With approximately 115 people dying of an opioid overdose in the United State every day, it’s no surprise that the opioid crisis has attracted widespread media attention. A recent study, however, finds a potentially overlooked cause of fatalities linked to opioid use.
Researchers with the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York City analyzed two decades of data collected and archived with the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a project of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They found that fatal crashes linked to prescription narcotics increased by more than 5% between 2010 and 2015. This is a startling rate of increase compared to the 1% increase observed between 1990 and 1995.
The study found statistically significant distinctions based on gender. While men saw a 5% increase in opioid-linked fatal crashes between 2010 and 2015, women saw a 7% increase during that same time frame. In addition, more women tested positive for prescription drug use than men.
Opioid addiction is a dangerous and progressive disease that will only get worse if left untreated. If you think that you or someone you love may be developing an addiction to opioids, you should speak with a certified addiction specialist at the earliest opportunity.
The Asana Recovery Center offers a supervised detoxification and residential treatment program in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our facilities and find out if our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program could be the right fit for you.
