The opioid crisis has impacted so many people throughout the country. If it’s affecting you, then it’s essential that you have access to the care you need for opioid abuse treatment. At Solution Based Treatment, we offer detox and opioid addiction rehabilitation services to our clients; call us at 833.999.1941 to get started.
What Is the Opioid Epidemic?
The opioid crisis is a crisis brought on by prescribing too many opioid medications. In the 1990s, several pharmaceutical companies guaranteed that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain-relieving medications. Unfortunately, the reality is that those medications are highly addictive. Over time, it becomes more and more difficult for people to cope with life without opiates.
How Many People Are Addicted to Opioids?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has data showing that around 21 to 29 percent of all people who are prescribed opioids develop a chemical dependency. Another 8 to 12 percent of individuals develop another kind of opioid use disorder.
Unfortunately, opioids are the same type of drug as the more illegal and damaging heroin. Prescription opioids sometimes serve as transitional drugs to heroin, and around 4 to 6 percent do end up turning to heroin abuse at one point or another.
The good news about the crisis is that between the years 2017 and 2018, 38 states reported data on opioid use. Of those, 17 states did see a decline in the number of overdose deaths. None of them saw an increase of any significance. This is largely a result of educational campaigns, the liberal use of NARCAN, and investment into behavioral health services.
Learn More About Opioid Abuse in California
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, across the United States, there were 46,802 drug overdose deaths linked to opioid abuse in 2018. In California, approximately 45% of the drug overdose deaths that occurred were linked to opioids. In total, there were over 2,400 fatalities that year.
How Is an Opioid Overdose Treated?
NARCAN is the Food and Drug Administration’s approved treatment for a suspected opioid overdose. It is a nasal spray that is administered without needles or the need for inhalation. NARCAN counteracts the effects of opioids on the body so that it may reverse the symptoms of acute respiratory depression.
How Is the Opioid Epidemic Crisis Being Addressed In the United States?
To address the opioid epidemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has five main priorities. These include:
- Advancing better methods of pain management, especially for chronic pain
- Encouraging the use of drugs like NARCAN for overdoses
- Performing better public health surveillance
- Improving access to treatment and recovery opioids
- Providing support for pain and addiction research
In April 2018, the government announced the launch of the HEAL Initiative, a multi-agency approach to finding ways to end the opioid epidemic.
How Can You Recognize the Signs of Opioid Abuse?
Using the “3 C’ ‘s” you may be able to recognize the signs of opioid use. Clients who are struggling with opioid use and dependency may have:
- A loss of control, such as calling for early refills or having withdrawal symptoms at medical appointments
- Cravings, or a preoccupation with having the medication or drug with them
- Consequences that are starting to affect their lives, such as being overly sedated regularly or missing out on normal daily activities
If you or someone you love has these symptoms, it may be time to look into treatment services near you.
Get the Right Support for Opioid Abuse in Murrieta
At Solution Based Treatment, we focus on helping our clients get through detoxification and addiction treatment. Located in Murrieta, California, we are here to help clients from all walks of life. Call our treatment center today at 833.999.1941 to learn more about our services.