Debunking Myths: The Opioid Epidemic
- May 9, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: May 17
We’ve all heard of them - diabetes, HIV, Aids, Flu, COVID. These are all widely accepted epidemics worldwide. Would you believe me if I told you that opioids are also part of an epidemic? Would having factual information at hand help you to see drug use from a different perspective? Many believe that people only do opioids when they are weak, or because people are just drug addicts who don’t want better for themselves.There is a large misconception that the addicted are just lazy bums who will never contribute to society. All of these beliefs are detrimental to our society. Why? Because by dismissing the value of a person, we allow an abrupt halt towards any real solution. After all, if the opioid epidemic is only affecting the homeless person standing on the corner, it’s not really a problem is it?
With no discrimination to age, profession, sex, or wealth, the opioid epidemic truly began in the 90's with the over-prescribing of opioids to manage physical pain. In an aggressive marketing campaign, Perdue Pharma left no man (or woman) behind in the widespread use (overuse and overprescribing) of OxyContin. Nationwide, one million Americans have died from overdoses since 1999. In 2023 the DEA reported that 107k people died from overdose in the USA, with 70% of those deaths being attributed to opioid use. So yes, this is an epidemic. An epidemic - that is, a widespread occurrence within a particular community - is easily observed right here in New Hanover County. Need to see the numbers before you take me seriously? Look no further.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, New Hanover County Emergency Rooms serviced 7 opioid overdose visits this January (2023). The same data showed that in the last 12 months, New Hanover County has seen the most opioid overdose visits by those between the ages of 25-34. While this data is only for one month, and we are now only in April, we should also look at the numbers from last year; In the first six months of 2022, 299 people overdosed, 36 opioid related deaths, and 15 suicides in NHC alone (Starnews) . NHC has set up a strategic plan to help combat Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental health; these steps include education and outreach, access to services and treatment, and sustainable recovery and wellbeing. While NHC has made a thoughtful effort, are their efforts bearing fruit? I think that depends on who you ask.
Vastly used for Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT), many treatment centers use methadone to assist in treating opioid addiction. So what is methadone? Methadone is an opioid. According to Banyan Treatment Center, “the smallest available dose of methadone is three to four times more potent than a 5mg dose of oxycodone.” Risks associated with this type of medication assisted therapy include irregular heartbeat, depressed respiratory function, seizures, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, hallucinations and insomnia. Some of the guidelines in place for this treatment include daily trips to a clinic to receive the medication, random drug tests, and regularly speaking with a counselor (which aligns with NHC's strategic plan of education and outreach, access to services and treatment, sustainable recovery and wellbeing).
While I appreciate the effort that has gone into the regulation and planning in the hopes of combating the epidemic, the current model may well need some adjusting. Recently, I acted as an advocate for someone receiving MAT. While the scene in the parking lot was eye opening - patients gathering to seemingly exchange illicit drugs after receiving their regulated dose, only to be soon found nodding off nearby - I regret to say that the experience inside wasn’t much better. As someone with education and sobriety on my side, I was still met with obstacle after obstacle while trying to support this patient’s own wishes - their clear desire to reduce their methadone and get a referral elsewhere. Not to mention that while under the supervision of the program, the patient I was with had failed multiple drug tests, and had missed several mandatory counseling sessions, all to no consequence. Nevertheless, once this patient was finally admitted into another treatment facility, they were told that they were not able to completely stop their prescribed dose of methadone because of safety concerns (health risk while in withdrawal) and would need to continue to see an outside provider to taper her dose down to zero. I can understand the reasoning behind the taper, but, I also question, are we giving incremental doses of coke to the coke addict while they are in detox? I’m not so sure that we are. In my mind, I wonder why someone at a medical facility is not being supported and observed while making healthy choices in their recovery. The thought looms in my head - is the current system all about boosting numbers to maintain state funding? In all, the frustrating experience made me wonder: how can we expect someone in the throes of addiction to overcome such a complex and resistant system? The experience highlights the immense systemic barriers facing those in active addiction.
New Hanover County recently took steps in the right direction with the opening of The Healing Place, which aims to treat addiction through an abstinence based program. Jay Davidson, Executive Chairman, stated "just walking through this facility, you’re going to feel the presence and the spirit of a higher power. I can’t say enough about it" (WECT). NHC recently acquired just over $19 million from an opioid related lawsuit. As The Healing Place does not offer MAT, it unfortunately cannot receive any of the fund money to assist the local population.
With the challenges posed with MAT, are there any other options? In 2019, Dr. Brian Grim, a sociologist at Baylor University, published a study examining the connection between faith and preventing and recovering from SUD. Key takeaways from this study show that (1) congregations provide $316 billion in savings to the US economy via their support of recovery programs, saving an estimated 20,600 lives (2) Americans are simultaneously identifying with religion less, and suffering from SUD more - this decline specifically shows that the decline in religious affiliation presents a growing national health concern because the growth of disaffiliation is concentrated among millennials and young adults, who are also the highest percentage of any age group to have SUD (3) faith based organizations that are uniquely capable of providing the tools, care, and community necessary for long term recovery. Overall, faith based recovery programs have a 60% higher success rate of long term recovery versus standard treatment alone. I'm definitely not a number person, but numbers don't lie. If you had been diagnosed with a fatal illness and the doctor told you he had a regimen that would increase your odds of survival by 60%, would you follow it?
I am proud of the efforts of those that I know, and am happy to be able to support and embrace those in active recovery. If you or anyone you know needs help on their recovery journey, please reach out for local resources.
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). (2024, December 16). Overdose Deaths Decline, Fentanyl Threat Looms. DEA.gov. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/12/16/overdose-deaths-decline-fentanyl-threat-looms
Banyan Treatment Center. (n.d.). Methadone vs. Oxycodone: Understanding the Differences. Banyan Treatment Center. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.banyantreatmentcenter.com/blog/difference-between-methadone-and-oxycodone/#:~:text=The%20smallest%20available%20dose%20of,%2C%20hydrocodone%2C%20and%20even%20morphine
Solon, Z. (2022, May 5). Wilmington mayor expresses concern over recovery center treatment model. WECT. https://www.wect.com/2022/05/05/wilmington-mayor-expresses-concern-over-recovery-center-treatment-model/
North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. (n.d.). Research Shows Correlation Between Faith and Recovery. NADadventist.org. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.nadadventist.org/news/research-shows-correlation-between-faith-and-recovery
New Hanover County Government. (n.d.). Learn More - Community Resources. NHCgov.com. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.nhcgov.com/1083/Learn-More-Community-Resources
Spears, J. (2024, February 5). Wilmington Police Department sees decline in drug overdose calls, deaths. StarNewsOnline.
