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The death of actor Hayden Panettiere from an accidental drug overdose has drawn attention to a greater danger. People recovering from opioids face the highest risk of a fatal opioid overdose in the weeks following addiction treatment because tolerance drops quickly. A previously survivable dose can overwhelm the body. Panettiere was found unresponsive in Greenville …
Study Finds Overdose Risk Peaks After Opioid Addiction Treatment
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The death of actor Hayden Panettiere from an accidental drug overdose has drawn attention to a greater danger. People recovering from opioids face the highest risk of a fatal opioid overdose in the weeks following addiction treatment because tolerance drops quickly. A previously survivable dose can overwhelm the body.
Panettiere was found unresponsive in Greenville in South Carolina, on August 16. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office reported several drugs in her system, including fentanyl, anti-anxiety medication alprazolam, a muscle relaxer and a drug used to treat major depression. She had been in a Malibu rehab for two or three weeks out in California shortly before her death.
The details of her care are unknown, and the coroner’s report doesn’t establish why the overdose was fatal. But clinical literature shows that risks remain high even after recovery.
Resuming Use After Sobriety Kills
About 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, down roughly 14%. Declining totals haven’t changed the pattern underneath them. Researchers have long known that mortality risk rises in the period right after opioid use stops including after detox and leaving treatment.
Most opioid overdose deaths occur right after detox. Withdrawal reduces tolerance so folks who’ve been sober for weeks can overdose on a fraction of their old dosage. The danger multiples with fentanyl and sedatives such as alprazolam.
Basically, the month after completing treatment has a 5x greater overdose death risk when treatment ends without medications and 2x the risk after medication treatment ends.
Opioid Addiction Options
Researchers show that prescribed medications reduce the risk of fatal overdose, and behavioral therapy works best when combined with meds.
Anyone who recently stopped using opioids or left treatment should treat the following weeks as high risks. Keep naloxone on hand around you to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. It’s totally safe to give even if opioids aren’t involved.
These folks need connection and peer support matters. Narcotics Anonymous meetings are free, happen daily and put a newly sober person in a room with others who understand the exact risk.
NA Still a Top Choice
NA remains a first and necessary step for life long recovery. Your peers got your back, even if it’s only to lend a shoulder to cry on during hard spells. You can browse our listings for NA meetings anywhere in the USA.
Individuals looking for opioid treatment programs and learn about naloxone access can call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to talk through opioid addiction treatment options.
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