Opioids are one of the most powerful pain management pills available in the market today. However, being highly addictive the drug has been responsible for causing death of millions in the United States. The following write-up focusses on the impact the drug has had on the country.
Opioid overdose has become a national crisis, where daily 130 Americans lose their lives to it. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) points out that addiction and misuses of the drug – including synthetic opioids, pain management drugs, and heroin – possess a serious issue to the health and welfare of American citizens.
Additionally, the overdose has triggered a huge economic downfall. As per the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids have caused an economic burden of $78.5 billion a year that includes loss of productivity, healthcare expenses, and treatment expenses.
Opioid crisis – what we know so far?
Opioids are one of the strongest pain management drugs available in the market today. Due to its unique composition, the drug can induce a sense of euphoria and happiness that helps in masking the pain. Patients become addicted to this sense of bliss, and close to 21 to 29 per cent of patients end up misusing the drug.
Among the pool of these patients, around 8% develop opioid use disorders that can lead to fatal consequences. According to the national database, the opioid crisis in large cities has gone up 54% in the last five years.
The situation has led to a national crisis that includes not only overdose-related complications but also a rise in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) – a condition that can develop in an infant when withdrawn from certain drugs it was exposed to in the womb. Also, the growth in injection drug use has triggered the spread of diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV.
What caused the opioid epidemic?
During the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies brought new drugs that could effectively manage the severe pain and discomfort among the patients. The big corporation assured the medical communities about its safety and effectiveness in managing pain. As a result, the drug was prescribed more frequently to the patients.
However, it led to widespread mass misuse and addiction-like symptoms pointing out its highly addictive qualities. Within a decade, the opioid addiction rates sky-rocketed leading to close to 50,000 deaths in 2017. The deaths were the result of opioid overdose triggered by fentanyl (a highly potent synthetic opioid), heroin, and prescription opioids. In the same time frame, close to 1.7 million people were affected by the drug’s side-effects.
What can be done about opioid addiction and misuse?
Some of the leading national institutes are working towards discovering a management system to control the opioids crisis. Research and development for a non-addictive alternative to opioids can help millions.
Additionally, the overdose has triggered a huge economic downfall. As per the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids have caused an economic burden of $78.5 billion a year that includes loss of productivity, healthcare expenses, and treatment expenses.
Opioid crisis – what we know so far?
Opioids are one of the strongest pain management drugs available in the market today. Due to its unique composition, the drug can induce a sense of euphoria and happiness that helps in masking the pain. Patients become addicted to this sense of bliss, and close to 21 to 29 per cent of patients end up misusing the drug.
Among the pool of these patients, around 8% develop opioid use disorders that can lead to fatal consequences. According to the national database, the opioid crisis in large cities has gone up 54% in the last five years.
The situation has led to a national crisis that includes not only overdose-related complications but also a rise in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) – a condition that can develop in an infant when withdrawn from certain drugs it was exposed to in the womb. Also, the growth in injection drug use has triggered the spread of diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV.
What caused the opioid epidemic?
During the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies brought new drugs that could effectively manage the severe pain and discomfort among the patients. The big corporation assured the medical communities about its safety and effectiveness in managing pain. As a result, the drug was prescribed more frequently to the patients.
However, it led to widespread mass misuse and addiction-like symptoms pointing out its highly addictive qualities. Within a decade, the opioid addiction rates sky-rocketed leading to close to 50,000 deaths in 2017. The deaths were the result of opioid overdose triggered by fentanyl (a highly potent synthetic opioid), heroin, and prescription opioids. In the same time frame, close to 1.7 million people were affected by the drug’s side-effects.
What can be done about opioid addiction and misuse?
Some of the leading national institutes are working towards discovering a management system to control the opioids crisis. Research and development for a non-addictive alternative to opioids can help millions.
Have you suffered from opioid addiction, or have lost someone close because of it? Then, you could file for a lawsuit against the people responsible for your troubles. Approach the Bramzon Law Firm PLLC to know your legal options. For more information, visit http://opioidlegal.com or call 855-982-1787. With a professional legal team, fight against the people responsible for causing an opioid crisis in your life.
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