Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Age-Related Differences in Opioid Overdose Deaths Mark Changing Face of Epidemic
  • USA - English


News provided by

JoTo PR

May 17, 2017, 08:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Bryn Wesch, CFO of Novus Medical Detox Center, discusses the importance of focusing on multiple types of opioids in the efforts to stop addiction.
Bryn Wesch, CFO of Novus Medical Detox Center, discusses the importance of focusing on multiple types of opioids in the efforts to stop addiction.

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (PRWEB) May 17, 2017 -- New research findings reveal age-related distinctions in U.S. opioid overdose deaths, with disproportionate levels of heroin overdoses among adults aged 20–34 and prescription opioid overdoses among the 50–64 population.(1, 2) Novus Medical Detox Center, a leading Florida-based drug treatment facility, examines the implications of these trends and urges demographic-based interventions to reduce overdoses among all age groups.

It’s critical to continue federal and state initiatives to address prescription opioid misuse and abuse, which can help prevent patients from developing opioid use disorders in the first place.

Post this

From 2014 to 2015, deaths from natural and semi-synthetic opioids (oxycodone and other prescription painkillers) rose 2.6% to 12,727, those due to synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl and tramadol) spiked 72.2% to 9,580, and heroin overdose deaths climbed 20.6% to 12,989—collectively, opioids claimed more than 33,000 lives in 2015.(3) A new analysis by university researchers has delved deeper into the data and found an age bias among overdose deaths. As of 2014, Americans aged 20–34 were dying from heroin overdoses at a rate of 10 or more per 100,000 deaths, compared to 6 or less for other age groups, while those aged 50–64 were more likely to overdose on prescription opioids at a rate approaching or exceeding 30 per 100,000, compared to 21 or less for other age groups.(1, 2)

Lead researcher Jay Unick believes the age divide is a result of recent crackdowns on prescription painkillers. He notes that “older people have greater access to pills,” since chronic pain, disability and other conditions allow them to legally obtain prescription opioids; meanwhile, stricter regulations on prescription drugs have limited the black-market supply, leading younger adults to resort to more readily available heroin.(1)

“Tightening regulations on prescription painkillers was an important first step in combating the U.S. opioid epidemic. However, rising heroin overdose deaths are evidence that America’s opioid battle that must be fought on multiple fronts,” said Bryn Wesch, CFO of Novus Medical Detox Center. “The fact that there has been little growth in natural and semi-synthetic opioid deaths suggests that regulatory efforts have helped curb prescription overdoses, but we can’t overlook the devastating toll that drugs like heroin and fentanyl are taking on young Americans.”

A previous study published by Unick and his fellow researchers found a dramatic increase in heroin use and overdose deaths starting in 2007, leading them to conclude “supply-based interventions may simply lead to a shift in use to heroin rather [than] minimizing the reduction in harm.”(4) They proposed leveraging prevention resources for treatment and demand-side reduction as a more effective way to minimize opioid abuse and related harm—an approach Wesch supports.

“It’s critical to continue federal and state initiatives to address prescription opioid misuse and abuse, which can help prevent patients from developing opioid use disorders in the first place,” asserted Wesch. “At the same time, we need more education and awareness campaigns to help the public understand the risks of opioid use, including serious health issues and overdose fatalities. We also need targeted messaging to alert young adults that illicit drugs such as heroin and fentanyl are often adulterated, which means there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ dose—a single hit can be deadly.”

Wesch is a strong proponent of expanded access to drug treatment programs, including medically supervised prescription-drug and heroin detox programs that are designed to help ease patients through the discomfort of opiate/opioid withdrawal. She advocates for individually customized treatments that take the user’s age, metabolism and type of opioid into account to ensure the best chance of success. Finally, Wesch calls for ongoing support and resources to help users overcome dependency and achieve lasting, long-term recovery.

For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center and its medically supervised heroin and prescription opioid treatment programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.

About Novus Medical Detox Center:
Novus Medical Detox Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation as an inpatient medical detox facility. Licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Novus provides safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs that are based on proven medical protocols and designed to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal. The facility is located on 3.25 acres in New Port Richey, Florida, in a tranquil, spa-like setting bordering protected conservation land. Intent on proving that detox doesn’t have to be painful or degrading, Novus set out to transform the industry by bringing humanity into medical detox with individually customized treatment programs and 24/7 access to nursing care and withdrawal specialists. Today, Novus is renowned as a champion of industry standardization and a staunch advocate of patients fighting to overcome substance use disorders. Frequently recognized for its contributions to the industry and local community, Novus has become a regular source to media publications such as The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and has ranked in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Fast 50, the Florida Business Journal’s Top 500 and the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies. For more information on Novus’ medically supervised detox programs visit https://novusdetox.com.

1. Frostenson, Sarah. “The Opioid Epidemic’s Startling Age Divide”; Vox; April 26, 2017. vox.com/science-and-health/2017/4/26/15389644/opioid-heroin-epidemic-startling-age-divide

2. Unick, Jay; Sarah Mars; and Daniel Ciccarone. “Heroin in Transition: U.S. Regional Differences in the Opioid Pill and ‘Heroin’ Overdose Epidemics”; slide presentation, April 2017; accessed May 11, 2017. cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/analysis.html

3. Rudd, Rose A.; Puja Seth; et al. “Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015”; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; December 30, 2016. cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm655051e1.htm

4. Unick, George Jay; Daniel Rosenblum; et al. “Intertwined Epidemics: National Demographic Trends in Hospitalizations for Heroin- and Opioid-Related Overdoses, 1993–2009”; PLOS ONE; February 6, 2013. journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0054496

Karla Jo Helms, JoTo PR, +1 (888) 202-4614 Ext: 802, [email protected]

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.