse and keep taking opioids. And because prescription opioids are more expensive than street drugs, a lot of addicted individuals turn to heroin. Heroin is often cheaper, more potent, and easier to acquire.
The Opioid Epidemic
Some researchers trace the opioid epidemic back to the late 90s. Pharmaceutical companies began to push synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids to doctors. The companies claimed that the drugs were either less addictive compared to morphine or completely non-addictive. They also claimed that the drugs had no dangerous side effects.
As they saw no repercussions to patients taking them, doctors began pushing these drugs into mainstream use. This is how the widespread usage of opioids began in the medical industry. This high level of opioid distribution remains to this day and continues to contribute to the epidemic.
Opioid-related deaths grew steadily over time. In fact, the average death rate has been at 115 per day since 2014. 80 percent of people struggling with heroin addiction started with a prescription for an opioid painkiller.
Prescription opioid abuse costs the US $78.5 billion a year.
The Opioid Epidemic Compared to other Drug Problems
The number of people dying of opioid-related overdose eclipses every other drug combined. This is why the term opioid epidemic was coined. The US reported 52,404 deaths from drug overdose back in 2015. More than 20,000 of those were from prescription pain relievers. Around 13,000 of those were from heroin. This means 63 percent of drug-related deaths were tied to opioids.
The number of opioid-related deaths grew by nearly 10,000 the next year. What makes this epidemic even more concerning is the fact that a lot of the deaths come from prescriptions. People who have been prescribed with these medications are at risk of developing an addiction and/or suffering from an overdose.
If someone in the family is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against substance abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.
What You Need to Know about the Opioid Epidemic https://t.co/7iifvHTtQX #rehabnearme
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