History of Addiction in America, Module 2
History of Addiction in America, Module 2 This module provides a panoramic view of addiction in America, especially to the opioid epidemic and its lasting impacts. Here is an overview of the important themes: Historical Legacy of Opioids in America There is now a long history of opioid use and addiction in America, characterized by cycles of medical use, misuse, and addiction from the 19th-century epidemic related to morphine to the current prescription opioid crisis. These patterns help clarify why and how- the challenges with managing opioids for pain persist while trying to prevent addiction. The role of pharmaceutical companies, failure in policy-making, and lack of early intervention have shaped the opioid epidemics that occur today. Historical mistrust of addicts and viewing addiction as a moral failing and not a medical disease further stigmatized this issue. Comparison of U.S. and Global Substance Use: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/deaths-illicit-drugs?tab=table Alth...