The opioid epidemic has been an issue for years now, and without a doubt, there has been false information spread throughout social media platforms, word of mouth, and through news sources that may not be as credible as you’d think. This week, we will be looking at common statements about the opioid crisis, and determining whether that statement is indeed myth or fact? Also, be sure to join the movement! As the opioid crisis is in your backyard, and all of this information is applicable to you.
#1: The abundant attention on opioid use is just overrated. People dying from drug overdoses isn’t new.
Myth or Fact? Actually, this is a myth! Yes, it is true that drug overdoses are not new, since from 1999-2017, 702,000 people have died from drug overdose. However, in this time frame, over 400,000 of the drug overdoses have been from an opioid overdose (ilicit and prescription opioids). This is a considerable amount of deaths that could be prevented.
#2: Due to their pharmacological effects, opioids in high doses can cause respiratory depression and death.
Myth or Fact? Yes, a fact! This is due to the opiate’s effect on the part of the brain that is in control of breathing. Signs of this overdose include a pale/clammy face, limp body, blue hue on extremities, and more.
#3: Opioid use is only a problem in big cities.
Myth or Fact? This is indeed untrue. Opioid use, misuse, and abuse affects big cities, small cities, towns, villages, rural areas, you name it. According to the CDC, the highest rates of death in 2017 were located in:
- West Virginia, 52
- Ohio, 39.1
- New Hampshire, 39
- Pennsylvania, 37.9
- Kentucky, 33.5
This shows that the opioid crisis is not only taking place in big cities such as Los Angeles and New York.
#4: If I was prescribed an opioid by a doctor, it must be safe.
Myth or Fact? Definitely a myth. Since the early 1990’s pharmaceutical companies started pushing prescription opioids onto patients as pain medication, advising that it was nearly impossible to become dependent on. However, it has become apparent that opioids are amongst the most highly addictive drugs. This means that no matter how you come in contact with opiates, whether illicitly or through a prescription, there is a risk of dependence.
#5: The inexpensive medication naloxone can completely reverse the effects of opioid overdose and prevent deaths due to opioid overdose.
Myth or Fact? Although this may seem unlikely, this is actually true! Naloxone, which is effectively an antidote to opioid overdose, will completely reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if administered in time. Naloxone can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or nasally. It has been shown in the United States that naloxone has decreased the substantial amounts of opioid overdose deaths.
#6: Opioids are substances derived from the opium poppy. Examples are morphine and heroin.
Myth or Fact? Fact! it may seem surprising that such a strong drug responsible for so many deaths is essentially derived from a plant, but it is true. Opium has been used for centuries, dating back to 3,400 B.C. in lower Mesopotamia. There is a strong history behind opioid-related substances.
#7: It is easy to stop an addiction, even if the addiction is to opioid-related drugs. All an addict needs to stop is willpower.
Myth or Fact? This one is a myth. Opioid-use disorder is a disease that can be diagnosed by the DSM-5. A substance use disorder requires professional help in finding a way to be cured of the disease. When you become addicted to opioids, your body becomes dependent on the drug and will not feel normal without it. It may reach a point to where functioning without opioids will cause great physical pain.
#8: The cost of the opioid crisis is very expensive.
Myth or Fact? Fact. The opioid crisis is not only expensive in the form of preventable deaths in the United States, it is expensive in the form of currency as well. According to the white house report, the opioid crisis cost $696 billion in 2018—or 3.4 percent of GDP—and more than $2.5 trillion for the four-year period from 2015 to 2018.
Conclusion
There is so much information out in the world on social media platforms, news, sources, and even information from your friends and peers. Hopefully this blog post helped you to establish between what may seem real, and what is actually the truth. You learn something new every week! More helpful information on the opioid crisis can be found through the CDC, SAMHSA, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
If you are more inclined to viewing your news on social media platforms, I strongly encourage you to follow @NIDAnews on twitter.
Lokelani's Public Health Blog 