• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate
Break Free

2020 Saw More US Opioid Overdose Deaths Than Ever Before

September 6, 2021 Posted by Patrick Addiction, Blog

Plastic bottle with pillsIn 2019, the opioid crisis killed 49,860 Americans. That’s a tragic number, but 2019 doesn’t compare to 2020 in terms of statistics on opioid deaths. In the 12-month period ending October 2020, a total of 66,047 Americans lost their lives due to opioid overdoses, according to the CDC. They report that this figure is 30% higher than in the previous 12 months.

The Commonwealth Fund reports that 75 percent of all overdose deaths during the early days of the pandemic resulted from opioid abuse. Overall, all drug overdoses — and deaths related to them —have risen significantly in 2020, to a total of 88,295 predicted deaths. The Commonwealth Fund also reports that the final toll on overdoes remains unknown at this time due to the overwhelming increase in deaths.

The Role of the COVID-19 Pandemic 

COVID-19 played a large part in these statistics. Studies show that the pandemic exacerbated the drug obsession that plagues America. The two crises joined forces to wreak even more havoc on individuals experiencing joblessness, isolation, depression, and other mental health conditions.

When faced with all of this heartache, it’s easy to understand why some people become trapped by addiction. Opioids offer an especially pleasurable way to escape the reality of traumatic experiences. But too many people pay the ultimate price for that choice.

Read on to learn more about opioids, the disease of addiction, and how Harris House can help.

The Background on Opioids

Doctors prescribe opioids to treat pain, which seems like a good thing on the surface.  But there is much controversy on how (and how often) medical providers prescribe opioids.  Well-meaning physicians often prescribed opioids for chronic pain, but because they are highly addictive, even the most compliant patients find it hard to stop taking them. When prescription refills are no longer available, many turn to illegal sources.

Prescription Opioids

Opioids that are often prescribed for moderate to severe pain include:

  • oxycodone (OxyContin)
  • hydrocodone (Vicodin)
  • morphine
  • methadone
  • fentanyl

Fentanyl continues to be of particular concern in 2020-2021. Medically, fentanyl is used to treat agonizing pain, especially following surgery, or in advanced and terminal cancer patients. However, fentanyl is such a powerful drug (around 100 times stronger than morphine) that even very small amounts can cause death.

Heroin

Heroin is also an opioid drug that’s made from morphine.  The Bayer Pharmaceutical Company made heroin commercially available in 1898. Despite the fact that it’s been illegal since 1924, in 2019, around 40 people in the United States died each day from a heroin overdose.

Break FreeA Relapsing Disease

Drug addiction is a chronic disease with a high rate of relapse. Addiction changes brain chemistry, making the temptation of drugs and alcohol hard to resist. Successful addiction requires treatment requires:

  • constant management like any other chronic disease
  • patience and knowledge to manage this disease
  • resources to move forward into a productive, happy life.

How Harris House Can Help

Inpatient and outpatient drug rehab are effective ways for people struggling with alcohol and drugs to learn to manage their disease. Harris House specializes in drug and alcohol rehab programs focusing on the whole person that offer a way for people to break free of addiction to opioids or other drugs, including alcohol.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the debilitating effects of abuse, call us to learn about admissions.

Share
0

About Patrick

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
Patrick has contributed 16 entries to our website, so far.View entries by Patrick

    You also might be interested in

    Hope for Recovery is Alive!

    Apr 2, 2016

    There is always hope, and always an opportunity for you[...]

    Growing Gratitude in the Garden of Your Mind

    Apr 19, 2016

    You don’t have to pretend that negative things don’t exist.[...]

    How Trauma Affects the Brain

    Apr 11, 2016

    Psychological trauma occurs when it is not possible to process[...]

    Recent Posts

    • A Guide to Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers
    • What to Look for When Searching for the Right Rehab Facilities in St. Louis
    • The Benefits of a Holistic Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction – The Solution You’ve Been Searching For
    • What to Expect from Your 28-Day Residential Treatment Program
    • The Difference Between Intensive Inpatient Therapy (24-Hour Drug Rehab Centers) and Other Facilities

    Insurance Providers

    Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

    Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

    Credentialing Partners

    Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

    DMH Carf BBB United Way

    Contact Us

    Let your recovery begin

    We're here to help.

    Please reach out with any questions

    CONTACT US

    314-631-4299

    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate

    Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

    Harris HouseHarris House
    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
    About Us
    Treatments
    Resources
    Gallery
    Contact Us
    Donate

    For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals. Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated non-profit treatment center.

    CALL US TODAY

    314-631-4299

    2706 S. River Rd
    St. Charles, MO 63303

    8315 South Broadway
    St. Louis, MO 63111

    © 2023 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

    Prev Next