Understanding the Opioid Epidemic in the United States

The Opioid Epidemic is one of the most devastating events to have affected the United States in recent years.Several key factors have contributed to this crisis, including the accrediting bodies’ identification of pain as the 5th Vital Sign.

The Role of Pain Management in the Opioid Epidemic

This move, while intended to address patients’ pain, has accelerated the use of prescription narcotic pain medications as a first line of therapy. Unfortunately, this has led to a shift away from other types of pharmacologic agents that are not narcotics, as well as non-pharmacologic interventions like holistic health modalities.

Dependence on prescription narcotic pain medications can quickly develop into addiction, and the high cost of these medications has driven many patients to seek out cheaper alternatives, such as heroin, on the black market. However, much of the heroin available is tainted with other dangerous drugs, including Benzodiazepines and Fentanyl, which is fifty to one hundred times more potent than heroin.

The Consequences of the Opioid Epidemic

The result is a staggering number of overdose deaths, particularly among young people and older adults. If Naloxone is not administered immediately, the outcome is often fatal.

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic: Strategies and Solutions

In response to this crisis, both the federal government and individual state governments have implemented various strategies to combat the opioid epidemic. These include the establishment of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) to track controlled substances, as well as legislation promoting addiction treatment centers and medicated assisted treatment programs.

While there has been a noted decrease in opioid-related deaths, there is still much work to be done to address this epidemic. Interprofessional care, inclusive of Medicine, Nursing, Counseling, and other behavioral modalities, is essential for providing effective treatment outcomes for patients with opioid substance use disorders.

Product Details:
Publisher: Nova Science Pub Inc
1st edition (August 1, 2020)
Language: English
Hardcover: 267 pages
ISBN-10: 1536182176
ISBN-13: 978-1536182170