The Opioid Crisis In The United States Has Become A Public ✓ Solved

The Opioid Crisis in the United States has become a public

The Opioid Crisis in the United States has become a public health issue considering the increased addiction rate. According to the national institute of drug abuse, it was revealed that, in 2019, approximately 50,000 people died from an opioid-related overdose. The misuse of and addiction to opioids such as pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids has become a fundamental national issue that affects both the social and economic welfare of the country (Bowen & Irish, 2019). Thus, developing a multidisciplinary approach would be significant in building a solid change platform that defines change and improved understanding of social development.

The use of opioids occurs across different age groups makes it difficult to implement a more robust approach to help deal with and control this crisis. The government has an instrumental role in helping redefine the role of opioids in society through a clear emphasis on processes and approaches that can shape and define change development. Policies such as the Congressional Response to the opioid epidemic have been defined to control the rate of addiction within American society (Lombardi et al., 2019). However, the problem has significantly persisted. The opioid addiction problem is not just a current problem but has transitioned over the years to its current state, which has become more challenging to deal with based on the structures that are currently in place.

In the late 1990s, there was an overarching assurance from the pharmaceutical companies that the use of the prescribed opioids would not lead to addiction (Theisen et al., 2018). Thus, based on this assurance, healthcare providers began prescribing opioid pain relievers at more excellent rates. However, this had a major influence on their misuse leading to addiction among many users as early feared, and thus it became apparent that these medications were highly addictive. In 2017, there were around 47,000 Americans who died from an opioid overdose, while in the same year, there was a significant increase in the number of individuals who suffered from substance use disorders related to misuse of opioid drugs affecting more than a 1.7 million individuals.

Additionally, 652,000 suffered from heroin use disorder. The rate has been significantly increasing (Jones et al., 2019). It is estimated that around 29% of patients with prescribed opioids for chronic pain management misuse them. This is because they do not follow the prescription but use the drugs as soon as they feel some form of pain hence creates a certain level of dependence on the drugs, and the body adjusts to this new norm resulting in addiction. It has also been estimated that around 6% of patients with prescribed opioid drugs transition to heroin use for pain management.

This is because, after significant misuse of these drugs, they are no longer effective. Thus an individual focuses on finding a more potent pain reliever which happens to be heroin, for most people (Volinn & Loeser, 2021). The department of health and health services has affirmed that there are around 297 per 100,000 hospitalizations due to opioid use complications. The demand for naloxone, which is a medication designed to reverse opioid overdose, has doubled from the year 2017 to 2018, with the trajectory on the increase creating a societal problem that needs a quick and strategic fix to achieve the intended level of success (Ansari et al., 2020).

The opioid crisis has had a detrimental influence on American social and economic wellbeing. The overdependence on opioids for pain management has led to an increased burden for both government and individual families who are tasked with ensuring that there is the content supply of the drugs and controlling drugs in case there is an overdose. It is estimated that the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse within the country is estimated at $78.5 billion (Florence et al., 2021). This shows the extent of the dependence on opioids in the country.

Annually, approximately two million American citizens use opioid drugs for the management of pain, with almost 10% of this population not following prescription in using the drugs hence resulting in misuse, which is costlier and creates a difficult social and economic context within the country.

It is essential to focus on implementing favorable policies that seek to introduce alternative non-addictive drugs to help manage pain, which has become one of the significant ways to address opioid addiction (Purcell, 2018). Opioid drugs in the community have become common to the extent that it is possible to get the drugs without prescription, which illustrates how society has been unable to control this menace despite its marauding influence on the lives of many American citizens.

The majority of the population greatly influenced by opioid misuse is the young adults, who are the most reproductive age (Vincenzes et al., 2019). In 2015, 276,000 adolescents were current nonmedical users of pain relievers, with 122,000 having an addiction to prescription pain relievers. Most of these individuals are unable to fully lead a normal life away from drugs.

Both licensed and unlicensed pharmacies across the country have increased the utilization of opioids as the primary pain management drug despite the precise effects on users (Purcell, 2018). A change in mindset spearheaded by manufacturers and healthcare providers would be essential in creating a more elaborate basis where opioids can be significantly controlled.

Paper For Above Instructions

The opioid epidemic in the United States presents one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. With the staggering figures of addiction, overdose, and death, it becomes imperative to explore the root causes, impacts, and potential responses to this crisis. This paper will discuss the multifaceted nature of the opioid epidemic, examining its historical background, social repercussions, economic implications, and possible solutions through a multidisciplinary approach.

Historical Context of the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic has its origins traced back to the late 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies assured healthcare providers that opioid medications were not addictive. This misinformation led to an increase in prescriptions, resulting in widespread availability and misuse of these substances (Theisen et al., 2018). Despite the initial indications that opioids could be a viable solution for managing chronic pain, the reality soon revealed the dire consequences of such liberal prescribing practices.

Social Impacts

The social ramifications of the opioid crisis are vast and profound. Families are torn apart as addiction grips individuals, resulting in criminal behaviors to support drug habits, neglected children, and strained relationships. Moreover, in 2015, it was noted that 276,000 adolescents engaged in nonmedical use of pain relievers, highlighting a generation potentially lost to addiction (Vincenzes et al., 2019). The addiction's pervasive nature affects all demographics, but particularly impacts young adults who are in critical developmental stages of their lives.

Economic Implications

The economic burden of the opioid epidemic is staggering. It is estimated that prescription opioid misuse costs the United States around $78.5 billion annually (Florence et al., 2021). This figure includes healthcare costs, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement. Consequently, there is an urgent need for policy reforms that not only address the treatment of affected individuals but also create systemic change regarding opioid prescriptions and availability.

Potential Solutions

Addressing the opioid epidemic requires a multifaceted approach. One of the most promising strategies involves introducing and promoting non-addictive alternatives for pain management (Purcell, 2018). Governments and health organizations are encouraged to invest in research aimed at developing medications that carry a lower risk of addiction. Furthermore, educational programs aimed at both healthcare providers and the public can foster a better understanding of the risks associated with opioid use and proper prescribing practices.

Another effective response is the implementation of policies that regulate opioid prescriptions, ensuring that healthcare providers adhere strictly to guidelines that minimize the risk of misuse (Lombardi et al., 2019). Enhancing access to addiction treatment services and tools like naloxone, which reverses overdoses, can also save lives and provide individuals with the support they need to overcome addiction (Ansari et al., 2020).

Community involvement and support systems are critical in addressing the epidemic. Grassroots organizations can foster recovery through community-based programs that promote healthy lifestyles and provide resources for those affected. Additionally, instilling a shift in paradigm among healthcare providers regarding pain management will ultimately enable effective control of opioid distribution within society.

Conclusion

The opioid epidemic is a complex issue that affects individuals, families, and society at large. Understanding its historical roots and the breadth of its consequences is crucial in identifying effective solutions. A combination of policy reforms, community engagement, and educational initiatives centered around pain management can pave the way towards mitigating the crisis and rebuilding lives affected by opioid addiction.

References

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• Bowen, E. A., & Irish, A. (2019). A policy mapping analysis of goals, target populations, and punitive notions in the US congressional response to the opioid epidemic. International Journal of Drug Policy, 74, 90-97.
• Florence, C., Luo, F., & Rice, K. (2021). The economic burden of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose in the United States, 2017. Drug and alcohol dependence, 218, 108350.
• Jones, G. H., Bruera, E., Abdi, S., & Kantarjian, H. M. (2019). The opioid epidemic in the United States—overview, origins, and potential solutions. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 74(5).
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• Volinn, E., & Loeser, J. D. (2021). Upsurges in the joblessness and opioid epidemics in the United States after the COVID-19 epidemic: the plight of the jobless patient in the clinic. Pain, 162(6).