The Reality of the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic in the United States is far worse than most people realize, resulting in many overdoses. Recently statistics have shown more and more people are dying from overdoses from prescription opioids every year. With over 10,000 people dying from these medications and even more surviving overdoses, it’s become a crisis. The Surgeon General of the United States is now saying that this epidemic is worse than cancer. Opioid addiction doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with an opioid use disorder. It has ripple effects impacting friends, family, loved ones, and peers. It’s become an issue that affects us all. Fortunately, Beaches Recovery has assembled an experienced team of addiction treatment professionals with a deep understanding of how to get individuals the help they need to heal and recover from addiction.

How the Opioid Epidemic Began

In the early 2000s, many pharmaceutical companies used questionable marketing strategies for opioid pain medications. The marketing for medications like OxyContin declared these are life-changing medications with the perk of being non-addictive. Early patients using the medications couldn’t help but sing the praises of these medications for the initial months. But it didn’t take long for everyday men and women to spiral out of control from opioid abuse and then addiction.

Many lawsuits came to pharmaceutical companies for saying that these medications were non-addictive. Although the labels on the medications state they can be potentially addictive, many physicians still prescribe them. The United States prescribes over 80 percent of the entire world’s opioid supply, so the labeling hasn’t helped. Many people still don’t know that some of the medications they receive can turn into an addiction issue.

Prescription opioids can include:

• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone
• Demerol
• Dilaudid

Over-prescribing encouraged by the pharmaceutical industry laid the foundation for an addiction epidemic. Opioid painkillers are potent and highly effective. However, even when used as a doctor directs, they can lead to dependency. When this happens, individuals need a specific form of treatment to help them heal. When individuals lack addiction treatment, they will continue to use opioids to stave off painful withdrawal symptoms. When they cannot get opioids, many struggling with opioid use disorder turned to illicit drugs like heroin, worsening their condition.

Who the Opioid Epidemic Affects

Prescription pain medications treat long-term chronic pain and minor injuries too. Many people with minor to moderate pain receive these potentially addictive medications. No matter the reason for the prescription, the person taking these pain medications is at risk of becoming addicted. Those who are on a pain management program with these medications have a very high chance of addiction.

It’s also important to realize that many people who are simply looking to get high will seek out these medications. Many people who don’t have a prescription will buy these medications illegally from drug dealers or friends. When a person becomes dependent on these medications, it’s common to steal them from loved ones. People who suffer from prescription pill abuse to these medications may also lie about pain symptoms to receive additional prescriptions.

Overcoming the Opioid Epidemic with Support from Beaches Recovery

If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, Beaches Recovery can help you begin a new life. Whether you have chronic pain or developed an addiction to the medications for other reasons, we can help. We have an addiction treatment program that helps you understand how addiction works and how it happens. Through being able to find the root of your addiction, you become empowered to overcome it. We offer the complete spectrum of care, including:

• Medical detox through our partner facility, Tides Edge Detox
• Inpatient, residential treatment
• Extended care
• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Outpatient treatment
• Transitional living
• Aftercare

JCAHO fully accredits our facility, and we work with insurance companies like BCBS and Aetna. We provide multiple levels of care, from residential drug rehab to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and sober living. We want to help you and your loved ones heal from addiction, so we also have a family program. Find out more about our facility today by calling 866.605.0532, or contact us online.