While fighting the coronavirus pandemic should be of our utmost priority, this year has seen the disease of addiction thriving as well. In fact, one might say there is another epidemic that must be made known. This epidemic has been raging across the United States for several years, with its death toll only continuing to climb. This is the overdose epidemic.
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics found that this last year broke the record for annual drug overdose deaths in the United States. Over 100,000 people lost their lives from alcohol and drug overdoses in 2021 — nearly a 30% increase from the 78,000 lives lost from overdose in 2020.
Conversations regarding mental health and drug use have come a long way in the last several years, but stigma still exists around discussing these topics. Drug overdose deaths are absolutely avoidable and can be prevented with proper education and access to addiction and mental health treatment.
The stigma and stereotypes around drugs and the people who use them contribute to the rise in overdose deaths. It is essential that we work to promote harm reduction education and provide necessary tools and resources to individuals that struggle with addiction and substance use to avoid overdose deaths.
One of the most important things to understand about overdose statistics is that overdoses account for several different experiences. The most widely known definition of overdose is when a person takes more than a normal, or more than the recommended, amount of a certain substance.
When a person takes too much of a certain substance on purpose, this is considered an intentional overdose. Sadly, many intentional overdoses occur because drug users feel overwhelmed or helpless, with no hope for the future.
Overdose can also occur when a person unknowingly uses tainted or contaminated drugs, containing toxic adulterants or stronger drugs like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to manage severe pain in legitimate medical settings, such as surgical environments or during cancer treatments. Illicit fentanyl, on the other hand, is often manufactured in China and shipped to the United States through Mexico, and is being used to increase the potency of other illicit drugs. Illicit fentanyl itself is potent and cheap, which motivates drug dealers to use it to cut other illicit streets drugs and, in turn, make a bigger profit off of their sales.
Overdoses from tainted drugs are typically considered accidental or unintentional. Even if a person is willingly using illicit substances, most people are not doing so with the intent to consume a tainted drug. Society and the media portray these types of overdose deaths in an incredibly negative light as if it is the fault of the drug user to know that they were consuming a tainted drug. In reality, the perpetrator is the untruthful drug dealer.
It is essential that our nation works together to address the root causes of overdose while providing the necessary tools and resources that are available to everyone and anyone to fight the overdose epidemic.
A few of these overdose prevention strategies include primary prevention, harm reduction, access to and availability of evidence-based treatment, and recovery support.
The increasing rate of drug overdose deaths highlights the urgent need for effective addiction treatment. In the wake of the overdose epidemic, understanding and addressing the root causes of substance use and addiction is more important than ever. For those seeking help, either for themselves or a loved one, navigating the array of treatment options can be overwhelming.
Our directory offers a comprehensive listing of addiction treatment facilities across Southern California. These centers provide a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, understanding the complexity of addiction and the importance of personalized care. By exploring our listings, you can find facilities equipped to offer support, guidance, and effective treatment strategies, aiding in the journey towards recovery and mental clarity.
