When you lay the cards on the table and analyze the facts, you will begin to understand why government officials have labeled our current opioid problem as an epidemic. Over the course of 20 years, the United States has served as a hub for illegal drug markets (thanks to loopholes at our borders) and a slew of painkillers that are legally prescribed. Add to that a string of viral outbreaks due to unclean drug paraphernalia, and the true nature of the Opioid Crisis becomes clear. While we have seen how the Deep South is dealing with this issue, we also have to consider how their neighbors in the Southwest have been coping with this major outbreak. For today, let’s take a closer look at Texas and see how the Lone Star State is dealing with the Opioid Crisis.
Low Cases of Opioid Problems
Fortunately for this Lone Star of the west, it boasts some of the lowest opioid fatalities in the United States, but that does not make these outbreaks any less tragic. Overall, Texas documented a rate of 5.1 opioid overdose-related fatalities per 100,000 residents (roughly 1,458 deaths in total), a far cry from the U.S. average of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 citizens. Incidentally, though, fentanyl-related deaths have increased from 118 in 2007 to 348 in 2017, a near-doubling in frequency. Prescription opioids triggered the highest number of fatalities at 646 in 2017.
Prescribing Rates in Texas
While teetering near the edge, the opioid prescribing rate in Texas has still not outpaced the national average. In 2017, Texas doctors wrote 53.1 opioid prescriptions per 100 patients, a few points below the U.S. incidence of 58.7 drugs per 100 people. We are happy to tell you that this is the lowest average for Texas since 2006.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Texas
In 2015, medical professionals documented 1,300 outbreaks of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and withdrawal syndrome in Texas. Ultimately, about 1 out of 3 of these cases were reported in the area of Bexar County.
Viral Outbreaks in the Lone Star State
Given these circumstances, how does the situation surrounding viral outbreaks sum up? For a state as large as Texas, the rates of viral transmission are relatively tame but are still a bit of a mixed bag. Out of the 39,589 new cases of HIV documented in 2016, Texas reported 4,464 outbreaks. Meanwhile, out of the 41,200 new cases of hepatitis C confirmed in 2016, only 40 cases took place in Texas.
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.
