Even though prescription opioids are designed to relieve pain, the misuse of these prescription drugs has led to a national crisis. Massachusetts has been especially affected by the opioid epidemic. In 2015, more than 1,000 of the state’s residents died from opioid-related causes. To help combat the state’s opioid crisis, Governor Charlie Baker, along with the state’s Department of Public Health and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, released the Action Plan to Address the Opioid Epidemic in the Commonwealth.
Although the action plan did initially help curtail the opioid crisis in Massachusetts, the COVID-19 pandemic has since worsened the state’s situation. In addition to having one of the highest opioid-involved overdose death rates in the country, Massachusetts faces a higher risk from opioids than many other states, according to researchers. Here’s what you need to know about opioids, what’s happening in Massachusetts, and what we’re doing to help.
Opioids are a group of drugs derived from the opium poppy plant. Opioids can take the form of illicit street drugs or FDA-approved medications, but the majority of opioids are prescribed by doctors to relieve acute and chronic pain. Generally, doctors use opioids to help ease pain after surgery, a traumatic sports injury, or a severe accident. Sometimes, doctors prescribe opioids to help individuals manage cancer-related pain. Regardless of why they’re prescribed, all prescription opioids relieve pain the same way.
Opioids work by attaching themselves to proteins in the brain called opioid receptors. Opioids then begin to block pain signals in the brain, diminishing the perception of pain throughout the body. Individuals experience this reduced perception of pain as pain relief. In addition to blocking pain signals, opioids stimulate the production and release of excessive amounts of dopamine in the brain, creating a temporary feeling of pleasure in the body. Even though they are illegal, opioid street drugs like heroin work the same way.
Even though opioids are mostly safe when taken as prescribed, the drugs do have a high risk of abuse. As such, taking higher doses of opioids or consuming the medication more frequently than prescribed can lead to misuse, abuse, addiction, and in some cases, overdose.
Even though the opioid epidemic continues to claim lives throughout the United States, the crisis has especially affected Massachusetts. The state’s opioid-related death rate is more than twice the national average. Let’s look at some of the most recent updates on the opioid crisis in Massachusetts.
Despite numerous policy changes and initiatives, Massachusetts continues to have one of the highest opioid-related death rates in the country. Even though researchers don’t fully understand the state’s opioid vulnerability, they have uncovered a few reasons why the state’s opioid crisis seems to be worsening.
Here at Meta, we’re proud to call Massachusetts home. That’s why we work hard to help curb the state’s opioid crisis. Our outpatient treatment programs can help you overcome addiction challenges while maintaining your day-to-day routines. Opioids don’t have to continue to control your life.
Our opioid addiction program can help you:
Let us help you change your life. Contact us today to speak with one of our recovery experts and learn more.
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