By far, one of the most tragic aspects of societies around the world is a suicide. We cannot fully comprehend why people fall into such a tragically painful state that they do not wish to live any longer, but we can comprehend the magnitude of this terrible incident. Now, how would you react if you were to learn that a percentage of suicides or attempted suicides are being triggered by the Opioid Crisis? According to recent reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and additional scientific sources, some incidences of suicide are directly triggered by opioid overdoses. Let’s take a closer look at these terrible comorbid crises in the United States.
Glancing over an Emergency
Unfortunately, suicide is a frequently unnoticed trigger of many events in the Opioid Crisis. For the most part, researchers tend to focus on prevention tactics and the health outcomes of addiction and abuse (understandable), but recent reports clearly indicate that this tragedy holds great importance in this public health epidemic. Dr. Bobbie Jo Yarborough (an investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Health Center) has revealed how an estimated 22% to 37% of opioid-induced overdoses are (in a frightening twist) suicides, an estimate that rivals the readouts of the CDC (11%).
Growing Interest
Fortunately, at this time, people have started to show more concern over opioid-related suicides. Recently, Kaiser Permanente received a grant from NIDA to identify how opioid use can trigger suicide and to improve tools that will help doctors identify potential high-risk patients. However, one major question remains: what causes the suicide to begin with? According to Dr. Kiame Mahaniah (a Massachusetts-based family doctor) explained that we cannot fully determine if opioid addiction triggers suicidal thoughts or if suicidal people take the opioids.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Opioids are extremely potent and dangerous drugs that have a high risk for abuse and addiction and can be particularly dangerous for teens and young adults, whose brains are still developing. As we have seen, though, many incidences involving opioids have been triggered by some truly tragic, depressive emotional states. Suicide is a terrible aspect of reality and is just as great a problem (if not more severe) than the opioid epidemic. However, you can always find help before it’s too late. Just because you, a friend, or a loved one is addicted does not mean you cannot regain control.
If you are suffering from a severe case of opioid use disorder or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from these deadly painkillers.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your attachment to opioids and take an essential step against the Opioid Crisis.