Substance abuse is a problem in most areas of the United States, and this includes Stafford County. It is divided in many different issues, ranging from alcohol abuse to the opioid epidemic, but the one thing they have in common is that they have caused an enormous amount of damage in the community. Now, when someone is looking for a treatment program either for them or a loved one, they may not know where to start or what to look for. This is why assessments exist, as they can help guide this person on what program would be best for them or their family member. This ensures that the person who will be attending this program will be on the best course of treatment for them and that it will give them the best chance at a full recovery. Regardless of the type of treatment chosen, it is important to start rehabilitation with a drug detoxification program to handle the physical side of addiction first.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Stafford County, VA
One of the issues that Stafford County is facing these days is drug overdoses in general, and more precisely the lives that have been lost to it. In Stafford County, the drug overdose death rate was at 72 deaths per 100,000 population between 2016 and 2018. As for opioid abuse, according to the amfAR’s Opioid & Health Indicators Database, in 2014, 5.08% of those over 12 in the county reported non-medical use of pain relievers. Overall, the most common opioid drug that is being abused in the nation is fentanyl. It is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and is extremely addictive. When someone is addicted to fentanyl or any opioid for that matter, the withdrawal period is severe enough that it normally requires a medical detox. After the fentanyl detox process, they can address the other sides of their addiction by attending a treatment program with other people who are going through the same struggles as them, which can be very helpful in their recovery.
Stafford County’s Prevention Efforts for Substance Abuse
Prevention is a very important part in reducing substance abuse, simply because it stops abuse and addiction before it even happens. Stafford County has some help in that field, first from the Community Collaborative for Youth and Families, and they work extremely hard to increase the protective factors and decrease the risk factors for substance abuse in the community’s youth. Next, the Sheriff’s Office of Stafford County has as part of its Juvenile Services the School Resource Officers (SROs) that are in the area’s schools. They provide law enforcement services if needed that are appropriate for their age. They offer the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program to the students as well, to educate them on the dangers of drugs and how to resist peer pressure. Finally, the Sheriff’s Office offers at their location a Drug Disposal Box that people can use to safely dispose of their medications, to ensure that they do not end up in the wrong hands. Prevention, along with the treatment programs such as residential or outpatient treatment, is very helpful in strengthening a community and saving lives that could otherwise be lost to drug and/or alcohol addiction.
Here is a list of the different treatment centers in Stafford County, Virginia. The list can be incomplete so please do not hesitate to contact one of our treatment specialists at 1-800-304-2219.
