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The presence of the opioid crisis is well known. Understanding its causes is more complicated. Knowing the complete picture may help reduce opioid addiction and related deaths in Massachusetts.
The opioid epidemic has persisted in the United States since the 1990s. From 1999-2019, nearly 500,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes the opioid epidemic into three waves:
Also important to understand is the involvement of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in the opioid epidemic. Purdue Pharma developed the drug OxyContin® in the early 1990s. The company led a campaign to market OxyContin as a pain reliever for nonmalignant pain. Their fraudulent claim that it was a safer and less addictive alternative to other opioids is believed to have contributed to the opioid epidemic and overdose deaths. The Sackler family reached a $6 billion settlement in March 2022.
In 2020, 2,000 people in Massachusetts died of an opioid overdose, a higher number than ever before. Combatting these Massachusetts opioid stats and the opioid crisis is of top priority to the state’s Attorney General Maura Healey. She is working alongside law enforcement, community leaders, families and health care experts to find solutions. Attorney General Healey was also a leader in exposing the wrongdoings of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.
Despite these efforts, Massachusetts has an opioid-related death rate that is twice the national rate. There are many beliefs as to why:
Doctors may prescribe opioids to help patients manage pain. Taking opioids for pain management can lead to addiction. When an individual takes opioids over time, their body slows its production of endorphins, meaning the same drug amount will not yield the same effects over time. People who develop tolerance may desire to increase the amount of drug they take to maintain the effects.
The most common prescription opioids and some associated brands include:
Illicit opioids also contribute to the opioid epidemic, with heroin and illegally made fentanyl being the most common.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times as powerful as morphine. It is sometimes prescribed in hospitals to help patients deal with pain but has become one of the leading causes of opioid-related deaths in the United States. On the street, fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, like cocaine and heroin.
When mixed with other substances, fentanyl becomes even more powerful — those who do not have the tolerance for it may ingest fentanyl unknowingly, increasing their risk of overdose.
The emergence of fentanyl is impacting the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts and the rest of the United States. Fentanyl overdoses are more common in the New England states than in any other region in the U.S., and fentanyl is becoming more represented than heroin in Massachusetts, as prescriptions for opioids like OxyContin and codeine fell from 47.1 per 100,000 in 2016 to 35.4 per 100,000 in 2019.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) coupled with counseling is one way to treat opioid use. At Health Care Resource Centers, we offer the following treatments for opioid use:
Our office-based opioid addiction treatment program utilizes buprenorphine or buprenorphine compounds like Suboxone® to eliminate withdrawal and reduce cravings for illicit drugs. Buprenorphine has been used clinically since 2002. When used once daily, it can prevent cravings and withdrawal for 24 hours or longer. Some of the differences between buprenorphine and methadone treatment include:
Like buprenorphine, methadone helps manage withdrawal symptoms by activating the same receptors in the brain that opioids affect. Alongside counseling, it can be a powerful tool for treating substance use. MAT with methadone involves daily trips to a treatment program. This routine provides some structure for individuals early in their recovery journey. It is also safe for long-term use when taken as directed by a medical professional.
Counseling is a beneficial part of the treatment process. The counselors at HCRC are trained, certified professionals in the field of addiction treatment. Our counseling services are goal-oriented and based on the individual’s objectives for recovery.
With counseling, individuals treating substance use can:
Some of these trends and statistics seem daunting, but help is available in the state and across the country. The rise of fentanyl and opioid-related overdoses in the United States signifies a need for access to quality care. The CDC recommends:
In Massachusetts, these programs are in place to help slow the opioid epidemic:
Health Care Resource Centers specializes in medication-assisted treatment and counseling services. HCRC has opioid addiction treatment centers across Massachusetts and New England, whether you are living with opioid addiction in Boston, Springfield, Hartford or beyond. If you are ready to take your first steps, find your nearest clinic today.
