Opioid addiction has ravaged the lives of millions of Americans, both directly and indirectly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that at least 500,000 people have suffered fatal overdoses from opioid painkillers – most of which were prescribed to the victim at one point – between 2009 and 2019.
In the last few years, thousands of lawsuits against Big Pharma have formed that accuse the massive conglomerates of falsely reporting the addiction risks of their prescription opiates. Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen have recently agreed to a $26 billionsettlement fund to resolve those lawsuits. Representatives from the companies have noted that the opioid crisis is real but still have not admitted to any wrongdoing.
The settlement does not pay individuals who have lost a loved one to opioid addiction, though. Instead, the funds will be gradually paid to all 50 states in different proportions across the next 18 years. The money that each state receives will be used to fund state-level campaigns to prevent addiction recovery, as well as government-supported addiction treatment and recovery centers.
Attorneys for the Big Pharma companies are reportedly hopeful that the settlement will soon be accepted by state attorneys general from every state. New York is expected to receive the first wave of settlement funds by September.
(For more information about this landmark settlement, you can click here to view a full article from NBC News.)
Addiction is Often Caused by Outside Sources
The J&J-Big Pharma opioid lawsuit settlement is great news for countless Americans who are still struggling with opioid addiction. But it also shows that substance addiction is rarely a problem caused solely by the person living with it. More often than not, they are first tempted into addiction by an outside source, like a company that falsely advertises the safety of its medications.
If you are dealing with the many problems of opioid addiction, then please know that there is no shame in it. As the newsworthy lawsuit shows, millions of Americans have unintentionally fallen into similar situations, despite their best efforts to take care of themselves. What’s important is realizing that no matter the root of your addiction, you are the one who has to decide to fight it.
The Carter Treatment Center in Cumming and Suwanee, Georgia can help you create and follow an opioid addiction recovery plan. We take a personalized approach to recovery and sobriety that considers your physical, mental, and emotional health needs. Contact us now to speak with a member of our staff about what you can do today to start down the road to recovery.