It is no secret that Utah and the entire Nation is facing an opioid epidemic. According to the CDC, Utah’s opioid overdoses and deaths is an epidemic. 24 people died from prescription drug overdoses every month in Utah from 2012-2014, which is more than deaths due to falls, firearms, and motor vehicle crashes in the same years. In 2014, in Utah, six people per week, died because of overdosing on prescription opioids. The Utah Violent Death Reporting System says that Carbon/Emery Counties, Taylorsville (East)/Murray (West), and Ogden (Downtown) have a higher prescription opioid death rate compared to the state. From 2000 to 2014, Utah experienced a near 400% increase in deaths from misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. 59% of all prescription pain medications in Utah involved oxycodone in 2014. In 2011-2015 The State of Utah Health Department saw 554 deaths from overdoses. Opioids in Utah, as well as the rest of the country, are a very serious issue.
How Addiction Starts with Opioids in Utah
Many people start taking opioids for a surgery or for chronic pain under the supervision of their doctor who is prescribing the opioid painkillers. They follow the prescription directions on the label and given by their doctor, but eventually they develop a tolerance to the medication and need more or a stronger dose to feel the same results or feel them “working.” Some doctors will increase the dose depending on the patient and their circumstances but when they cannot find a doctor to do that many people may start doctor shopping or getting new doctors to write new prescriptions or even multiple doctors to write multiple prescriptions. When that doesn’t work, they may start to buy the pills illegally from street dealers. Buying these pills can be costly and many of them turn to other opiates like heroin that are far cheaper.
Combating the Epidemic of Opioids in Utah
One way to combat the opioid epidemic is to stop it at the beginning. Doctors are being asked to be more vigilant of their patients that are using opioid painkillers. Patients who are prescribed opioid painkillers are asked to be vigilant of their pills to make sure other family members or friends are not taking them and also to be vigilant of themselves. If patients feel like they are building a tolerance or not feeling the effects as well should talk to their doctors about this and see if their are other options that can help them such as diet, exercise, massage, or physical therapies to help lessen the pain they feel. Patients are also asked to return any unused medications so that they are not just sitting around for anyone to have access to.
Recently the Utah Department of Health held a month long campaign during the month of May to combat opioid overdoses in Utah. It also helps to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic and the dangers of the medication. Some people do not realize how easy or serious this addiction is. Pharmacists at Utah Harmons and Smiths placed red stickers on opioid prescriptions. These red stickers said “Caution: Opioid. Risk of Overdose and Addiction.” Pharmacists ask patients when they pick up their prescriptions if they know how they are supposed to use the prescription and/or if they know the risks with the medication. Many prescriptions have warnings such as not to mix with alcohol or other medications but many people do not follow these warnings. These warnings are on the bottles for a reason and it is because they are very real, especially with opioids. Mixing opioid prescriptions with other depressants, such as alcohol or sleeping medications, can lead to severely slowed or stopped breathing in the user, it can also cause overdoses even if the prescription is used as recommended (not a higher dose). These red stickers also have a link on them for users to go to and learn more information about opiate overdoses.
Pharmacists & Opioids in Utah
The Utah Department of Health, the Utah Pharmacy Association, and the Utah Department of Commerce are all hoping that this sticker will encourage a dialogue between patients and pharmacists about the dangers of using their prescriptions and teach them what dangerous effects to look for. Pharmacists can let the patients know the proper use, storage, and disposal as well as providing naloxone for emergencies of overdose. Naloxone can save the lives of and reverse opioid overdose when given in a timely and proper manner. The hope is that by providing the information and opening the dialogue between doctors, patients, pharmacists and families, people will become more aware and more vigilant in fighting for their own health and their friends and families. The information link on the stickers and mentioned above tells people which drugs are opioids, how they can take action themselves, how to get treatment if they need it, the signs and symptoms of an overdose, and other people’s personal stories.
Get Treatment for Addiction to Opioids in Utah
If you think that you or someone you love may be addicted to opioid prescriptions, there is help for them. If you’re ready, we’re here to listen 1-888-986-7848. Recovery Ways, the premier opioid drug rehab in Utah, can help by providing medically assisted detox, the proper level of care, and life-time support for long-term sobriety and recovery.
