Written by: Mitchell Panter • January 15, 2022• Legally Speaking Safety

Opioids: Strongest Contributor to Sharp Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths

Driven primarily by the opioid epidemic, drug overdose deaths have reached over 100,000 annually, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report highlights overdose deaths from synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl), psychostimulants like methamphetamines and cocaine.

The Dangers of Synthetic Opioids

Experts contribute the rise in overdose deaths to the increased use of fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic, as recently reported by CNN. The pandemic has also caused synthetic opioids to be more readily available than their “natural” opiate counterparts, partly due to supply chain breakdowns. This caused users to seek out other new sources, increasing the possibility of overdose because the drug could be cut with a stronger and more powerful substance unbeknownst to the consumer. For example, an opioid cut with fentanyl will be 100 times more powerful than the same drug cut by morphine.

Common Signs of Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid addiction or dependency is known medically as “opioid use disorder.” The disorder is classified by the inability to abstain from taking opioids and a daily life centered around opioid use resulting in disastrous consequences. Johns Hopkins Medicine lists 12 signs of opioid abuse, and they are as follows:

The inability to control opioid use
Cravings, which a person cannot control
Sleepiness or exhaustion
Changes in sleeping patterns
Sudden weight loss
Recurring flu-like symptoms
Decrease in libido
Disregard of general hygiene
Change in exercise habits
Withdrawal or isolation from friends and family
Stealing from friends, family, or businesses
Novel financial struggles
What to Do if a Loved One Is Abusing Opioids

If a friend or family member suspects a loved one is addicted to opioids, the best course of action is to immediately contact their physician. Medical professionals may provide treatment for opioid use disorder or may refer an individual to a treatment facility. Common medications for the treatment of opioid addiction include methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. When combined with physiological support programs, these medications can be surprisingly effective in helping an addicted individual recover.

Call a Dangerous Drug Attorney

Often, individuals find themselves in the midst of an opioid use disorder when the medication is wrongly prescribed, the appropriate dosage is not followed or an illicit version of the drug is consumed. In terms of personal injury law, the first of these fall into the realm of medical malpractice, while the product or drug itself may also be at fault under the legal term of product liability.

If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed or died from a prescription drug overdose, you should immediately call a dangerous drug attorney. The lawyers of Panter, Panter & Sampedro have the experience and resources to help you recover what you deserve. For a free case review, call 305.662.6178.

Sources: https://apple.news/AnVWpb6BLR9mTrcrF_IiQNA; https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm; https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/data/analysis-resources.html; https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2021/spike-drug-overdose-deaths-during-covid-19-pandemic-and-policy-options-move-forward; https://recoverycentersofamerica.com/blogs/opiate-vs-opioid-do-you-know-the-difference/; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/how-to-tell-if-a-loved-one-is-abusing-opioids/art-20386038; https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/opioid-addiction/; https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/opioids/signs-of-opioid-abuse.html; https://panterlaw.com/product-liability/dangerous-drugs/

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