BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Back in November, the CDC released a report stating that approximately 49 million Americans have or have had a substance abuse disorder. Approximately 1 in 6 people. Of these, nearly 6 million people struggle with opioid misuse.
According to KFF.org, 74 people died from opioid overdoses in North Dakota in 2021. For people with opioid disorders, receiving treatment can be the difference between life and death.
Kathy Nevins, a nurse with Essentia Health, said the problem is growing in the state.
“As a country, we treat 12 to 20 percent (I think the numbers vary) of people with this disease, this chronic disease. We often think that this is similar to diabetes or high blood pressure. “This is a chronic health condition that requires treatment,” Nevins said.
Dr. Nevins often said that people may feel embarrassed to seek treatment for the disorder because of the stigma associated with drug problems.
Dr. Alexandra Koolhase, a psychologist at Essentia Health, said substance abuse disorders usually go hand in hand with mental health disorders. She said it's a disease that anyone can develop.
“I don't think anyone is immune. I think the more we talk about these things and normalize treatment, the better chance people will get the help they need.”
Nevins said he is able to see about 16 patients a day through telemedicine, while he can only see about 12 in his clinic. He also said this is a great way to make treatment more accessible to people living in rural areas.
Nevins said the benefits of receiving treatment for opioid disorder include being able to prescribe alternative, non-lethal drugs to ease withdrawal symptoms.
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