Final answer:
Opioid users face a high risk of overdose, with addiction being common among those prescribed opioids for pain management. The opioid epidemic, which includes both prescription and illegal opioids, has led to significant increases in overdose deaths. Naloxone is a crucial antidote in cases of opioid overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk of addiction to opioids is significant, with as many as one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggling with addiction. This has contributed to the opioid epidemic that the United States is facing, which began in the 1990s and has resulted in alarming rates of addiction and overdose deaths. Opioid overdose deaths often involve other substances as well, such as benzodiazepines, which compound the risk when taken together. The misuse of opioids, including prescription painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet, as well as illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl, has led to a significant increase in overdose rates from about 6 per 100,000 in 1999 to over 21 per 100,000 in 2017. To counteract the dangers of an opioid overdose, naloxone (Narcan) has become more widely available. It is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose if administered in time. The opioid crisis is a multi-faceted issue, involving medical, social, and legal components, and requires comprehensive strategies to address addiction, preventive measures, treatment, and recovery support.