Did you know that, as of February 2018, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) confirmed that (on average) an estimated 115 people die as a direct result of opioid-related overdoses every day? Likewise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also revealed that the United States is currently suffering from a $78.5 billon burden stemming from relentless drug abuse and addiction. When you consider these statistics, as well as the fact that 2 million people suffer from opioid addiction in our country, you may begin to realize how severe our drug epidemic truly is. However, while we are quick to blame people like drug dealers and street sellers, some questions still remain unanswered. Who are the rea culprits behind the epidemic? More importantly, how did this start? Let’s take a closer look and see if we can uncover more about this unfortunate series of events.
The Dark History of Pharmaceutical Painkillers
Unfortunately, we cannot blame a single institution from the medical community, social groups, or government bodies. Nevertheless, we can trace the Opioid Crisis back to a single cause: rampant distribution of pharmaceutical painkillers. Starting in the 1990s, doctors and other medical professionals were under the impression that these drugs were not potentially addictive and provided more access to the use of these deadly substances. As a result of this boost in prescriptions, people got addicted faster and more dangerously than before.
How bad did it become over the years? According to NIDA, by 2015, an estimated 33,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses, while (in the same year) 591,000 people suffered from addiction to heroin (a dangerous illegal drug synthesized from opiates). Ultimately, these cases have been directly linked to the healthcare industry.
Public Opinions
Ultimately, the roots of the epidemic were not malicious. In fact, doctors sincerely believed they were helping people cope with severe pain. While their actions were noble, the consequences were not. So how does the public feel about this? According to reports from 2017 (Fortune magazine):
- 29% of Americans believes addicts are to blame for the epidemic
- 19% of people blame doctors for the epidemic
- 18% of people were not sure about the cause or believed another party was responsible
- 15% of people put the blame on pharmaceutical companies
- 11% of people put the blame on drug dealers
- 7% of people put the blame on distributors of drugs
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
