Asana Recovery

THE IMPACT OF THE OPIOID CRISIS ON NORTH CAROLINA

THE IMPACT OF THE OPIOID CRISIS ON NORTH CAROLINA

Over the course of 20 years, the United States has been suffering from one of the most severe public health emergencies since the HIV/AIDS outbreak of the 1970s and the 1980s. Throughout the two decades and beyond since the Opioid Crisis first struck our country, over two million people have suffered from severe forms of opioid addiction, while hundreds of thousands more have died as a direct result of opioid-related overdoses. Add to that an influx of illegal drugs across our borders and a rise in viral transmission, and you can see why this epidemic has become so severe. While certain states like West Virginia and Ohio serve as epicenters of this crisis, states like North Carolina are lagging behind the leaders. Let’s take a closer look and see how the Tar Heel State is handling the Opioid Crisis.

Trailing behind the Pack

Although the state does not fall into the top 10 epicenters for the opioid epidemic, North Carolina has still managed to pull ahead of the national average, in terms of fatalities triggered by opioids. AS of 2016, North Carolina reported 15.4 opioid-related overdose fatalities out of 100,000 people (roughly 1,505 deaths), slightly above the U.S. national average of 13.3 deaths out of 100,000 citizens. Overall, rates of heroin-related fatalities climbed from 39 in 2010 to 544 in 2016, while the rate of synthetic-related deaths increased from 170 to 601 in the same window. Meanwhile, in 2015, doctors in North Carolina wrote 8.7 million prescriptions for opioids (roughly 86.8 drugs per 100 patients), just above the national average of 70 drugs per 100 people.

Climbing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

From 2000 to 2013, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in North Carolina has risen from 0.3 cases per 1,000 births to 6.4 outbreaks per 1,000 births. Overall, this marks a twenty-onefold increase in the total incidences of NAS in the state. Keep in mind that the average across 28 neighboring states was 6.0 incidences per 1,000 births in 2013.

Outbreaks of HIV and Hepatitis C

North Carolina might not have reported particularly high incidences of drug use, in comparison to other states, but it has still confirmed a high rate of viral transmission, as a result of synthetic drug use. Out of the 39,513 new cases of HIV that took place in the United States in 2015, about 1,335 outbreaks took place in North Carolina. Meanwhile, out of the 181,871 new cases of hepatitis C that took place in 2015, about 113 cases took place in North Carolina.

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.