Research Paper On Opioid Epidemic

Tennessee is one of the states hit hardest by the nation’s opioid epidemic which began about 20 years ago and had a stark increase since 2009, now reaching unprecedented levels across the county with a 200% increase in the rate of deaths involving opioids (Rudd, Aleshire, Zibbell, & Gladden, 2016; Fletcher, 2016). In Tennessee specifically, it is estimated that about 1 in 6 abuse opioids; the CDC estimates that for every one person who dies from an opioid overdose in Tennessee there are 851 others in the state who are in various stages of their abuse, misuse, and treatment; and the most recent statistics show that opioid overdoses alone make up about 7.7% of deaths in Tennessee, making them responsible for more deaths than car accidents in the state (Botticelli, 2016; Rudd, Aleshire, Zibbell, & Gladden, 2016; Fletcher, 2016; ONDCP, 2016; Thompson, 2016).

Opioid drugs are some of the most widespread pain medications that we have in this country; indeed, the fact is that opioid analgesic prescriptions have increased by over 300% from 1999 to 2010 (Mitch 989). Consequently, the number of deaths from overdose increased from 4000 to 16,600 a year in the same time frame (Mitch 989). This fact becomes even more frightening when you think about today; the annual number of fatal drug overdoses in the Unites States now surpasses that of motor vehicle deaths (Alexander 1865). Even worse, overdose deaths caused by opioids specifically exceed those attributed to both cocaine and heroin combined (Alexander 1865).

There have been several news coverages on TV and social network about drug overdose of different cases recently and they have risen people’s concern about the problems of drug abuse national-wide. The drug abuse and opioid epidemic is not a new problem to the American society, actually it has been a serious problem for many years. So what is the situation of drug epidemic now, and how can we find effective ways to deal with this problem? A few writers who ponder this question are Nora D. Volkow, Dan Nolan and Chris Amico.

The United States currently faces an unprecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in that it is also predominant in the middle and affluent classes. Ultimately, anyone can be fighting a battle with addiction and it is important for family members and loved ones to know the signs. The cause for this epidemic is that the current spike of opioid abuse can be traced to two decades of increased prescription rates for painkillers by well-meaning physicians.

As we all have researched and found out the devastating numbers to the opioid epidemic “the abuse of prescription and non-prescription opioids is one of the greatest threats facing public health in the United States today. It is estimated that as many as 2.5 million people in the US are suffering from opioid addiction related to prescriptions, and an additional 467,000 are addicted to heroin”(2017).

The opioid epidemic that has taken over the United States is likely the largest public health crisis that our country has faced in the 21st century. It has torn countless families and small rural communities apart in its wake, and does not currently show signs of slowing down anytime in the near future. In the last couple decades, the United States’ government has addressed the epidemic as a criminal problem. Treating those affected by the opioid crisis like criminals has not yielded positive results overall. For some time, the public opinion has predominantly been that this epidemic should not be blamed on anyone other than those who take these opioids, and that it is their own personal downfalls and bad judgement that is responsible for their specific situation. While opioid abusers certainly deserve some accountability for their actions, there is abundant evidence of greater forces at work that have a lot of influence on their decisions.

Opioid addiction is a condition that is preventable as well as one which individuals display several noticeable risk factors before the actual addiction prognosis to the point of causing death. There is a strong correlation between the early misuse of prescription opioids, which are prescribed for non-cancer pain management, and the development of a dependence on such opioids. Early detection of risk factors such as the misuse of opioids that are prescribed will help indicate that a patient is developing an addiction.1 Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers must closely monitor patients and the rate at which opioids are consumed as well as refilled.

As a teen I have seen multiple teens recklessness and their parents trying their hardest to prevent their son and or daughter from using drugs, but their efforts keep failing. Everyday a mother wakes up to find her teenager deceased, everyday I live with void of not having my best friend due to her overdose. Each day that passes marks another day farther from the last time I got to see her. President Donald Trump early in his term issued a national emergency, the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis affects children as young as coming into this world and adults at any age. Google defines an opioid as “ an opium like compound that binds to one or more of the three opioid receptors of the body.” (Google) Despite the government and parent involvement

In my opinion, the opioid crisis is not covered enough outside of the healthcare industry. Before completing my research paper on opioid crisis I was not aware that the opioid crisis was such an important topic. As a young adult I should be aware that this is an subject that needs to be addressed because it effects us the most. I do feel that this problem is more focused on effecting young adults due to us not being educated about the topic. Spreading awareness should be the first thing we think about when attempting to handle the situation.

Although opiates can relieve pain and improve quality of life temporarily, the opioid epidemic is becoming a widespread problem all over the United States. Opioids are drugs acting on the nervous system to relieve, but continued use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal systems leading to opioid abuse. This includes codeine, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl used daily by healthcare professionals. We need to realize that this is a more difficult problem to address if no one understands how it affects individuals. Why is this important?

The people of Maine are in trouble. We are losing our citizens to opioid abuse at an alarming rate. We have, thus far, been paralyzed to do anything about treating the disease that’s running rampant through our communities, families, and homes. The overprescribing of prescription opiates in the 1990s and 2000s, driven by the profit margins of the multinational companies getting rich on the backs of those in chronic pain, has led to an unprecedented amount of addiction, crime, and death amongst Maine’s people. The strict rules, laws, and changes put in place to curb the prescription and abuse of opioids in the state of Maine has exacerbated an already out of control problem. They have contributed not to the desired lowering of

Candace, thank you for providing your insight on this opioid epidemic in the United State. Candace, I was actually surprise when you mention complementary therapies at the previous hospital. As a surgical intensive care unit (SCIU) nurse, I heard of these therapies as an alternative for pain management but never actually utilizes them.

This conclusion is supported by the most current knowledge of the pathophysiology and etiology of substance abuse. Pain management of cancer patients without previous history of substance abuse who are using opioids therapy rarely develop new onset of substance use disorder. The Boston Collaborative surveillance project, a notable study exploring the prevalence of opioids addiction in medical illness, identified 4 cases of addiction out of 11,882 prescribed opioids on in-patients (Meera, 2011). Despite the escalating volume of medical use of opioid pain killers, the rates of drug abuse are staying low and

Diseases are common worldwide. “I’d seen Jerry in pain before, but never like this”. ( Glod 1) Recently, I have been in a crisis where I was in pain, although that's because I was going to have cancer. Nonetheless, Having supervision on patients, being aware of new diseases, and having hope towards your own health can impact the disease to be cured. Opioid Epidemic diseases being exposed into reality should be taken into consideration towards making a worldwide change for health purposes. With that said, any disease needs awareness.

Nearly three decades ago, the push for providers to treat pain both acute and chronic came about after a research study by Dr. Russell Portenoy, a pain-management specialist was published (Moghe, 2016). His study concluded that treating non-cancer pain with opioids was a “safe and humane” way to treat pain (Moghe, 2016). The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) first reported that deaths related to prescription opioid abuse were on the rise in 1999 (Noonan, 2017). In 2001, the Joint Commission, a health care accrediting agency, first generated the idea that pain should be measured in all patients, and hospitals could be penalized if they did not reach this objective (Moghe, 2016). It is now thought that the pharmaceutical companies downplayed the potential for addiction and misuse of opioids during this time as well (National Institute on Drug