Synthetic Opioid Deaths Brown County
You never expected to be impacted by an opioid overdose. People would say things like, “the numbers have been rising,” and while you inherently knew what that meant, it rolled off your shoulders like many other pieces of information. Sure, it seemed serious, but it never stuck around in your mind for long.
But then, you got a phone call one night that you’ll never forget. One of your friends died of an opioid overdose. The toxicology report clarified that the overdose occurred due to a synthetic opioid. You were grief-stricken. The loss of your friend made the news headlines about opioids seem all the more real.
Here in Brown County, Wisconsin, the number of opioid-related deaths has increased over the last couple of years, tripling from 2014 to now. Why is this happening? What can you do to help?
Our team at CleanSlate has seen how drastically opioids can impact a community. With our mission of offering comprehensive treatment to anyone who needs it, we extend this methodology to assisting those who haven’t even walked through our doors. Spreading awareness and offering educational pieces about opioids is one of the ways we do our part. Today we’re talking about recent synthetic opioid deaths in Green Bay and other cities located in Brown County.
Synthetic Opioids – What Are They?
Opioids as a whole are well known, but what’s lesser known is that they come in a few forms. Opioids are derived from poppy plants and are utilized medicinally for pain relief, anesthesia, cough suppressants, and more.
Synthetic opioids refer specifically to the types of opioids that are made in a lab versus the ones that are derived from natural plant matter. Natural opioids are known as opiates and include opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. The term “synthetic” opioid is considered to be redundant because opioids are mostly synthesized while opiates aren’t. Many people, however, use the term “opioids” to describe the category of narcotics as a whole.
Some Common Synthetic Opioids You Might Have Heard Of
While there are illicit forms of opioids, such as heroin, most forms of opioids are used in pharmaceutical settings.
Synthetic opioids come in a variety of potencies and have a range of intended uses. Here are some common synthetic opioids you might’ve heard of:
- Hydrocodone – Primarily utilized to relieve severe pain for those who need frequent pain management and haven’t had success with other treatments. It comes in an extended-release capsule or tablet. One of the most common name brands is Vicodin.
- Oxycodone – Also used for pain management, oxycodone treats moderate to severe pain. They’re primarily made in an extended-release form in tablet or capsule form. The most common name brands include Oxycontin and Percocet.
- Dextromethorphan – This medication is used to treat cold symptoms and works as a cough suppressant. It comes in a variety of forms such as liquid-filled capsules, chewable tablets, liquids, and lozenges. You’ve likely heard of this medication by brand names like NyQuil and Robitussin.
- Methadone – Methadone is utilized both for around-the-clock pain management and to help in the treatment of opioid use disorders. It has tablet forms and liquid forms. One of the common brand names for it is Dolophine.
- Fentanyl – Often spoken of in the news, fentanyl is utilized in pharmaceutical settings to manage breakthrough pain primarily in cancer patients. It’s one of the most potent forms of synthetic opioids. It comes in a lozenge form, sublingual, a film, and a tablet. One of the common brand names includes Sublimaze.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Wisconsin’s Trend of Synthetic Opioid Overdoses
Synthetic opioids have been impacting the nation as a whole, and Wisconsin is no exception to this impact. Let’s take a look at some of the trends over the past years.
From 2014 to 2023 the number of opioid deaths per month has doubled from 50 to 100 on average. Of all of the opioid overdoses, over 90% of them were due to synthetic opioids. This adds up to nearly 1,300 overdoses that were related to synthetic opioids.
In Brown County, specifically, from 2020 to 2021, opioid overdoses increased from 107 to 197.
What Age Groups Are Most Impacted by Synthetic Opioids?
The age group most impacted by deaths is 18-44 year-olds, with men being affected twice as much as women. These numbers change, however, when it comes to prescription pain medication distribution.
The age group that is prescribed the most pain medication is 65+ at 32.9%. The next group is 50-64 year olds at 28.1% with 18-49 year olds having a 19% prescription rate.
What’s More Common in Wisconsin — Prescription Opioid Overdoses or Illicit Opioid Overdoses?
Many people who are prescribed opioids worry about their safety when it comes to taking them. The most important thing to remember is that these medications are approved by the FDA and have certain directions to be followed that help ensure your safety.
The next thing to remember is that even if you were to experience withdrawals when stopping opioids, that doesn’t mean you have an opioid use disorder. Many people who take prescription opioids can experience withdrawals, and this can occur with many other medication types as well. Slowly decreasing your dosage with the help of your doctor can reduce your chances of experiencing withdrawal. If you have any concerns about the side effects of opioids, don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor.
When it comes to overdoses specifically, prescription overdoses accounted for 30 deaths per 100,000 in Wisconsin. Synthetic opioids accounted for 12 per 100,000.
How Do Overdoses Occur?
Any substance in high quantities can negatively affect our bodies. This is just as true for opioids. An overdose occurs whenever the body is overwhelmed by the amount of substance or substances that are within it at a given time. The chances of an overdose increase if you’re taking more than one substance at a time.
Our bodies process most substances through the liver, but our livers can only handle so much of a substance at a time. When it’s at max capacity, the substance remaining in your system has a higher chance of impacting other parts of your body like your brain. If your system becomes overloaded with opioids or other substances, it will slowly start to shut down. If you’re having an opioid overdose and don’t address it, it can lead to death.
What You Can Do to Save Lives – How to React to an Opioid Overdose in Brown County
The first step in helping someone who’s experiencing an opioid overdose is knowing how to spot an overdose in the first place. Since opioids are a form of depressant, they slow the body down, which becomes more noticeable during an overdose. Things such as unresponsiveness, slowed breathing, lowered heart rate, clammy skin, blue-tint to skin, and unconsciousness are all common signs of an opioid overdose.
If you think someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, don’t hesitate to call 911. The Good Samaritan Law protects you from being prosecuted for seeking assistance with an overdose. Opioid overdoses have a high likelihood of being fatal if not treated. When talking with medical professionals, make sure you’re open and honest when answering their questions.
Another way you can be prepared for an opioid overdose is by having naloxone on hand. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a medication that helps stop opioid overdoses. It is sometimes distributed whenever you have a strong opioid prescription. There are also Narcan distribution programs throughout the state, including over-the-counter options at local pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Even if you use Narcan to stop an opioid overdose, still seek medical help for the person to ensure they’re okay.
If you’re wanting to seek treatment for opioid use, CleanSlate is here to help. We know how important it is to have access to treatment when you need it, which is why we’re available to get you started anytime you need us. You can learn more about our treatment programs by giving us a call at 833-505-4673.
Begin your recovery journey with a clean slate.
