What you need to know about the opioid epidemic

(BPT) – All it takes is a quick glance at the news to discover the state of drug abuse in the United States. Out of the 21.5 million Americans 12 years of age and older with a substance use disorder, 1.9 million of them had a disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 586,000 involving heroin, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the country, and opioid addiction is driving this epidemic.

Opioids are a class of drugs including the illicit drug heroin and licit prescription pain killers oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and fentanyl. Opioid use has increased across the U.S. among men, women, most age groups and all income levels. Since 2000, opioid overdose deaths increased by 200 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Because this problem is so widespread, it’s important to get the facts straight. Here are some things you should know about this dangerous epidemic:

Many addictions start with a pain reliever prescription

Often when people are experiencing chronic pain, a doctor will prescribe prescription pain relievers. If the pain is severe, they’re likely to receive higher doses. This can lead to a dependence on the pain medicine or even encourage those addicted to turn toward alternatives like heroin or other synthetic drugs. Women are more likely to have chronic pain and may become dependent on prescription pain relievers more quickly than men, according to the ASAM.

Synthetic drugs are just as dangerous

Health officials are raising awareness about a new, dangerous drug called W-18 that is more toxic than many other synthetic opioids. This drug presents a significant threat as it is not regulated by federal drug laws and cannot be detected by routine drug tests. The effect of this drug on humans is largely unknown, as it has only been tested on lab mice. The drug is believed to be created in labs in China and then sold online around the world. Over the last year, larger quantities of W-18 have been found in locations across both Canada and the U.S.

Addiction issues often go undetected

If you think you or someone you know has an addiction problem, it’s important to speak up. If you or a loved one is taking prescription pain pills and start taking more than directed, you should be concerned. The first step is to find someone you trust and talk about it, whether it’s a family member, counselor or doctor. Treatment centers, like Best Drug Rehabilitation, offer a unique approach to addiction treatment that encompasses all aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual issues involved in addiction. Trained staff are always available to help.

National organizations are working to solve the epidemic

The AMA Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse is working to change how physicians prescribe pain medications by making sure they have all the information in a patient’s medical history. They are also making an effort to reduce the stigma surrounding both pain and addiction.

Addiction tends to live in the shadows, but the first step to improvement is spreading awareness. For more information on rehabilitation programs, visit bestdrugrehabilitation.com.