Exploitation of Opioids in America: A Narrative Review of Multidisciplinary Studies.

Abstract

Opioids continue to ravage many socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the nation of America. Opioids are pain relievers, but may become harmful when consumption is not regulated. Many overdose on this drug, and may commit actions that entirely change their life’s trajectory for the worse. In this narrative review, information is presented from different sources on what has caused the opioid epidemic, the policies and initiatives that have been established to manage opioid overconsumption, and the sequence of events that occur internally when opioids are consumed. The main purpose of this review is to present the different factors that contribute to gradual opioid addiction, and how those addictions are counteracted. In terms of policies and initiatives, two of them were the Controlled Substances Act and the National Pain Strategy. Both policies were created to attempt to regulate the complex relationship between pain and opioid abuse. Without educational programs such as the Centers of Excellence for Pain Education teaching about opioids, and willingness to attempt nonopioid treatments for pain like methadone, the 13-25 year age range will be susceptible to the damages that opioid overdose can cause.