October 26, 2022
Find out in this article what drives the addiction crisis in the United States and how we can resolve it.
Addiction continues to affect the whole nation despite the efforts of various agencies. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 40.3 million people have used illicit drugs. And Oregon ranks 4th for the most substance misuse and 50th when it comes to addiction treatment access.
The lack of affordable treatment contributes to the upward trend of overdose-related deaths, with more than 100,000 people succumbing in 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned that it has the most number of fatal overdoses recorded in a single year.
Other contributing factors to the crisis include under-funded treatment programs, the failed policies that criminalized substance use, the inaccessibility of rehab programs, especially in rural communities, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the absence of a solid strategic response.
As the prolonged addiction crisis continues to endanger public health, economic output, and national security, it is vital to focus on an approach that's compassionate, evidence-based, and based on public health.
Drugs and alcohol are the primary drivers of the addiction crisis. However, alcohol doesn't attract much attention since it is legal, readily available, and socially acceptable.
Meanwhile, one of the most popular types of drugs that are commonly misused is opioids. Government agencies have identified Heroin as the most used illegal opioid for decades. However, by the mid-2010s, the usage and overdose death rates involving this drug had declined.
Most people now turn to fentanyl, which law enforcement officials call "manufactured death." It is cheaper and fifty times stronger than Heroin. Paired with other substances, such as cocaine or alcohol, increases the risk of overdose.
The public's easy access to drugs has played a significant role in the rise of substance use disorders (SUDs) in recent decades. Rationally, when drugs are readily available, the likelihood of people trying them and becoming addicted to them increases.
Stigma is a huge obstacle that America faces in curbing the drug crisis. The negative images associated with drug use affect clinical judgments and quality of care. It also triggers shame, guilt, and blame in the person with substance use disorder, hindering them from getting appropriate treatment.
For many years, addiction was not seen as a medical problem. Because of this, medical schools offered little or no training in screening for or treating SUDs. This has resulted in gaps in the quality of healthcare provided to suffering individuals.
The institutional stigma of addiction also makes medications out of reach to incarcerated individuals. Data shows that more than 50% of those who were taking a prescription drug for mental health conditions at admission weren't able to continue once in prison.
Moreover, communities fail to strengthen harm-reduction measures like syringe services programs and giving naloxone, an overdose medication. This is due to the belief that these actions can encourage illicit drug use.
Stigma, accompanied by racism, makes it tougher for people of color to receive compassionate, high-quality, evidence-based care.
Study shows that access to treatment favors white individuals. They are more likely to receive a prescription for buprenorphine, an addiction medication that increases the chances of successful, long-term recovery.
Tackling addiction stigma can help remove these barriers and encourage people to seek support.
As the opioid epidemic in the U.S. continues to increase, the number of rehabilitation facilities failed to grow sufficiently. This increases the wait times of people looking for treatment, putting them at a very high risk of death.
Rural areas have it worse since they have a shortage of facilities and providers. These communities have limited access to quality medical care, resources, and training, particularly for specialized populations. Far too often, rural facilities serve larger areas and have fewer treatment services.
The criminal justice approach to drug policy is often criticized for targeting individual users instead of larger systems. It is regarded as overly punitive, expensive, racially-biased, and ineffective.
Drug laws are disproportionately leveraged against Black people and communities, driving societal and health disparities. Black people are more likely to face harsh legal consequences for drug offenses.
Although approximately 14% of the U.S. population is Black and uses substances at comparable rates to other groups, they account for 29% of drug arrests and 33% of people incarcerated for drug offenses.
Financial limitations make people skip addiction treatment. Despite the benefits of insurance, many people remain uninsured due to the high cost of premiums.
Socioeconomic status also determines whether someone can access and finish treatment. According to one study, blacks and Hispanics were more likely to abandon addiction treatment due to unemployment and unstable housing.
Even insured people may experience problems whenever they get into rehab because their plan does not cover medication-assisted treatment (MAT). And while Medicaid covers MAT, many states place restrictions and requirements on it, making it more challenging to obtain the service.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted the lives of people who use drugs. It took a toll on their mental health and intensified their drug use behaviors, which increased their likelihood of overdose.
A significant percentage of people also complained that their mental well-being suffered – some felt more anxious or on edge, while others had depressive episodes. Anxiety and depression are linked to increased substance use, which heightens the risk of overdose.
Drug overdose rates have also climbed steeply during the pandemic. The CDC recorded about 100,000 fatal overdoses during the 12 months ending in April 2021.
Tackling addiction in Oregon and the whole country is an uphill climb, but if everyone works together, we can develop policies and proactive campaigns that are safe and effective.
We've outlined below the efforts of private and public organizations and how they will address the addiction crisis. Most of which focus on the expansion of evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and supplies reduction.
1. Reduce drug supply - The government is trying to reduce the availability of illicit drugs in the country and abroad through air and maritime seizures and the restrainment of drug production and trafficking from drug-source nations.
2. Facilitate effective prevention and strategies - States must create a robust program with specific goals and outcomes. First, they must raise awareness around the health effects of drug use and address its stigmatization. Second, they must increase the availability of treatments and ensure that facilities adopt the best practices for their design and implementation. Third, educate and train physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers in the safe prescribing of opioids for chronic pain. Fourth, provide the needed supplies, such as fentanyl test strips and sterile syringes, to reduce blood-borne infections. In addition, they must ensure that naloxone is easily and readily available to reverse an overdose rapidly.
3. Aftercare services - Providing post-treatment support services can help prevent relapse and allow individuals to continue to work on their unresolved issues. This will help them gradually ease into society without falling back into self-destructive behaviors or habits.
4. Drug policy reforms - Oregon has pioneered the decriminalization of possessing small amounts of drugs, like cocaine, Heroin, LSD, and methamphetamine. Instead of facing felony charges, the person will only be charged with a misdemeanor. This requires them to pay a $100 fine, and that fee can be waived if they get a health screening from a recovery hotline.
With the alarming rates of overdose deaths around the country, there is a need for more urgent, meaningful actions. We need large-scale intervention to stop the stigma toward addiction and people with the disease. Government and non-government organizations should launch programs to ensure that communities get the help they need. And most importantly, addiction treatment in Oregon and other states should be more accessible.
If you are seeking a lifelong goal of sobriety, you may contact our team today.
.svg)
