Opioids are a category of drugs that act on the body’s opioid receptors to cause a euphoric effect. Doctors prescribe these drugs for pain relief, which is effective when used according to the prescription. However, these drugs lead to addiction when people misuse them. The number of people becoming addicted to these drugs has led to what is known as the opioid crisis. Illicit opioids, such as heroin, are also part of the epidemic, and quitting can often require help from a facility such as Summit Estate.
Several million people in the U.S. have a prescription opioid addiction. In short, opioid dependency is part of an economic and health epidemic that affects a significant part of the population. The crisis touches so many lives, maybe even yours. If you need treatment for opioid addiction, please, reach out to Summit Estate Recovery Center today at 800.701.6997.
Fighting the Opioid Crisis in the U.S.
Increasing data on the opioid epidemic has led to the establishment of many interventions aimed at tackling the issue. Enhancing access to rehabilitation and treatment services for opioid abusers is now among the government’s top priorities.
The abuse of opioids in the country affects tens of millions of people, directly and indirectly, thus making it a national issue. Government agencies at the federal and state levels strive to make substance addiction treatment easily accessible to those affected. When more opioid abusers can access holistic addiction treatment, the impact and scope of the crisis will fall significantly.
Promoting public health surveillance and monitoring to contextualize the crisis is also critical. What makes the opioid abuse more dangerous is the limited monitoring and assessment of its scope. The federal government has acknowledged this problem and is putting interventions in place to address it. As a result, more resources have been allocated to the public health sector to increase the stakeholders’ understanding of opioid abuse.
To end the opioid crisis, healthcare experts require increased financial support for scientific research on pain and opioids dependence. For a long time, studies on opioid abuse have been neglected, meaning that most research institutions are underfunded, limiting progress. The federal government wants to assist in turning this around. They are ensuring that more money goes towards research to creating pain relievers that are not as addictive as opioids.
Increased Dangers of Abuse and Addiction
Research shows that the increased abuse cases result from the misuse or overdose of medically prescribed opioids. For decades, specialists have been using opioids to help people with substance use disorders achieve recovery. Although the method has been successful to some extent, it has turned to be counterproductive because more people end up developing a dependence on opioids.
For example, methadone is a common drug rehabs use for medical detox purposes. However, some of the people recovering from substance abuse often develop a dependence on the medication.
How Can Rehab Centers Help?
Communities must not rely only on the government, so rehab centers have to play a pivotal role in managing the opioid crisis through evidence-based therapies. The epidemic affects everyone regardless of race, neighborhood, religion, or class.
Fortunately, opioids use disorders are treatable through a variety of treatment programs, such as:
- Holistic addiction treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Relapse prevention therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Individual therapy
Seeking early professional treatment is essential because anybody can become a victim of opioid addiction. Furthermore, opioid overdose is the most common cause of drug-related deaths. Experts estimate that it causes tens of thousands of deaths every year. Fortunately, rehab centers can prevent even more deaths.
Get Professional Help for Opioid Abuse at Summit Estate
Understanding the opioid crisis is essential in creating effective interventions to prevent it from escalating beyond manageable levels. At Summit Estate Recovery Center, we can help you overcome opioids use disorders and lead a healthy life. Contact Summit Estate at 800.701.6997 today to access our full range of treatment services.
