Needless to say, the American Opioid Crisis has been stirring up a great deal of trouble over the past 20 years, resulting in one of the worst public health crises since the outbreak of HIV/AIDS in the 1970s and 1980s. In a matter of two decades, over two million people have developed opioid use disorder, while hundreds of thousands more have died due to opioid-related overdoses. Add to that an influx of synthetic drugs and prescription opioids, and you can understand why government officials are so terrified of the outcomes. While certain parts of the country, particularly the Midwest and New England, have suffered the most, we also have to consider how this epidemic is affecting the West. For today, let’s take a closer look at Wyoming and see how the Equality State is handling the Opioid Crisis.
Lagging Behind the National Average
While this beautiful state might not be exempt from the crisis, Wyoming is, thankfully, trailing far behind the major epicenters of this epidemic. In 2016, the state reported 8.7 opioid overdose-related deaths out of 100,000 residents (about 50 deaths in total), far below the U.S. national average of 13.3 fatalities per 100,000 citizens. Meanwhile, in 2015, Wyoming doctors write 383,000 opioid prescriptions, an incidence of 65.3 drugs per 100 patients, which is below the national average of 70 drugs per 100 people.
Low Rate of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Overall, rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have been relatively low in Wyoming, although the cases are no less tragic. Since 2012, the state has documented between 5.0 and 10.0 cases per 1,000 live births. Keep in mind that the average across 28 neighboring states has been 6.0 cases per 1,000 births as of 2013.
Rates of Viral Transmission
In the meantime, rates of viral transmission have also been relatively minimal, in contrast to the rates in other states. Out of the 39,513 new cases of HIV documented in 2015, Wyoming documented 15 cases. Likewise, out of the 181,871 new cases of hepatitis C documented in 2015, the State of Wyoming recorded only 3 outbreaks of the virus.
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.
