I haven’t slept in days. The pain is too much to bear. I need to escape from the horrible reality of my life. I was just curious about what it felt like and now I’m hooked. These are some examples of reasons that a drug user decides to use and continues to use.

People who do not use often blame the drug user since they decided to start using the drug. They cannot grasp the mental status of the individuals using or the reasons they began to use it. Empathy is not an easy emotion for people to learn, especially about someone’s mental health.

We cannot see what is going on in someone’s mind. We can’t feel the emotions they are feeling. It is impossible to put ourselves in their shoes. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Judging the person for their behavior won’t make them quit. It’s only a matter of time before tragedy occurs via an overdose for those using Opioids. How did we get here, and how do we stop people from dying?

More People are Dying

Countries worldwide are working to combat the alarming rate of young people dying from overdoses. The statistics in the United States show that our young people are most at risk. The CDC now ranks Fentanyl as the leading cause of death in people between 18 and 45. Think about that. More people are dying from drugs than from car accidents or suicides.

Year after year, the numbers have continued to grow. Families are torn apart and left to grieve the loss of their loved ones. Hospital systems must manage the emergent care of an overdose. Law enforcement officers are struggling to stop the drugs at the source. Economies are wrecked as working individuals struggle with daily life. These are the realities we are facing due to illegal opioids like Fentanyl.

Geography Doesn’t Matter

This is not a problem only in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Overdoses are occurring in every community across the entire country. Thousands of tiny rural towns, small villages, and suburban communities are experiencing a problem with overdoses along with the major cities. It is not uncommon for drug users to become homeless, causing them to wander the streets.

Young children and families may see someone in an overdose situation and not know how to handle the situation. Local Public Health officials are scrambling to provide education. They deliver messages on public television and radio channels. Local events are places to distribute pamphlets on what to do when you see an overdose. Firehouses and emergency squads give presentations on administering Naloxone to stop someone from dying. Each of these events is taking away resources from other areas. The overdose problem directly impacts everyone, not just the users.

Mental Health Disorders Linked to Overdose

The beginning of this article has a few statements that you might hear from a drug user. These only scratch the surface as to the true mental health issue they could be experiencing. Researchers and clinical providers are working hard to provide evidence of the correlation between mental health disorders and drug use. Clinical trials are being conducted on mood and anxiety disorders to provide scientific information about how the two problems are connected.

We know that the number of young people suffering from anxiety and depression has increased over the past five years. People have less peer connection due to excessive screen time and lingering post-pandemic isolation. It is also known that people look for a way out when they suffer. Historically, suicide has been a leading cause of death in young people. Overdose deaths have taken the top spot, but are people using drugs simply as a way out of their personal mental health crisis? 

Pharmaceutical Treatment Options Flattening the Curve

There is some good news on the horizon. The federal and state governments are working hard to fight against this issue. Education is a top priority. The more the public knows, the more equipped they are to help. Medications like Naloxone are becoming readily available to the average person. Administering this drug when witnessing an overdose can stop it. Hospitals and mental health facilities are putting treatment centers into place to give users an alternative to illegal drugs.

Using medications like Methadone and Buprenorphine can help drug users to recover from their addiction. However, the process of getting these treatments is not easy, with many obstacles in the way. Spending more time and money on these issues could help to bring the number of deaths down instead of just flattening them.

Improved Mental Health Services Needed

We know mental health has been a stigma for centuries. People with presumed abnormal behavior were isolated or treated with all sorts of crazy solutions. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Through careful research and education, people are much more aware of mental health. We have a deeper understanding of how imbalances in our mental health can lead to problems in life, like drug use.

Our clinicians are becoming more attuned to potential problems and making the necessary referrals to specialists. This needs to continue, along with even further education for all clinical staff members. Having more people available to identify a problem will increase the chances of catching it before it becomes too late.

If you want to be part of the solution to overdose deaths, TREK Healthcare Staffing can help you find placement with a mental health facility. Contact us today to get started.