Countless people are at high risk of dangerous or fatal overdoses every single day. In recent years, fentanyl has contributed heavily to the rate of overdoses, but many other narcotics remain serious issues. To help bring the risk of overdoses down to zero, and to honor those who have passed away from overdoses, The Lakes Treatment Center and so many others around the world are observing International Overdose Awareness Day 2022 on Wednesday, August 31st.
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of drug abuse and the number of substance abuse disorder diagnoses have increased substantially. In many cases, external stressors contribute to someone’s decision to first use a dangerously addictive drug. The many stresses caused by the pandemic have clearly hit millions of Americans close to home. This unfortunate development makes International Overdose Awareness Day 2022 more important than ever before.
Overdose data from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that in 2020:
- 83,558 overdose deaths occurred.
- Overdose deaths increased by 34.4% over 2019.
- Stress-related overdose deaths increased by 41%.
- People ages 25-34 had the most overdose deaths of any demographic.
- Overdose death rates among people over 55 are increasing rapidly.
- 70% of fatal opioid overdoses are suffered by males.
- Opioid overdose death rates increased among females by 1,326% since 1999.
The White House, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have all issued statements about International Overdose Awareness Day and its important message. From all of us at The Lakes Treatment Center, we hope that you will join us in the observation and practice of this important day, too. When more people think about overdose risks and how to prevent them, the more people can get help with dangerous addictions.
What Can You Do on International Overdose Awareness Day?
Ending overdoses is something that we can all work towards, even in small ways. Every good effort adds up to something great, after all. If you want to observe International Overdose Awareness Day, then there is sure to be something that you can do to help.
This International Overdose Awareness Day, you can:
- Seek treatment options if you are struggling with substance use disorder.
- Speak with treatment specialists if a loved one has an unsafe addiction.
- Talk with your loved ones about how to fight addiction together.
- Spread awareness of International Overdose Awareness Day.
For many people, spreading the word about International Overdose Awareness Day will be the simplest way to help out. In fact, you can do this, too, and quite easily. Just share this blog (you can copy the URL above) with your friends, family, and social media circles. Let’s all help out however we can, so the rate of overdose deaths around the world drops down to zero one day soon.
For more information about how to fight substance addiction, or to get help with a substance use disorder, call (209) 309-3573 to connect with The Lakes Addiction Treatment near Modesto, California. Learn how to start your recovery today.