Waismann Method Questions whether CDC may be Underestimating Apparent Suicide Rate
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) June 26, 2018 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this month that suicide rates increased by 25% in the United States between since 1999 and 2016. Twenty-five states saw their suicide rates increase by more than 30%. With this dramatic increase, the CDC now ranks suicide as the 10th leading cause of death. However, given methodological limitations in the CDC estimate, the numbers may actually be substantially higher.
“The CDC says suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, but if you include deaths attributable to a drug overdose, it may end up being 7th highest,” states Clare Waismann, founder of the Waismann Method™ a medical opioid treatment program. She points to the fact that the CDC uses a dataset with provider-defined definitions of suicide. If the cause of death is a drug overdose, often health providers filling out death certificates will stipulate an accidental overdose rather than a suicide.
“People who abuse drugs are at constant risk of a fatal dose,” says Waismann. “The sad truth is that after several cycles of failed rehabilitation, relapse, or untreated mental illness, these individuals reach a point of intense hopelessness. The emotional pain becomes so unbearable, they simply don’t care if they live or die.” As a result, the CDC might understandably be missing a significant number of people who commit what is tantamount to suicide by using a lethal dose of narcotics.
The CDC estimates that 45,000 people committed suicide in 2016 alone. This number was used to determine the statistic that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. However, in separate analyses, the CDC also estimates that opioids killed over 42,000 people in 2016. A full 60% of these deaths were attributable to non-prescription opioids. While it is difficult to determine how many of these deaths are attributable to functional suicide, a conservative estimate would be 25% or roughly 10,000 Americans. Considering this adjustment, suicide would be on par with diabetes as the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.
“Opioids are a major and underreported cause of suicide,” adds Clare Waismann. “In our efforts to save lives and prevent suicide and overdoses, we must concentrate on providing education, accessible mental health care, and effective drug treatment. We have the science and resources, all we need are the right priorities."
About the Waismann Method® Opioid Treatment Specialists
Waismann Method® has been offering medical assisted opioid detoxification in a Full-Service JCAHO Accredited Hospital in Southern California for the last two decades. Medically directed by Dr. Michael H. Lowenstein, the Waismann Method® is the premier medical opiate detoxification and rapid detox center in the US. Dr. Lowenstein is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. He leads a team of healthcare professionals that consistently provide humane, dignified, and effective care. Together with Domus Retreat, the Waismann staff has consistently provided, the highest opioid detoxification success rate available. This commitment to providing excellent care and superior results is as strong today as it was 20 years ago.
Clare Waismann, Waismann Method® - Advanced Treatment of Opioid Dependence, http://www.opiates.com, 310-205-0808, [email protected]
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