America is facing its first prescription drug overdose epidemic in the history of the United States (Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA], 2017). This opioid epidemic is claiming the lives of one person every 12 minutes in the United States. This equates to more than 72,000 lives lost in 2017 due to this roaring epidemic (National Institute of Drug Administration [NIDA], 2018b). The purpose of this paper was to emphasize the impression of opioids on all levels of social groups, express the available treatment and rehabilitation programs, and underline the roles of the community health nurse.
Opioid Pathophysiology Heroin, fentanyl, methadone, Dilaudid and many other pain relievers fall under the umbrella category of opioids (Rehabspot, 2018). Opioids stimulate the mu receptors of the brain causing a release of dopamine. When dopamine is released, it gives the user a feeling of euphoria (Kosten & George, 2002). Typically cells in the ventral tegmental area of the brain can overcome the craving sensation for the person to continue using the opioids through a mechanism called negative feedback. However, when someone becomes addicted to opioids, the feedback is compromised and the person experiences withdraw (Kosten & George, 2002). Prescription medications are synthetic chemicals designed to decrease pain sensation (NIDA, 2014).
The repeated usage of the synthetic medications increases a persons tolerance of the opioid drug. Increased tolerance initiates the craving sensation with repeated use of the same dosage of chemicals over an extended period of time. The person will then be required to increase the amount of drug in order to reach the desired euphoric state (NIDA, 2014). This is when a person is at increased risk for opioid overdose. Opioids affect the body in many ways. One of the major affects is respiratory depression. This is the main cause of opioid related overdoses. When a person injects the opioid, it causes a decrease in the respiratory rate. The decrease in respirations causes lack of oxygen to important organs such as the brain.
127 our experts are availableright now
Opioids cause sedation to the brain, collapse of blood vessels, and slowing of the respiratory system. When the body is denied the required dose to reach the euphoric state, it will undergo a series of extreme undesirable symptoms which include: muscles aches, inability to sleep, anxiety, lacrimation, diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and blurry vision (Healthline, 2018). How the Epidemic Began Opioid addiction began on two separate paths. The first path began in 1991 when pharmaceutical companies ensured physicians that opioid medications were non-addictive and safe for pain treatment regimens (Poison Control, 2018). Many prescribing physicians questioned the safety of the medications, and they were assured they were safe (NIDA, 2018).
The second path arose in 2010 when the realization that this pain treatment regimen was causing an increased number of opioid related deaths. Physicians then decided to decrease the ease of obtaining pain medications which caused users to turn to the streets to obtain heroin. This caused a 286% jump in opioid related deaths (Poison Control, 2018). Considering opioid addiction is not a communicable disease, it spreads faster than a typical disease (NIDA, 2018). Opioids Affecting the Population Opioid addiction is not unique to one specific group of people. It can affect all genders, ages, races, and classes (Rehabspot, 2018). It is believed genetic, psychological, and environmental factors play an important role in opioid addiction (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Therefore, there are some people who are at an increased risk of developing an opioid addiction. Individuals experiencing unemployment are at increased risk because this population tends to experience hopelessness and financial difficulties. Opioids are used to experience euphoric episodes intended to decrease the feelings of hopelessness (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Many young people become addicted when raised or living in a home with opioid addicted guardians. This leads young children to believe this is the norm of life, and children follow in the path of those around them (Rehabspot, 2018).
Medicaid recipients are also at an increased risk because beneficiaries are more likely to be prescribed opioids to treat acute or chronic pain (Briarwood Detox, n.d.). When comparing Medicaid statistics to other insurance companies, Medicaid beneficiaries received opioid prescriptions at a rate greater than 10% compared to their competitors (Briarwood Detox, n.d.). Research indicates women are more at risk than men to abuse opioids because they are more likely to experience chronic pain (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Eighty percent of opioid users report addiction started with prescription pain medications (Rehabspot, 2018). The epidemic extends far beyond the United States borders. It is estimated that over 36 million people worldwide abuse opioids (NIDA, 2014).
Only 2.1 million of these abusers are living in the United States (NIDA, 2014). The United States overdose deaths related to opioid abuse reached 72,000 in 2017 (NIDA, 2018b). Europe reported slightly more than 70,000 opioid related overdose deaths (International Overdose, 2018). Globally, 190,900 deaths were reported related to opioid overdoses (International Overdoses, 2018. Opioid prevalence is on a steady incline (NIDA, 2018). Affects of the Epidemic Opioid addiction does not only affect an individual, but their entire family as well. Due to the opioid epidemic, the number of grandparents taking on the role of parents has drastically increased (BAART Programs, 2018). This places a financial and emotional burden on families.
When grandparents or other family members are unavailable to take over care, the government may get involved. This results in children being turned over to foster care. Reports indicate the age of children turned over to be cared for by the state has drastically decreased over the last few years (BAART Programs, 2018). In addition to families, communities suffer when a resident is addicted to opioids. In order to implement recovery and treatment centers, tax increases are implemented. This affects the communities as a whole (NIDA, 2018).
Increased opioid addiction within the community directly correlates with increased crime rates (NIDA, 2018). Convicted criminals become trapped in an endless cycle. When an addict is arrested and sentenced to jail time, they never fully recover from their addiction before being released back onto the streets (NIDA, 2014b). With inadequate treatment while incarcerated, they are forced back on to the streets where they are succumbed to the opioid addiction cycle (NIDA, 2014b). The cost incurred by the repeated criminal activity costs the United States over 80 billion dollars per year (NIDA, 2018). This includes rehabilitation treatment centers, infectious disease treatment related to opioid abuse, and prevention programs (NIDA, 2018).
