According to a recent NY Times article, more women now die of overdoses from pain pills like OxyContin than from cervical cancer or homicide. That is a scary statistic–especially because these deaths can be prevented.
Here are some other interesting information that the article presented.
Overdose deaths move from urban to rural
Drug overdose deaths in the United States used to be seen as an urban problem that hit blacks hardest. But since the 1990s, opioid abuse, has been worst for whites living in rural places. Common painkillers include drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet.
The age factor
Younger women in their 20s and 30s tend to have the highest rates of opioid abuse; however, the overdose death rate was highest among women ages 45 to 54,
A few theories WHY
According to the article, there were a few theories that might explain why overdose deaths for women are on the rise. One is that women are more likely than men to be prescribed pain drugs, to use them chronically, and to get prescriptions for higher doses. Women are also more likely to be given prescriptions of psycho-therapeutic drugs, like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. This is important to note, because people who overdose are much more likely to mixing pills.
To read the full article visit: Sharp Rise in Women’s Deaths From Overdose of Painkillers
If you’d like to learn more about Horizon’s residential rehab or addictions counseling programs, give us a call at 716.831.1800. And if you are a concerned family member or friend of someone you suspect has an addiction to pain pills, you can utilize our new FREE online addictions consultation program.