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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The post Addressing the Opioid Crisis first appeared on Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C..

Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose

The signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose are not necessarily exactly the same for everyone, but signs that are commonly associated with an overdose include:

• Slow, shallow breathing
• Blue skin
• Dark-colored lips
• Extreme sleepiness
• Inability to talk
• Snoring or making gurgling sounds

If you suspect someone has overdosed on opioids, it is essential to take immediate action.

Responding to an Opioid Overdose

If you suspect someone has overdosed on opioids, you should first call 911. Next, lightly tap on the person to see if you can get a response. If not, shake and shout at the person to look for a response. If there is no response, rub your knuckles on the person’s breastbone and try to keep them awake if they respond. If there is still no response, you can administer naloxone if it is available. If the person’s breathing is shallow or nonexistent, you may need to perform mouth-to-mouth rescue and CPR while waiting for emergency responders. If the person begins vomiting, place him on his side with the opposite hand supporting his head, his mouth facing to the side and down and his top leg on the floor.

Of course, the best course of action is to beat the addiction altogether. If your loved one is ready to begin the process of recovering from addiction, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today to learn more about our suboxone treatment program.

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The post Recognizing and Responding to Opioid Overdose first appeared on Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C..