MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — In just the last year, Alabama has seen a twenty three percent increase of drug-related overdose deaths.
Alabama is being hit hard by opioid abuse and Madison County is on track to exceed the number of overdoses we saw last year.
There have been 502 overdoses in Madison County, compared to last year's 763. Experts say numbers are not expected to slow down.
Don Webster, HEMSI Community Relations Director, says, "We have seen a marked spike, a very noticeable spike into these number since last year."
Not only is Alabama having a tough time, so is the entire country. According to the CDC, in 2019, opioid related overdose deaths took 50,000 lives.
Webster says, "The problem we have to fix is how to get them off of it."
Why is this happening?
The pandemic could be to blame for the increase in cases over the last year. Staying at home made some people want to revisit old habits. Opioids can be prescription pain drugs, heroin or even fentanyl.
Monretta Vega, psychotherapist with Huntsville Psychotherapy & Counseling, says, "We were left with idle minds and a lot of our coping skills were taken away."
Substance abuse disorder can happen to anybody.
"They look just like you and me, they act just like you and me," Webster said. "They have an addiction. It is an illness."
There are plenty of resources in the Tennessee Valley for people struggling with this condition. Experts encourages you to seek help before its too late. If you notice extreme changes in someone, it won't hurt to check on them.
Signs of substance abuse varies from person to person, but psychotherapist Monretta Vega says there are things you should look out for, including:
- Extreme changes in personality, characteristics, and/or appearance
- Irritability
- Constantly wanting to leave the room
- Increase desire for money
- Financial issues
- Isolation
- Changes in appetite
Vega says that if you see these traits, you may want to just have a conversation with the person.