247 million people worldwide misused licit & illicit pills in the past year.
Abuse of prescription analgesics (pain killers) and other drugs has grown so significantly that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially declared it an epidemic. A recent study showed 29 million people suffer from drug disorders globally. An estimated 75% of the 17.4 million Americans who use illegal opioids are employed and only 1 in 6 people are actively in treatment.
Opiate refers to any drug that is derived from the opium, poppy, including the natural products, morphine and codeine, and the semi-synthetic drugs such as heroin. Opioid is more general, referring to any drug that acts on the opioid receptor. Opioid analgesics comprise a large group of substances that control pain by depressing the central nervous system. Over time, prescription opioid abuse may lead to the use of heroin, which can be easier to obtain. Some signs of abuse in the workplace include abrupt changes in attendance, unusual outbursts or displays of temper, unexplained changes in overall attitude, including depression, withdrawal or apathy.