Since the early 1990s, the United States has faced an unprecedented epidemic of opioid drug use that has led to addiction, health issues, and loss of life. Many governments and other agencies have worked to try to solve the problematic use of opioids. Some progress has been made, but according to the CDC, nearly 50,000 people died in the United States in 2019 due to opioid use. During the pandemic, there was an increase in opioid use, as well. Due to the continued and unnecessary loss of life, it is time that everyone started working together to solve the opioid epidemic.
Decreasing the Stigma
One aspect that is continually asked for in trying to solve the epidemic is for forces to come together to decrease the stigma surrounding opioids. Perhaps more than most other types of drugs, a large number of people become addicted due to the use of pain medication. They are your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, and your family. They need help, but stigma prevents them from getting the help they need.
Many of the agencies involved have the power to educate people better about what opioid use is and how and why people become addicted. The public needs to know about the risks of overdose and how to get help for addiction to opioids. More people need to know about how many people graduate to heroin and fentanyl, as well as what fentanyl is. When more people understand not to judge but rather what to look for and how to help someone struggling with opioid addiction, we will make progress in this epidemic.
Research in Prevention of Opioid Addiction
Prevention of opioid addiction is being researched, but more is needed. For example, what if a medication could be taken along with prescription pain medications that would reduce the addictive effects of the drugs? What if other medications paired with opioid-based pain medications could work in tandem to reduce pain, so less opioid-based medication was needed? More efforts are needed in this area to help save lives.
Research in New Forms of Pain Management
Research cannot happen fast enough to create the next generation of prescription pain meds that are effective but not addictive. There are so many side effects to opioid-based medications, but the addictive properties are the most dangerous.
For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has dragged its feet on researching cannabis and cannabis-based products for pain, particularly chronic pain. Although marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes in 33 states, little research has been done about the use of marijuana and its safety and efficacy for pain relief. This is only one example; there is much research yet to be done in pain management in general.
Monitoring of Opioid Pain Medications
Progress has been made since the 1990s in the monitoring of opioid pain medications. Whereas the epidemic began when pharmaceutical companies encouraged doctors to prescribe the medications, new laws help limit prescriptions to opioids. More legislation is being developed to help in the monitoring of the actual medications as well. Yet still, too many are becoming addicted and even dying after taking prescription pain medications.
Improved Treatment and Follow-up
There is an initiative, born in 2018, called the Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative. It is a collaborative effort from multiple agencies to find science-based solutions to the opioid crisis. They are overseeing and funding research to help solve the epidemic. Some of the needed improvements include:
- Medical care for those with addiction
- Care for newborns and children born to mothers with addiction
- More options for overdose reversal, as there are only two currently
Other Ideas
As much has been done, and for as many improvements have been made, more is still needed to help break the cycle of opioid use and addiction. Some of the ideas that could help include:
- Educate and offer treatment for the whole family of those using opioids. Support is needed for family members who are impacted by those using opioids, as well as more education regarding risks and treatment for overdose.
- Offer financial or other incentives for maintaining recovery. Healing begins with the motivation to recover and stay in recovery.
- Help with housing, jobs, and transportation for those who are addicted. Too many people lose everything to addiction; we need to come together as a community and support their futures.
Only by pooling all resources and working together can we stop this deadly epidemic. Everyone can contribute something, even if only to diminish stigma.
The opioid epidemic has cost the lives of far too many people. In addition to those who have died, opioid addiction impacts even more people directly as well as their families. We need to work together to decrease the stigma surrounding opioid use and increase research into the prevention of addiction and alternatives to pain management. We need to look at the holistic healing from opioid use and offer more resources to those who have an opioid addiction. At Rancho Milagro Recovery, we treat substance abuse, including opioid addiction. We know how difficult it is to overcome substance abuse, and we know firsthand what that takes. Call us at (951) 526-4582 today to find out more about our peaceful Southern California ranch, complete with rescue animals. Our friendly and compassionate staff are prepared to help you to heal from substance abuse. Contact us today to make wholesale changes in your life.