Chances are you know someone who is addicted to opioids.
A brother or sister. A friend. Perhaps a co-worker or someone you met at church or at a club you belong to. It could even be a person you admire, who appears to be successful, happy and well-adjusted.
What might not be apparent is that they are in trouble and need help.
Opioid addiction is a public health crisis that has grown so big and become so widespread that it touches virtually every one of us in some way. Though the legitimate, responsible use of opioids certainly has its place in medicine, the rampant misuse of these potent, addictive drugs lurked in the shadows for far too long, hiding under the mantle of respectability and the lure of “pain management.”
“Here at the hospital we see overdoses all the time,” said Dr. Steven Ey, Chief of Service at Hoag Addiction Treatment Centers in Newport Beach.
“This affects all ages, races, sexes. It’s everywhere.”