The rate at which Americans are dying from opioid overdoses has quadrupled since 1999. Other substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine are also problems, but opioids are the deadliest of them all. Other countries also have opioid problems, such as Canada and the United Kingdom.
With so many people dying from substance abuse, it is important to understand the causes of these addictions.
How Do People Become Addicted?
One factor that can cause drug addiction is genetics. If someone has family members who have suffered from addiction, they are more likely to develop their addiction.
Growing up in an unstable environment makes it harder for young people to resist taking dangerous substances because they think there isn’t anything else out there for them and they’ve given up on themselves. They may also start taking drugs to cope with the emotional pain of traumatic experiences.
People can also become addicted to prescription medications. This addiction happens when people take medication prescribed by their doctors for too long or in high doses. People also develop an addiction after taking prescribed opioids for pain relief following surgery.
Heroin In the United States
Heroin is cheaper and easier to get in the United States than prescription opioids, so many Americans have turned to heroin as a way to feed their addiction. Some cartels have taken advantage of this by smuggling more heroin into the United States.
How Is the Crisis Being Addressed?
There are many different ways that authorities handle the addiction crisis. Some states are implementing “harm reduction” policies, which focus on reducing the negative consequences of addiction instead of trying to force people to stop using drugs.
Some are providing addicts with safe places to use drugs. They even provide them with clean needles, so they don’t spread disease. Some states are also increasing access to medication-assisted treatment, which uses medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to help people addicted to opioids wean themselves off of the drugs.
How To Avoid Addiction
If you’re wondering how to avoid addiction, a good rule of thumb is not to use opioids or any other addictive substance unless you get it from a doctor. If you have a friend or family member who may be using drugs, educate yourself about the dangers and warning signs of addiction so you can help them.
The best way to avoid becoming addicted as an adult is never to abuse prescription medications, as they are for emergencies only. Never take more pills than your doctor prescribes for you. Try to make sure your prescriptions don’t run out before they should.
In conclusion, addiction has become a major problem in many countries around the world and needs to be addressed quickly if we want to slow down the number of people dying from overdoses. There are many different ways to address the addiction crisis, but the most important thing is to educate yourself and others about the dangers of addiction.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help at The Process Recovery Center. The staff can help patients recover from addiction through a variety of methods.