When you consider how long our country has been fighting the Opioid Crisis, you will probably begin to understand why our government has declared this epidemic a public health emergency. Over the past 20 years, the United States has been fighting a seemingly unending fight against synthetic drugs like heroin and fentanyl and a string of prescription painkillers (which, ironically enough, are legal and regulated by the federal government). How are you supposed to deal with a nationwide problem of this magnitude, especially when the drugs keep on coming? Needless to say, we’ve seen enough damage in the Midwest and across New England for our good, but we do need to consider how the Deep South is handling this major problem. For today, let’s take a closer look at lovely Mississippi and see how the Magnolia State is dealing with the Opioid Crisis.
Relatively Low Rate of Destruction
In contrast to other states near the Deep South, Mississippi is dealing with some relatively low percentages of opioid problems, although these emergencies are still overwhelmingly tragic. In 2017, the state confirmed an incidence of 6.4 opioid overdose-related fatalities per 100,000 residents (roughly 185 overdoses in total), much lower than the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 citizens. In that same year, synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, triggered the most deaths, marking an increase from 24 to 81 deaths from 2014 to 2017, respectively. Although heroin fatalities have also increased in the state, Mississippi has not confirmed any changes since 2015.
Prescribing Rates in Mississippi
Overall, the prescribing rate in Mississippi topples the national average. In 2017, Mississippi doctors wrote about 92.9 opioid prescriptions per 100 patients, nearly 40 points above the U.S. incidence of 58.7 drugs out of 100 citizens. Because some of the data available to the public were from 2006, Mississippi reported these drug numbers to be the lowest in its borders.
A Boost in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Outbreaks
Ultimately, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has significantly risen in the state. From 2004 to 2014, NAS cases rose nearly fivefold, from 1.5 cases per 1,000 births to 8.0 cases per 1,000 births. In essence, Mississippi’s rate is the equivalent to 1 NAS baby being born every 15 minutes.
Viral Outbreaks in Mississippi
Ironically, the data for viral outbreaks in the state is somewhat sketchy or jumbled. Out of the 39,589 new outbreaks of HIV documented in 2016, only 424 cases occurred in Mississippi. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has not provided data regarding hepatitis C outbreaks.
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.