Texas recently launched a new online research in order to help individuals who are struggling with addiction. The new website was created for the purpose of fighting opioid abuse, and its goal is to make it as easy as possible to find all the answers relating to drug abuse and treatment.
The Texas Attorney General teamed up with the Texas Department of State Health Services as well as the Health and Human Services Commission to create a new website called doseofreality.texas.gov.
The site is meant to be a one-stop-shop for families affected by the opioid epidemic in Texas. It features an interactive map that shows families where they can dispose of their drugs when they are done using them. Flushing pills down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can actually lead to serious problems, for instance. Some people can dig up the pills when going through the trash bins.
Dose of Reality also has educational resources for training and for families in crisis. One of the biggest barriers that keep people from getting the right addiction treatment is the fact that many people don’t understand the problem. For example, there is a stigma surrounding drug addiction that it is purely a moral failure, rather than a medical condition. But because information is readily available through the internet, it is possible to find the answers that can save lives.
“Dose of Reality represents the beginning of a larger campaign to prevent opioid misuse in Texas through education. When patients aren't well informed, these drugs can inflict far more pain than they prevent,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
In 2016, more than 42,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses. This is according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Out of the 42,000 victims, 1,375 were from Texas.
The attorney general says that deceptive marketing and promotion by pharmaceutical companies is one of the main drivers of the crisis. In 2018, Paxton’s office sued national drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma for alleged deceptive marketing practices that misrepresented the risk of addiction. And although opioids are actually helpful in terms of treating pain, the risks are present and should not be ignored.
Opioid medications are habit-forming, and have a high abuse potential because of their potency. This is why pain patients should always follow their prescription carefully. Do not take larger doses of opioids, and do not take it more often than is prescribed. When in doubt, contact the physician that prescribed the medications. Not only do opioids cause unwanted side effects, they are also very addictive. This is why patients get hooked on them, even if they were prescribed for pain.
Paxton is still in a lawsuit with Purdue over the misleading advertisements that they say contribute to the opioid epidemic.
Former addicts and social workers agree that the new online resource will help families gain the knowledge they need to deal with addiction properly. The website is an attempt to correct the opioid crisis which is affecting the entire nation. By providing accurate information and making them as accessible as possible, more individuals seeking addiction treatment in Texas can find the help they need.
Although Texas is one of the states with the lowest opioid prescribing rates in the US, the opioid epidemic is still affecting its residents.
There are also certain Texas counties that have more opioid prescriptions per year than people, said the attorney general. Other methods of controlling the opioid crisis are being put in place, with efforts to expand drug take-back programs being implemented in several parts of the state.
If someone in the family is struggling with opioid addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against drug abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find drug treatment programs in Houston.
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