Startling Facts About Substance Use Disorder And How to Get Help in Ohio
Every day all over the country, families are faced with making tough choices about a loved one and dealing with substance use disorder. Growing up I remember one of my family members struggling with alcoholism. I remember him always choosing to have a drink over almost everything in life. Even when it was negatively affecting his health, he still continued to choose a drink over his own life. As a child, I didn’t fully understand alcoholism, but it did make me want to make different choices when I was old enough to drink. The problem is it’s not that easy for everyone dealing with substance use disorders.
Alarming Alcohol Related Car Crash Rates
In 2016 there were 10,497 people were killed in driving crashes where alcohol was involved. That breaks down to an average of one death every 50 minutes. Of those fatalities, 4,018 were either passengers or non-passengers in the cars. Twenty-nine percent of the people who were killed didn’t have a single drop of alcohol. What’s alarming to me is the number of people affected by drunk driving who wasn’t drinking and driving.
Opioid Abuse Crisis
In recent years prescription drug abuse has been on the rise, causing states all over the country reach out for help from the federal government with their opioid crisis. Reading that everyday in the United States 115 people die from opioid overdose made me realize the severity of the problem. In 2015 there was an estimated 2 million people suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers in the United States. This growing problem comes largely from the fact that has been an increase in the amount of prescriptions health care providers gave to their patients.
Health care providers trusted drug companies when they claimed their pain relievers were non-habit forming. Unfortunately, at least 21 percent of patients prescribed opioids misuse them, and at least 8 percent of those develop an opioid abuse problem.
Getting Help
Different states have bigger problems when dealing with the opioid crisis. One such state is Ohio, in 2016 is was number three on the list for highest opioid related overdose deaths. If you’re looking for addiction treatment in Ohio I suggest you visit The Recovery Village Ohio. Their page allows visitors to find information on local Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery meetings, as well as other valuable phone numbers and information.
The Recovery Village Ohio offers a variety of treatment options for residents in and around Ohio. They provide both inpatient and outpatient treatment options for people looking for assistance with any substance use disorder. Visit their website to learn more about their treatment options, the crisis in Ohio, or for a confidential number to call when you’re ready to take the first step. The information on their site is vital whether you’re a family member trying to help a loved one, or you’re someone dealing with a substance use disorder.