Opioid epidemic
Opioid epidemic
Opioid Epidemic is a term that refers to the rapid increase in the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in the United States and Canada in the 2010s. The epidemic has resulted in significant increases in opioid addiction, overdoses, and deaths.
Overview
The opioid epidemic has been described as one of the deadliest drug crises in American history. Overdoses from opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, have skyrocketed over the past decade. The crisis began in the late 1990s when pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers. As a result, healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates, leading to widespread misuse.
Causes
The opioid epidemic has been driven by multiple factors. These include aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies, overprescription by doctors, and the proliferation of cheap, potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl. In addition, societal factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to mental health services have contributed to the crisis.
Impact
The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. It has resulted in a significant increase in opioid-related deaths, with over 400,000 people dying from overdoses involving prescription or illicit opioids in the United States between 1999 and 2017. The crisis has also strained healthcare and criminal justice systems, and has had significant economic costs.
Prevention and Treatment
Efforts to address the opioid epidemic include prevention strategies, such as improving prescribing practices and expanding access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Treatment strategies include increasing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders.
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Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen, Prab R. Tumpati, MD
