Throughout the United States, state, federal, and city governments are collaborating to fight substance addiction and deaths by drug and alcohol overdose. The state of Georgia is diligently collecting data to initiate community collaborations to find help for the large numbers of people with substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The Georgia Department of Public Health states that from 2019 to 2021, there was a 55.9% increase in overdose deaths from heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, opioid medications, and street drugs. Alpharetta, Georgia, drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources offer professional treatment options and help to reduce these deaths by overdose.
Substance Abuse in Alpharetta
Alpharetta is a suburb of Atlanta located in Fulton County. The county is slightly above the state average for good health outcomes. The county health statistics show that in Fulton County, 18% of adults report binge or heavy drinking. Likewise, 15% of deaths from motor vehicle accidents were alcohol-related. In 2022, there were 278 deaths from drug overdose. Prescription drugs and alcohol are the trending substances people misuse or abuse, often leading to addiction.
Drug overdoses throughout the state of Georgia have increased from 2019 through 2021. The rise in opioid-related overdose deaths is primarily the result of fentanyl. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased 124% from 2019 to 2021. Opioids are highly addictive, and a large number of prescriptions for chronic pain often lead to unintentional addiction. Alpharetta, Georgia, drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources are focusing on offering treatment options for those who seek help for a substance use disorder.
Another dangerous situation is the use of more than one substance or polysubstance use. Alcohol is often a critical factor in controlling the desired effect of the abused substance. In many cases, there is also an existing mental health condition when a substance use disorder is present. Georgia is also concentrating on pregnant women who are struggling with addiction and may benefit from programs that offer gender-specific detox. Detox programs addressing men’s and women’s needs separately are often highly effective and successful.
Recovery Resources in Alpharetta
The state of Georgia is working to connect over 50 organizations to implement a plan with specific goals and objectives to offer help to those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. County health departments keep valuable data to analyze and address the needs of the communities.
State agencies are sometimes helpful in finding financial help for those seeking help. Alpharetta, Georgia, drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources are aligning with the state’s agenda to focus on the following priority areas:
- Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education
- Maternal Substance Abuse
- Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
- Treatment and Recovery Programs
- Control and Enforcement
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is a resource that offers the following information:
- DUI Intervention Program
- 988 in Georgia
- Achieve a Life of Recovery
- Help with Substance Abuse
- Information on the Opioid Crisis
- Substance Abuse Services for Women
- Substance Abuse Help for Adults and Adolescents
Group Therapy Resources from Find Help offers group and support therapy options in the Alpharetta area.
AA Group Therapy Meetings in Alpharetta, Georgia, are listed here.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Resources in Alpharetta
Treatment options are available for the professional detoxification process. After a professional’s initial evaluation, the detox plan can begin. Medically supervised detox programs in a qualified treatment center are the safest form of detox.
It is hazardous to choose to self-detox at home or cold turkey without professional supervision. Every client has a different level of discomfort and timeframe for detox.
Essential factors of professional detox with medical supervision include:
- Successful elimination of the toxins from alcohol or other substances that have accumulated throughout the addiction
- Maintaining physical stability to avoid severe health complications
- Reducing intense drug or alcohol cravings
- Introduction to Holistic Therapies supporting the mind-body connection
- An experienced, compassionate, and understanding support system
- Safety and comfort
- Relapse prevention
- Personalized care
Alpharetta, Georgia, drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources offer professional detox for specific substances as well as gender-specific detox programs. Specialized detox programs attend to the individual needs of the client.
Pregnant women thrive in a women-based detox program to eliminate fears and misconceptions from men. Focusing on men in other programs can address their needs without confusion. Treatment centers offering specialized programs are often adaptable to the individual’s needs.
Withdrawal Symptoms During Detox
Once dependence is present with a substance, drug, or alcohol, the brain’s chemistry is affected, and the body suffers damage. Brain chemistry changes occur to adapt to a substance interfering with normal functioning.
Once the drug is no longer present, the brain must readjust again. This negative effect on brain chemistry can cause psychological withdrawal symptoms. Physical withdrawal symptoms are often the result of the significant organs being adversely affected by excessive substance use.
Common withdrawal symptoms occurring during detox include:
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, hallucinations, seizures, and, worst case, delirium tremens which can be fatal
- Benzodiazepines (Valium or Xanax): anxiety, insomnia, seizures and tremors, hallucinations, heart palpitations and high blood pressure
- Opioids (Heroin, morphine, oxycontin, and fentanyl): intense drug cravings, muscle pains, runny nose and yawning, diarrhea, stomach cramps and sweating
- Stimulants (Cocaine, meth): fatigue, depression, nightmares, insomnia, agitation and increased appetite
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
During detox, the withdrawal symptoms can be intense and frightening. Medical professionals monitoring the detox process can determine when the use of medication-assisted treatment may help reduce anxiety and the intensity of discomfort, especially with alcohol detox.
Keeping the client as comfortable as possible is necessary to avoid the chance of relapse. The body-mind connection is strong during detox as substances and alcohol affect both the body and mind. Medications help control discomfort and allow the patient to focus on helpful therapies.
Evidence-Based Therapy
Alpharetta, Georgia, drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources use evidence-based therapies as an essential tool for the treatment of substance use disorders and mental health conditions. After the body is clear of the substance, therapy teaches the client how to cope with their newly sober life.
Learning how to identify the triggers that caused the client to cope by using substances can help to focus on using new healthy and positive behaviors to cope with life. Evidence-based therapies are often combined with other therapies for the best chance of success.
Evidence-based therapies can include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches new positive and healthy coping techniques and helps to identify problematic behaviors that link to thoughts and emotions
- Dialectical behavior therapy uses talk therapy to change behaviors.
- Individual and group therapy are essential tools for building trust between a therapist and client, delving into past traumas, and promoting personal growth. Group therapy is a peer support method found compelling in 12-step programs.
- Family therapy can help mend broken relationships and teach how to maintain healthy boundaries. Addiction can damage close relationships.
- Holistic therapies, like meditation and mindfulness, help to maintain living in the present moment and control thoughts and emotions. Maintaining the present moment is a valuable tool for the future.
Find Supportive Resources for Addiction Treatment in Alpharetta, Georgia
Critical life decisions are difficult when frustration, confusion, and fears exist. Making such a profound decision can be daunting. The Retreat of Atlanta offers professional and compassionate treatment professionals in the Columbus Area to discuss options and clear up any questions that could cause delays in seeking help.
Their centers specialize in detox options provided with evidence-based therapies for a successful start to recovery. The center’s goal aligns with their clients: to live a sober and happy life.
Contact the center today to end frustration and confusion when choosing a center.
