Opioid Crisis in America
The opioid crisis in America is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and talked about. When you are looking for help for yourself or a loved one, reach out to an opioid addiction treatment center that can help. Learn more about the opioid crisis in America and how to find help below.
Opioid Crisis in America
There is an epidemic going on that involves the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs. The opioid crisis in America has been overlooked for too long, especially since it has affected so many people.
How Many People Use Opioids in the US?
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 130 people die from opioid-related overdoses every day. A little over 10 million people abused opioids in 2018. Also in 2018, 2 million were said to have an opioid use disorder. Many opioid users also end up using heroin. A large percentage of people who use heroin started by first abusing prescription opioids. There is also an increase in the abuse of opioids in large cities, along with Midwestern states.
How many people use opioids in the US? Too many. These are huge numbers, to say the least. Where did this problem originate from and how did it start?
Opioid Abuse Origins
Pharmaceutical companies are to blame. In the late 1990s, these companies put medical doctors and specialists at ease by telling them that patients could not become addicted to opioid-based pain killers. This caused medical practitioners to prescribe more of these painkillers in larger numbers than before. When it became obvious that opioids were highly addictive, people were already abusing them, both non-prescription and prescription opioids.
Solutions to the Problem
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are trying to combat this problem in several ways. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is focusing on improving public health surveillance so that the public has a better understanding of the opioid crisis, improve the need for recovery services and better treatment, improving practices for pain management, promoting drugs that can reverse overdoses, and allowing more opportunities for research on addiction and pain.
The National Institutes of Health is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institutes of Health is the head of medical research to find a solution to the opioid crisis. They met with academic research centers and pharmaceutical companies to talk about ways to solve this major public issue. So far, finding ways to prevent overdose, managing chronic pain in safe and non-addictive ways, and using specific medications have been discussed.
Additionally, many drug addiction treatment centers have opened their doors to people struggling with opioid addiction. Detox protocols help each person cleanse their body of opioids safely. Then, evidence-based and holistic addiction therapies help them navigate the roots of addiction. Therapists and counselors help each individual find long-term coping strategies they will need for their recovery. Comprehensive and compassionate support can help to fight the opioid crisis in America.
Getting Professional Help For the Opioid Crisis in America
Lucida Treatment Center, located in beautiful Lantana, Florida, offers many programs and therapies as part of their comprehensive addiction treatment. At Lucida, each individual receives a customized care protocol for their specific needs. Therapies and programs at Lucida Treatment Center include:
- Medical Drug Detox
- Inpatient Drug Rehab
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Psychological and Psychiatric Care
You do not have to let addiction control your life any longer. Let us at Lucida Treatment Center in Lantana, Florida help. Contact us at 1.866.947.7299 so that we can get you started on one of our treatment programs.