Deaths and health problems from opioid addiction and overdose continue to climb each year in the United States. Opioid epidemic statistics include all genders, ages, ethnicities, and social demographics. Virtually no one is immune to the epidemic. As more people feel the effects of long-term opioid use, the need for quality opioid addiction treatment programs has never been more clear.
Opioids include a wide range of illicit drugs and prescription medications. Both are equally addictive and lead to long-term dependency. Some of the most common opioids include:
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
Key Opioid Epidemic Statistics
Opioid epidemic statistics often cover addiction, fatalities, treatment, and economics. Some of the most important statistics to be aware of include:
- 130 people die every day from an overdose to opioids
- Over 10 million people misused prescription opioids
- 47,600 people died from overdosing on opioids
- Two million people have an opioid abuse disorder
- Over 800,000 people used heroin in 2018
- Over 15,000 people died from a heroin overdose in 2017
While opioid epidemic statistics give you a general overview of the problem, they do not account for certain related issues. For instance, the causes of opioid addiction, the market/industry’s role in the problem, and mental health disorders all factor into the numbers.
The Opioid Market: The Source of the Epidemic
When looking at the opioid epidemic, it is important to understand the source of the substances. The market at large includes both sellers/distributors off the streets and the pharmaceutical industry. Here are some opioid epidemic statistics as they apply to the market.
- More than 191 million opioid prescriptions were distributed in 2017
- The most common prescriptions include methadone, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone
- In nearly 20% of US counties, enough prescriptions were filled for each individual to have one.
- The national average prescription rate is currently 58.7 per 100 people. In some areas of the country, the rates are up to seven times more.
What Does the Future Hold?
While the opioid epidemic statistics look better for some states, overall, the epidemic is expected to get worse. Based on several studies from numerous organizations, including NIDA, CDC, American Addiction Centers, and SAMHSA have projected that the problem will likely increase due to current in the use of Opioids.
Government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and the medical community at large must act to help reduce the number of opioids on the market and limit access to the public. Addiction treatment centers in San Antonio, TX, and treatment professionals, have a responsibility to help those in need of addiction recovery. Last, public acceptance of opioids needs to decline, as more people die from these drugs every year.
Get Help for Opioid Addiction Today
Regardless of the opioid epidemic statistics, users who want to get off the drug can find help. Right Step Rehab Hill Country offers comprehensive drug detox programs, rehab, and rehab aftercare planning for opioid addiction. We combine evidence-based and holistic care to give you the best treatment available. To find out more about our rehab services, call us at 1.844.675.1628. We are here to help you get on the road to recovery.