The Rise of Fentanyl: 4 Lessons We Learned From Bloomberg’s Report
We recently entered a new year, and the opioid epidemic remains a major problem in the United States. A recent report by Bloomberg has estimated a surge in overdose deaths due to the rise of fentanyl in recent years. According to the report, in 2021, more than 80,000 people died from opioid overdoses. Fentanyl was […]
Opioid Crisis Stats in Recent Years
For the first time, in 2021 the number of overdose deaths surged past 100,000. The majority of overdose deaths were among individuals addicted to opiates. The pressures of the pandemic exacerbated the devastation of addiction and created a storm of death for the most vulnerable. The pandemic kept this horrifying development off the front page. […]
How Opioids Destroy the Body
Opiates are a powerful and often deadly class of drugs that can include prescription painkillers like OxyContin and heroin. Yet they can be found in medicine cabinets across the US, with hundreds of thousands of people addicted to them. An addiction can begin with a prescription to treat pain caused by an injury or surgery. […]
Opioid Use Disorder And The Telehealth Debate
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DEA and all 50 states temporarily suspended safeguards for telehealth treatment for opioid use disorder. This meant that patients struggling with opioid use disorder were able to access much needed treatment without having to see a doctor in person. Out-of-state physicians were even allowed to prescribe medication, […]
An Increased Risk for Older Americans
A recent study tracked nearly 300,000 U.S. seniors and found that nearly 17% were still taking opioids six months after hip surgery. At three months after surgery, the figure was close to 70% and during the first month, 84% of patients were on opioids. Researchers said the numbers suggest that older patients suffering with acute […]
Rapid Detox vs. Traditional Withdrawal
Patients with a narcotic dependence may be physically dependent on opiates, heroin, painkillers, and other legal and illegal substances. An addiction can develop as quickly as two weeks after the first use and require a detoxification process that can be difficult to endure. Traditional Methods of Drug Detoxification Traditionally, patients with drug addictions may undergo […]
Opioid Crisis Stats for 2019
In 2019, an estimated 11.4 million people misused opioids and among these 2.1 million people were addicted. Around 10% of misuers were only misusing heroin while around 5% were misusing both heroin and legal opioids. Among the misuers, around half generally obtained legally prescribed opioids from friends or family members, while 36% had their own […]
More States Setting Prescribing Limits with Opioids
According to some estimates, more opioids are prescribed for acute pain sufferers than what those patients actually use. In an attempt to curb issues with excessive use, addiction, and abuse related to powerful painkillers, more states are setting prescribing limits. Some of these restrictions also apply to the length of time opioids can be prescribed […]
Avoiding the Slippery Slope of Opioids
Whether you’re taking a prescription medication for chronic pain or for temporary pain that resulted from an injury, it’s possible to become addicted to these medications, which occurs when your brain and body are no longer able to stop taking the medication without suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve recently been prescribed opioid medications, […]
Becoming Familiar with Addiction Signs
If you suspect that someone you care about has been using heroin or other types of opioids, there are a few signs that you might notice after spending some time with them. You can use this information to discuss next steps with a qualified professional. All in the Eyes When you talk to your loved […]
