The Opioid Epidemic

 The Opioid Epidemic

            For about two years now several states have complained and raised an alarm about an acute reduction in the life expectancy of their citizens, which research institutes and organizations have associated with the opioid epidemic. This is a situation resulting from a rapid rise in the use of non-prescribed or prescribed opioid drugs. In the recent past, the life expectancy of these countries was roughly 78.3 years in 2016 a decrease of 0.7 from the previous year (Barglow, 2018). According to the available data, there has been an increase in the rate of age-specific deaths for young age groups between 2016 and 2015 as a result of the opioid overdose. Illicit opioids, as well as prescribed opioids, claimed at least 40, 000 deaths in 2015, an average of 107 citizens die daily from the overdose according to the centers for disease control and prevention (Dowell, Noonan & Houry, 2017).

Recently, after a prolonged period of researching and testing, the food and drug administration has invented and approved three medications for the treatment and curing of opioid use disorder which are methadone, naltrexone and last but not least, buprenorphine (Barglow, 2018). Researchers have identified that various marketplace’s set of intended actions does not cover or request initial authorization for the medication. However, these restrictions are only common for opioid use disorder medications rather than the short period opioid pain relievers.

All the above medications (the three approved medications) have proven reliable and have the ability to produce a desired amount of the desired effect although each of them has several side effects depending on the user, risk for diversion which must be considered by the provider when starting the process of patient treatment and finally, limitations associated with adherence (Dowell, Noonan & Houry, 2017). Methadone is similar to other opioids and it tends to saturate opioid receptors located in the brain. For this reason, it has the ability to induce respiratory suppressions when taken in doses higher than a person’s opioid endurance ability. Therefore it is only dispensed through licensing and high regulation (Rollston & & Rarr; 2018).

Buprenorphine is similarly used to cause opioid receptors to become inert but has a lower ability for abuse as incomplete agonists prevent the normal expectation of full opiates (Garg, Fulton-Kehoe & Franklin, 2017). It is a safe drug given the smallest possible amount of risk of overdose and low risk of abuse. Buprenorphine is mostly combined with naloxone to further lower the risk of diversion. The drug enforcement agency however highly regulates buprenorphine and prescription is only after the completion of an eight-hour training which is very crucial.

Naltrexone, on the other hand, saturates opioid receptors in the brain hence preventing an individual from suffering from the feeling of elation an effect of drugs such as heroin. It tends to block and reduce the craving of both opioid as well as alcohol. It can be prescribed in the form of oral pills or injection as it is a safe drug with no risk of overdose or abuse (Garg, Fulton-Kehoe & Franklin, 2017).

In conclusion, the invention of this drug is one of the big steps made by the medical sector as they are critical in the prevention of deaths as well as overdoses. Through the aid of the medication, an average of 60-70% of the patients will have recovered in a period of one year. Despite the advantages of the drugs, the government has a vital role in ensuring that the drugs requiring licensing and training are only allowed into the market after a satisfaction of the requirements.

References

Barglow, P. (2018). Commentary: The opioid overdose epidemic: Evidence-based interventions. The American Journal on Addictions. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12823 pg. 1

Dowell, D., Noonan, R., & Houry, D. (2017). Underlying Factors in Drug Overdose Deaths. JAMA, 318(23), 2295. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.15971 pg. 2

Garg, R., Fulton-Kehoe, D., & Franklin, G. (2017). Patterns of Opioid Use and Risk of Opioid Overdose Death Among Medicaid Patients. Medical Care, 55(7), 661-668. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000738. pg. 1 Retrieved from. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

Rollston, R., & Rarr;, V. (2018). Medication-Assisted Treatment: A Vital Player in the Opioid Epidemic. Pg. 2Retrieved from https://www.themedicalcareblog.com/medication-assisted-treatment/