There’s a lot of talk about the opioid epidemic of 2020. What is it? Did it really make an impact on lives in the U.S.? It’s important to note that this epidemic is not a single year, but has spanned a few decades, with various surges in increasing opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Considering just how impactful it has been, it’s important to understand what your options are if you are using drugs and alcohol right now. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we provide solutions to help people to stop using.
What Is the Opioid Epidemic of 2020?
The opioid epidemic began in the 1990s. At that time, many drug manufacturers approached doctors with a new and “safe” drug to use for pain. The medical community learned that opioids were highly effective in providing people with pain relief. They also noted, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that these drugs were not an addiction risk. That is the single key cause of the initial epidemic that began.
Doctors began prescribing the drug to their patients. Patients benefited and continued to seek out the drugs. The problem is, they also misused them. Because opioids are the type of drug that will create significant addiction that leads to tolerance and the need for ever-increasing doses, people were using far more than what their prescription was. To meet their needs, patients often doctor- shopped, which included going to several doctors to get numerous prescriptions. They also turned to illicit sales of opioids, including heroin.
Along this same time, heroin became more accessible in the country due to lacking border control. In some cases, people were able to buy heroin easily, sometimes mixed with fentanyl, a much more potent opioid, easily. This created the damage we see today.
What Was the Result of the Opioid Epidemic?
We’re still dealing with the aftermath and continued risks associated with the opioid epidemic of 2020. Here are some statistics from the HHS.
- 130, on average, died from opioid-related causes every day
- 47,600 people died from opioid overdoses in 2018
- 81,000 people used heroin for the very first time that year
- 2 million people misused prescription opioids in 2018
- In 2018, 2 million people had an opioid use disorder
When you consider these factors, it is clear to see just how worrisome this epidemic is. Those deaths and overdoses didn’t stop in 2018. They continued through today, though figures from 2020 haven’t been released as of yet.
Because of this increased awareness to opioids, there is more help than ever available to men and women in the middle of it. If you are using opioids or prescription pain killers and you’re unsure what options you have to stop, reach out for immediate help.
How Can an Opioid User Avoid Overdosing?
The first step is to get rid of the drugs from your system. The problem is that opioids create very serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. It’s quite difficult to stop on your own. That’s why we recommend our opioid detox center at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida. During your stay here for detox, you will gain a number of opportunities for seeing improvement, including:
- Medical detox services
- Individual treatment programs
- Customized addiction treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Medication-assisted treatment
With these and other services we offer, you can begin to feel better. The drugs will detox from your body while your health needs are met by our trained medical staff. We offer medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and to help your brain to function properly. In many cases, our team is here to help you to gain the clarity that you desire. From here, you can move on to more comprehensive addiction treatment that is customized to fit your needs.
Finding Help for What You’re Facing at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
It’s time to look forward and address new ways to fight the crisis. Unfortunately, lives are still being lost due to this damaging drug. Our team at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida wants to help you to take that first step in getting clean. Contact our professionals today to learn what solutions are available to you. Call 866.294.5306 for immediate help.
