The opioid crisis has reached unprecedented levels. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 130 people die from opioid overdose each day. While overdose prevention and access to extensive treatment for opioid addiction are available, the heroin crisis continues to climb annually.
Opioids make up a combination of illicit drugs and prescription medications. Each is equally addictive due to the euphoric effect that they have on people. An addiction can last for several years and take months to overcome. Let’s take a closer look at the opioid crisis in America.
The Current Opioid Crisis by the Numbers
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) latest report on the current opioid epidemic is staggering. Some of the most recent reports include:
- Nearly 10 million Americans age 12 and over abuse opioids
- Nine million people abuse prescription medication and one million abuse heroin
- During 2018, over 45,000 people died from opioid overdose
- Over 240 billion milligrams of morphine were prescribed in 2018
Despite the widely-known risks of opioid addiction and overdose, the medical community continues to write prescriptions for opioids at a higher rate than ever. Fortunately, addiction treatment centers that provide opioid addiction treatment programs, like the intensive outpatient program (IOP) at Sunlight Medical Services, have updated treatment methods to keep up with the opioid crisis in America.
Common Opioids on the Market Today
Opioids, such as codeine and morphine, are extracted from poppy plants in South America, Central America, and Asia. This makes them highly accessible to the United States and other parts of the world. Heroin is a recreational form of morphine that has seen a spike in popularity over the last decade. For this reason, addiction treatment centers have developed programs specifically designed to treat heroin addiction. Other popular opioids include:
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
- Hydromorphone
- Opium
- Carfentanil
Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder is a broad term that refers to addiction or abuse of opioids. For instance, the heroin crisis can include people who are addicted to heroin or someone who died from an overdose. In either case, the person who is affected by heroin may have a disorder.
People often become dependent on opioids due to prolonged use over time. Their bodies form a tolerance to the drug, signaling increased use so that they continue experiencing euphoria. Dependence can lead to withdrawal symptoms if a person tries to quit using the substance.
The problem is that this creates a vicious cycle where a person tries to quit but relapses and falls back into addiction. The reason the opioid crisis continues to climb is that many people do not seek professional help to break the cycle. Instead, they live with the problem for several years.
Opioid Addiction Treatment Program
The 21st Century Cures Act passed in 2016 allocated $1 billion to assist treatment centers with research, awareness, and treatment to address the opioid crisis. In addition, federal and state governments have imposed stricter laws and regulations against opioid fraud.
Treatment centers have developed extensive treatment programs, such as those offered at Sunlight Medical Services, including:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program: Our MAT program uses medications alongside behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder. Experts consider MAT programs to be the gold standard of addiction care, as they have been proven to be the most effective way of overcoming withdrawal symptoms, preventing relapse, and helping patients achieve long-term sobriety. By closely monitoring client progress and administering medications such as methadone, Sublocade, Naltrexone, and others, we can help clients manage their cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Evidence-based treatment (EBT) modalities: Science-based methods and further research continue to refine addiction treatment through approaches such as dual diagnosis treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in individual counseling, family therapy, and group therapy.
Get Help for Opioid Addiction at Sunlight Medical Services
Are you ready to get help for opioid addiction? If so, contact Sunlight Medical Services. Despite the rising of the opioid crisis, you can get the help you need to overcome your addiction for good. Call Sunlight Medical Services at (855) 920-1104 to find out more about our treatment options.
