One of the most significant hurdles preventing the treatment of many substance use disorders is withdrawal. Many people who have never had a substance abuse problem don’t understand that “quitting cold turkey” isn’t a viable option. Aside from feeling awful, withdrawal can cause many other issues, making it nearly impossible for a person to function. Recovering from a substance use disorder takes time, commitment, and, most importantly, support.
The opioid crisis has emerged as one of the United States’ most pressing healthcare challenges. Every person with an opioid addiction has a story about getting where they are. All these people have one thing in common – they never expected to become an addict.
Last year, over 50,000 people died in the United States because of overdosing on opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. If you have opioid use disorder, there is a 4% chance that you will die within a year. If left untreated, you have a 40% chance of not making it to the next decade.
While fentanyl alone continues to be the cause of fatal overdoses at an alarming rate, there’s been an even greater surge in overdose deaths recently, causing experts to take a closer look at the toxicology reports.
Inmates in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction have a unique opportunity to receive high-quality drug-addiction treatment, thanks in part to an innovative program introduced by Community Medical Services (CMS).