The Opioid Crisis in the United States is one of the most severe public health problems in US history, taking over 130 American lives each day [1]. The CDC now even refers to it as “The Opioid Epidemic.”
Opioids are highly addictive substances that attach to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain and increasing feelings of euphoria. Since the 1990s, they have been prescribed for chronic pain disorders, post-surgery, or recovery from physical trauma, but led to widespread misuse (of both prescription and non-prescription opioids).
Unfortunately, a majority of Americans know someone from their community who struggles with or has struggled with an opioid problem in their lifetime. It’s important to increase education about opioids, the addicted brain, and the impact they have had on communities to create effective treatment strategies that prevent further harm.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of substances that attach to opioid receptors found on nerve cells throughout the body. These receptors block pain signals sent from the spinal cord to the brain, giving users an intense sense of relaxation. The spike of euphoria also affects chemicals in the brain that help regulate the pleasure and reward system [2].
There are several kinds of opioids that exist. Some of these are prescribed, while others are sold illicitly on the street. Natural opioids come from the poppy plant and include morphine, codeine, and heroin. Synthetic opioids are made in a lab and include drugs such as fentanyl, tramadol, and prescription pain pills [2].
Some commonly prescribed opioids include:
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Oxymorphone
- Methadone
Opioid Addiction Rates in The US
Current research reveals that over 150,000 Americans die each year from drug overdoses, and 75% of these deaths involve opioids. The CDC also reported that opioid overdoses increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting trends of rising addiction rates during social or economic crises [3].
Understanding the rates of opioid use and what is causing the increase in numbers can help substance abuse counselors, mental health professionals, and policymakers build better strategies on how to solve the opioid crisis in their communities.
We have included some numbers below that represent the severity of the problem [3]:
- More than 9 million Americans 12 and older have abused opioids in the past year
- Over 5.5 million adults live with opioid use disorder (OUD)
- Almost 40% of individuals with OUD are also diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health disorder
- Over 50 million adults report living with chronic pain (until recently, opioids were used as a first line of treatment for pain disorders)
- Heroin and fentanyl contribute to most opioid overdose deaths
Opioid Overdose and Death
The opioid overdose crisis began in the late 1990s and early 2000s after prescription opioids were aggressively marketed to the American public for the treatment of chronic pain. Around 2010, the illicit opioid Heroin, began to drive up the overdose death rates [3].
- 82,000 deaths in 2022 involved opioids
- The number of people who overdosed on opioids in 2022 was 10x higher than in 1999
- The overdose death rate of heroin has decreased over the recent few years by 36%
- The rate of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids has decreased by 12%
- Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl flooded the illicit market in 2016 and became the number one cause of overdose deaths
- Since 2022, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) has increased by 4%
The Rise of Fentanyl
Over the recent years, the rise of the synthetic opioid “fentanyl” has been at the forefront of conversations among healthcare professionals and policy-makers. It is sometimes used in supervised medical settings to treat pain after surgery but has made its way to the streets, where it is sold illicitly or often laced with other drugs such as heroin or cocaine [6].
A majority of the recent overdose deaths associated with opioid use are from fentanyl or other drugs laced with it. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse:
- Fentanyl causes over 150 overdoses daily
- Over 100,000 people died from fentanyl in 2022
- Over 120,000 ER visits were linked to fentanyl
- It is 50x more potent than heroin
- It is 100x more potent than morphine
- 75% of overdose deaths from heroin were laced with fentanyl
Why Are Opioids So Deadly?
Opioids act on several regions of the brain, as well as the spinal cord and central nervous system. They are known as “depressants,” which means they slow down bodily functions and relax the nervous system [2].
One of the regions of the brain affected by opioid use that plays a significant role in the high levels of overdoses is the brainstem. This region controls automatic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate [2].
Economic and Social Impact of the Opioid Crisis
Not only has the opioid crisis taken lives, it has shattered entire communities. It has strained the healthcare system and family structures in the home. It has also played a role in the economy by decreasing the productivity levels and skillsets of once-qualified workers. Although opioid use affects people at the individual level, there are many ways in which it affects communities as a whole.
Effect on Communities
Communities across the nation have been deeply affected by the opioid crisis. It has left kids to grow up without parents, increased crime rates related to drug trafficking, and even contributed to a rise in HIV diseases due to needle use [3].
Healthcare Costs
This crisis has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems. The increase in ER visits due to overdoses has influenced a rise in healthcare costs. Other areas of public health, such as social services, have also been affected as they try to get people connected to treatment and support the loved ones of individuals who are struggling with the aftermath of an opioid overdose death [3].
How Is The Opioid Crisis Being Addressed?
As a response to the opioid crisis, lawmakers at the federal level have implemented policies targeted at solving this problem. Some of these include reducing opioid prescriptions, increasing access to treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders, and funding educational or harm prevention programs. Recent legislation that has been passed includes the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act [4].
As research around the treatment of OUD continues to grow, more innovative approaches are being integrated into standard substance abuse treatment to help combat opioid addiction and increase access to treatment for people in need.
These include more telehealth services, home-based therapies, harm prevention or “clean needle” programs, and increasing events that promote addiction awareness in communities [4].
More emergency personnel and crisis centers are also providing Naloxone (Narcan). This is a nasal spray that binds to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of the drug. It is administered during the event of an overdose and can reverse the effects of opioids until the individual gets to the hospital. According to the Journal of Addictive Behaviors, the mortality rate of opioid overdoses has decreased by 14% since the introduction of Naloxone [5].
Opioid Detox and Residential Treatment in Michigan
Rushton Recovery understands the complex nature of opioid addiction. We prioritize your well-being, safety, and comfort during treatment. Our detox and residential treatment center in Michigan offers a healing space to embark on your journey toward sobriety.
We offer evidence-based therapies designed to evolve with your individual needs and address the root of your substance abuse. Let our team help you get clean, repair relationships, and equip you with the skills to achieve long-term recovery.
Reach out to our Admissions team now.
Sources
[1] Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic. 2024. CDC.
[2] The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment. National Library of Medicine.
[3] The Opioid Crisis. National Institute of Health.
[4] The Opioid Crisis and Recent Federal Policy Responses. Congressional Budget Office.
[5] Opioid-Overdose laws association with opioid use and overdose mortality. 2018. Addictive Behaviors Journal. [6] Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures. National Institue on Drug Abuse.
