When it comes to finding understanding the path that takes people into substance misuse, it is vital to understand where the problem begins. According to a new report, the most common reasons for someone to fall into substance misuse treatment stems from using alcohol and marijuana – closely followed by prescription opioids. A new CDC report looked at data from close to 400 different treatment centers, and some common occurrences became apparent.
For one, they found that some 66 million Americans reported drinking four or more drinks within a two-hour window. Around 36 million said they had used prescription pain relief and/or illicit drugs within the past month. Many turn to these drugs and recreational solutions as a coping mechanism for problems at home, in their professional lives, and beyond.
The report looked at 399 different treatment centers, most of which were built around substance abuse treatment. However, this also included treatment facilities for those who drive whilst intoxicated, probation offices, and various other locations that would provide data.
In total, 49,138 different adults were assessed for their treatment planning. Some 63.4% were male, and 67% lived within a metropolitan area. About 45.4% of the adults who were undergoing assessment admitted severe issues with drugs – this was often driven by issues in their personal and/or professional lives. The pandemic has only exasperated the situation for many.
The pandemic meant that many found their typical choice of drug was not going to be available, and thus they had to turn to other solutions – or simply heavily abuse one particular substance.
While the pandemic easing has meant this has become less of an issue, it is still a clear problem in some communities.
Opioid epidemic playing its part in this cocktail of problems
The CDC also found that overdose death, including overdose death using opioids, has surged to over 100,000 in 2022 already. Given the years-long problems of improper prescription treatments, many who find the prescriptions unaffordable are turning to cheaper ‘solutions’ that are more likely to bring about overdosing and death. The report found a worrying number of people who seemed to have eschewed prescription treatment for more powerful – and dangerous – options such as using heroine.
Fentanyl has also become a serious issue, creating a year-on-year problem for the overdose crisis that shows no signs of slowing down. It is easy to see why. A combination of the social problems faced in the country combined with the pandemic pushing many people into desperation, overuse of stimulants, recreational drugs, and prescription opioids has become the ‘go-to’ way to cope for many people.
Indeed, 2021 saw a whopping 10,000 more opioid overdose deaths than in 2020, and fentanyl was found in many of the overdose deaths. This was also worryingly seen with the presence of fentanyl within other substances, including cocaine, creating a double-whammy cocktail for those resorting to such solutions.
Solutions are thin, and reports like this only help to further showcase how serious these issues have become. How fixable these problems are, too, is hard to say. With the opioid crisis solution often being to simply limit access, others are turning to more illicit drug sources as a form of treatment – that creates another crisis within a crisis, creating a dangerous problem for the long-term health of the nation.
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