‍A Brief History of the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Its roots go back to the late 1990s when pharmaceutical companies assured doctors that prescription opioid pain relievers were not addictive. Even though medications were doctor-prescribed, many found it hard to stop taking them. In fact, what wasn’t clear then was nearly anyone could develop a dependence no matter their age, education, economic status, or even their moral upbringing and willpower. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2019, 70,630 people died of drug overdose – with opioids being only a portion¹. 

Fast forward nearly three decades and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 75% of the nearly 107,000 U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2022 involved an opioid². That’s 80,250 opioid-related overdose deaths in one year.

Understanding How We Got Here

The opioid crisis has many contributing factors and devastating consequences. Here are some of the key elements that have fueled this epidemic:

Over-prescription of Opioids

Doctors, unaware of the highly addictive nature of opioids, began prescribing them at higher rates in the late 1990s, often for chronic pain conditions. This led to widespread dependence of prescription opioids and the introduction of non-prescription opioid misuse.²

Rise of Synthetic Opioids

Synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, were introduced around 2010. They are much stronger than natural opioids. When developed into a non-prescription/street form, the imprecise mixture of a stronger opioid significantly increased the number of opioid overdoses. Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs and sold to unknowing customers, making it even more dangerous. In fact, according to the CDC, synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl, were involved in 64% of the estimated 100,000 US overdose deaths from May 2020 to April 2021. Today, according to the CDC, more than 220 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids. ²

Lack of Access to Treatment

Many people struggling with opioid dependence or opioid use disorder often do not have access to effective treatment to help them eliminate the dependence. According to a peer-reviewed journal article in Cureus Journal of Medical Science, U.S. urban regions, like medium-sized metropolitan areas with populations between 250,000 and 999,999, had the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths, followed by micropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. This lack of resources makes it difficult to successfully recover and often leads to relapse.³

Those with the lowest number of opioid overdoses come in large and fringe metropolitan areas. It is not surprising that people in these areas tend to live closer to hospitals and tend to have more physicians per square mile, so they have more access to the care they need.³

Social and Economic Factors

Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education can contribute to the opioid crisis. People in challenging economic situations are even more vulnerable and have fewer resources to seek help. 

Undoing History: Effective Treatment Options

Addressing the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach. Here are some key components of an effective treatment plan:

1. Withdrawal Management

Opioid withdrawal management, or detox, is often the first step in treating opioid use disorder. This process involves clearing the body of the opioid substance and managing withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal management should be initiated under the supervision of a healthcare professional to monitor overall patient health. However, it is not uncommon for opioid withdrawal to be managed at home.

Sparrow Ascent, transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN), by Spark Biomedical, stands out as a novel approach in the landscape of opioid withdrawal treatments using advanced technology instead of drugs to ease the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It's a wearable neurostimulation device designed to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Unlike traditional withdrawal options, Sparrow Ascent is drug-free and non-invasive, making it an appealing choice for those seeking alternatives to pharmacological treatments (AKA drug-free).

This device delivers gentle electrical stimulation to the skin surface around the ear. This activates specific nerves that help regulate the nervous system responses associated with opioid withdrawal, including fight or flight, rewarding behavior, and pleasure centers. Sparrow Ascent can be integrated into any recovery plan catering to those preferring a drug-free approach or those who wish to supplement existing MOUD treatment.

2. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) (previously Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT)

MOUD combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder beyond the initial withdrawal. Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can help reduce cravings and make it easier for patients to focus on their recovery. Patients and caregivers should work with their healthcare professional to determine what, if any, MOUD is necessary and how long therapy should extend.

3. Counseling and Behavioral Therapies

Counseling and behavioral therapies are essential components of a successful opioid use disorder treatment plan. These therapies help patients understand the underlying causes of their dependence, develop coping strategies, and build a support network. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management are two commonly used approaches that have been proven effective in treating substance use disorders.

4. Support Groups and Peer Support

Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), provide a community of individuals who are going through similar experiences. These groups offer emotional support, encouragement, and practical advice for maintaining sobriety. Peer support can be an invaluable resource for those in recovery, helping them stay motivated and connected.

The opioid epidemic continues to pose a severe threat to public health, but there is hope. By understanding the crisis and exploring effective treatment options, including innovative solutions like wearable neurostimulation, patients and caregivers can take meaningful steps toward recovery. Combining withdrawal management—including new technologies—medication for opioid use disorder, counseling, and support groups offers a comprehensive approach to tackling opioid addiction and supporting long-term recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, it's essential to seek professional help and explore all available treatment options. With the right support and resources, recovery is possible.

Taking The Next Steps

If you're interested in learning more about Sparrow Ascent or wondering if it's the right fit for you, we encourage you to look around this site. Be sure to watch our patient testimonials to hear from them how Sparrow Ascent helped in their opioid withdrawal treatment.

Or, if you’re ready to start the withdrawal process, take our Qualification Quiz to see if a Sparrow Ascent prescription via telehealth is right for you. Your path to recovery is personal, and Sparrow Ascent might be the companion you need.

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References:

1. The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “Opioid Facts and Statistics” https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/statistics/index.html#:~:text=In%202017%20HHS%20declared%20the%20opioid%20crisis%20a,and%20community-based%20efforts%20to%20combat%20the%20opioid%20crisis.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html
3. Opioid Use Disorder: Treatments and Barriers Karan Patel 1 , Sean Bunachita 2 , Ank A. Agarwal 2 , Aaron Lyon 3 ,Urvish K. Patel https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/51800/20210308-3041-1pcyqcn.pdf

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