Trends show that Americans are choosing healthier foods and exercising more regularly than they have in the past, but a new report from the National Safety Council has revealed a disturbing pattern. Though car crash deaths have plummeted 22% since 2005, accidental deaths have risen 15.5% over the last decade. This sharp increase is attributed to overdose and accidental poisoning deaths increasing 78% over the same period—making them the top accidental killer in the United States.
While some overdose deaths involve children ingesting medications by accident or adults failing to read prescription labels correctly, the majority of overdoses tracked by the National Safety Council are related to chemical dependence.
Opioid Rates Show a Troubling Trend
Opioid overdoses are of particular concern, having killed 13,486 people in 2014. Opioids are a class of medications that includes pain relievers such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet), morphine (Kadian or Avinza), and codeine.
Most people who become addicted to these drugs begin with a legitimate prescription for acute or chronic pain, but progress to addiction when they develop an increased tolerance. In other cases, these individuals experience withdrawal symptoms after attempting to discontinue the medication, so they return to a high dose to ward off unsettling symptoms.
Opioid addicts often resort to seeing multiple doctors, forging prescriptions, or stealing medication from others in pursuit of the high they crave. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opioid addiction may also be a gateway to heroin use.
Don’t Become Another Statistic
Many people perceive prescription drugs as a “safer” alternative to illegal street drugs, but both types of addiction can have serious or even fatal consequences. If you are struggling with an addiction to prescription medications, opioids, or other drugs, 10 Acre Ranch can help. Call us at 877.228.4679 to learn more about our men’s-only addiction recovery program.
Our compassionate, experienced admissions team is available 24/7 to verify insurance benefits or provide comprehensive information about payment options for clients without insurance. Come to the Ranch—and experience the best in evidence-based CA rehab for yourself or a loved one.
