If you’re a millennial, chances are you’ve been impacted by our country’s devastating opioid epidemic. In fact, a recent poll by GenForward found that more than four in 10 millennials, or 42 percent, personally know someone who has been addicted to opioids – and that includes 17 percent who know someone in their immediate family.

Previous studies show that prescription painkiller abuse is more common among millennials than any previous generation, with more than 12 percent having abused painkillers, compared to less than 8 percent of Boomers and Gen Xers. One possible explanation is that millennials come into contact with these drugs at an earlier age, prescribed opioids following wisdom teeth surgery, for example. Some say that opioids are even weaved into their social fabric, with more and more pop songs written about the addictive drugs. What’s more, the synthetic opioid fentanyl is causing fatal overdoses in many millennials. 

Here’s a look at the recent findings of the GenForward poll, which broke down the percentage of millennials who know someone impacted by the devastating opioid epidemic:

• 54 percent of white millennials, with the majority of white women
• 30 percent of African-American millennials
• 26 percent of Asian-American millennials
•  23 percent of Latino millennials
•  48 percent of Republican or Republican-leaning millennials
• 42 percent of Democrat or Democrat-leaning millennials
• 37 percent of independent millennials

What’s more, two-thirds of white millennials living in the Northeast have a direct connection to the opioid epidemic, which is considerably higher than in other parts of the country.

Treating Opiate Addiction in New Jersey
There’s no better time than today to get help for you or someone you love who is struggling with opiate addiction. Seabrook is proud to be on the front line combating the nationwide opioid epidemic by giving our clients the right tools to achieve lasting sobriety. To learn more about our programs and services, including opiate detoxification, call us today: 856-455-7575.