With the rise of prescription painkiller and heroin abuse in the United States, no part of the country goes unaffected by its terrors. Millions of Americans suffer every year from some kind of opiate addiction, with thousands even succumbing to overdoses. Although there’s a stigma that serious drug addiction only affects major cities or poorer areas, heroin addiction reaches into every state and community. This new HBO documentary takes a look at heroin addiction in Cape Cod.
Heroin Addiction in Cape Cod
Heroin: Cape Cod is an HBO documentary that began airing December 28. It illustrates the growing heroin epidemic that’s running rampant in the state of Massachusetts and the nation as a whole. Heroin-related deaths quadrupled over the last decade, leaving many citizens to wonder what can be done about the heroin epidemic. This is especially true for Massachusetts residents where 85 percent of crimes are opiate-related.
Heroin addiction in Cape Cod, Massachusetts also isn’t the type of place where people expect addiction to be a common problem. Full of scenic beaches, lighthouses, and quaint villages, Cape Cod seems like the last place heroin addiction would be a problem. However, this is only due to the stigma of addiction. This stigma is dangerous because it prevents people from recognizing problems in unsuspecting places, leaving people in those areas to suffer.
The Rise of National Heroin Abuse
While the rise of heroin addiction in Cape Cod is surprising to many, it’s not an uncommon story. Many communities are dealing with the ramifications of heroin addiction. Ever since prescription painkiller use became popular in the 90s, it spiraled into prescription drug addiction and heroin abuse. The problem is so severe that it’s currently a national crisis.
With its origins in prescription painkillers, it’s unsurprising that heroin use is becoming common among older generations, people with chronic pain, or other people who would regularly use prescription drugs. With that understanding, it’s obvious why heroin addiction in Cape Cod became such a harrowing problem, and why it’s important to look at other communities with similar demographics.
Morningside Recovery Addiction Treatment
At Morningside Recovery in Orange County, California, we understand the need for comprehensive, individualized opiate addiction treatment. We treat adults from all communities and backgrounds without discrimination in hopes of lessening the burden of the opioid epidemic. If you or someone you love needs treatment, then call us today at 855-631-2135. Recovery is out there; you just need to take the first step.
