The Opioid Crisis
Opioids have been used for a long time to help people with pain from different diseases or conditions. They are frequently prescribed to those dealing with severe or ongoing pain.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that about 21-29% of people prescribed opioids misuse them. Additionally, around 9-12% of these individuals may develop a substance use disorder.
Public views on opioids have changed over the years. Some see them as helpful for people with chronic pain. Others think they are too addictive to use safely in medicine.
The opioid epidemic has complicated origins. Many people believe it started in the late 1990s when prescription opioid painkillers became easier to get.
This led to more cases of opioid use disorder. This condition happens when people use opioids in ways that create problems in their lives. In some cases, this disorder can lead to overdose and death.
Opioids are drugs that can be natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. They work by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain and body. This reduces pain signals and the feeling of pain.
This group includes illegal drugs like heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. It also contains legal pain medications that require a prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.
Prescription opioids can be safe when taken short-term and as the doctor instructs. However, they can also cause feelings of happiness and pain relief. This can lead to misuse and a risk of addiction.
The Three Waves of the Opioid Crisis
Between 1999 and 2022, there were nearly 727,000 fatalities due to opioid overdoses. This figure encompasses deaths resulting from both prescription opioids and illegal opioid substances.
The increase in opioid overdose deaths can be categorized into three distinct waves. Each wave shows a different phase in the ongoing opioid crisis. It highlights changes in drug use and how it affects different groups over time.
The early wave of the opioid crisis started in the 1990s. During this time, there was a rise in prescriptions for opioids. These opioids included both natural and semi-synthetic drugs.
Doctors have prescribed medications for chronic pain and non-cancer pain. This has increased the chances of developing an addiction.
At that time, the most commonly prescribed opioids were oxycodone and hydrocodone. These are often known by their brand names, OxyContin and Vicodin.
OxyContin was introduced by Purdue Pharma in 1995. It was marketed as a less addictive and milder option compared to other opioid medications. The initial wave led to a doubling of opioid-related fatalities in the United States from 1999 to 2010.
The second wave of the opioid crisis started in 2010, with a sharp rise in overdose deaths from heroin use. Heroin is an illegal and very addictive drug. People usually inject it, but they can also smoke or snort it.
Injecting heroin can cause severe viral infections. These include HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B. People can also get bacterial infections. These infections can damage their skin, bloodstream, and heart.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug made from morphine, and it is dangerous on its own. When people use it with other drugs or alcohol, the risks increase. In the U.S., from 2002 to 2013, the number of heroin overdoses nearly quadrupled. This rise was caused by the heroin market expanding to attract people who were already addicted.
The third wave of the opioid crisis started in 2013. It is marked by a rise in overdose deaths from synthetic opioids. Currently, more than 150 individuals die each day due to overdoses involving substances like fentanyl. Pharmaceutical fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is primarily prescribed to manage severe pain in cancer patients.
However, a growing number of incidents involving fentanyl-related injuries, overdoses, and fatalities are connected to illegally manufactured fentanyl. This potent substance is thought to be 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is often mixed with other illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
From 2021 to 2022, there was a notable increase of 4% in deaths related to synthetic opioids. These substances now represent approximately 90% of all opioid-related fatalities.
Over the past decade, it comes as no surprise that death rates linked to all types of opioids have steadily risen. In 2011, the overdose death rate for opioids stood at 7.3 per 100,000 people. Fast forward to 2021, and that number surged to 24.7 per 100,000 people.
When we consider drugs linked to the opioid crisis, the situation is alarming. This includes substances like heroin, cocaine, and stimulants. The statistics for these drugs are even more concerning.
Overdose death rates have nearly tripled, jumping from 13.2 per 100,000 people in 2011 to 32.4 per 100,000 people in 2021. This alarming trend has been largely driven by dramatic increases seen in just the past two years.
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Combating the Epidemic: What Everyone Should Know
Many people who overdose on drugs have bystanders nearby who can help. It can be hard to tell if someone has an opioid overdose.
If you are unsure, act like it is an overdose—this could save a life. Call 911 or get medical help for the person. Do not leave them alone.
Some signs to look out for if you think someone is having an overdose:
- Loss of consciousness
- Shallow breathing
- The person seems to be choking or making gurgling sounds
- Constricted pupils
- Cold skin that is pale or blue in coloring
- Muscle weakness or limpness
Naloxone, or Narcan, is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It can be carried and administered by anyone witnessing an overdose to help save a life. Programs distribute naloxone to individuals likely to encounter overdoses, especially drug users and first responders, providing them with kits for emergencies.
Live Free of Opioid Addiction
At Blue Star Recovery, we help people overcome opioid addiction with therapy and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Our supportive, judgment-free environment allows you to manage your substance use disorder and connect with peers. We will create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your recovery goals. If you or a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction, contact us to learn more about our programs.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Uncovering the Opioid Epidemic
- Congressional Research Service: The Opioid Crisis in the United States- A Brief History
- Federal Communications Commission: Focus on Broadband and Opioids
- State Health Access Data Assistance Center: The Opioid Epidemic in the United States
- Centers fo Disease Control and Prevention: Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic
- National Institutes of Health: The Opioid Crisis