Overdose Crisis in Savannah, GA
It is no secret that America is in peril over its unhealthy relationship with opioids. The opioid epidemic has hit Georgia particularly hard. The overdose rate throughout the city of Savannah, GA as well as the state is becoming a crisis. The abuse of over-the-counter prescriptions is contributing to the overdose rate. However, black market counterfeit fentanyl and cheap heroin are also guilty culprits. While usage is steady throughout the state, rural counties are seeing the greatest number of overdoses. The overdose rate in rural communities is likely due to lack of treatment access with a combined greater access to over-the-counter substances.
For additional information about this life-changing opportunity, call (912)662-0956 to talk to a knowledgeable and compassionate recovery rehab addiction expert.
Not unlike the rest of the United States, opioid-related fatalities in the state of Georgia have risen to match the rate seen of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents. If you have questions on what addiction may look like, look for these symptoms (although, not limited to):
- Constant prescription refills
- Using another’s prescription
- Mood swings
- Financial hardships
- Erratic schedules
There can be many symptoms to look for, but keep in mind the individual may insist on using their substance, even if the cost is living a lower quality life. View the information we have on treatment to learn how you can help you or a loved one beat addiction.
The Overdose History of Savannah, GA
Prescription drug abuse is not new to Savannah, GA. You may be wondering how the overdose problem got so bad in the state, but the opioid epidemic is affecting the entire country. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical marketing practices in the late 90’s led the medical community astray with their portrayal of opioids. The companies led the health industry to believe that opioids had little chance of becoming addictive. That did not prove to be true with America seeing over 200,000 opioid related overdoses since the late 1990’s. Additionally, Georgia has seen the amount of overdoses in the state triple in the span of 1999-2013.
Many pharmaceutical companies are facing lawsuits for the role they played in the over-prescribing of opioids. Out of the overdoses Georgia saw in the 1999-2014 span, 549 of those deaths were opioid related. Not to mention, Georgia has also landed in the top 11 states for opioid-related overdose deaths. Since many of the deaths that occur are in rural communities, many of the efforts made to curb opioid addiction have been in increasing treatment availability. Sadly, rates of both heroin and meth abuse are steadily increasing, more work is to be done.
Consequences
Unfortunately, we are living through one of the worst drug epidemics in American history. The United States has never seen a drug epidemic as bad as the opioid crisis. The overdose rate is higher than what is annually seen from motor-vehicle incidents, and fire-arm related fatalities. Both prescription drug abuse and illicit substances such as counterfeit opioids and heroin are fueling Georgia’s overdose rate. In fact, in 2017, Macon, GA was found to be a hub for counterfeit Percocet’s leading to an overdose surge in the area. Many rural areas are suffering from overdoses, because they simply do not have access to treatment programs. Due to the tolerance that prescription opioids allow individual’s to develop, they will likely start to look for alternative opioids to use, or alternative ways to use them.
One of the reasons there has been a rise in overdose is of course, how often doctors prescribe them. While it can be said that the prescription rate is down for Georgia as a whole, doctors will still likely prescribe the opioids to older individuals from rural areas. While nationally, those in the age group of 45-54 are the most likely to overdose from opioids, there is a nearly even split in Georgia age groups ranging from 25-54. Doctors are more likely to recommend opioids to those from rural areas because they are not able to consistently drive to a treatment center and have their pain treated, so the opioids are usually the most convenient choice, but unfortunately at the highest cost.
Treatment Access
Although they used to say that prescription opioids were not addictive, the reality is they are both addictive and build a tolerance. More so, the constant need for the prescription substance can become expensive. Since most of those developing an addiction come from a rural area, they may not always have the funds to fuel this addiction, and this can turn into one of two things. Either the individual will surrender other things in their life to support their addiction or they will turn to other, likely illegal substances. You can attribute the rise in heroin use to it’s lower cost and higher accessibility. Not to mention, those who are dealing with this type of addiction have limited to no access to proven-effective treatment.
The biggest barrier to receiving treatment in Georgia is the lack of treatment accessibility. Most of the treatment options are going to be in big cities like Atlanta. Treatment being centralized to bigger cities is what makes it difficult for those in smaller cities to feel like they can receive treatment, they may also fear that they will be ostracized for seeking treatment. Medication-assisted treatment has proven the most effective when treating opioid addiction, but receiving this type of treatment can be difficult for some. Government and university officials have worked to understand the specific issues that plague these communities. More so, they are working to provide sufficient care for all of those who need it.
Call 912-214-3867 and learn about how you can beat opioid addiction today. With the rate of 130 individuals overdosing from opioids a day, there is no time to lose. Always remember that you have options, and that you do not have to face addiction alone.
Fight the Overdose Rate
The battle with opioids is unprecedented. The overdose rate is hitting Savannah and the rest of Georgia particularly hard. Treatment access isn’t great, and the state is seeing a surge in heroin and meth abuse. However, you can receive treatment. No matter the addiction severity or the community one comes from, treatment is available. Even if it feels as though treatment isn’t realistic, that is simply not the case. Call 912-214-3867 and learn what options are available to you. Our experts understand that everyone’s circumstances are going to be different when it comes to receiving treatment.
We know that there can be a variety of obstacles that can get in the way of you receiving treatment, but we have solutions for those obstacles. When you call, we can provide you with additional information about opioids, what you can do, treatment options and types, and answer any remaining questions you may have about addiction. Don’t worry if you feel that distance is a problem, relocation is a tangible option and we can even discuss how to cover relocating for treatment. More often than not, overdoses cause fatalities. While you can stop an overdose, treating the addiction that causes it can make sure you never have to worry about one.
