Opioid addiction services all over the U.S. are in crisis in multiple ways, reflecting the opioid misuse epidemic that has steadily gained momentum for the last two decades. Healthcare providers continue to struggle, challenged to find effective ways to help countless individuals and their loved ones devastated by this phenomenon.
Ohio is no exception. And, the crisis is not limited to healthcare. The opioid epidemic in Ohio has overwhelmingly burdened communities and their resources. For example, law enforcement, jails, the courts, child welfare services, and even coroners, have been overwhelmed by the epidemic and continue to be.
Ohio’s Opioid Addiction Burden–Lives, Suffering, and Money
Lethal opioid overdoses in Ohio increased 775% between the years of 2003 and 2015. Keep in mind there are lags between ‘real time’ events and data collection, and this tragic trend is expected to escalate. There are no indications of the epidemic easing.
One particularly poignant effect of Ohio’s opioid problem highlights the human ‘collateral damage’ of opioid addiction. The epidemic has taken victims other than those addicted, notably the children of people addicted to opioids. The numbers of children taken into custody due to parental opioid addiction have risen as opioid use has accelerated. In Ohio, in 2015, for example, half the children taken into protective custody were removed from their homes due to opioid use in the home. Foster care placements are exhausted, and children with opioid addicted parents are in state’s custody longer than ever before.
Additionally, the economic burden of opioid addiction in Ohio has been so exorbitant that the state filed lawsuits in May of 2017 against 5 pharmaceutical companies that manufacture prescription opioids. It is estimated that the opioid addiction epidemic in Ohio has cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars as its agencies have attempted to meet the needs of Ohio’s opioid addicted citizens and their children.
The Drugs Involved in the Opioid Use Epidemic
Opioid addiction services attempt to help those who misuse prescription painkillers as well as illegal substances such as heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl. Prescription opioids are used for the mild, moderate, or severe pain involved in such medical problems as injury, surgery, or cancer. Some such prescription medications are listed below by generic name (Be aware there are numerous brand name prescription drugs containing these substances):
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Codeine and related drugs
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Fentanyl (pharmaceutical)
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Hydrocodone
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Hydromorphone
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Meperidine
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Methadone
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Morphine
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Oxycodone
The misuse of these drugs occurs in several ways. They may be obtained illegally without legitimate medical need and without prescription, for example. They may also be obtained by prescription but used in ways not prescribed such as by injection, in higher doses, or mixed with other substances. There is no legitimate medical need for heroin recognized by the medical profession or governmental control in the U.S. All heroin is illegally manufactured, trafficked, possessed and used. However, it considered like prescription opioids in its effects and often used interchangeably with them by people with Opioid Use Disorders
Opioid Addiction Services—Enabling or Helping?
Opioid addiction services in Ohio are fighting the epidemic with a variety of strategies. And, because the opioid epidemic is a powerfully emotional issue for communities, there is often a great deal of controversy about tactics. Some wonder if efforts to help those with addictions do not really enable them.
Among the most controversial efforts of opioid addiction services in Ohio are needle exchange programs designed to decrease addiction-related infection. Another strategy in Ohio has allowed greater public access to naloxone (Narcan), an overdose antidote. And, using medications such as buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone to replace opioids, has been considered enabling by many as well. However, all these practices have proven effective overall in meeting their individual goals for countless people. Addiction-related infections decrease with needle exchange programs, fatal overdoses are prevented with naloxone, and buprenorphine and methadone dramatically improve the quality of life for many
Addiction-related infections decrease with needle exchange programs, fatal overdoses are prevented with naloxone, and buprenorphine and methadone dramatically improve the quality of life for many. None of these strategies however, are the answer in themselves to the epidemic, and to date, combined efforts have not stopped the epidemic.
Other strategies include public education about the dangers of opioid use and available opioid addiction services. Also, Ohio has educated prescribers about the dangers of opioid medical use and has issued guidelines for prescribing. The individual doses of opioids to Ohio residents decreased by 162 million doses in four years as a result.
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If You or a Loved One Need Help
If you or a loved one is addicted to an opioid, you are certainly not alone. Whether you are searching for help to overcome a prescription painkiller addiction, or are looking for heroin rehab centers, there is effective help available. Despite the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that accompany an Opioid Use Disorder, there is always hope for recovery.
Opioid addiction is a treatable medical disorder. You or your addicted loved one can overcome an opioid addiction and have a sustainable recovery. The key is to take the right action with the right help. An appropriate treatment program individualized for your specific needs is essential. Reach out for help no matter how hopeless you feel. The right treatment program can make all the difference.
