It’s been roughly eight months since the coronavirus has been in the United States. The long-term effects may be coming into play, which does not bode well for those in recovery.
One of the longest drug problems in America is the opioid crisis. Since the late 1990s, this has been an issue and only gets worse. Briefly, in 2018, there was a small improvement. Now all those improvements are being erased, and the problems are accelerating.
Florida, a state that fights substance abuse and the opioid crisis, may see problems worsen.
Read on to find out more why the opioid crisis may become worse, especially in the state of Florida. Also, how you can get help for opioid abuse.
Factors that Contribute to the Opioid Crisis Worsening
One of the biggest factors contributing to drug abuse, are financial hardships.
In April, Pew Research Center conducted a survey that found COVID-19 resulted in wages or job loss. Who is hurting the most? Lower-income individuals:
Source: PRC
Since April, some states and cities have opened for business, only to have another spike in coronavirus cases, causing more lockdowns, and inevitably more job losses. Currently, the unemployment rate is 10.2%.
Another problem has occurred due to lockdowns, were the pausing of elective surgeries. These surgeries were put on hold to allow hospitals not to reach capacity as they take care of coronavirus patients. While they wait for their surgeries, many are given opioids to ease the pain. However, because of increased waiting time, they may be on their opioids longer, increasing dependence.
According to Fortune, “Delaying surgery means patients will be taking these medications for longer before they’re treated, greatly increasing the odds that they’ll become dependent. Even patients who’ve never used opioids before surgery have a 10% chance of becoming dependent. But patients who’ve been using opioids to manage pain before surgery have a 70% chance of remaining on opioids years later. Cancer patients who need chemotherapy after their surgeries are also at a higher risk of long-term opioid use.”
Moving on to drug overdose deaths, the chart below shows the upward trend followed by a minor decrease in 2018, only for it to increase again.
Source: New York Times (NYT) via CDC
Why the minor decrease in 2018? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2018, an average of 41 people died each day from overdoses involving prescription opioids, totaling nearly 15,000 deaths. While prescription opioids were involved in 32% of all opioid overdose deaths in 2018, there was a 13.5% decrease in prescription opioid-involved death rates from 2017 to 2018.”
Source: New York Times (NYT) via CDC
For Florida, there has been a jump in overdose deaths, thanks to fentanyl and other related opioids. According to the New York Times, “Fentanyl deaths are also increasing in several states that had experienced reductions in overdose deaths over all in 2018. Much of the national decline in 2018 came in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, all states with fentanyl in the opioid supply. Deaths in Ohio and Florida rebounded in 2019.”
How to Get Help for Opioid Abuse in South Florida
Due to the coronavirus and some substantial data, the opioid crisis may become worse than last year, after rebounding from a slight decrease in 2018. If you need professional help, do not hesitate during these difficult times.
On Call Treatment FL is willing will work with you to ensure you get the treatment you deserve at your convenience.
Contact On Call Treatment FL, a South Florida drug rehab—available 24 Hours, 7 days a week, call us NOW 1-(855)-492-1515.