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Focus Healthcare of Tennessee

A Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center

Substance Abuse Facts

Suboxone



Since 2003 through 2007, there has been a 62% increase in the number of accidental overdose deaths of Tennessee residents. In 2007, there were 750 deaths. Source: Tennessee Department of Health

For the years 2006-2008, in Tennessee, there were 4,156 exposure calls that involved opioid medications and there were 61,083 calls placed to the Poison Control Center seeking information or trying to identify opioid medications. Source: Tennessee Poison Center

Prescription drugs cause more than 26,00 fatal overdoses each year in the United States. Source: Leonard Paulozzi, CDC

The number of overdose deaths from opioid medications in the United States has more than tripled from 1999 to 2006, to 13800 deaths that year. Source: CDC

Approximately 120,000 Americans a year go the Emergency Room after overdosing on opioid medications. Source: USA Today 10/1/09

Statistics show that opioid abuse and opiate addictions cost Americans over 484 billion dollars annually. Source: NIH

More Americans abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin and ecstasy combined. Source: Dr. Oz on Oprah 10/09, referencing the DEA

One-third of Americans report sharing prescription medications; allergy, pain and antibiotics most commonly shared. Source: Cesar 11/2008

For three years straight the number of rogue Web sites selling controlled prescription drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, Valium, and Ritalin has increased.  A total of 581 Web sites advertising or selling controlled prescription drugs in 2007 compared to 342 sites in 2006. In 2008, 85% of Web sites selling such drugs do not require a prescription. Source: The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University 7/08

In the last year, the Tennessee Inspector General has investigated 75 doctor-shopping cases in Tennessee. Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press 7/21/09

Comparing Tennessee to other states, adjusting for population, Tennessee ranks anywhere from the largest user to the 6th largest user of several narcotics:

  • Ranks # 1 for Codeine use
  • Ranks # 2 for Hydrocodone use
  • Ranks # 2 for Morphine use
  • Ranks # 4 for Meperdine use
  • Ranks # 5 for Oxycodone use
  • Ranks # 6 Fentanyl

Source: DEA Arcos Data 2006