Addiction affects those of all ages, race, religion, and other demographics. While this may be true, there tend to be specific trends of more heavily affected demographics. Recently, the case has been that addiction has become so prominent in middle-aged Americans, that it is increasing the overall death rates of this group. According to a study published in 2015 by Anne Case and Angus Deaton, middle age white mortality had risen by 34 per 100,000 over a 15 year period. The study states, “The change in all-cause mortality for white non-Hispanics 45–54 is largely accounted for by an increasing death rate from external causes, mostly increases in drug and alcohol poisonings and suicide.” So, as it states here, drugs and alcohol have played a role in these increased death rates. And the reality is that addiction, in general, has continued to become much more prominent in our society. With the rise in the opioid epidemic, for example, it’s no wonder that opioids increase mortality rates because more people are abusing them now.
How Opioids Increase Mortality Rates in Americans
Opioids increase mortality rates and all of the causes are not entirely understood, though there are factors that contribute. Within the study discussion, the increased availability of opioid painkiller prescriptions was made a note of, along with the associated mortality of them. In fact, according to the VitalSigns report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Deaths from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. A big part of the problem is the nonmedical use of prescription painkillers—using drugs without a prescription, or using drugs just for the “high” they cause. In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.” While all of these deaths from prescription painkillers are not of middle-aged white Americans, they do make up a part of the statistics.
The CDC does refer to demographics by stating that middle-aged adults have the highest prescription painkiller overdose rate, as well as the fact that, “Whites and American Indian or Alaska Natives are more likely to overdose on prescription painkillers.” So extrapolating from these statistics, it aligns as to how prescription painkillers could contribute to overall mortality rates of middle-aged white Americans.
The reality is that these types of addiction circumstances have shown all over the country. There are more and more stories in the news of middle-aged white individuals who have fallen into addiction or have overdosed on prescription painkillers. These medications are prescribed much more often and for more extended periods of time than they ever were.
We Can Help You Find Treatment for a Drug or Alcohol Addiction
Overcoming addiction is a goal that many addicts want to achieve. While some have done it on their own, this is not always the best way and can be dangerous. Others may need to reach out for help to be able to achieve success in overcoming addiction, and there is absolutely nothing wrong this. Sometimes it can be tough to find the right treatment center, simply because there are so many out there that it begins to become akin to finding a needle in a haystack. We are here to make the process of finding a treatment center more simple. Our advisors have a wealth of knowledge about the treatment centers all across the nation and can help to find the one that fits you or your loved one. Take the first step toward sobriety, and give us a call today to learn more about addiction treatment or how opioids increase mortality rates more now.
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