According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “2018 data shows that every day, 128 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.”
Anyone can suffer from opioid addiction. However, the National Academy of Medicine has identified five groups where opioid abuse is intense, including justice-involved populations, rural populations, veterans, adolescents and young adults, and persons who inject drugs.”
Read on to find out more about the five vulnerable populations to opioid abuse and how you can get help in South Florida.
Which Groups Suffer from Opioid Addiction the Most?
A discussion paper, “The American Opioid Epidemic in Special Populations: Five Examples” by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), highlights vulnerable populations that experience intense opioid abuse and needs professional help the most. They include:
- Justice-involved populations: The paper states those who have been through the justice system are more likely to suffer opioid abuse at a higher rate than the general population. Because many drugs are illegal, those who have severe addictions may commit crimes to get what they desire. Solutions include rehabilitation during or after jail in “community-based programs.” The Florida Department of Corrections has a Burea of Substance Use Treatment, which helps inmates successfully reintegrate into society from “prison to community.”
- Rural populations: Due to economic distress and lack of resources, rural communities experience intense opioid abuse, especially opioid prescriptions. A 2017 report about Florida opioid abuse discovered 29 out of 67 counties had a high prescription rate. About 16 of those countries (55%) were rural. For the rural population to get help, they would have to do telehealth medicine, contact their local AA or NA chapters, or travel to an urban area in Florida.
- Veterans: Severe chronic pain, depression, PTSD, and many factors contribute to veterans being a vulnerable population to opioid abuse. The Veteran’s Assistance (VA) saw a rise in prescription opioids, also resulting in deaths due to misuse. Medication Addiction Treatment (MAT) in the VA, alongside other options like naloxone, has seen a positive development with helping veterans. Moreover, the VA’s increased strategies for treating veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) rose from 27% to 39%. Telehealth may also be beneficial to veterans in rural areas. Also, further expansion and access will provide veterans with the resources they need. There is a Florida Department of Veteran Affairs for those who seek help in the state.
- Adolescents and Young Adults: Individuals between the age of 12 to 24 are at critical risk. According to the paper, “Approximately 74% of individuals between the ages of 18 to 30 receiving substance use disorder treatment reported their age of initiation to be 17 or under.” Peer pressure, stress, and environment contribute to young adults experimenting with drugs, possibly becoming addicted. There are youth programs and drug rehabs (18 and older) to help individuals get into recovery. Florida provides services that connect people to behavioral services throughout the state. On Call Treatment FL will also work with people who are 18 and older.
- People who inject drugs: Outbreaks of HIV and other blood-borne infectious diseases are prevalent amongst those who inject drugs. This has prompted a rise in syringe service programs (SSP) across the country. Florida began an SSP program in June 2019 to reduce the usage of dirty needles by providing cleaner ones. To read more, see “Need Exchange in FL: A New Way to Fight Opioid Addiction and Disease.”
Get Help for Opioid Addiction in South Florida
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