Opioids Research Paper

Opioids: An American Epidemic

Freeman 1

Opioids: An American Epidemic

Abstract
This paper covers the research and ideas supporting the hypothesis that prescription opioids are one of the fastest growing epidemics throughout America. People all over America are affected by the addiction of pain medication. While some people believe this to be a safe alternative way to get high, that is not the case. Prescription opioids are extremely dangerous, highly addictive and even lethal. They are extremely hard to overcome and the consequences of the addiction can be detrimental. People all over, from all ages, and all races are tied into addiction. To help break the chains of addiction there have been many forms for recovery and treatment made available to
That’s an increase of 350 percent at a time when the population increased by 19 percent.”(Colvin, Rod M.D, 2008) As a result in the higher number of prescriptions filled many of these narcotics wind up on the streets.
Another reason thought to influence the epidemic is today’s role models. This is especially true with teenagers and young adults. Rising technology allows people to have a sense of instant gratification. Through cell phones, Facebook, instant messaging and the internet, the new generation has become spoiled with these luxuries. With these luxuries people are now able to follow their favorite actors and actresses, musicians and celebrities through the news,
Facebook and Twitter. While some of the celebrities that today’s youth look up to are positive role models, we have others that are not. The news is filled with celebrities being sent to rehab facilities for their use of drugs and alcohol. Today you can’t even turn on the radio without being exposed to music that glorifies the use of drugs. Eminem released a song singing specifically on almost every type of pill you can imagine. With the glamourizing of drug abuse that is
They provide different ways to help addicts overcome addiction and move forward with their lives. There are two different types of rehabs. One is a residential inpatient rehab facility that an addict stays at for a period of time.
This can be for as little as two weeks or as long as years. Trained professionals are constantly on sight and work with addicts through different ways to help understand addiction and learn how to overcome addiction. The other type of rehabilitation center is what is called outpatient treatment centers. These are less hands on and require the addict to come into the office at scheduled times. These too have trained professionals that help people to overcome the addiction. All over
America centers to help addicts overcome their addiction are sprouting up. You see it on the television, the internet and hear it on the radio. With the increasing number of addicts throughout
America rehabilitation centers are growing in size and numbers. Another way that society is attempting to reach out to these addicts is through court programs. Many times when a person is charged with a drug related criminal offense the courts will give them the option to enter a