Page 80 - LIN APRIL All Pages

Answers. Help. Hope.

by Scott Burgess,
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health,
President and CEO

ne in three households Alcoholism is overlooked, but just as deadly and growing
are impacted by A lesser discussed substance use epidemic is alcoholism.
Oaddiction. We read Alcohol doesn’t attract consistent attention as a killer because it’s
about the headlines of lives legal, easily available, and socially acceptable.
lost nearly every day from the However, alcohol is just as deadly as opioids. In 2021, an
ongoing opioid epidemic, but estimated 95,000 people died from alcohol-related causes,
there are other deadly challenges according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
we face that are contributing to addiction and unnecessary loss of Alcoholism.
life in our community. “At DLC, more younger individuals are seeking treatment
Opioids and fentanyl –A killer is loose on the streets… and online. for alcohol use disorder,” said Maggie Baldwin, DLC Crossroads
According to the Centers for Disease Control, for the first time Clinical Director. “This is likely pandemic-related with people
ever, the United States topped 100,000 drug overdose deaths in a working from home and day drinking due to boredom and
12-month period in 2021 - an increase of 28.5%. isolation.”
The obvious culprits are the COVID-19 pandemic—which The reality is that addiction, in all forms, wreaks havoc on
left people vulnerable and isolated, led some to not feeling communities—from law enforcement and healthcare costs to
uncomfortable accessing treatment and— the expansion of the lost wages and family trauma. In the United States, the costs to
fentanyl black-market. healthcare and society, overall, for tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs,
Fentanyl is now being added into almost every illegal drug, and prescription opioids topped $821 billion.
including fake pain pills and anti-anxiety medications, which come Barriers to Seeking Care
in packaging that make it appear as if it comes from a pharmacy As with any disease, the best way to diminish those impacted
and is safe. Even marijuana is being laced with the deadly drug. Not by addiction is through prevention, intervention, and treatment.
only is it being sold on the streets, but now it is even being sold to Recent statistics show that more than 23 million people in
teens through the popular Snapchat app. America are struggling with an addiction, yet only 10% are getting
The number one cause of death among 18 to 45-year-olds in the help. There can be many real and perceived barriers to accessing
United States is now fentanyl overdose. From unsuspecting teens treatment. Individuals may worry about financial costs, wait
experimenting for the first time to our favorite actors, singers, and times for a treatment bed or outpatient therapy support, and may
athletes… no one is immune. hesitate due to guilt, shame or stigma.
The data also shows that not only have overdose deaths from In addition to offering a sliding fee scale for those who
synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) increased, so too have deaths can’t afford treatment, DLC encourages more people into care
from methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription pain medication. by employing Peer Recovery Specialists who share their story
“When I began my career with David Lawrence Centers for of lived experience and provide recovery coaching. “Our peer
Behavioral Health (DLC) five years ago, you hardly ever heard recovery specialists are vital examples of how recovery is real and
of methamphetamine in this county,” said Dave McKay, DLC possible,” said Baldwin. “Being non-judgmental goes a long way
Substance Use Outreach Coordinator. “Now it is very prevalent in toward easing client’s fears and anxieties. This builds trust and can
our addiction treatment programs.” encourages individuals to seek treatment.”

80 Life in Naples | April 2022