Drug abuse in North Carolina

North Carolina has a population of 10,551,162 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 1,200,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 11.37% of the population. 1,074,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 1,474,000 in the past year. The report also found that 185,000 North Carolina residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 138,000 had abused meth, and 391,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 111,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in North Carolina totaled 443,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in North Carolina

Alcohol misuse was also reported in North Carolina with 4,275,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 1,934,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 4,298,000 people.

Overdose deaths in North Carolina

In 2021, North Carolina saw a total of 3879 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in North Carolina at 36.7 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1638 or 15.6 per 100,000 people.

Addiction treatment in North Carolina

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in North Carolina and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,602,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 1,055,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 321,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 620 people in North Carolina needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 1,080,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 1,373,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in North Carolina?

The rehab centers in North Carolina offer various treatment options to help curb drug and alcohol addiction. Some treatment approaches include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, substance abuse counseling, and adolescent drug rehabilitation. 

Your treatment depends on assessment from trained health professionals and your individual needs. Some of these facilities in North Carolina where you can get these treatment services are listed below.

North Carolina rehab centers that offer outpatient treatment

  • Green Center of growth and development

  • Johnston Recovery Services

  • Southern Family Medicine Inc

  • Addiction Recovery Medical Services

Rehab centers in North Carolina that offer substance abuse counseling

  • Advance DWI services

  • Caring Hearts Counseling Services

  • Carolina Services 

  • Johnston Counseling Services

  • PORT Health Services

North Carolina detox centers for teens and young adults

  • Daymark Recovery Services

  • El Futuro Inc

  • Swain Recovery Center

  • Cumberland County Communicare

  • Burke Recovery

How do I pay for rehab in North Carolina?

What you pay for your addiction treatment depends on many factors, including whether or not you have health insurance. 

Paying in cash is expensive in the long run, but an insurance cover can cover some rehab costs so you can focus on returning to being productive and healthy again.

Most North Carolina rehab centers accept public insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid, so it will be easy to access treatment. Other payment options include community-funded scholarships or financing from family or friends to start your recovery at the rehab of your choice.

Government assistance for rehab in North Carolina

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse section offer Substance Use Disorder (SUD ) services to reduce addiction in the area and support recovery. They also offer mental health services and information about rehab centers where you can find help. 

They help individuals battling different forms of addiction get the help they need through assessment, counseling, and other treatment approaches.

You can contact the department for more information and help with addiction treatment.