In the past 20 years, more and more people have become victims of the Opioid Crisis, which hasn’t appeared to lost steam since it first started. Nowadays, over two million people are suffering from opioid use disorder (specifically addiction), while hundreds of thousands more have died after using these dangerous painkillers. As we have seen in recent weeks, some of the worst epicenters for opioid use are located in Midwestern and New England states, but, as it turns out, the American West is starting to crumble in certain spots, as well. Specifically, Utah is closer to the top of the list, although we are happy to say it does not share the same level of burden as West Virginia and Ohio. Let’s take a closer look and find out how the Beehive State is handling the swarm of the Opioid Crisis.
Lower Rates of Destruction
Although Utah does not rank particularly high on the list of opioid epicenters, not even making the top ten, keep in mind that this western state is still facing a horde of issues. At this time, Utah has outpaced the national average (13.3 opioid-related overdose deaths per 100,000 people) of our country after reporting 16.4 fatalities per 100,000 people. No statistics about heroin or additional synthetic use have been provided. However, an analysis revealed that, in 2015, doctors in Utah wrote 2.2 million opioid prescriptions (about 73.1 drugs per 100 patients), only a few notches above the U.S. national average of 70 drugs per 100 people.
Fivefold Rise in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Ultimately, Utah has reported a fivefold rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) cases over the past couple of years, due to the influx of drugs. From 2000 to 2011, the overall incidence has risen from 0.8 cases per 1,000 live births to 4.1 cases per 1,000 births. Keep in mind that the U.S. average across 28 neighboring states has been 6.0 cases per 1,000 births.
Outbreaks of HIV and Hepatitis C
The state might not be experiencing as severe an opioid epidemic as some other parts of the country, but it is still coping with some unfortunate circumstances, particularly regarding viral transmission. Out of the 39,513 new cases of HIV recorded in 2015, Utah reported 116 incidences. Meanwhile, out of the 181,871 new cases of hepatitis C that occurred in 2015, Utah recorded 35 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.
