Analysis of the Research on the Opioid Epidemic

Different research has been conducted to try and find out the opioid epidemic in Arizona and other parts of the world. The research by Kunkel in 2016 addresses the issue and relies a lot on the gathered data relevant to the research area, it also identifies a number of problems associated to the problem and gives a number of possible solutions to the problem, the other research by Poist et al. also covers most of these sections relevant to the research topic. It is more productive to address some of the content in the research papers relevant for this study area.

As per Poist et al. and Kunkel different problems in relation to the research are identified which are very relevant to the Opioid problem in Arizona, some of the main findings of the research are the possible causes of the problem among the population in the community which includes; stress was noted to be one of the main causes of use of opioid drugs among many of the subjects within both research (Poist et al., 2015). Kunken refers that the opioid drugs affect the brains section which is responsible for rewarding which affects the persons stress levels without noticing the effect the drugs have on the user. Poist et al. clearly explains that the use of the drugs also produces a sense of well-being if takes to the right amounts or as per the prescription but the abuse of the drugs lead to addition among other health impacts (Kunkel, 2016).

These drugs create endorphin in the brain which is responsible for the good feeling one experiences; this makes the drugs very addictive among other drugs. On the other hand, both types of research have also identified the problem associated to the research such as death from overdoses, and there were different classifications in relation to problems associated to the problem which were classified under physical health of the person addicted as well as their social life as per Kunkel. The main problem as seen includes death which is as a result of the effect of Opioids on the part of the brain which happens to be responsible for breathing where an overdose can lead to respiratory depression which in return results to death. This is one of the main causes of the death as identified by both research papers. As seen from the research the intended purpose of opioids; codeine, oxycodone, and morphine are all pain medications which help in the relieve of the indifferent causes, but over time the use has been misused by many (Kunkel, 2016).

Both types of research have addressed possible solution for the problem which starts with the use of the opioids in the prescribed doses. This avoids misuse of these drugs which results in addiction. The research also emphasized on the need of creating public awareness on the dangers associated with the drugs (Poist et al., 2015). This gets information the public on the side effects associated with opioids.

Kunkel's research involved a number of participants who claimed to have less information in relation to the impacts of an overdose of these drugs. Access to these drugs over the past few years has been so easy which has contributed to the high use of the drugs hence leading to the addiction or the opioid epidemic. The access to these drugs should be controlled and the many outlets are selling these drugs should be restricted by different laws which control the sale of the drugs with no doctor prescription (Kunkel, 2016).

References

Kunkel, T. (2016). Data-Driven Approaches to Responding to the Opioid Epidemic. US Att'ys Bull., 64, 79.

Poist, J., Wu, R., Peralta, L., & Slack, M. (2015). Prescriber Knowledge and Perception of Naloxone Use for Opioid Overdose Reversal among Intravenous Drug Users.