Temporal and geographic patterns in opioid abuse in Texas
1Texas Department of State Health Services, Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries Section, Austin, Texas 78756, USA. mathias.forrester@dshs.state.tx.us
Abstract:
Opioid analgesic abuse is an increasing problem in the United States. All opioid analgesic abuse exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2000-2010 were identified and annual and geographic patterns were examined. The annual number of opioid analgesic abuse cases increased 160% from 441 in 2000 to 1,145 in 2010. The proportion of total opioid analgesic exposures reported to be due to abuse increased 55% from 11.4% in 2000 to 17.8% in 2010. The opioid analgesic rate per 100,000 was highest (90.15) in northeastern Texas and lowest (27.91) in the southern part of the state.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Analgesia and Pain Management
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...


