{"id":2095,"date":"2022-09-20T16:18:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T16:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/?page_id=2095"},"modified":"2024-01-18T15:07:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T15:07:52","slug":"the-opioid-crisis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/the-opioid-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"The Opioid Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>Understanding the Opioid Crisis in America<\/span><\/h2>\n

In November 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that, for the first time, drug overdose deaths in the U.S. surpassed 100,000 annually. The majority of these deaths involved opioid drugs, and the majority of opioid overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.[1]<\/p>\n

Although opioid-related overdoses are at an all-time high, opioid abuse and addiction aren\u2019t new issues. The opioid crisis can be traced all the way back to the late 1990s when doctors began prescribing opioids at increasing rates.[2] Today, however, opioid abuse is more dangerous than ever.<\/p>\n

Opioid addiction affects the people who suffer from it, but it also affects their families, friends, workplace, and the community as a whole. Opioid abuse and addiction are also major economic burdens in the United States. The nation\u2019s issue with opioids is so severe that public health officials have called it an epidemic.<\/p>\n

Because of how widespread the problem is, it\u2019s important to understand how the epidemic got to where it is today, how to recognize an opioid overdose, and what to do if someone is overdosing.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The Evolution of the Opioid Epidemic<\/span><\/h2>\n

There has been a problem with opioids in America for nearly 25 years, but the issue has evolved over time. The CDC outlines the opioid crisis in three waves which are characterized by changes in the nature of opioid overdose deaths.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Wave One: OxyContin and Prescription Opioids<\/span><\/h3>\n

The opioid crisis began in the late 1990s with increased prescribing of opioid painkillers, particularly a popular brand-name drug with an insidious history, OxyContin. OxyContin is a powerful opioid that was marketed as having a time-release formula that prevents misuse of the medication. Because of this feature, it was touted as a safer, less addictive option than other opioids.<\/p>\n

Drug users quickly found out they could crush and snort OxyContin, breaking past the time-release barrier and getting high. Doctors saw their patients getting addicted and public health officials began reporting increasing rates of prescription opioid overdose deaths.<\/p>\n

To this day, the Sackler Family, the owners of Purdue Pharma and manufacturers of OxyContin, have paid out over $16 billion in lawsuit settlements due to their deceptive marketing tactics and role in the opioid epidemic.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Wave Two: Heroin<\/span><\/h3>\n

The second wave of the epidemic began in 2010 when states across the nation began seeing rapid increases in heroin overdose deaths. This is the first time in two decades that the number of opioid overdoses related to heroin surpassed the number of overdoses related to prescription opioids<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As a result of the first wave of the opioid epidemic, opioid prescribing guidelines were tightened. Pharmacies also began using Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), requiring pharmacists to record every opioid prescription they dispense. This program, along with stricter prescribing guidelines, made it more difficult for people to get a prescription for opioids from their doctor.<\/p>\n

People who were already addicted to opioids, however, began turning to the streets to illicit opioids like heroin, making way for the second wave of the epidemic.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Wave Three: Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids<\/span><\/h3>\n

The third wave of the epidemic began in 2013 when public health officials began noting increasing rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, so even a granular amount can cause a fatal overdose in someone who doesn\u2019t have a tolerance to opioids.<\/p>\n

Heroin<\/a> is dangerous enough as it is, but when you add fentanyl into the mix, using any opioid that is not given to you by a doctor can cost you your life. Today, fentanyl is found in more than just heroin and counterfeit opioids–it is also found in other counterfeit pills and substances including Xanax and other benzodiazepines, cocaine, and methamphetamine.<\/p>\n

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency as a result of the opioid crisis.[3]<\/p>\n

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<\/span>How the Opioid Crisis Affects Communities<\/span><\/h2>\n

Opioid addiction can affect every aspect of a person\u2019s life. It can lead to physical health issues such as abscesses or skin infections in IV drug users or gastrointestinal issues. It can also increase the risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and avoidant personality disorder. When someone\u2019s opioid abuse progresses, they may have trouble being productive at work, showing up for their responsibilities and obligations, and making healthy decisions in life.<\/p>\n

Addiction can drive people to make decisions that they normally wouldn\u2019t make if they were sober. Opioid abuse and addiction are correlated with increased crime rates. Studies show that people with opioid use disorder are up to 13 times more likely to be arrested to be convicted of a crime. In total, nearly 65% of people who are incarcerated in America have a substance use disorder.[4]<\/p>\n

Families and loved ones are likely to be affected by a loved one\u2019s opioid abuse. For example, nearly one baby every 25 minutes is born with a condition called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is characterized by opioid withdrawal symptoms that appear at birth due to the mother being dependent on opioids at the time of giving birth.[5]<\/p>\n

The opioid crisis comes with a very high emotional cost, but it also has a substantial financial cost, too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the \u201ceconomic burden\u201d of prescription opioid misuse in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, and addiction treatment.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Overdose Prevention<\/span><\/h2>\n

Since 1999, the number of opioid overdose deaths has more than quadrupled.[6] More people than ever before know someone who has struggled with or died from opioid addiction. Today, more than 136 people die from opioid overdose each and every day.[2]<\/p>\n

Nearly all opioid overdoses can be prevented by:<\/p>\n