New York-based Fair Health recently conducted a study on national opioid practices.
The nonprofit data bank analyzed anonymous claims data — provided by insurers — that contained information for 150 million patients. Researchers pinpointed diagnosis codes relating to opioid dependency and abuse, adverse events as a result of heroin use and other issues related to opiate abuse.
Here are six things to know about the study's findings:
- From 2007 to 2014, opioid dependence rose by 3,203 percent. Opioid abuse rose by 317 percent.
- Claims detailing pregnancy drug dependence diagnoses increased by 511 percent between the same time period.
- The amount of heroin overdoses in the U.S. grew by 510 percent from 2009 to 2014, a much steeper rise than prescription drug overdoses and street drug opioids.
- From 2007 to 2014, 69 percent of claims for opioid dependence and 50 percent of claims for opioid abuse were for people 19 to 35-years-old.
- While women historically have lower rates of heroin use than men, they are closing the gap. From 2002 to 2004 and 2011 to 2013, heroin use increased by 100 percent among females and 50 percent among males.
- The five states with the highest rates of drug overdose-related deaths in 2014 — primarily caused by opioids — were West Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Kentucky and Ohio.
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