Alarming Drug-Induced Deaths: Get Help at Drug Treatment Centers in Columbia, MO

Columbia, Missouri, is a vibrant college town known for its educational institutions, notably the University of Missouri. This city blends a rich cultural scene with its youthful energy, offering various arts, music, and festivals. The community enjoys the recreational opportunities provided by extensive parks and trails. However, like many other cities in Missouri, Columbia faces challenges with drug addiction, impacting its residents across various demographics and necessitating comprehensive approaches to treatment and prevention. In 2021, the Columbia Police Department responded to over 200 calls related to drug overdoses. Between January and October 2021, Columbia also documented 22 known or suspected drug-induced deaths. Notably, half of these losses occurred within a short span from August 1 to October 1.

As overdose-related emergencies have risen, the police department in Columbia has increasingly used Narcan, an anti-opioid medication that officers began carrying in 2017. They used Narcan on 19 calls in 2019, and this number increased to 50 in 2020. [1] Narcan (naloxone) is a critical life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, which is potentially fatal. This drug acts by swiftly binding to opioid receptors in the brain, displacing opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers, thereby restoring normal breathing and consciousness to individuals experiencing an overdose. The timely administration of Narcan can be the difference between life and death. However, while Narcan can address the immediate dangers of overdose, it does not treat the underlying addiction.

For those struggling with opioid dependence, professional help is crucial. Drug treatment centers in Columbia offer comprehensive care and support designed to address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. These facilities provide a range of therapies and services to help individuals heal and regain control of their lives in a supportive environment, reducing the isolation that often accompanies recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider reaching out to drug treatment centers in Missouri for expert assistance and compassionate care.

How Many Drug Overdoses in Missouri?

In 2020, Missouri experienced 1,386 drug overdose deaths. This reflects a 21% increase in overdose deaths across Missouri from the previous year. About three-quarters of these deaths involved opioids, marking a 30% increase in opioid-related fatalities statewide compared to 2019. [2]

Opioids can be deadly in the event of an overdose due to several potent effects they have on the body. Here are the primary reasons:

• Respiratory Depression: Opioids can significantly slow down breathing, which is often the cause of death in overdose cases. They act on the brainstem’s respiratory centers, reducing the urge to breathe.
• Decreased Consciousness: Overdosing on opioids often leads to severe sedation or loss of consciousness. This can prevent the individual from seeking help or responding to their environment, increasing the risk of death.
• Hypoxia: The reduced breathing caused by opioids can lead to hypoxia, where not enough oxygen reaches the brain. This can result in permanent brain damage or death.
• Cardiac Arrest: In some cases, opioids can lead to irregular heart rhythms or a slowdown in the heart rate, potentially causing cardiac arrest.
• Pulmonary Edema: Some opioid overdoses lead to a condition called non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, where fluid suddenly fills the lungs, making breathing even more difficult or impossible.
• Aspiration: An unconscious individual may vomit and then inhale the vomit into their lungs, which can cause choking or a fatal lung infection.

Immediate medical intervention in case of suspected overdose is critical, along with the wide availability of naloxone, an antidote for opioid overdose.

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, remember that you’re not alone, and there are numerous resources available to support you on your path to recovery. In Columbia, there are a variety of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings accessible to everyone. These meetings provide a welcoming environment where you can share your experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges. Attending NA and AA meetings in Columbia can be a valuable step toward achieving long-term abstinence. Join a meeting today to start your journey towards a healthier, substance-free life.

What Is the Death Rate from Drug Abuse?

Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) face higher death rates than the general population in the US. Rising drug use in the US affects mortality beyond direct drug-related deaths, influencing other causes of death, too. 

Using data from each state, sex, age group, and cause of death, one study found that drug-associated deaths in 2016 for those aged 15–64 in the 50 US states were estimated at 141,695. This is 2.2 times the number of deaths directly attributed to drugs (63,000). [3]

Impact on Life Expectancy:

• Overall Impact: Drug use is linked to recent declines in US life expectancy. Without drug use, life expectancy at age 15 increased slightly between 2014 and 2016.
• By Gender: In 2016, drug use reduced life expectancy by an estimated 1.4 years for men and 0.7 years for women.
• Mortality Rates: Without drug use, the probability of dying between ages 15 and 65 would have continued to decline to 15% for men and remained at 10% for women in 2016. However, actual 2016 mortality rates increased by 3.9% for men and 1.8% for women due to drug use.

This data emphasizes the severe and wide-reaching impacts of the drug epidemic on mortality across the United States.

Are you on the path to long-term recovery and wondering what comes next after completing a rehab program? Maintaining the progress you’ve made by transitioning into a supportive environment is essential. Consider searching for halfway houses in Columbia. These facilities play a crucial role in aftercare, offering a community that supports continued sobriety and helps you integrate into daily life while providing the structure and support needed to prevent relapse. A halfway house can be a valuable resource in solidifying the foundation of your recovery journey.

How Many Drug-Induced Deaths in the US?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, there were 107,941 drug overdose deaths in the US, with a rate of 32.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Since 2002, this rate has almost quadrupled, rising from 8.2 to 32.6. However, from 2021 to 2022, the overall rate remained stable, changing slightly from 32.4 to 32.6. During this period, the rate of overdose deaths among males increased slightly by 1.1%, from 45.1 to 45.6 per 100,000, while the rate among females slightly decreased by 1.0%, from 19.6 to 19.4 per 100,000. [4]

Preventing drug-induced deaths involves a comprehensive approach that addresses both the supply and demand aspects of drug use, as well as improving overall community health and support systems. Here are some effective strategies:

• Education and Awareness: Increasing public awareness about the risks associated with drug use, including the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the lethal risks of fentanyl, can help reduce drug misuse. Education programs should target all age groups, especially young people.
• Access to Treatment: Expanding access to high-quality addiction treatment services, including medically assisted treatments (MAT), can significantly reduce the risk of overdose for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
• Naloxone Availability: Widely distributing naloxone—an emergency medication that reverses opioid overdoses—and training the public and first responders on how to use it can save lives.
• Safe Prescription Practices: Healthcare providers should follow guidelines for prescribing opioids and other potentially addictive medications. This includes evaluating patients’ substance use history and monitoring for signs of dependency.
• Support Aftercare: Providing ongoing support through recovery programs, such as sober living homes or continued counseling, helps individuals maintain sobriety after initial treatment.
• Policies and Regulation: Implementing and enforcing policies that limit unnecessary prescription of addictive medications and control illegal drug trafficking are crucial.
• Community and Peer Support: Building strong community networks that offer support and connection can reduce the isolation that often accompanies addiction and recovery.
• Addressing Mental Health: Integrating mental health services with substance use treatment to address co-occurring disorders can improve treatment outcomes.
• Monitoring and Surveillance: Enhancing surveillance systems to track overdose trends and substance use patterns helps tailor prevention efforts more effectively.
• Stigma Reduction: Reducing the stigma associated with addiction encourages more people to seek help before their substance use leads to critical outcomes.

These strategies, when combined and tailored to specific community needs, can significantly reduce the incidence of drug-induced deaths.

How to Prevent Further Drug-Induced Deaths? Columbia Drug Treatment Centers in Missouri

Columbia, situated in Boone County, continues to confront a significant crisis with drug-induced deaths, highlighting an ongoing public health challenge in the region. In 2023, Boone County reported 41 drug overdose deaths, which is fewer than the 65 deaths in 2022 but still more than the 39 deaths in 2020. [5]

Missouri drug treatment centers are crucial because they offer a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to individual needs, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that combines pharmaceuticals with counseling to address substance use disorders effectively. Enhancing public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of drug misuse and the signs of overdose can also empower communities and reduce stigma.

Moreover, increasing access to naloxone and training citizens in its use can save lives by reversing opioid overdoses swiftly. Collaboration between healthcare providers, Columbia drug treatment centers, law enforcement, and community organizations is crucial to effectively monitor and address drug trends. Through these combined efforts, Columbia can foster a supportive environment that not only prevents drug-induced deaths but also aids in the recovery and rehabilitation of affected individuals, ultimately enhancing the well-being of the community.

Don’t let addiction define your life. Professional help is here to offer the support you need to move forward.

Resources: 

[1] Half of this year’s drug overdose deaths recorded in Columbia have occurred since August 1 1 – Columbia Daily Tribune

[2] Substance Use | Springfield, MO – Official Website (.gov)

[3] Glei DA, Preston SH. Estimating the impact of drug use on US mortality, 1999-2016. PLoS One. 2020 Jan 15;15(1):e0226732. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226732. PMID: 31940370; PMCID: PMC6961845.

[4] Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2002–2022 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

[5] Boone County Overdose Response Coalition hosts town hall, resource fair – KBIA