Towards the end of the 20th century, misleading information by several pharmaceutical companies, claiming their opioid painkillers were non-addictive, triggered a surge in prescriptions across the United States for individuals with chronic pain.
At the same time, the increased availability of opioids created a concerning trend, as individuals with emotional trauma and mental health conditions sought solace in these drugs, chasing the temporary euphoria they provided and unknowingly falling into rapid dependency.
Today, the misuse of prescription and illicit opioids is the leading cause of death in most developed nations. Within the United States alone, it has evolved into a public health emergency, claiming the lives of over 70,000 individuals last year (CDC).