Sober Recovery https://www.soberrecovery.com/images/og-image.gif 619 412 https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.soberrecovery.com/619x412_85/380/1-Pills-157380.jpg 10 Astonishing Facts About the Opioid Epidemic in the U.S. By Audrey Beim Sober Recovery Expert Author May 3 2016 Share to Twitter Share to Facebook 1. Over the YearsSince 1999, the amount of prescription opioids prescribed and sold in the U.S. nearly quadrupled. The rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioid pain relievers and heroin) also nearly quadrupled. Despite the increase of opioids prescribed and sold, there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report. Usage of both heroin and highly addictive prescription opioids have exploded over the past decade along with growing reliance and uncontrollable use. Here are 10 facts about this rapidly growing U.S. crisis. Treatment Facilities Lake Ariel Recovery Center Southeast Addiction Center Sanctuary at Cherry Hill Skywood Recovery Source: CDC 2. Death CountThe CDC reports that about 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Source: CDC 3. Sharing PrescriptionsAbout 1 in 20 adolescents and adults—12 million people—used prescription pain medication when it was not prescribed for them only for the feeling it caused. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse 4. Slippery SlopeAccording to research, about 1 in 15 people who take non-medical prescription pain relievers will try heroin within 10 years. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse 5. Pain Killers and HeroinHeroin users are three times as likely to become addicted compared to non-medical prescription pain reliever users. About 54 percent of heroin users are dependent, while 14 percent of non-medical prescription pain reliever users are dependent. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse 6. OverprescriptionIn 2012, doctors wrote 259 million painkiller prescriptions in a 12-month period—enough for each American adult to have a bottle of pills. Source: CDC 7. Misuse and AddictionA 2015 study has documented prescription opioid misuse in 1 out of 4 patients and addiction in about 1 out of 10 patients. Source: The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain 8. The CycleMore than 90 percent of patients who survive a prescription opioid overdose continue to be prescribed opioids after the event, usually by the same doctor. Source: Annals of Internal Medicine 9. An Alarming IncreaseHeroin emergency room admissions are increasing. In 2005 there were less than 200,000 emergency room visits related to heroin. After six years, this number had increased to almost 260,000. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse 10. Key DemographicsBetween 1999 and 2014, prescription opioid overdose rates were highest among people aged 25 to 54 years. Source: CDC Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.