opioid crisis | Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C. https://www.advancespine.com Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:04:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 5 Simple Steps You Can Take to Help in the Opioid Crisis Battle https://www.advancespine.com/opioid-crisis-battle/ Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:04:30 +0000 https://advancespine.com/?p=1472 According to data from 2018, 128 people died every day in the United states due to opioid overdosing. Unfortunately, the problem with opioids continues to get worse, creating a serious national crisis in the United States that affects not only public health, but the social and economic welfare of the country as a whole. Given [...]

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]]> According to data from 2018, 128 people died every day in the United states due to opioid overdosing. Unfortunately, the problem with opioids continues to get worse, creating a serious national crisis in the United States that affects not only public health, but the social and economic welfare of the country as a whole.

Given the serious negative effects that opioids have had on the country as well as on so many people who live within it, it is only natural to begin to feel helpless and to wonder “What can I do?” While no single person has the ability to put an end to the opioid crisis, you can help to bring it to an end by doing any and all of the following:

  • Have meaningful conversations with your loved ones about opioids. Rather than thinking “It won’t happen to me,” talk about the threats of opioid abuse and ask and research the tough questions together.
  • Keep prescription drugs in your home locked away and out of reach of others. 
  • Get involved and participate in community events to help spread awareness, such as public forums, prevention activities at schools, walks, fun runs and community vigils.
  • Contact law enforcement regarding drug-related activities in your neighborhood. 
  • Discard unneeded drugs properly by taking them to law enforcement on local “take back” days or taking them to your local pharmacy.

If you or a loved one is battling opioid addiction, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today to learn more about our suboxone opioid treatment program.

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]]> The Opioid Crisis and Teens https://www.advancespine.com/the-opioid-crisis-and-teens/ Sat, 16 Jan 2021 05:52:18 +0000 https://advancespine.com/?p=1456 While the opioid crisis has gained a great deal of attention in recent years, it is important for parents, educators and other adults to recognize and realize the threat that opioid abuse presents to teenagers. The unfortunate reality is that children and adolescents are at a greater risk than adults at becoming addicted when they [...]

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]]> While the opioid crisis has gained a great deal of attention in recent years, it is important for parents, educators and other adults to recognize and realize the threat that opioid abuse presents to teenagers. The unfortunate reality is that children and adolescents are at a greater risk than adults at becoming addicted when they are exposed to these drugs. In addition, while opioid misuse in teens has decreased in recent years, the rate of opioid misuse increases significantly after the age of 18. Therefore, it is important to talk to teens to help prevent this spike in use from occurring.

Treating Pain in Children and Adolescents

Just as with adults, prescription opioids may be used to treat pain in children and adolescents. This pain may be associated with a variety of things, such as a sports injury, dental work or surgery. To help prevent addiction and abuse from occurring, these pain medicines should be used for the shortest amount of time possible while also keeping careful watch over the child or adolescent who is using the drugs.

Prescription Opioid Misuse

Sadly, research has shown that around 57 percent of 12 to 17-year-olds who misuse prescription opioids actually obtained them from a friend or relative. Examples of prescription opioid misuse include:

  • Taking the drugs in a way other than instructed
  • Using prescription pills that were prescribed to someone other than yourself
  • Taking prescription pills with the intention of getting high
  • Mixing prescription opioids with other drugs or with alcohol

If you or someone you love is misusing opioids, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more about suboxone and our opioid treatment program.

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]]> Social Isolation and Opioid Addiction: Taking Care of Your Health https://www.advancespine.com/social-isolation-and-opioid-addiction/ Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:35:57 +0000 https://advancespine.com/?p=1387 With the pandemic still going strong, many people continue to find themselves social distancing and otherwise staying at home.

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]]> With the pandemic still going strong, many people continue to find themselves social distancing and otherwise staying at home. As a result of this isolation, a number of people are fighting feelings of depression. Unfortunately, for those who struggle with substance abuse, this sense of isolation can make the struggle even harder. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration includes social wellness as one of its eight dimensions of wellness.

What is Social Isolation?

It is important to differentiate between loneliness and social isolation when discussing the pandemic. To be considered socially isolated, you generally need to live alone and not participate in club or community activities. You must also have no or very little contact with friends and family.

Of course, even if you do not fit these criteria, you may still feel loneliness. This is because loneliness occurs any time you feel disconnected from others. This, in turn, can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Whether you are socially isolated or not, these feelings of loneliness can increase your risk of turning to drugs to help with coping with your feelings. 

Coping with Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation

If you are feeling lonely or isolated, you can better cope with those feelings with the help of a few techniques. Some ideas that you might want to try include:

  • Keeping a Journal
  • Identifying Triggers
  • Managing Cravings

If you need assistance with these techniques or if you are in need of an opioid treatment program, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more about our suboxone treatment program. 

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]]> Addressing the Opioid Crisis https://www.advancespine.com/addressing-the-opioid-crisis/ Thu, 16 May 2019 16:12:23 +0000 https://advancespine.com/?p=1111 130 people dying every day in the United States due to opioid overdose - opioid crisis is a serious concern.

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]]> With more than 130 people dying every day in the United States due to opioid overdose, addressing the issue of opioid abuse is a serious concern.

Unfortunately, opioid abuse is not just centered around the abuse of illegal drugs. Rather, prescription opioid pain relievers are also abused. In fact, in 2017, an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States suffered from a substance abuse disorder that was related to prescription opioid pain relievers. Altogether, an estimated 21 to 29 percent of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse the drugs, with between 8 and 12 percent developing a disorder.

Opioid abuse has serious consequences for the abuser as well as for society in general. It has been connected to a rising incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome as well as the increased spread of infectious diseases. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total “economic burden” of opioid misuse is $78.5 billion per year in the United States.

To address these concerns, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified five major priorities. These include:

  • Improving access to treatment
  • Promoting the use of overdose-reversing drugs
  • Improving public health surveillance
  • Supporting research on pain and addiction
  • Advancing better pain management practices

At Advanced Spine & Rehab, we are committed to helping to fight the opioid crisis. If you or someone you love is abusing opioids, contact us to learn more about our Suboxone treatment program. By combining Suboxone with other forms of therapy, we can help you fight your addiction so you can live a happy, healthy life.

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