Yes! You have read it right; the opioid addiction had kept more than 1 million people out of their work back in the year 2015, according to a study. This epidemic has led to a devastating impact on the life of Americans and even has affected the country’s economy. It has literally cost billions of dollars as a large chunk of the U.S. population had stayed away from their workplace. Recent research was published by the American Action Forum (AFF). The drugs had a profound effect on the productivity as about 1 million people, aged from 25 years to 54 years, remained absent from work in 2015 because of their opioid addiction issue, which grew every year from 1999 to 2015.
The research concluded that the loss of employee’s productivity led to a heavy toll on the country’s economy, eventually costing a total loss of $7.2 billion or approx $44 billion yearly. The study also indicated that there was a loss of work hours by 0.2 percent in the mentioned period. The average growth rate was around 2 percent if people attended work, the growth rate would have escalated to 2.2 percent.
It was not only opioids that lead to fatalities, but also hindered the country’s economic growth to a great extent. It was further states that a decline in the workforce participation of 20% and 25% were classified for both men and women, respectively due to an increase in the prescription and consumption of painkillers.
Furthermore, it was also noted that the region had the highest number of opioid prescriptions which eventually resulted in a high number of the workforce being dropped off. For women, on the other hand, more working hours were lost between 1999 and 2015, which was around 6.4 billion compared to men, which was 5.7 billion. Unfortunately, employers across the nation faced a tough time in filling the vacancies as their potential candidates were unable to get through the drug test.
What Effects Opioids Has on The Body?
The long-term consumption of opioids can lead to devastating effects on almost all body parts. It can even cause daytime sleepiness for which a brain stimulant perhaps be needed. Prolonged use is also associated with the development of major anxiety and depression. Regular consumption can lead to respiratory depression, slow breathing, and eventually causing organ failure. Opioid abuse also causes constipation, nausea, and for reducing the gastrointestinal motility, resulting in small bowel obstruction, perforation, and peritonitis.
Seek A Drug-free Life
According to the CDC, more than 42,000 people succumbed to opioid in the year 2016 with 40% deaths mainly comprising of prescription opioids. It is time when the health authorities should understand the magnitude of the actual problem and make appropriate efforts in combating its hazardous effects. Opioids addiction is not only harmful to the user but also to their family.
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