Overdose of Opioids in the United States

Opioids are class of illegal drugs such as heroin which are powerful painkillers
including oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine among others. It is estimated that in 2016,
more than 42,000 deaths linked opioid drugs were reported, while in the year 2017 an
estimated of 70,200 deaths were associated with the opioid drug abuse, . 40% of the
mortality entailed opioid prescription. Many patients in US are receiving emergency
treatment for opioid overuse. An average of 115 Americans die from the overdose of opioids
and has been rated as the leading cause of death in US, (Kolodny et al., 2015).
The associated side effects of opioites usage entailed diverse adverse effects on organ
systems. This effects include sleep disturbances, constipation, respiratory distress and central
nervous system effects. Associated side effects include dizziness and sedation and related
musculoskeletal effects affecting the osteoporosis lead to an increase in fracture risks,
(Baldini, Von Korff & Lin, 2012).
Hypogonadism has been associated with sexual dysfunction effects and infertility cases
which lead to damage on the endocrine system. Further recent studies has established
negative and harmful effects on cardiovascular system such as elevated myocardial infarction
or heart failure which is also related to pneumonia risks among the elderly due to
immunosuppression,(Dublin et al., 2011).
Opiates misuse due to prescription is a rising drug addiction problem currently in
United States. The daily prescription is associated with opioid overdose risks. Opioid therapy
has significant beneficial effects however long term use leads to harmful effects and
addiction.
References
Baldini, A., Von Korff, M., & Lin, E. H. (2012). A review of potential adverse effects of
long-term opioid therapy: a practitioner’s guide. The primary care companion to CNS
disorders, 14(3).
Dublin, S., Walker, R. L., Jackson, M. L., Nelson, J. C., Weiss, N. S., Von Korff, M., &
Jackson, L. A. (2011). Use of opioids or benzodiazepines and risk of pneumonia in
older adults: a population‐based case–control study. Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society, 59(10), 1899-1907.
Kolodny, A., Courtwright, D. T., Hwang, C. S., Kreiner, P., Eadie, J. L., Clark, T. W., &
Alexander, G. C. (2015). The prescription opioid and heroin crisis: a public health
approach to an epidemic of addiction. Annual review of public health, 36, 559-574.