Opioid Addiction Crisis

Problem Statement The development of the opioid addiction and overdose has a significant bearing on the mental health issues. Addiction to opioids is a significant mental health concern that warrants close attention and care for the mentally ill patient. The sources of opioids which are abused in the USA has been established to be from different sources with the diversion of prescriptive opioids contributing significantly to the amount of the opioids that are abused in the USA (Manworren and Gilson, 2015). According to Manworren and Gilson, (2015) 71% of the diverted opioids are obtained from friends or relatives either through theft, purchase or for free. Opioid diversion is a significant cause of opioid addiction, overdose and other opioid-related mental health disorders such as depression.

The limited utilization of healthcare personnel in the management of opioid addiction is a critical issue that impacts on the ability to tackle the mental health issues posed by the opioid crisis in the USA (Jenkinson and Ravert, 2013). The majority of the opioid treatment centres that are available for the treatment of patients with opiate addiction have key challenges such as lengthy waiting lists for the patients. The long waiting lists for these patients poses a limitation to access, safety and also the quality of care provided to the patients (Jenkinson and Ravert, 2013). This coupled with the stigma attached to the treatment clinics for opiate addiction compounds the challenges for the patients with opioid addiction disorders. According to Blevins et al.

Nurses have a significant role in the prevention of drug diversion which is one of the significant causes of opioid addiction. Nurse according to (Manworren and Gilson, (2015) can reduce the diversion of opioid medications through ensuring that they educate the patients on the effects of diversion of opioids and the legal consequences of diversion of the prescription opioid medications. Nurses through educating patients on the correct disposal of prescriptive opioids can be able to limit the diversion of the prescription medications (Costello, 2015). Close monitoring for patients through effective tracking of the patient’s adherence, random pill counts and random drug tests for patients on long-term use is critical to preventing the misuse of the medications. Ways to Respond to Opioid Crisis The negative implications of the opioid addiction crisis in the health care system in the USA are not only high but also poses a key public health concern.

The Combating the Opioid Epidemic Bill in Congress aims to address this through increasing the investment in research on opioid addiction through the state's Health departments through to 2022(Congress. gov, 2018). The Bill also aims to increase funding for the state grants to address the opioid crisis by amending the 21st century Cures Bill. Increased funding for research will be critical to informing on the available and feasible long-term care interventions that can be put into place to ensure effective management of the opioid addiction in the country. Legislative action to enhance the control and combat against highly addictive medications is also essential in ensuring that the opioid crisis is managed within the USA. and Stein, M. Quality of life and well-being following inpatient and partial hospitalization treatment for opioid use disorder.