Troubling Heroin Epidemic Statistics
The heroin epidemic in the United States has become so bad that the Surgeon General believes that it rivals cancer. One of the reasons many people don’t get help is because society treats addiction and cancer much differently. While there is much more acceptance and awareness about addiction, a stigma still exists. It’s important to understand how this epidemic started and how you can help a loved one. Through substance abuse treatment programs, you can avoid becoming one of these statistics.
The Start of the Heroin Epidemic
For many years, society believed that the heroin epidemic only affected individuals living in poor, densely populated urban areas. That’s rapidly changed in the last decade. Heroin has crept into all parts of the country. The problem really began when the opioid crisis in America started, which is still a problem to this day. Prescription opioids help those with chronic pain or injuries, but they’re also a primary gateway drug for heroin.
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Prescription opioids can include:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Hydromorphone
Most of the people who come to a heroin addiction treatment facility started off by abusing prescription opioids. While some people were abusing opioids for months or years before turning to heroin, others progress quicker. For some people, heroin is the first drug they go to because it’s so prevalent in their area.
Heroin Overdose Rates
As of 2015, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported that almost 60,000 people died from drug overdoses. Of those 60,000 deaths, almost 14,000 of them were a result of heroin overdoses.
One of the primary reasons why there are so many overdoses are increasing is because heroin is becoming more dangerous. The opioid medication fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. While it creates a more potent high, many people who use it don’t know or don’t have the tolerance to use this mixture. Often, it’s more than the body can handle.
Fortunately, a new drug called Narcan is saving the lives of thousands of people each and every year. Narcan acts by reversing the effects of an overdose, with more and more first responders now carrying it.
However, before you or someone you love experience an overdose, you can take steps to overcome the heroin epidemic.
Getting Help at a Treatment Center
If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center can help. Serenity Lodge is a spiritually-oriented addiction treatment facility located near beautiful Lake Arrowhead. We’ve designed our amenity-rich facility to make our clients as comfortable as possible while they receive the treatment programs they need.
These programs can include the following:
- Residential addiction treatment program
- Partial hospitalization treatment program
- Intensive outpatient treatment program
- Outpatient treatment program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
To find out more about how we can help you or your loved one, contact Serenity Lodge today by calling [Direct]. Our team of trained professionals is ready to help you or your loved one avoid becoming another number of the rising heroin epidemic statistics.
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