Almost 20 million struggle with addiction every year. Opioids are among some of the most abused drugs in the United States. From coast to coast, people of all ages find themselves struggling with opioid addiction. However, it’s hard to grasp just how bad the opioid epidemic really is. Opioid addiction statistics paint a picture that demonstrates that opioids are a real problem. It is crucial to get help for you or a loved one needs help with their opioid addiction.
What Are Opioids?
It’s important to know which drugs are in the opioids category. In short, they’re a class of drugs that cover some of the most addictive medicines on the market. They are typically used to help treat pain-related problems. Some of the more common opioids available include:
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Codeine
It’s worth pointing out that opioids include illegal drugs as well. Heroin and opium are the two main examples. In either case, opioids interact with the nerve receptors in the brain. Taking these drugs causes a pleasurable effect and blocks pain signals from reaching the brain.
Also, all opioids are addictive. Taking these drugs just a few times is enough to cause an opioid addiction. Once people develop an addiction, they lose their ability to control cravings for the drug.
Scary Opioid Addiction Statistics
Opioid addiction statistics change nearly every year and get worse in many cases. In 2015, just over 52,000 people died from an opioid overdose. Just over 20,000 of these deaths were the result of a prescription painkiller overdose. While illegal opioids such as heroin are a problem, the prescriptions that people get from doctors are also a concern.
Of course, experts aren’t shocked to learn about how many people overdose on opioids. In fact, the number of overdose deaths continues to rise. From 1999 to 2008, it jumped nearly four times. Of course, this increase went hand in hand with increased sales of prescription painkillers.
Teens and Opioids
Adults aren’t the only ones who have problems with opioids. Teens also have a problem with these drugs. Opioid addiction statistics show that this drug is the lead cause of death for people under the age of 50. These same statistics show that the number of teen overdoses went up 20 percent in 2015 alone.
If you are concerned about a teen’s drug use, it is important to find the right way to address their habits and their recovery. Many teens will try and hide their addiction. Regardless of whether or not they admit to an addiction, it is important to have treatment options available.
How Quickly Can Opioid Addiction Set In?
When people get prescriptions from their doctors, they typically think they’re safe from developing an addiction. They assume that all they need to do is follow the instructions on the prescriptions.
However, new opioid addiction statistics show that this isn’t necessarily the case. One out of five people develops an addiction while taking a 10-day supply of opioid painkillers. Many of these become long-term users and have to seek professional help from a detox center program.
Get Help With Your Opioid Addiction
Visiting a detox center is the first logical step in overcoming opioid addiction. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we provide high-quality care. Our friendly staff will create a custom detox plan to address your needs. Some of the different programs we offer include:
- One-on-one therapy
- Women’s detox program
- Chiropractic care program
- Individual therapy program
- Men’s detox program
Start your rehab the right way with proper detox services. Let us show you how detoxing can set the stage for a successful rehab experience. Reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery today at 866.516.8356 for more information about our programs.
