Newnan, GeorgiaAddiction and RehabilitationThe state of Georgia has encountered an alarming increase inrates of opiate usage over the past decade. While methamphetamine usage wasonce the leading problem within the region, opiate based drugs have taken itsplace as the most frequently occuring source of overdose and drug relatedcrimes. Due in part to high accessto opioid based prescription painkillers, many have become so addicted to thesedrugs that they have turned to black market sources to alleviate their chemicaldependency. These activities have led to adjacent increases in crime andantisocial behaviors, negatively impacting the community at large. As a result,treatment and rehabilitation centers have become critical outlets for many inNewnan who have drug and alcohol recovery needs, and also for community memberswho strive to reduce drug and crime rates in the area. Substance Addictionin YouthDrug addictions, particularly related to opiates, have alsobecome an increasing problem with Georgia state youth.
Due to ease of accessand distribution channels in social media, youth opiate use and addiction inGeorgia has never been higher. Georgia’s rate of illicit pain reliever usageamongst youth, aged 12 to 17, resembles that of the United States, withapproximately 5% reporting they have tried prescription opiate based painrelieves for nonmedical purposes. However, this rate has risen quite faster inGeorgia than within the broader United States, leading to an emergent problemthat requires immediate solutions. Causes of IncreasedSubstance UsageIn the large urban center of nearby Atlanta, drug use ismuch higher and many of the causes of drug use in the city migrate to smallercommunities like Newnan. Heroin use has demonstrated the largest increase inusage over the past half-decade, which many believe is due to the introductionof opiate based prescription painkillers as part of regular treatments formedical conditions. As individuals become addicted to these painkillers and thedrugs begin to lose their effectiveness, some patients may turn to hardersubstances like heroin to relieve their chemical dependency.
These street drugsare actually cheaper and easier to access for many community members becausethey do no require a doctor’s prescription for a clear medical problem. Morethan 5% of the adult population in Atlanta seeks help for opiate basedaddictions each year. This rate of opiate and heroin usage has grown incontrast to falling rates of other drugs, like cocaine and methamphetamines.Furthermore, overdoses on opiate based prescription painkillers have quadrupledin Georgia during the period from 1999 to 2017, which serves as a testament tothe increased availability and access to these drugs. Substance Usage andCrime RatesAs with all illicit drugs, high rates of drug addictions andusage in the Atlanta area and nearby regions like Newnan have also impactedcrime rates. While general crime rates in Georgia have dropped from 1990 to2018, Violent and drug related crimes have increased during this same period.From 2008 and beyond, a particularly large increase in drug related crimes hasbeen observed, which has largely coincided with the influx in opiate overdoseand addictions during this time.
This crime has not only had a negative impact onthe community, but has required that law enforcement agencies and other socialinstitutions allocate resources to fighting the symptoms of a growing problemrather than focusing on long-term preventative solutions. Pharmacies have beenparticularly impacted by increased rates of opiate use and overdose over thepast few decades, as a sharp increase in pharmacy robberies has occurred in thestate of Georgia to obtain and distribute painkillers on the street. At least$100,000 worth of opiate based prescription painkillers are believed to bestolen from Georgia pharmacies each year. Georgia is currently in the top 10 inthe United States in terms of armed robberies of pharmacies. Mexican drugcartels have also capitalized on these higher rates of addiction, withtrafficking and violent crime pertaining to Georgia based cartels becoming anincreasing problem in the state as well. The Importance ofSeeking Treatment for Substance Use ProblemsWhile a variety of treatment options do exist in Georgia andin Newnan in particular, a small percentage of the population does not seek orreceive the help it needs. Recent estimates suggest that at least 2% of thoseyouth needing treatment for substance use do not receive proper treatment.
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Whilelower than the national average of 3%, this still represents thousands of youthin the state who will go on to lead lives of addiction. A total of 3% ofadolescents report needing treatment for illicit substance use but notreceiving, which is on par with the national average. Unmet recovery needs inyouth eventually can result in far greater and more longitudinal problems, suchas crime. Therefore, there is a clear need to understand available treatmentoptions within local communities to combat this growing problem. Treatment andRecovery Options in Newnan, GEORGIANewnan boasts several drug and alcohol recovery centers thatutilize contemporary rehabilitation research and techniques to promotelong-term recovery from addiction. Within the Newnan area, there are threelarger inpatient rehabilitation and wellness centers and multiple smaller,outpatient clinics.
Within many of these clinics are both partial inpatient andoutpatient treatment options to meet patients at all stages or recovery andwith a range of drug and/or alcohol recovery needs. Regardless of yourtreatment needs, it is critical that early intervention is sought to preventfurther struggles with addiction and relapse. Seeking treatment is the firststep toward long-term recovery and approaching a sober life. Online ServicesIn addition to in-person recovery centers, there are alsonow several online services and programs designed to meet recovery needs ofthose with drug and alcohol addictions. Such programs can be effective asstandalone therapies in many cases, but are most effective when considered assupplements to inpatient therapeutic environments because they do lack theability to oversee medical care like detoxification. However, for many, onlineservices are an excellent introduction into outpatient, partial inpatient, orfull inpatient care. Components ofTreatment and Recovery for Drug and Alcohol ProblemsFortunately, there are many opportunities to seek help inthe case of addiction for residents of Newnan, Georgia.
When engaged intreatment, there are a range of steps that must be undertaken in order tofulfil long-term rehabilitation goals. A typical addictions recovery program inthe state of Georgia will likely include an initial assessment, pre-intake,intake, detoxification, inpatient or outpatient treatment, after care, and thenongoing promotion of sober living. Each of these stages is critical inachieving a full recovery and preventing the factors that contribute torelapse. Each of these stages and what they entail is discussed in furtherdetail below. AssessmentAn assessment involves the administration of an evidencebased screening tool in order to gain a valid determination of the type(s) ofsubstances being consumed, frequency of usage, causes of usage, effects, andpotential treatment needs.
Examples of tools that might be given include theNIDA Drug Use Screening Tool, CRAFFT, Alcohol Use Disorders IdentificationTest-C, Opioid Risk Tool, Brief Screener for Alcohol, tobacco, and other Drugs,and Screening to Brief Intervention instrument. Each requires subjectiveself-report to identify drug and alcohol use patterns and to begin theappropriate path toward recovery. The use of an evidence based screening toolis combined with a subjective evaluation by a licensed chemical addictionsspecialist, who can accurately diagnose a substance use disorder and makeappropriate referrals for ongoing treatment. This initial assessment assists inthe subsequent pre-intake and intake. Pre-IntakeThe pre-intake is a critical step in the drug addictionrecovery process and informs the more thorough intake. During the pre-intake, thenew client will be required to fill out additional forms that help provide insightinto personal requests for substance recovery services and to make an accuratereferral based on specific rehabilitative needs. Based on information gatheredin the pre-intake, the more comprehensive and complete intake can be performedthat will eventually provide the pathway to recovery.
IntakeFollowing the assessment and pre-intake, a more thoroughintake is needed to accurately diagnose the exact drug and/or substance useproblem and to begin steps toward recovery. An intake is an extension of thepre-intake and designed to intervene in the event of a crisis, determineeligibility for treatment, clarify alliances in the treatment process, provideeducation about substance abuse, and to consider potential barriers totreatment. DetoxIn many cases, a detoxification period is necessary in orderto safely remove chemical drivers of substance usage behaviors and to beginworking toward full recovery. A medical detoxification is a clinicallysupervised removal of toxins introduced by illicit substances that havepreviously created a state of physical dependence.
Eliminating this physicaldependence is essential in preventing relapse and further addictive behaviorsthroughout the treatment process. This experience can be stressful andpotentially traumatic, and medical staff are qualified and trained to providepsychological and emotional support to help guide patients through thisprocess. Inpatient Treatment(RTC, PHP, IOP)More severe cases of physical dependency that create unsafeenvironments and/or physical withdrawals may require continued professionalsupervision and inpatient treatment may be a requisite for recovery. Aninpatient stay also allows for patients to fully engage in the treatment andrecovery process, free from distractions and environmental stressors thatcontribute to previous patterns of substance abuse. A residential treatment center (RTC) is a full live-in treatmentcenter in which recovery from substance addiction is the main focus of theclient’s life. Partial hospitalization treatment (PHP) is a more intensivevariation of outpatient, non-residential care that provides the opportunity foradditional supervision but does not require that patients live within thefacility full time.
An intensive outpatient program is similar to that of aPHP, but does not require detoxification. Outpatient TreatmentWhether initially placed in inpatient care or not,outpatient treatment is essential for maintaining recovery and preventingrelapse over time. Outpatient treatment places less residential restrictions onthe patient. However, motivation and commitment on the part of the patient isnecessary during this process, which requires approximately 10 or more hourseach week while therapeutic services are performed to meet recovery needs.AftercareOnce the main intervention has been delivered and the clienthas been released from inpatient or outpatient care, aftercare serves as afundamental stage in assisting her or him integrate with the community inaccordance with a new substance free lifestyle. Aftercare refers to any form offollow up or continued care that is provided after the main intervention. The primaryaims of aftercare are to continue recovery maintenance, prevent relapse, and toprovide a sense of purpose and meaning to the client free of substanceaddiction. Aftercare allows for ongoing access to addictions recovery servicesas the client navigates a new life without chemical dependency.
Sober LivingSober living is more than just a phrase, but a philosophy,mission, and way of life. Sober living is the primary aim of addictionsrecovery programs and requires a lifelong commitment on the part of patientsand their respective doctors. Transitional homes exist within the Newnan,Georgia community to help promotesober living and to provide additional social and practical resources forclients suffering from addictions. Such facilities promote continuity of careas clients transition from inpatient or partial residential programs tocommunities. Staffed with trained therapists and also other patients recovering from addictions, sober livingfacilities help patients build healthy relationships in the community that arenot based on drugs or alcohol.
AdditionalConsiderationsWhen exploring treatment and recovery center options, additionalconsiderations that must be made include reviews by clients, ratings byprofessionals, location and proximity, and also preference for a particularapproach to recovery. Some clinics emphasize strictly medical care, whileothers promote holistic healing that includes psychological and emotionalrecovery needs. Patient centered care should be evident as a priority in anytreatment center that you choose.
The treatment center you choose should alsodemonstrate a history of treating clients with dignity and respect. Cost mayalso be a consideration based on your financial status and insuranceavailability.
