Needless to say, the United States has not suffered from such a severe health epidemic as the Opioid Crisis since the AIDS outbreak in the 1970s and 1980s. Each month, more Americans continue to fall victim to opioid abuse, opioid addiction, and overdose-related deaths. As of now, millions of men and women have formed an attachment to prescription drugs and illegal synthetics, and hundreds more have died as a result of their sickness. Although you might be more familiar with incidences in West Virginia and Ohio, Tennessee is also suffering from severe outbreaks of opioid problems. So, how is the Volunteer State dealing with the Opioid Crisis? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
Above the National Average
Although Tennessee might not be suffering as much as its neighbors Ohio and West Virginia, it still ranks at #14, at a rather high point of rankings listed on the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) website. As of 2016, Tennessee experiences roughly 18.1 overdose deaths per 100,000 victims (1,186 people), a little higher than the national average of 13.3 per 100,000. Since 2010, the number of deaths triggered by synthetic drugs rose from 72 to 516, and the rate of prescription opioids skyrocketed from 395 to 739. In 2015 alone, doctors in Tennessee wrote 7.8 million prescriptions (118.3 opioids per 100 patients).
Variations in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Cases
As more incidences involving synthetic painkillers and opioid prescriptions increase in Tennessee, the state has reported an influx in infant victims. As of 2015, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) cases varied, with the highest number of incidences taking place near eastern Tennessee and tapering off in the west. Overall, the average NAS rate in Tennessee in 2015 was 1.29%, much higher than the national average of 0.6%.
Rates of HIV and Hepatitis C Transmission
As more synthetic and injectable drugs continue to pour into the state, more cases of viral transmission have started to increase (although not as high of an increase as in other locations). As of 2015, Tennessee reported 712 outbreaks of HIV out of the 39,513 new cases recorded in the entire country. Meanwhile, out of the 181,871 new outbreaks of hepatitis C recorded across the U.S., Tennessee reported 2,251 incidences.
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.
