Drug Addiction in Arkansas

Rural Drug Addiction Continues to Fester

The state of Arkansas is largely left out of some of the big-picture drug abuse problems gripping the nation; it lacks major urban centers and nearness to significant traffic lanes to be a drug trafficking hub, and due to the spread-out, rural nature of most of Arkansas, drug problems are fewer than the rest of the nation and out of public's view. Yet, admission to substance abuse facilities in Arkansas has been on the rise.

Arkansas has one of the highest rates of teenagers who have serious psychological distress, and unfortunately these teens are not getting the necessary treatent to help them deal with their problems. Lack of treatment has lead many young adults to substance abuse and addiction. Generally consumers rate the adequacy of Arkansas's approach to addiction treatment as well below the national average, however admissions to residential addiction treatment programs are at as much as 10 times more than the national average.

Therefore, it would not be appropriate to say that the state's ruralness and below-average drug addiction problems means that there are not many people suffering from the epidemic within its borders. Sadly one of the most devastating effects of drug addiction is that those that are most isolated and un-connected with the necessary education and social services used to combat substance abuse afflictions are those that are most likely to suffer and be victimized by abuse. So it is in fact very counter-productive to utilize below-average efforts to combat drug abuse in areas that do not have a large addict population as the few that do have the problem are ignored and uncared for.

Variety of Drug Abuse Found Statewide

These problems also run the gamut of types of drugs and types of addictions. While heroin and cocaine abuse have generally been on the decline in the past decade, they still suffer in large numbers across the state along with the booming population of those in central states that are addicted to home-made methamphetamine and prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Xanax. Prescription drugs are America's number one source of drug overdose for several years in a row now, and this trend continues even as the relatively easy access to these drugs is diminishing as states take on increased regulation of the prescription and sale of prescription opiates and depressants. This epidemic is all the more dangerous because of these drugs' relationship to alcohol; over 50% of prescription drug abusers in America mix alcohol with these pills, which is also one of the top reasons for accidental overdose with these drugs. Combining alcohol with chemicals such as oxycodone, amphetamine, or alprazalom is a popular way to get "drunk faster" but also leads to slowed breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and other unsafe physical conditions that can prime someone for a seizure, stroke, or cardiac arrest.

Alcohol and prescription drugs are also the most common reasons people choose to enter into a drug addiction rehab facility. This is not only because abuse of them is so prevelant but because it is extremely rare for someone to beat these addictions on their own. Both addictions are promoted by many aspects of society; advertisements for prescription narcotics and alcohol are all over the television, internet, billboards, and magazines, and their use are tolerated by almost all aspects of modern society. It is also very hard to come to terms with such an addiction once it has begun; drinking socially can be a very satisfying experience, and the medical benefits of addictive prescription drugs can actually still be necessary even as an addiction and its negative consequences also take effect on a person. Above all, both of these drugs are very hard to quit. Many chronic alcoholics and prescription drug abusers will experience physical withdrawals that they have no control over within hours of a dose of drugs wearing off that can lead to serious health problems. As many as 5% of those experiencing alcohol withdrawals have seizures.

From there it is a tough but rewarding road to recovery. Detox, counseling and therapy will help the individual suffering from substance abuse in building up resistance to any future temptations and re-discover meaning in life again beyond getting a fix for a drug craving. Unfortunately too many people in Arkansas let these problems fester until it is too late, but if you or someone you know are experiencing the consequences of drug abuse, contact us today. Together we can find a treatment solution.

Cities in Arkansas that have a significant drug abuse problem: Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Jonesboro, and the counties of Pulaski, Benton, Washington, Sebastion, and Faulkner.

A Center for Addiction Recovery treats the following addiction problems:

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