continuing education
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STAY UP TO DATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OPIOID ABUSE WITH NEWS, EVENTS, AND MORE.
In Alabama, 16.4 per 1000 members were diagnosed with opioid use disorder in 2016, double that of 8.3 nationally. Learn more about the opioid epidemic to help better find a solution to this ongoing problem.
Alabamians on MEDICARE
In 2018, Alabama had the highest proportion of beneficiaries receiving opioids through MEDICARE part D. An estimated 354,000 Alabama MEDICARE beneficiaries received high amounts of opioids in 2018, with 49,000 of them at serious risk for opioid misuse or overdose; this was fewer than the 2 previous years.
of people prescribed opioids misuse them
develop an opioid abuse disorder
transition to heroin
of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioid
In 2017, Alabama prescribers wrote 107.2 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons (Figure 1). This represents the highest prescribing rate in the country.
Figure 1: The US and Alabama prescribing rate per 100 persons.
Articles on Substance Abuse
Read more about what is going on around the country to deal with this opioid epidemic from new devices that are being created to help prevent addiction from happening in the first place to what are government is doing to put policies in place.
Are you or a loved one struggling with opioid addiction or dependency?
Opioid abuse has been attributed to heroin use in the future as well as HIV diagnoses. During pregnancy, opioid use can cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NAWS). There were 42,249 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016 throughout the country. Don’t wait until it is too late. For more information, here are webinars on ways to deal with addiction.
Recognize the symptoms
Addiction can happen to anyone; don’t make assumptions if the signs are obvious.
Address the Problem
Talking about a problem can bring it to light and open dialog for solutions.
Seek Out Help
Find a local program to help you or your loved one on their road to rehabilitation.