How Rehab Centers in Kentucky Can Manage Louisville Heroin Overdose Problem
Louisville recently experienced a spike in heroin overdoses that left addicts scared and willing to seek addiction treatment to avoid death by accidental overdose. Drug prevention officials are saying the increase in Louisville overdoses are being caused by a heroin shipment laced with a powerful, deadly opioid called fentanyl. The city of Louisville is now pulling together local resources to address heroin addiction and expand access to rehab centers in Kentucky that specialize in treating opioid addiction.
If you’ve become addicted to heroin or another opioid, understand that getting help at a rehab center can improve your chances of achieving sobriety. Call our helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about rehab centers in Kentucky that can successfully help you overcome addiction.
Louisville’s Heroin and Opioid Epidemic
Louisville is experiencing a spike in heroin overdoses due to the drug being laced with fentanyl.
Earlier this summer, Dr. Robert Couch treated eight overdose patients within five hours at Norton Hospital in Louisville. Louisville Metro EMS says it responded to 28 overdose calls that same week, and 20 overdose calls the week earlier. Dr. Couch received feedback from several patients saying they were surprised that they nearly overdosed, given they only used small amounts of heroin.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain medication that is 100 times stronger than morphine and commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain such as that caused by cancer. When heroin becomes more costly, dealers lace heroin with drugs that are less costly, such as fentanyl and carfentanil. As a result, individuals are using heroin as they normally do without knowing it’s been laced with a more dangerous, potent substance.
A spokesperson for a local Louisville detox center says many rehab centers lack the required amount of beds to treat all individuals who seek addiction treatment. One rehab center in particular turns away an average of 300 men per month, which is heartbreaking for rehab staff dedicated to helping Louisville address its addiction problem. One man even slept in a nearby ditch until a detox bed became available at a nearby rehab facility.
Treating Heroin Addiction at Rehab Centers
Heroin and opioid addiction can be effectively treated at inpatient rehab centers that offer constant medical support and supervision. Detoxing from opioids can be difficult and dangerous to do on one’s own, while going through detox at rehab allows patients to recover in safe, structured environments. Rehab also teaches patients how to function and rebuild their lives following treatment without relapsing when times get tough.
Many opioid rehab centers offer patients medication-assisted treatments that help reduce heroin cravings and minimize withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. In some cases, severe withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, hallucinations, and depression, and worsen a patient’s physical and mental health. However, medications such as methadone and buprenorphine can help minimize these symptoms, and allow patients to focus on treatment and recovery without experiencing intense cravings.
After detox, patients can benefit from therapy, counseling, and education that teaches about the dangers of substance abuse, and about powerful opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil. Education about addiction and substance abuse can help patients avoid relapse, and learn how to live enhanced, healthier lives following treatment.
If you live in Louisville and are addicted to heroin or another opioid, understand that it’s never too late to get help for your addiction. Call our confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to speak with a treatment specialist who can help you find local rehab centers in Kentucky. We’re devoted to helping you overcome heroin addiction so you can achieve sobriety and get back to pursuing your life goals.
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