You may realize we do not need the tabloids to tell us the Opioid Crisis is a problem. Since 2016, retail pharmacies in the United States dispatched more than 214 million opioid prescriptions, and, in 2015, an estimated 2 million American people suffered from addiction to these dangerous drugs (resulting in 117,000 deaths). Other countries have also entered this deadly game, including Canada and the United Kingdom (who have established prevention programs), as well as newcomer Australia (which is battling a growing crisis in its rural areas). However, it appears that good news may be on the horizon, at least for our country. Recently, the National Institute on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided some fantastic results concerning the Opioid Crisis in America. Let’s take a closer look.
Hope on the Horizon
According to the 2017 NSDUH survey (released in September), the number of people who have tried heroin for the first time has decreased by 50% (falling from 170,000 to 81,000). That means, within a year, abuse or addiction to opioids has been sliced in half.
As part of the annual study, NSDUH interviewed 67,500 participants nationwide and focused on topics that included mental health disorders, substance abuse treatment, and more. NSDUH is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Additional Findings
Further analysis in the NSDUH study produced the following statistics:
- From 2016 to 2017, people received more substance abuse treatment than earlier years (increase from 9.2% to 13%)
- From 2016 to 2017, the amount of people ages 12 and older suffering from a form of opioid use disorder (or pain medication disorder) decreased from 1.8 million to 1.7 million.
- In the past years, only 8% of people demonstrated comorbidity (having a mental health problem and substance abuse disorder at the same time)
- In 30 days, only 7% of pregnant women reported using the drug, while 3% of pregnant women reported daily consumption of the drug.
Always remember that heroin and other potentially dangerous painkillers do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance abuse disorder or addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug addiction and substance abuse troubles today.
