Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, September 14, 2018
(UNDATED) - Every year, a new report highlights the toll of drug overdoses in our communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s August report, 72,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year with most stemming from opioid use.
Indiana opioid overdose deaths have more than doubled in the last three years. Lethal overdoses have increased by 28 percent from July 2016 to July 2017. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl can be 50 times more powerful than heroin thus causing a huge increase in accidental overdose fatalities.
Every one of those deaths means immeasurable pain for a parent, child, family, and community. In our experience, providing low-barrier access to medication-assisted treatment and comprehensive support that meets individuals where they are has made recovery possible for many individuals. We often see family relationships restored and individuals secure stable employment as a result of the recovery services received at Centerstone.
Our emphasis is on letting the clients guide their goals, whether that's obtaining housing, employment or healing broken relationships with their family. Tammy, a Centerstone client, described her recovery journey as long and difficult. Her goal of having access to employment made a difference to her.
"I needed a hand up, not a handout," said Tammy.
She now runs a program with a partner agency to help homeless individuals with substance use disorder to get a job.
You don't have to work in mental health care to help those who are struggling with addiction and join us in combatting the drug crisis. Here are a few ways everyone can play a part:
Acknowledge addiction recovery is ongoing
Addiction is a chronic disease and recovery doesn't happen overnight. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, help is available and there are multiple paths to recovery. We believe in a thorough process backed by research that includes medication and a combination of effective treatment options.
Each pathway should provide you or your loved one with the best care that is focused on recovery, education and developing a support team throughout and aftercare for continued sobriety. Whether it's been one day's worth of sobriety or three years, continued support and early re-engagement in a comfortable setting should be part of the recovery process.
Connect with local organizations
Addiction affects everyone differently and seeking support to take the initial steps towards a pathway to recovery for you or your loved one is a major decision. There are numerous programs, intervention services and professionals available. Visit www.in.gov/fssa/addiction or call Centerstone at (800) 344-8802. Our team of experts is committed to providing the support and tools needed to assist those seeking recovery from substance use disorders or those who need help with intervention services for a loved one.
Contact legislators to advance solutions
The legislation is in progress to help fight against the opioid epidemic including a proposed opioid package by the Senate. Learn more about the key legislative priorities being developed around opioid addiction by visiting centerstone.org/about/legislative-advocacy.
Make your voice heard by contacting your local legislators and asking them to vote on legislation that would help promote integrated, safe and fully informed care. Working together, we can change the course of the drug overdose crisis.
Scott Hesseltine is the vice president of addiction services at Centerstone, and Linda Grove-Paul is the vice president of adult services at Centerstone. For more information and resources about addiction and substance use, visit centerstone.org.
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