The Human and Financial Toll of Substance Use and How to Address It
It seems as if a scourge has swept across the US and this is a scourge of substance abuse or drug addiction as we call it. The stats are alarming. According to a study conducted over a period 30 days by SAMHSA, nearly 27 million Americans (above 12 years of age) used an illicit drug in 2015 and that means about 1 in 10 Americans is a drug addict. A study found that the trend is driven primarily by marijuana use.
Opioids and cocaine are considered to be the two biggest categories of drug use apart from marijuana and alcohol.
The Drug Abuse Pandemic
According to National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the highest numbers of deaths is recorded due to opioid overdoses as compared to heroin and cocaine combined. But the biggest form of addiction in the US comes from legal prescription drugs, which are mostly painkillers and are easily accessible. The exact number of people abusing prescription drugs is not known, but the data obtained from various agencies points toward the fact that millions of Americans are suffering from addiction caused by prescription drugs.
Lack of Awareness
This presents a grim picture of public health in our country. To add insult to injury, only a fraction of these millions of Americans actually receive treatment, as per Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy. According to the report, nearly 14% people in the US are expected to develop an illness related to drug addiction at some point. But, only 10% people actually receive treatment. Now, it’s time to change our perception that addiction is a character; it’s nothing but a brain disease.
Overtime, this becomes a chronic illness that needs urgent, skillful, and compassionate treatment. This report from surgeon general is a call to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public to get ready to address these issues.
The Decision Hour
According to experts, this report from surgeon general looks like the landmark report of 50s and 60s about smoking and related health hazards that led the government to issue instructions to print health warnings on cigarette packs.
However, this report fails to provide any concrete roadmap to curb substance abuse. But in view of the monstrous proportions in which the menace of prescription drug, heroin and fentanyl overdoses is growing, we need a detailed plan of action to control the epidemic.
The newly elected president Mr. Trump has also said that the proposed wall on the border with Mexico would keep out drug peddlers from pushing in heroin inside the country.
Deaths from Legally Prescribed Drugs
But, the problem is even more complicated than we think. There is exponential rise in drug overdose deaths in the US in past couple years. A far higher number of deaths are reported from opioid painkillers legally prescribed drugs in the United States. In some of the states, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are taking more lives than heroin.
According to the surgeon general, problem of drug dependence is affecting everyone regardless of their social status, race, political views or ethnicity and the newly sworn in Trump administration is equally serious about that.
The pace at which addiction problem is growing in our society has acquired monstrous proportions, according to Dr Murthy. The ultimate aim is to change the way we perceive the threat of addiction and bring people in action mode and seek help.
The Alarming Stats
According to an alarming update, around 2340 people die every month from opioid overdoses in the US and this is four times the figure we had in 1999. It’s also taking a toll on our economy and health infrastructure in the form of decreased or lost workdays and reduced productivity and effectiveness associated with addiction related illnesses. According to an estimate, the annual economic toll associated with alcohol related illnesses is close to $250 billion, which is a whopping figure in view of our dwindling economy. The economic toll linked with drugs is around $190 billion.
This is alarming that only 10% (roughly) individuals with disorders linked with substance abuse actually receive any kind of specialty treatment. About 40% of these people are also found to be battling with a co-occurring mental health issue along with substance abuse.
Need for Substance Use Treatment
It’s high time people, especially those with shame and guilt should be identified and sent for treatment. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) has introduced a questionnaire that can be used to identify the people, who are at risk of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), also known as drug use disorder. According to SAMHSA, about 22 million people needed treatment for SUDs in 2015. The most effective treatment is the one that combines modern therapies and medication along with Eastern practices like meditation, yoga, relaxing massage, and nutritious food. According to credible sources, certain Drug Rehab Centers in California are offering such holistic treatment programs. If you or any of your near and dear one is suffering from SUDs and other addiction related issues, then you should approach a rehabilitation center in California.
