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Understanding the Severity of the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic, a global health crisis, has wrought profound devastation, claiming countless lives and straining communities with its far-reaching consequences.
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In 2017, a public health emergency was declared due to the opioid drug epidemic.

The pharmaceutical companies convinced doctors that opioid pain relievers were not addictive for twenty years, and they began to overprescribe them with little oversight.

It was too late by the time science caught up and recognized how addictive and destructive they were. Millions of people have been adversely affected by the opioid epidemic, and the pharmaceutical companies have shouldered most of the blame. Not only were the abusers of opioids the victims of the drug companies’ unchecked greed, but just like with the crack epidemic, newborn babies of addicts experienced withdrawal symptoms due to extensive opioid use during their mothers’ pregnancies. There were 42,000 deaths due to opioid overdoses in 2016. That was more than any of the previous years on record. In 2019, almost 50,000 people died from opioid overdoses. There is a long way to go before this opioid epidemic is over. However, help is available at Paramount Recovery Centers. Our opioid addiction treatment program helps people to begin and then maintain recovery. If you or someone you care about is stuck in the endless cycle of opioid addiction, reach out to our Paramount Recovery Centers team today by completing our online form.

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understanding the severity of the opioid epidemic

Opioid Addiction & The Opioid Epidemic in MA

Many people have had their lives upended by opioid addiction in MA. It is a chronic disease that is the cause of major health conditions. It is a narcotic that works as a strong pain reliever, affecting the nervous system. People are prescribed it by a doctor to manage continuing pain, but in the end, the addiction is worse than the pain it was prescribed for. Some of the most commonly prescribed opioids are:

  • Fentanyl
  • Oxycodone
  • Codeine
  • Methadone
  • Buprenorphine
  • Oxymorphone
  • Hydrocodone
  • Morphine

Opioid Epidemic By the Numbers

Consider some of the statistics about the opioid epidemic:

  • 1.6 million people had an opioid problem in 2020
  • 745,00 people used heroin in 2020
  • 50,00 people used heroin for the first time in 2020
  • 14,480 people died from heroin overdoses between June 2019 and June 2020
  • 2 million people used methamphetamine in 2020
  • 1.6 million people abused prescription painkillers in 2020
  • 10.1 million people abused prescription opioids in 2020
  • 70,630 people died from drug overdoses in 2019
  • 48,006 deaths caused by an overdose of synthetic opioids other than methadone from June 2019 to June 2020

Opioid Addiction Treatment in MA

At Paramount Recovery Centers in Southborough, MA, our medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is one of the most effective treatments for opioid addiction. The severity of the addiction makes it unlikely that you will be able to kick the habit without the intervention of prescribed medicine. MAT does not address only the opioid addiction but is known as a whole patient therapy, which attributes greatly to your success in recovering from this addiction.

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If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and mental health problems, contact our drug and alcohol rehab center in the Greater Boston area to talk confidentially with an addiction specialist. For immediate help, call (978) 878-3677 or fill out the form below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Behavioral Therapies

Our team also provides a wide range of behavioral therapies, including:

  • Motivational interviewing (MI) in MA – Focuses on the reasons you may not want to undergo drug treatment, and confronting this paradox while you are under the hold of addiction allows you to take control of your recovery
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in MA– Reveals the motivations and causes behind your drug use and allows you to address these problems and cope with them more successfully
  • 12-Step program in MA – Discuss your struggles in a group setting with other people who are experiencing what you are currently going through and can offer support now and in the future during your recovery

Embrace Opioid Addiction Treatment at Paramount Recovery Centers

The opioid epidemic affected millions of people. At Paramount Recovery in Southborough, Massachusetts, we have an extensive treatment program that effectively confronts your addiction with an empathetic and caring approach where you work in tandem with your therapists to find a workable solution to your problem. We offer upscale accommodations in a tranquil setting that will put you at ease and make your stay as comfortable as possible. Reach out to our team today online for you to take the first step on your journey to wellness and recovery.

Medically Reviewed By
Brooke Palladino

Brooke Palladino is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She is a graduate of Plymouth State University with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and her Masters of Science in Nursing from Rivier University. She has over 9 years of experience with a background in critical care and providing safe individualized care to her patients and their families during difficult times. She has been trained to help treat individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Brooke is committed to delivering the highest standards of care including close collaboration with her clients and the talented interdisciplinary team at Paramount Recovery Center.

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