Blog 2 Concerns of Addiction Socio-Cultural Perception of Addiction and Population Health
How has the Opioid epidemic impacted families? The opioid epidemic has had a detrimental impact on families and communities. According to CDC (2025), during the year 2023, roughly 105,000 individuals have lost their lives due to drug overdose (CDC, 2025). In addition, 80,000 deaths related to drug overdose involved opioids (CDC, 2025). The first wave of the opioid epidemic began in the 1990’s, overdose deaths were related to prescription opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone (CDC, 2025). The second wave of the opioid epidemic exhibited increased use and dependence of heroin, a recreational opioid [derived from morphine] during the 2000’s (Laing & Donnelly, 2024, p.7). The third wave of the opioid epidemic emerged in 2013, with significant increases in overdoses death associated with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogs [synthetic opioid related to fentanyl but appear more potent and rapid acting] (CDC, 2025). Picture retrieved fro...