What factors are contributing to the increase in overdose deaths involving opioids?
Overdose deaths happen to different people for different reasons. Some people mistakenly believe that opioid medications are “safer” to misuse than street drugs. In fact, opioids are as dangerous as heroin when they are used to seek a high. Prescription drugs can be especially lethal when mixed with alcohol, anti-anxiety medication like Valium, street drugs, and some sleep medications. Some people who died from opioid overdoses are patients with valid prescriptions for the medications. Patients who are not experiencing adequate pain relief may choose to take more medication than directed. This is very dangerous. If you are not getting enough pain relief from your current dosage, talk to your health care provider.
