The opioid epidemic has been a continuing problem in the United States.
The national government, states, and local governments have stepped in to try and find solutions, but there is still a long way to go. Opioid addiction treatment programs may help, but not everyone has access to these programs. While there has been much debate over Obama’s Affordable Care Act, one study found that it may have played a positive role in combating the opioid epidemic.
Decrease in Opioid Overdose Deaths in Medicaid Expansion States
A new study has found that in the Medicaid expansion states, the number of opioid overdose deaths also decreased by 6%. Specifically, the research shows an 11% decline in the number of overdoses from heroin as well as a 10% decrease in the number of deaths from fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid. 1 These decreases are purportedly partially attributed to the greater access to drug abuse treatment for Medicaid users.In contrast to the fewer fentanyl and heroin deaths in Medicaid expansion states, the research did also show an increase in the number of methadone-related overdose deaths by 11%.1 Methadone is an opioid often used to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. Researchers are still trying to determine why overdoses for this particular drug rose instead of decreased like the rest of the opioid drugs.
Opioid Overdose Deaths in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the states that chose to expand Medicaid to cover low-income adults. This state has one of the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths in the nation. With Medicaid expansion linked to a decline in opioid overdose deaths, Massachusetts followed this trend and saw a decrease in the number of heroin overdose deaths by 25% in 2016 and 2017. Unfortunately, Massachusetts did still see an increase in the number of synthetic opioid overdose deaths like fentanyl in the same amount of time.2 While the Medicaid expansion may have worked on heroin, the state still has a long way to go to see real improvements with these numbers.If you or someone you love is addicted to opioids or other drugs, do not wait until a near overdose to get help. As providers of partial hospitalization programming in Wilmington, we know that overcoming substance abuse is challenging, but you should not have to go it alone.
Call us today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about Banyan Massachusetts and how we may be able to help.
Sources:
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.
