Written by: Marissa Stewart and Nathan Saloom
Despite ongoing efforts, addiction remains a growing concern for individuals and families across western Pennsylvania. Overdose deaths continue to rise, driven by the widespread availability of heroin and fentanyl. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a chronic disease characterized by dysregulation of brain reward, motivation, and memory circuits, reinforcing compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. The ease of access to these drugs has fueled an epidemic that devastates lives and communities.
Heroin and fentanyl availability impact more than 97% of Pennsylvania’s counties (1). In 2020, Westmoreland County saw 30 overdose deaths per 100,000 people, Allegheny County recorded 50 deaths per 100,000, and Fayette County reported 35 deaths per 100,000 (1,2). These statistics are more than just numbers; they represent lives lost, families devastated, and communities struggling to cope. Most alarming is the age distribution of drug-related deaths: individuals aged 25-34 accounted for 25% of fatalities, while those aged 35-44 comprised 30% (2).
Drug-related deaths are a tragic result of the deeper crisis of addiction. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania estimated that Allegheny County alone had 37,794 individuals with drug use disorders and 299,000 statewide in 2020.3 Nationwide, an estimated 40.3 million people battle substance abuse, yet only 6.5% of those people receive treatment (1). This equates to roughly 12% of people throughout our county battling substance abuse issues. Every struggling individual has family and friends who care about them. The reality is that you, or someone you know and love, may be battling substance abuse issues.
The far-reaching impact of addiction extends beyond the individual, affecting families, workplaces, and entire communities. Addiction transcends socioeconomic, racial, and geographical barriers, affecting both rural and urban communities across the state. Beyond the human toll, the economic impact is staggering. In 2020 alone, Allegheny County saw an estimated $400 million in lost wages due to addiction-related complications (4). This figure represents money that could have been spent on housing, food, and childcare, but instead reflects the devastating financial impacts of substance use disorders. Opioid addiction forms a vicious cycle—beginning as a coping mechanism for pain or stress and often resulting in economic hardship, destruction of relationships, health issues, and legal troubles, making recovery increasingly difficult.
Understanding addiction and drug abuse disorder as a disease, not a moral failure, is a critical step in breaking the cycle of addiction. Unfortunately, stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to treatment. A common misconception is that people become addicted to substances solely in pursuit of pleasure. In reality, many individuals are introduced to opioids through prescriptions for legitimate medical purposes and injuries. Individuals who are prescribed opioids long term often experience tolerance build-up, requiring larger doses to relieve pain, creating a vicious cycle of prescription drug abuse (5). When patients face difficulties obtaining a larger prescription, they may feel forced to find relief through unregulated and illegal means. This misunderstanding of addiction fuels negative stereotypes and discourages people from seeking help.
The stigma of addiction is often reinforced by language—terms like “abuser,” “junkie,” and “drunk” which dehumanize individuals and create barriers to recovery. Replacing these with more personal language, such as “individual with a substance use disorder,” encourages compassion and supports treatment (6). By fostering public understanding through education and more empathetic communication, we can begin to dismantle the harmful attitudes that isolate those needing help.
Statistics may often feel impersonal, making it easy for people to brush off the reality of addiction. Many people view themselves as unaffected, yet surveys estimate that 50% of Americans personally know someone struggling with substance use disorder (7). This means that half of us have the opportunity—and responsibility—to support someone in need. By fostering awareness, advocating for treatment, and dismantling stigma, we can work toward a meaningful change in addressing Pennsylvania’s addiction crisis.
Citations
(1) Admin. (2024). Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.methadone.org/drugs/pensylvannia-drug-alcohol-statistics/
(2) Drug overdose mortality by State. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/drug_poisoning_mortality/drug_poisoning.htm
(3) Opioid use disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/opioids.html
(4)The Opioid Threat in Pennsylvania. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/
(5) Am I at risk of opioid addiction? (2024). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/how-opioid-addiction-occurs/art-20360372
(6) Stigma of addiction. (n.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stigma-of-addiction
(7) Sarah Johnson. (2024). 50% of Americans know someone with substance abuse problems. Retrieved from https://recoveryfirst.org/blog/treatment/50-percent-of-americans-know-someone-with-substance-abuse-problems/