North Carolina is the home of such American greats as Andy Griffith, Zach Galifianakis, and the brothers Wright. However, it also has a growing substance abuse and addition problem that has been plaguing some of its residents.
According to AA-Carolina.org, close of half a million of the residents of North Carolina struggle with alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder on an annual basis. About 40,000 of these people are in their teens.
Another report showed that over 1.3 million people engaged in a binge drinking episode at least once during the month prior to a survey that was conducted by the NSDUH - the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
In the same way, alcohol was involved with over 11,000 of the motor car accidents that were reported in the state in 2015 alone. This number has been on the increase since then.
- A survey from 2009 through to 2013 reported that over 233,000 residents of North Carolina above the age of 12 years had engaged in illicit substance abuse each year
- Close to 100 percent of all cocaine addicts in the state were abusing crack cocaine
- The National Drug Intelligence Center reported that there was an increase of 21 percent to 1999 from 1991 in terms of the total number of people who were enrolled in a recovery facility for abusing cocaine
- The National Substance Abuse Index reported that club drugs are common in over 50 universities and colleges in the state
Every year, North Carolina sees an increase in the rates of crystal meth abuse and addiction among its residents. In 2001, the state seized 32 meth labs. This number shot up to 328 seizures by 2005. By 2013, the Department of Justice in the state seized over 561 labs.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, meth is a problem that mostly affects the rural western part of the state than any other area in the region. Even though these areas were mostly affected by crack cocaine in the past, many of their residents are now turning to meth. This is due to the fact that this drug is often cheaper and easier to acquire.
Apart from meth, opioids and opiates are a growing drug threat in North Carolina. 4 out of the top 25 American cities in terms of opioid abuse are located in this state. Further, more than 12 percent of its total population is addicted to an opioid drug.
The federal government also released a report in 2012 showing that health care professionals like doctors and pharmacists wrote and filled out an average of 97 prescriptions for opioid pain relief medications for every segment of 100 people. This prescription rate was the 13th highest across the United States.
Irrespective of the type of intoxicating substance of abuse you have been taking, it is possible to achieve recovery. North Carolina has a number of high quality addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers that can guide you towards long term sobriety.