Opioid Overdose Crisis in PA: Facts&Stats To Be Aware Of

The State of Pennsylvania has faced many different challenges in the past; however, the opioid overdose crisis in PA seems to be one of the worst public health and safety crises the state has ever encountered. There’s a growing number of people using drugs and prescription drugs on a daily basis. While the constant use of opioids has a number of negative effects on one’s health, overdosing is the worst possible scenario. We here at Little Creek Recovery always advocate for getting help in a timely manner and avoiding even the slightest chance of overdosing. You shouldn’t hesitate to contact us if you or someone you love is suffering from opioid addiction.

What are opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs with highly addictive properties. They produce a variety of effects on the brain, including the relief of any pain. Prescription opioids are used to block pain signals between the brain and the body. They are used to treat moderate to severe pain, but they can have a variety of additional effects. Opioids have the ability to make a person feel happy and relaxed, ultimately reaching that state that’s informally known as ‘being high.’

Opioids can be both prescription drugs, as well as street drugs. Heroin is the most frequently used street drug, with Oxycodone, Codeine, Fentanyl, and Vicodin being the most commonly misused prescription drugs. Because these drugs cause a severe form of addiction, a person oftentimes needs to begin treatment by attending MAT detox for drug addiction. By using FDA-approved drugs, healthcare professionals will aim to lessen the negative symptoms of withdrawal and provide you with better chances of long-term recovery.

The road to recovery after prolonged opioid misuse can be long and scary. But those who make up their mind to work on their health and sobriety can definitely combat their addiction. You can always seek the necessary treatment in our men’s residential Pennsylvania rehab facility.

Opioid overdose crisis in PA – the scary statistical data

• In 2016, as many as 4,642 Pennsylvanians died from overdoses, which signifies a 37% increase compared to the year before.
• On average, 14 Pennsylvanians die every day from opioid overdoses.
• Since the beginning of 2018, there were 44,111 ER visits related to the use of opioids.
• In the year 2021, 5,224 Pennsylvanians died from opioid overdoses.

What is being done to help fight the raging opioid crisis in Pennsylvania?

As this is one of the biggest public health and safety hazards, the State of Pennsylvania is doing everything in its power to work on resolving the issue. For starters, the state is working on arresting drug dealers who sell both street drugs and prescription drugs. On average, there are four arrests being made every day. Since January 2017, more than 29 tons of drugs have been destroyed, saving countless people from ever being on the verge of overdosing.

The state is also working on including better health practices, where prescription drugs will be given only when absolutely deemed necessary. Moreover, the doctors and nurses are focused on monitoring these patients and explaining the importance of taking these drugs as instructed. Due to their highly addictive tendencies, even the slightest deviation from the instructions can have devastating effects. Unfortunately, the patients who are given these drugs aren’t always the ones that end up having a problem. Some family members will steal prescription drugs, further deepening the opioid overdose crisis in PA.

Finally, there are many rehab facilities all over Pennsylvania that offer to provide the necessary treatment for opioid misuse. They have locations in different parts of the state, and they all offer unique treatment plans. Those Pennsylvanians who wish to get better can do so by finding a facility that works best for their needs and budget.

How can one battle their opioid addiction?

The first step always happens to be the most difficult one – and that’s admitting that you have a problem. Oftentimes, people enter our facilities only after having an intervention. That’s why there’s an entire family program in PA where a recovering addict’s family can be included. It’s one’s family that plays an integral part when it comes to one’s sobriety. Of course, recovery isn’t possible until a person decides that they want to get better. Motivation and determination are the two necessary things that help fight opioid addiction.

People who have a mild form of opioid addiction can attempt to get better without any professional assistance. However, if you have been using drugs for quite some time, it would be good to think about rehab. Mild and severe forms of addiction require a professional touch and a unique treatment. Since addiction is a unique disease, there are many different programs out there. By choosing the one that’s most suitable for your needs, you’ll be able to put an end to your addiction.

Different treatment programs that help fight an opioid overdose crisis in PA

At Little Creek Recovery, we offer a number of treatment programs that are suitable for people with different forms of addiction. If you are looking for help with your heroin addiction in PA, the best course of action is to consult with professionals. They can recommend the best course of treatment for you. You will have the following treatment plans at your disposal.

1. Men’s residential – Inpatient program

People who have a severe form of addiction to opioid drugs should start by attending inpatient treatment. How can you tell that you are an ideal candidate for this program? This depends on your ability to function without drugs. If you are unable to go through your day without these substances, then you should go with this program.

Inpatient treatment entails 24/7 surveillance and monitoring. A person attending inpatient programs will have to live inside clinical or residential housing facilities. That’s because the severe nature of their addiction requires them to have constant support at the initial stages. Not only will they receive appropriate medications, but they will also have access to different forms of therapy.

2. Outpatient program

People with opioid addiction can also seek help in treatment centers that offer outpatient treatment in PA. This form of treatment is recommended for people with a moderate addiction. If you have just started experimenting with opioids, you might be able to seek outpatient care. What makes these programs different than inpatient ones is the fact that individuals get to live in their own homes.

Of course, they still need to attend therapy for a certain number of days and hours. Most treatment facilities will offer a few different types of Outpatient treatment. We here at Little Creek Recovery offer two forms of this program –  Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP), and the standard Outpatient program.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is the second most intense form of outpatient treatment. It entails is spending a few hours a day in rehab, and repeating it a few times a week. As this is a less intense form of outpatient treatment, it is mostly suitable for people with moderate addictions. If you can’t function without taking opioids on a daily basis, then this program is not the right one for you. However, if you frequently take opioids but recognize the damage they are inflicting on your health and well-being, then IOP would be a good choice.

A great thing about this form of treatment is that you get a lot of liberty and comfort. Since you’ll have days during the week where you won’t have to attend rehab, you can feel free to engage in your favorite activities. You can also dedicate your time to work and other obligations if you find them important. However, we advise you not to lose sight of what truly matters in the days to come – and that’s your well-being. It’s all good as long as sobriety is the number one priority in your life.

The General Outpatient Program

The General Outpatient Program is usually best for people with mild to moderate opioid addiction. This program entails spending a few hours a day in rehab, once or twice a week. There are many advantages of attending a program that is this flexible – but there are just as many drawbacks. If you are highly dependent on opioids, then this form of treatment will not suffice. People who can benefit the most from this program are those that are using opioids occasionally.

Don’t get us wrong – even occasional use of drugs or prescription drugs is a big problem. After all, this is how a serious addiction to opioids usually begins. However, people who are at this stage can stay far away from the opioid overdose crisis in PA by seeking help. We are very vocal about the fact that you should get help before it gets too late. If you recognize yourself in the above-mentioned scenario, then the General Outpatient Program is the right option for you.

What can you do to battle the opioid overdose crisis in PA?

Many people think that individual actions can’t make a big difference. But that’s simply not true, as every little thing can make a big impact overall. For starters, you shouldn’t take any prescription drugs after the period permitted by your doctor. Some medications should be used for no more than a few days or weeks, as they are highly addictive. Secondly, you should keep a close watch on your medications. If you believe that a family member who has access to them could be abusing these drugs, it’s imperative that you keep them out of sight. Finally, we always advise that you monitor for the signs of addiction in your close ones. The family is usually the first one to notice that a person is abusing opioids. The sooner you can have that intervention, the easier it will be for a person to admit that they need help.

The opioid overdose crisis in PA is a serious threat to every family in Pennsylvania. One never knows when a loved family member will fall prey to addiction. That’s why you should work on things you’re able to do in order to prevent the further growth of this crisis. Rest assured that the State of Pennsylvania is doing everything in its power to reduce the overall number of casualties.