A new study from a major insurance provider has revealed that opioid addiction is still on the rise and that, sadly, many who are struggling with opioid addiction are not getting the care that they need. Blue Cross Blue Shield released data analyzing the number of diagnoses for “opioid use disorder” between 2010 to 2016. Opioid use disorder is the technical term for opioid addiction. A major player in the development of the opioid epidemic has been prescription painkillers which are all morphine based. Opioid use disorder can include addiction to prescription opioids, synthetic opioids, and opioids found on the street like heroin. Between 2010 to 2016 the number of diagnoses for opioid use disorder increased 493%- an increase of about 80% each year. The study revealed that in 2010 less than 2 incidences of opioid use disorder occurred in every 1,000 members. In 2016, that number changed to more than 8 incidences of opioid use disorder for every 1,000 members. As of 2016 it was reported that only 1 out of every 10 people receive any kind of treatment for opioid addiction. The 2015 data which was used for the Surgeon General’s report found that of the estimated 20 million people in America with a substance use problem, 10% were addicted to opioids.
Why The Opioid Epidemic Isn’t Changing
Opioids are highly addictive with a high rate of relapse during detox. Many patients don’t have access to medically assisted treatment, a controversial but effective method for safely withdrawing from opioids. The symptoms of withdrawal from opioid addiction are severe, including flu like symptoms nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, restless legs, and more. Most importantly, opioid withdrawal comes with severe psychological cravings. Despite knowing that using opioids again would mean having to withdrawal from opioids again, the pressure of the cravings are so severe that using opioids again feels like the only option. There is no starting over with opioid addiction. Once the idea of relapse has set in, people tend to go right back to where they started from, at high levels of opioid abuse. Overdose is common. Even with drugs like the “miracle drug” Narcan which reverses opioid overdoses, there aren’t enough plans in place to put opioid addicts into long term treatment programs where they can get the care they need.
If you are struggling with opioid addiction, help is available. Oceanfront Recovery offers a men’s’ only program for opioid addiction and dual diagnosis mental health disorders. A full continuum of residential care gives you the transitional process you need to develop self-efficacy and succeed in independent living. Call us today for information: (877) 279-1777
