7 Shocking American Opioid Crisis Statistics

Opioids are prescribed to combat pain, whether it be from surgery or a medical condition. However, an opioid epidemic has swept across the nation over recent years, with many people misusing and becoming dependent on these potent drugs. View these seven shocking American opioid crisis statistics to learn why this is considered one of the worst drug issues in our nation’s history.

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An Estimated 130 People Die Daily from Opioid Overdose

This number is an estimate from the National Vital Statistics System for 2018 and 2019 based on provisional data.

2 Million People had an Opioid Use Disorder in 2018

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2 million U.S. citizens reported having a problem with opioids in 2018. To put that in perspective, the population of the United States is about 320 million people.

In 2018, 10.8 Million People Misused Prescribed Opioids

This number is based on the same 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. While misusing opioids is an apparent problem, it is not just users of the drug contributing to the crisis. Consider the following statistic.

168 Million Opioid Prescriptions Were Written in 2018

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this number means that the prescribing rate per 100 people is 51.4 percent, which is shockingly high. Although the number of opioid prescriptions written dropped from 191 million in 2017, it still goes to show that healthcare providers were able to write opioid prescriptions too freely.

Prescription Opioid Misusers Often Transition to Heroin

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between four to six percent of people who misuse prescription opioids end up transitioning to using heroin.

Opioid Prescription Misuse Accounts for 78.5 Billion Dollars Annually

The CDC says that this number reflects the “economic burden” opioid misuse costs the nation. The number is calculated including the cost of healthcare, addiction treatment, lost productivity, and criminal justice involvement.

A 6 Billion Dollar Plan to Combat the Crisis Has Been Implemented

In 2016, the Comprehension Addiction and Recovery Act (also called CARA 2.0) was rolled out to tackle the still-prevalent opioid crisis. It tackles the issue from many different angles, from prevention and treatment to improved law enforcement, criminal justice reform, and overdose reversal. Six billion dollars were allocated to put this plan into action—that’s how serious this crisis is.

Seek Assistance from Magnolia Recovery

As you can see from these seven shocking American opioid crisis statistics, this is an extremely dire issue that we are facing as a nation. If you believe that you or a loved one is addicted to opioids, Magnolia Recovery can assist you. We offer women a safe, temptation-free environment to work through the 12-steps. Start getting the help and support that you need—contact us today to learn more.