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Despite decades of warnings to the contrary, too many people still treat drugs and alcohol like they're nothing but a good time, leading to many deaths and countless lives affected. In this blog, we examine the number of overdose deaths over the last several years and what the trends have looked like over time. We'll also consider the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths, which groups of people are experiencing the most deaths involving drug use, and why overdose deaths seem to be getting worse over time. Lastly, we'll consider what can be done to prevent more deaths due to drug overdose. ⬇️

Despite decades of warnings, too many people still treat drugs and alcohol like they're nothing but a good time, leading to many deaths and countless lives affected. 💊  In this blog, we examine the number of overdose deaths over the last several years and what the trends have looked like over time. We'll also consider the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths, which groups of people are experiencing the most deaths involving drug use, and why overdose deaths seem to be getting worse over time. Lastly, we'll consider what can be done to prevent more deaths due to drug overdose. ⬇️ 

The CDC's Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts webpage offers updated statistics on drug overdose deaths within the United States, including those due to opioids. The data, derived from the National Vital Statistics System, tracks mortality figures to provide early insights into overdose trends. These provisional counts reflect ongoing investigations and are adjusted to account for reporting delays. Importantly, this data helps identify increases or decreases in overdose deaths, supporting public health responses and policy planning. For comprehensive details, visit the CDC's page on drug overdose data. US Safeguards mission is to join in this war against drugs and prevention of overdose deaths. If you want to prevent fentanyl-related deaths, educate loved ones and community members, and increase survival rates after rehabilitation, let's start a dialogue. https://lnkd.in/dU8rsH-J

The insidious pandemic of prescription drug misuse is sweeping across America, quietly decimating lives from coast to coast. Unmasking Prescription Drugs: The Hidden Crisis and its Sweeping Consequences exposes the stark reality of this issue, highlighting the urgent need for collective action. Prescription drugs, originally designed as therapeutic solutions, are increasingly becoming agents of harm. The misuse of these substances can fuel addiction, pose life-threatening risks, and precipitate an erosion of quality of life. The opioid crisis is a stark testament to this, with the misuse of potent painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone leading to cycles of dependence, withdrawal, and relapse. This journey often begins with a legitimate prescription for pain management, but the euphoria these drugs can induce can lure individuals into a vortex of escalating misuse. The societal cost of this crisis is immense, straining healthcare systems, fracturing communities, and blighting lives across all demographics. The battle against prescription drug abuse calls for comprehensive strategies, early identification, and most importantly, preventive measures. As we confront this hidden crisis, the emphasis must shift towards non-pharmacological interventions such as therapy, lifestyle changes, and preventive education. Dispelling the illusion of safety surrounding prescription drugs, raising awareness of their potential dangers, and promoting responsible use are critical steps in this battle. The time to act is now. Let's unmask the hidden crisis of prescription drug misuse and work collectively towards a healthier, safer society. Protect our loved ones, our communities, and ourselves from the sweeping consequences of this silent epidemic. #PrescriptionDrugMisuse #OpioidCrisis #NonPharmacologicalInterventions #DrugAbusePrevention #HealthcareCrisis Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eCuSRTER

The leading route of use in drug overdose deaths changed from injection during January–June 2020 (22.7% of deaths) compared with ingestion (15.2%), snorting (13.6%), and smoking (13.3%) to smoking during July–December 2022 (23.1% of deaths). #stopoverdose #harmreduction #opioids #publichealth https://lnkd.in/gSDXYs9f).

Opioids are a not-so-silent killer. In 2020, almost 75% of drug overdose deaths involved an opioid. Since 1999, overdose deaths involving #opioids have increased by more than eight times. Opioids are incredibly addictive, and many people who use heroin start with prescription opioid pain relievers. What exactly do these drugs do to your body? More specifically, how do opioids impact your heart? In this article, we talk about how these drugs impact your body’s engine in both the short and long run. Click to read it. ⬇️

Nearly a million adults in the United States live with multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative disease that causes the immune system to damage the nerves in the central nervous system. There is no known cure for this lifelong condition, though some scientists believe medical marijuana can be beneficial in treating some of its symptoms. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary with each person. Since this disease affects the cells in the brain and spinal cord, some patients may lose their ability to walk, while others may have trouble moving their limbs. Those living with MS may also face vision problems and loss of balance, among other serious disabilities. Learn how cannabis may help: https://hubs.li/Q02DSZS_0

The leading route of use in drug overdose deaths changed from injection during January–June 2020 (22.7% of deaths) compared with ingestion (15.2%), snorting (13.6%), and smoking (13.3%) to smoking during July–December 2022 (23.1% of deaths). #stopoverdose #harmreduction #opioids #publichealth https://lnkd.in/gUs43RNN).

In this article, we will take a look at the 15 states with the highest drug overdose death rates in the US. If you want to skip our discussion on the drug crisis, you can go directly to the 5 States With The Highest Drug Overdose Death Rates In The US.

Prescription opioids and heroin are chemically similar and can produce a similar high. Heroin is cheaper and easier to get than prescription opioids, so some people switch to using heroin instead. The National Institute on Drug Abuse data showed that in 2011 an estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids switched to heroin and about 80 percent of people who used heroin first misused prescription opioids. More recent data suggest that heroin is frequently the first opioid people use. In a study of those entering treatment for opioid use disorder, approximately one-third reported heroin as the first opioid they used regularly to get high. Are you or a loved one struggling with opioid use disorder? Crossroads can help. Please visit https://hubs.ly/Q02Gs3gB0 to learn more. #heroin #opioidcrisis #recovery #recoveryispossible #addiction #addictiontreatment