Motivational interviewing programThe opioid epidemic is a national tragedy. It is marked by high rates of opioid fatalities and a lack of medical recognition of the addictive nature of opioids. The opioid epidemic has rocked many communities. It has flipped how we see pain medicine on its head. Doctors prescribed opioids for every kind of pain, which inflicted opioid addiction on thousands of patients. Read on to learn more about opioid epidemic statistics from the CDC and the National Institute on Drug Abuse from the past 20 years. These statistics show the impact of this crisis on people and communities. If you or a loved one is addicted to opioids, Ethan Crossing Recovery’s addiction treatment therapy programs can help.
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Opioid Epidemic Statistics
While people are at the heart of this tragic event, numbers like these help us see the pattern of this crisis. Here are some important statistics that show just how far and wide the opioid crisis has spread:
- In 2017 nearly 50,000 people died from an overdose. Shockingly, this number is quadruple 2002’s rate.
- The overdose rates have steadily climbed since 2002.
- By 2012, doctors were writing 81.3 prescriptions for every 100 people. Some counties had rates that exceeded the number of residents in the county. As a result, they had a more significant opioid epidemic in that state.
- By 2017, the number of prescriptions written fell drastically to 58.7 per 100 people.
- 48 million Americans (about 20%) will abuse prescription drugs in their lifetime.
Today, around two million people have opioid abuse disorder. There has never been more of a need for substance abuse treatment programs and addiction treatment therapies. Ethan Crossing Recovery is here to help you or your loved one overcome addiction.
Heroin Epidemic Statistics
Heroin is an opioid. Therefore, the opioid epidemic feeds the heroin epidemic as people move from pills to heroin. With that said, it is vital to look at heroin as well when exploring opioid epidemic statistics. We have statistics such as:
- Approximately five percent of individuals who legitimately receive prescription opioids will begin using heroin. As a result, we now have a heroin epidemic as well. 5% may seem small, but this represents 81,000 Americans who only came to heroin through prescription opioids.
- Rates of abuse are highest among young adults 18-25.
- Women who have private pay insurance and are from higher-income families saw the biggest spike in usage.
- Between 2002 and 2013, heroin death rates nearly quadrupled.
How Did the Opioid Epidemic and Heroin Epidemic Happen?
The opioid epidemic began during the late ’90s and came to a head about 2016. During this time, pharmaceutical companies reassured doctors that prescription opioids were safe. Investigators have since found out that companies sought out doctors who were inexperienced with painkillers. As a result, these companies allegedly encouraged doctors to prescribe higher doses continually. As those doses went up, so did drug tolerance among patients. Therefore, patients needed more drugs to experience relief.
How Does Ethan Crossing Help Combat The Opioid Epidemic?
Overcoming opioid dependence is a lifelong journey. If you are a parent of someone who is addicted to drugs, know that your child will need ongoing moral support throughout their life. However, through treatment, they can learn the skills they need so they can experience a sustainable recovery and achieve a more fulfilling life. Ethan Crossing Recovery takes a holistic and individualized approach so we can help our clients. Opioid addiction treatment programs include treatments, individual therapy programs, and support like:
- Wellness services to heal the body and mind (gym, music therapy, yoga)
- Family therapy programs. We believe family engagement is key to sustainable recovery
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Dialectical behavior therapy program
- Motivational interviewing program
- Robust aftercare program
At Ethan Crossing Recovery, we are here with your loved one for this journey and will continue to do what we can to help. If you have watched your child get caught up in the cruel reality of this crisis, we are here to provide the professional and compassionate support they need so they can overcome drug addiction. Call us at 833.691.0736 to discuss our program.