Addiction in Tennessee is a serious issue that affects many people across the state. Every month, around 543,000 adults in Tennessee report using illegal drugs. Sadly, nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths in Tennessee are linked to opioids, a type of drug that includes heroin, fentanyl, and some prescription painkillers.
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The number of people struggling with substance abuse in Tennessee is also quite high. In the past year alone, around 375,000 residents faced challenges with substance abuse disorder. This is a condition where a person finds it hard to control their use of drugs or alcohol, even when it causes problems in their life.
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When it comes to drug overdose deaths, the numbers are alarming. In 2019, there were 2,089 overdose deaths in Tennessee, and this number has been increasing over the years. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was involved in over 1,000 of these deaths, showing how dangerous this drug can be.
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Different counties in Tennessee have been affected in various ways. Davidson County had the most overdose deaths in total last year, with 329 people losing their lives. However, when adjusted for population, Cheatham County had the highest rate of overdose deaths, with 69 deaths per 100,000 residents.
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Opioids are the most abused drugs in Tennessee, involved in nearly 70% of all overdose deaths last year. These drugs can be prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, but they can also be highly addictive and dangerous if misused. The state has seen a decrease in the number of opioid prescriptions filled, which is partly due to efforts to monitor and regulate how these drugs are prescribed.
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To help combat the issue, Tennessee has a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. This program requires doctors to check a database before prescribing controlled substances, like opioids and benzodiazepines. The goal is to prevent overprescribing and to stop people from getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors.