***From 2011-2014 Fentanyl deaths were included in prescription medication deaths.

Prescription opioids are often used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and are typically prescribed following surgery or injury, or for certain health conditions such as cancer. According to the CDC, there has been a dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain in recent years, despite serious risks and lack of evidence about the long-term effectiveness of opioids (CDC, 2017). 

Taking too many prescription opioids can stop a person’s breathing—leading to death (CDC, 2017). Prescription opioid overdose deaths often involve benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants used to sedate, induce sleep, prevent seizures, and relieve anxiety.

Anyone who takes prescription opioids can become addicted to them. Prescription drug misuse is a serious problem in Michigan and drug overdose deaths are on the rise across the state. People addicted to an opioid medication can have severe withdrawal symptoms that begin as early as a few hours after the drug was last taken. These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and are the reason many people find it so difficult to stop using opioids (NIDA, 2018).