The opioid crisis is so widespread that it may be affecting you and your loved ones. Understand more about the causes of the opioid crisis in America.
About 2.1 million Americans are suffering from opioid addiction.
Drugs such as fentanyl, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are taking hold of people’s lives and tearing them apart. In many cases, they end in fatal overdoses.
Those who are addicted often find themselves completely dependent on these drugs. It’s also a painful process for their loved ones, who find themselves helplessly watching on, not knowing what to do.
In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about the opioid epidemic, why it’s so widespread, and how it can be remedied.
All About the Opioid Crisis
Read on to find out what causes the opioid crisis, what the effects are, and what can be done to stop it.
It’s a Public Health Emergency
President Trump recently recognized the severity of the opioid crisis, declaring it a public emergency in October 2017.
As a result of this declaration, public health agencies are expected to channel resources into treating patients suffering from opioid addiction. Wider access to medication is also expected to become available through the use of remote prescriptions.
The Cause
Many people argue that the epidemic was caused by reckless doctors who prescribed opioid pain relievers to their patients when they were not necessary. However, while this is certainly a contributor, it may not be the main cause of the issue.
Opioids are generally prescribed by well-meaning doctors looking to relieve their patients of severe and chronic pain. Often, this is a part of end-of-life care. They’re intended to end suffering and improve quality of life.
For patients living with chronic pain, opioids are an essential part of treatment.
Unfortunately, prescription opioids are often misused. When they’re taken in quantities that are too great, they cause breathing to shut down. When they’re used in combination with alcohol or illegal drugs such as heroin, they are extremely deadly.
When patients become addicted to prescription drugs, their moods and sleeping patterns change. In order to gain access to the drugs, they make excessive visits to the doctor, sometimes even faking symptoms.
