Opioid addiction has reached critical levels. The media has dubbed it an “epidemic.” This issue is extremely prevalent and continues to grow. Absolutely nowhere is safe from the scourge of these drugs. North Carolina is no different. Being on the east coast of the US means the state lies along a major travel corridor which includes the movement of drugs. This means that North Carolina sees more illicit drugs than a midwestern state would. In fact, North Carolina is fairly bad compared to other states in terms of opioid use.
Specifically, four out of the top 25 cities abusing opioids are in North Carolina. Moreover, Wilmington is the worst city in America for opioid abuse. Therefore, it’s important to recognize North Carolina opioid addiction statistics to understand the scope and severity of the problem. In fact, Wilmington, Hickory, Jacksonville, and Fayetteville are all on the top 25 list by Castlight Health, a healthcare consulting firm.
North Carolina Opioid Addiction Statistics by Counties
North Carolina opioid addiction statistics are more understandable when broken down by city or county. Furthermore, these numbers show the rising concerns amongst families in the state. Wilmington, for example, has the highest opioid abuse rates in the country, at 11.6 percent. Hickory, NC isn’t far behind, ranking fifth in the nation at 9.9 percent. These numbers are high, especially when compared to some of our neighboring states. This is a double-edged sword. It’s bad news for the people living here as it exposes them to the risks associated with it. On the other hand, it means that there are a large number of treatment centers available without a major commute.
County-by-County Statistics
The opioid crisis plays a major role in the state of North Carolina. It accounts for a significant portion of our addiction cases and untold amounts of healthcare dollars. Specifically, there were 1,110 opioid related deaths in North Carolina in 2015. This is a 73 percent increase from 2005. Broken down by county, the top five include:
- Wake County – 62
- Mecklenburg County – 61
- Forsyth County – 53
- Guilford County – 47
- New Hanover – 45
As you can see, these staggering numbers are rising quickly from year-to-year. Additionally, North Carolina providers wrote 8.7 million prescriptions for opioids in 2015. Thankfully, North Carolina residents have options for opioid addiction treatment. There are several centers you can find within a reasonable drive.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Abuse and Addiction
At Crest View Recovery Center, we understand the dire need for effective addiction treatment to combat the North Carolina opioid addiction statistics. Therefore, we take pride in providing the highest quality of care in the state. For example, our programs include:
- Painkiller addiction treatment
- Opioid addiction recovery
- Prescription drug abuse treatment
- Individual, group, and family therapy
Prescription drug addiction is reaching epidemic proportions in America today. At CVRC, we will be by your side throughout the process to ensure your safety and comfort in recovery. Our staff has the training and experience to help guide you through rehab treatment and into recovery for an exciting future. To learn more about North Carolina opioid addiction statistics, contact CVRC today at 866-327-2505.
