Over the course of the past decade, the opioid epidemic has exploded in the United States. In 2004, the cost of treating opioid addictions and overdoses was $300 million. By 2016, the costs had ballooned to $2.6 billion. More than 40,000 people die of opioid overdoses every year, an average of 115 people a day. These grim statistics notwithstanding, opioid overdoses do not need to be fatal, and there actually is a potentially life-saving medication available.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that was developed to reverse the symptoms of opioid overdose. It has been proven effective at restoring the normal breathing of someone suffering from a heroin or prescription opioid overdose. Naloxone can be administered through injection, auto-injection, or nasal spray.
While Naloxone is an effective drug with few side effects, it should not be relied upon as a backup or an excuse to keep using. Opioids are highly addictive and the fatality risk of opioid overdose remains high. It is important to seek professional treatment at the first sign that an opioid addiction may be forming.
The Asana Recovery Center offers a comprehensive supervised detoxification and residential treatment program designed to help those suffering from any stage of substance addiction. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our program and facilities today.
