Much of America is struggling with a surge in drug and alcohol abuse across the board, but Indiana faces some of the toughest challenges across the nation. Right now there are millions struggling with the state of the pandemic and the isolation that’s come with it. Prescription drugs drugs and alcohol are the most prevalent substances at the source of abuse and addiction in Indiana.
Indiana University has put together a comprehensive source of the data behind Indiana’s drug epidemic. They’ve found that the number of Indiana residents who meet the criteria for substance abuse disorder has climbed to nearly 1 in 12 people. Unfortunately, this impacts a lot of our friends, loved ones and sometimes even ourselves.
The Different Substances of the Epidemic
The Opioid Epidemic of the late 90s hit Indiana especially hard. Millions of people were prescribed opioid painkillers under the claim that they were not addictive substances. Now the abuse of prescription painkillers and other medications is on the rise. These drugs are highly addictive and can form dependencies within the brain even if taken as directed.
Aside from painkillers, Indiana is seeing a spike in abuse of depressants which essentially slow down the central nervous system. These include sleeping medication, sedatives and tranquilizers. The drugs are used to self-medicate against various stressors or mental health issues which only serves to worsen the symptoms and strengthen the addiction.
Some individuals will abuse stimulants recklessly as well. The most commonly abused prescription stimulants are those that treat ADHD such as Adderall or Ritalin. Controlled substance prescriptions in Indiana alone accounted for 11 million of the nation’s total in 2016. Methamphetamines and cocaine also fall into the category of stimulants and are often used in cases where the user can’t legally obtain prescription medication.
Alcohol and Mixing Substances
While prescription medication is gated behind a doctor’s orders or illicit activity, alcohol is one of the most easily accessible substances that cause addiction and a physical dependence to. Alcohol abuse in Indiana impacts all age groups, even those under the legal drinking age. The social climate around and the acceptance of alcohol abuse have made it commonplace to the point that even if it’s a known issue, it’s often swept under the rug.
Ignoring these issues has led Indiana to a point of over 6% of its residents meeting the signs of alcohol addiction. Alcohol being so common also leads to dangerous cases of mixing it with drugs. The combination of multiple drugs or a drug with alcohol can end up with the user overdosing or causing lasting damage to their health. Nearly every two out of every three recipients of substance abuse treatment in Indiana reported mixing different substances.
There’s Still Hope for Indiana
Along with the inclusions of mental health and substance abuse treatment services in Indiana’s HIP insurance, there are more resources and conversations about addiction going around than ever before. Hickory Treatment Centers is here to bring these services to all of Indiana and even accepts the state’s HIP insurance.
If you have any questions about substance abuse or need a consultation for treatment, please take a moment to reach out to our team of compassionate recovery experts. Together we can create the perfect treatment program to maximize your chances of long-term success, not just through the end of treatment.
