"Rising Stimulant Overdose Fatalities Unnoticed by the Public According to New Study"

"Rising Stimulant Overdose Fatalities Unnoticed by the Public According to New Study"

The ongoing opioid crisis in North America has taken a new and dangerous turn, with a growing trend of people using opioids in combination with stimulants, creating a "silent epidemic" that is causing a significant rise in overdose deaths.

According to a study published in Molecular Psychiatry, led by the University of Alberta, this trend is particularly prominent in North America and is not observed as strongly in other developed regions like the U.K., Australia, or Europe. The research warns of a growing trend of overdose deaths involving a combination of opioids and stimulants, such as a "speedball" made from methamphetamine or cocaine and an opioid.

The study analyzed data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in the U.S. between 1999 and 2021, as well as trends from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System. It found that about 82% of opioid users have been exposed to stimulants, with around 22% regularly using amphetamines.

The combination of stimulants, which produce a "rush" or increased alertness, and opioids, which have calming, depressant effects, causes a dangerous physiological conflict that raises overdose risk substantially. This is particularly concerning given that many of today's most dangerous opioids, including fentanyl, are synthetic, meaning they are made in a lab rather than derived from the opium poppy.

One of the most alarming aspects of this trend is the increasing involvement of stimulants in overdose deaths. While public focus remains heavily on opioids such as fentanyl and heroin, stimulant use is rising each year and increasingly contributing to overdose fatalities.

Another concerning factor is the lack of public awareness and prevention efforts regarding stimulants. Despite the sharp increases in deaths involving both types of substances, public attention and awareness remain low, especially regarding stimulants, impairing intervention efforts.

People receiving medications for opioid use disorder who also use stimulants may face higher overdose risks and complex treatment challenges. Comorbid mental health conditions and social factors such as stigma and barriers to healthcare further complicate engagement in treatment and increase vulnerability.

Researchers have developed a machine-learning model that can predict an individual's risk of overdose using de-identified population-level health data. The next step, according to lead researcher Cao, is to apply the science responsibly, collaborate across sectors, and bring affected communities into the conversation.

The deaths involving both opioids and stimulants are increasing at a higher speed compared to opioid-related deaths. If a stimulant user buys cocaine contaminated with fentanyl, they are at extreme risk for death. This trend necessitates urgent focused public health responses to address this "silent epidemic" and save lives.

1. The rise in health issues associated with drug use is a matter of concern, particularly the growing trend of combining opioids with stimulants in North America.
2. This combination, often seen as a "silent epidemic," is causing a significant increase in overdose deaths, according to a study published in Molecular Psychiatry.
3. The research warns of the increasing trend of overdose deaths involving opioids like fentanyl and stimulants such as methamphetamine or cocaine.
4. The study analyzed data from various sources, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System.
5. According to the study, about 82% of opioid users have been exposed to stimulants, with around 22% regularly using amphetamines.
6. The combination of stimulants, which promote a "rush" or increased alertness, and opioids, which have calming effects, creates a dangerous physiological conflict that raises overdose risk.
7. The public needs to be more aware of the risks associated with stimulant use, as it is increasingly contributing to overdose fatalities.
8. People receiving medications for opioid use disorder who also use stimulants may face higher overdose risks and complex treatment challenges.
9. Researchers have developed a machine-learning model to predict an individual's risk of overdose using de-identified population-level health data.
10. The trend in deaths involving both opioids and stimulants is escalating at a faster pace than opioid-related deaths, necessitating urgent focused public health responses.
11. If a stimulant user unknowingly buys cocaine contaminated with fentanyl, they are at extreme risk for death.
12. Mental health conditions and social factors such as stigma and barriers to healthcare further complicate treatment engagement and increase vulnerability in this silent epidemic.
13. In the field of health and wellness, understanding and addressing this trend is crucial for promoting personal growth, mindfulness, productivity, and career development.
14. Educational programs focusing on understanding and preventing drug misuse, including the dangers of combining opioids and stimulants, should be a part of education-and-self-development curriculums.
15. The ongoing opioid crisis also has implications beyond health, with potential impacts on general news, crime-and-justice, and accidents, such as car-accidents and job-search issues due to increased substance use.
16. To combat this silent epidemic, it is essential to bring affected communities into the conversation, collaborate across sectors, and apply the science responsibly to save lives.

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