How opioid addicts can get help
The opioid crisis in America has reached epidemic levels, claiming tens of thousands of lives a year. In 2014, there were nearly 19,000 overdose deaths due to opioid painkillers, and more than 10,000 due to heroin.
According to the CDC, 78 people in America die every day from an opioid overdose.
President Obama called it as great a threat as terrorism. The former head of the FDA said he considers the overuse of opioid painkillers one of “great mistakes of modern medicine.”
The CDC recently issued new guidelines for doctors prescribing painkillers in an effort to stop the growing crisis.
In addition, some states -- like Ohio -- are encouraging relatives of addicts to carry an antidote called Narcan. It can be obtained without a prescription in a number of states, and has been credited with saving many lives.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, resources are available. Visit one of the links below:
- Recovery Centers of America
- Hotline: 1-800-RECOVERY
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)
- http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA National Help Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP
- National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
- National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers
- Wicked Sober
- HOPES: Unified Voices For Change
- American Addiction Centers
- Recovering Champions 844-888-5391