MAINE'S MOST ABUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
As widely used as street drugs are, prescription drugs are still more widespread these days in Maine. The fact that there is an opioid epidemic right now only shows that the problem is indeed serious. Prescription drugs have medical benefits—this is why they are being prescribed for certain conditions in the first place. But they can also be abused. In fact, because of their accessibility, people are actually more likely to abuse these medications. Some people use it as a gateway drug. Pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives can make a person feel euphoric. This is their most common side effect. This is also what makes people abuse their meds. In 2017, around 1.7 million people age 12 and above had a problem with pain relievers. According to a new study published in the journal Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, people who were admitted to opioid treatment programs who abused only prescription opioids, were about 5 years younger than individuals who admitted solely for heroin abuse or dependency. The same goes for those who abused both heroin and prescription opioids.
Opioids and opiates are used for their painkilling properties. They are used to manage pain ranging from moderate to severe. But it’s an entirely different story once a person misuses or abuses their given prescription. These are very potent substances that can cause addiction or physical dependence. The difference between opioids and opiates are minor: opioids are synthetic and semi-synthetic substances derived from the opium poppy plant, while opiates are natural substances. However, their adverse effects are the same. Taking high doses of opioids can lead to addiction, tolerance, and dependence. You can tell that a person is high on opioids if they seem sedated, elated, or confused. They may have constricted pupils, they may become constipated, and they can even lose consciousness. Opioid abuse can slow a person’s breathing. Developing physical dependence can be tough. This means that the body has adapted to the drug’s presence, and will therefore react negatively if intake is stopped. The user will experience withdrawal if they attempt to quit opioids. Common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, anxiety, vomiting, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and even respiratory depression. This is why detoxification is necessary. Self-regulation rarely works and is more likely to cause relapse.
ALCOHOL ABUSE STATISTICS
Before we move on to discussing drug addiction treatment and its many different processes, we would also like to talk about alcohol abuse statistics. Although alcohol is not a drug, it is still a widely abused substance. In 2017, an estimated 14.5 million American adults age 12 and older battled an alcohol use disorder. This is 5.3 percent of the population. In fact, over half of all American adults have a family history of problem drinking or alcohol addiction. More than 10 percent of US children live with a parent who has alcohol problems. And because of the many adverse effects of alcohol use disorder, an estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol related causes every year. All of this makes alcohol the third leading cause of preventable death in the US. Addiction Treatment Statistics Here are some statistics involving addiction treatment. In 2017, an estimated 20.7 million people age 12 and older needed treatment for substance use disorder. However, only 4 million people received treatment. This is just about 19 percent of those who needed it. The good news is that there are over 14,500 specialized substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States. They provide a wide variety of care options. This includes counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management, and other forms of care. Later on we will look at these methods more closely. Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA, has more than 120,000 groups in more than 175 countries around the world. It has more than 2 million members. The relapse rate for substance use disorders is very high. It is estimated to be between 40 and 60 percent. It is similar to the rates of relapse for other chronic diseases such as hypertension or asthma. Although the numbers look bleak, there is still hope. Addiction is a treatable disease, and recovery is possible. Let’s take a look at how addiction treatment works.
