Drug Addiction in Virginia

Addiction and Abuse in the Heart of America

Virginia's balance between rural and urban means that it actually it has less severe drug problems in many respects, especially compared to neighboring areas. While its mountainous region in the West shares the the Appalachia region's characteristics of high poverty and drug abuse, it is far less severe than neighboring West Virginia and Kentucky. Furthermore, although Virginia shares a border with Washington D.C, with Baltimore not much farther North, little of the heroin and crack cocaine problems in that area has spilled over. In general, Virginia is much like other Southern states, with drug abuse statistics that are relatively lower than the national average, little intravenous drug use, and no medical marijuana laws.

However, an "average" amount of drug abuse in a given state still amounts to plenty of suffering; over 20,000 Virginians are enrolled in some kind of drug addiction treatment program and there are many, many more addicts that do not seek addiction treatment to account for. Alcoholism and prescription drug abuse are commonplace nationwide today and it is a constant battle to keep lives from being lost from these addictions every day. Part of what makes this such a tough issue is that many people have a very acceptable opinion of many types of addiction. Abuse of alcohol is encouraged in advertisements as well as in many parts of society, particularly in high schools and colleges. Prescription drugs are similarly advertised and prescribed nationwide as something that will improve people's lives, and yet Virginians overdose every day on drugs such as Vicodin and Xanax.

Exposure to Drug and Alcohol Often A Recipe for Misuse

So most people are exposed to drugs in exactly the wrong way. Instead of hearing why they should be wary of alcohol and prescription narcotics, almost everyone hears about their benefits and how popular they are. But the fact is even when drug abuse is not seriously affecting the addict, friends and family will likely feel consequences, and long-term effects will eventually catch up to someone addicted to drugs . Most damaging of all is an apathetic attitude towards the continuance of drug abuse or of making only half-serious attempts at getting clean in lieu of a better option. The reason this is a popular notion is because many people do not understand what drug addiction treatment is and what it can do for people in these situations. A great example is alcoholism, the most popular addiction in America. Many people quit drinking just to go back to it later, or believe they there is no need for them to quit. But alcohol withdrawals and cravings are actually some of the fiercest chemical reactions to addictive chemicals secondly only to opiate abuse, and they have been known to kill people experiencing them. Even once sobriety is achieved it is very difficult for someone to stay sober in an environment that is surrounded by places that sell alcohol and advertisements encouraging its purchase.

Drug rehab and recovery is not a form of imprisonment, or a half-hearted way to satisfy someone else's desire for an addict to clean up their act. It is a place for people who have a strong desire within themselves to beat symptoms of physical addiction and take back control of their lives. It is a place where people can be safely guided through the detox process and then continue to improve their emotional and spiritual wellness, away from temptation. While nothing can positively ensure sobriety forever or "cure" an addiction, drug rehab facilities exist because healing safe places that offer expansive and flexible counseling and therapy programs have been proven to greatly improve an addicts chance of full recovery. A reconstituted sense of self-worth, ambition, and emotional wellness is the most important tool for beating addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug and or alcohol addiction, contact us.

Virginia cities with high drug abuse trends: Richmond, Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Arlington, Woodbridge, Henrico, Newport News, Roanoke, Fairfax, Manassas, Hampton, falls Church, Charlottesville, and Springfield

Virginia counties with statistically high substance abuse: Fairfax, Prince William, Chesterfield, Loudoun, Henrico, Arlington, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Hanover, and Roanoke

A Center for Addiction Recovery treats the following addiction problems:

A Center for Addiction Recovery offers the following addiction treatment programs:

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