When you take a long look at the cold, hard facts, you will be shocked to see how much damage some painkillers have inflicted on our gorgeous country. In the span of 20 years, legal and illegal opioids have killed hundreds of thousands of people, while millions more have turned into full-blown opioid addicts or abusers. Add an influx of illegal synthetics (a leading cause of viral outbreaks) and false promises of nonaddictive drugs, and you can see how this problem got out of control. Although we have seen the Midwest and New England regions of the U.S. suffer more than others, we need to consider how the rest of the Midwest and Great Plains are coping with this epidemic. For today, let’s take a closer look at Iowa and see how the Hawkeye State is handling the Opioid Crisis.
Relatively Low Rate of Opioid Problems
As indicated by the readout provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Iowa ranks relatively low on the chart of states affected by the Crisis, but that doesn’t mean the little state isn’t coping with severe problems. In 2016, Iowa confirmed an incidence of 6.2 opioid overdose-related deaths per 100,000 (an estimated 183 fatalities), nearly 7 points lower than the national average of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 citizens. Since 2012, heroin-related fatalities have only risen from 14 to 47, while synthetic opioid-related deaths increased from 36 to 58 in the same period.
Decline in Prescribing Rates
On that note, NIDA also mentions how prescribing rates and opioid use in Iowa have, for the most part, dropped over the past years. In 2013, Iowa doctors wrote 2.3 million opioid prescriptions; an incidence of 73.6 drugs per 100 patients, roughly 10 points below the national average of 83.5 drugs per 100 people. From 2013 to 2015, Iowa reported a 7.2% decrease in opioid use, resulting in an incidence of 68.0 drugs per 100 patients, totaling around 2.1 million drugs.
Rates of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates
Although opioids might be under control in the Hawkeye State, Iowa is still struggling with an increase of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) cases. From 1999 to 2013, the incidence of NAS has risen from 0.3 cases per 1,000 births to 2.2 cases per 1,000 births. Keep in mind that the average across 28 neighboring states has been 6.0 NAS outbreaks per 1,000 births.
Viral Outbreaks in Iowa
Ultimately, the rates of viral outbreaks stemming from drug use in the state have not been relatively severe, in comparison to different issues in the country. Out of the 39,513 new cases of HIV documented in 2015, Iowa reported 126 cases. Meanwhile, out of the 181,871 new cases of hepatitis C recorded in 2015, 2,235 new cases occurred in Iowa.
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.
