Since 1990, the amount of deaths by overdose by those on opioids and prescription medication has been steadily increasing. Currently the United States is experiencing an epidemic with a record-breaking number of death’s due to prescription and drug overdose. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) showed that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically (SAMSHA, 2010).
Many of those who struggle with an opioid dependency began their addiction with a prescription written by a healthcare professional. The United States government states that “most medical, dental, pharmacy, and other health professional schools do not provide in-depth training on substance abuse; often, substance abuse education is limited to classroom or clinical electives.” Because of this, some healthcare providers do not understand the ramifications of writing a long term, opioid prescription.
A crucial first step in conquering the prescription overdose epidemic is education. Educating medical practitioners about the signs and symptoms of prescription substance abuse while also teaching patients about the dangers long term opioid use will help raise awareness of this national crisis.
Opioid Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. For more information about the resources offered at Exult Healthcare, or to seek help for you or a loved one Call us at 469-714-0006 or email us at [email protected].
