In the middle of the Mojave Desert, Nevada serves as a flower in a sea of sand, a small gemstone that is waiting for hundreds of thousands of tourists to explore. Although the crazy entertainment of Las Vegas and the midnight beauty of the desert landscape might be gorgeous, this lovely state is hiding a deadly secret. In the midst of the U.S. Opioid Crisis, Nevada is suffering from an onslaught of opioid problems, all stemming from prescription medications left unguarded. Let’s take a closer look and see how residents and officials of the Sagebrush State are dealing with this problem.
Some Forms of Opioids
Besides street painkillers like heroin, prescription opioids, specifically OxyContin, have been responsible for a string of fatalities in Nevada in 2018. In fact, from January to May of that year, 72 victims who died from drug-related complications in the Clark County area had some sort of opioid drug in their systems. Even more unnerving, more and more residents of Clark County are confirming that they know at least one person who is using prescription painkillers. Although opioid prescriptions dropped by 30% in 2011, the opioid sub-crisis in Nevada doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Clean out Your Cupboard
So why haven’t these efforts seemed to work? According to Arthur Dean, a retired Army general and leader of the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America, all residents have to do is clean out their cupboards and cabinets. In an interview in 2018, Dean explains that unused opioid drugs are huge contributing factors to the crisis, and he and his team had started issuing 50,000 safety kits that help people safely and legally destroy these unused or expired drugs.
What’s the final instruction Dean has? As he explains, never flush the drugs down the toilet. You probably don’t need us to tell you why.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder is easily one of the most terrifying substance use disorders on the planet, mostly because opioid addiction partially stems from a large number of drugs that are legally regulated by the federal government. For decades, our country has suffered beneath the weight of dangerous synthetics and legal painkillers, and millions of Americans have suffered from addiction throughout the 20 years the crisis has been brewing. However, you can make the right decision by taking a stand against your addiction and regaining your health and happiness.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug addiction, 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 of opioid withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
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 mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
