Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facilities in Maryland
Maryland is like any other location in the United States in the sense that it has its own share of substance abuse related problems. In fact, recent studies have put it among the top 5 states because of its high rates of overdose deaths related to opioid drugs.
Even so, the state is known for its beautiful coastlines and waterways as well as for its expansive mountains. It has breathtaking landscapes that have made it one of the best places to visit or live in within the United States.
In spite this relatively tranquil environment, however, many people in the state continue suffering from the pain and torture that comes with addiction to intoxicating substances. In particular, the opioid epidemic has taken a great toll on many of its residents.
With the opioid epidemic escalating, it is now more important than ever before to ensure that more of these addicts access the comprehensive and reliable addiction treatment and rehabilitation options available in the state.
Luckily, there are many such centers in Maryland. Most of them also provide a wide variety of services, including outpatient care, residential or inpatient treatment, and detoxification programs. Apart from opioids, these centers also provide treatment for addictions to many other substances, including benzodiazepines, cocaine, and alcohol.
Trends of Substance Abuse in Maryland
Although alcohol and drug abuse are both damaging in a wide variety of ways, the chief of these comes in the form of overdose death. For instance, Maryland lost 2089 lives in 2016 to an overdose death related to alcohol and drugs. This number rose up from 815 deaths in 2007 - which represents a climb of 156.3 percent. After opioids, benzodiazepines, cocaine, and alcohol were responsible for the major part of these overdose deaths linked to ongoing substance use disorders.
The problem continues affecting the state as a whole. Even so, some areas have been hit harder than others by the addiction epidemic. For instance, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City saw some of the highest rates of drug and alcohol overdose deaths in the entire state.
Additionally, the rates of overdose deaths continue spiking, especially for people who were older than 55 years. Between 2010 and 2016, for instance, the rate of death among people in this age group saw an increase of 393 percent from 86 deaths to 424 deaths. Men, in particular, had a particularly significant increase - which was at around 69 percent.
Statistics on Substance Abuse in Maryland
61,377 people were admitted into alcohol and drug treatment programs focusing on addiction in Maryland in 2010. Among these people, 32.2 percent were female while 67.8 percent were male. This was according to government reports.
From the mid-1990s to date, the rates of admission for a heroin addiction has also been increasing steadily among treatment facilities in Maryland. On the other hand, alcohol addiction admissions continued decreasing.
In 2010, also 11230 people were admitted for abusing alcohol only. An additional 7892 people received treatment for alcohol together with another secondary substance. Of this number, 26.6 percent were women while 73.4 percent were men. At 8.2 percent, the biggest segment of the demographic age group that was admitted for one form of an alcohol use disorder or the other was aged between 46 and 50 years.
Commonly Abused Substances in Maryland
But what are the most commonly abused substances in Maryland? Heroin, in particular, is increasingly becoming cheaper. This is because it is also an opiate replacement drug that many people prefer due to the relatively low expenses involved.
1. Cocaine
From 2004 through to 2005, close to 104,000 Maryland citizens reported that they had used cocaine at one point or the other in their lives. In 2010, also, 4733 people were admitted for drug and alcohol treatment. This number included those who were apprehended smoking cocaine. An additional 1167 people checked into rehab centers for ingesting this drug through any other mode of administration apart from smoking.
2. Heroin
This is another growing problem in Maryland - one that might surpass primary alcohol abuse among people who are not vigilant. For instance, 16,088 people checked into heroin addiction rehabilitation and treatment facilities. Of this number, 37.1 percent were female while 62.9 percent were male.
Today, heroin is ranked among the most prevalent drugs of abuse - particularly within the Baltimore area. This is one of the reason that Baltimore has infamously been known as the center for heroin addiction in the United States.
3. Marijuana
The same year, 11767 people checked into drug and alcohol treatment facilities citing marijuana as their preferred substance of choice. Of this number, 20.9 percent were female while 79.1 percent were male.
Additionally, people between the ages of 12 and 17 represented the largest percentage of those who were seeking addiction treatment and rehabilitation. This was at 19.2 percent.
4. Prescription Drugs
Maryland is like many other states in the sense that is has also been struggling with substance use disorders linked to oxycodone. Other commonly abused prescription medications in the state include Klonopin, methadone, and benzodiazepines.
From 2006 and 2010, there was an increase of 106 percent in admissions to treatment centers. These admissions were directly linked to prescription substance abuse. By 2010, more than 6898 people were admitted in treatment centers for other opioid drugs apart from heroin.
Statistics on Injuries, Fatalities, and Drug Courts in Maryland
Consider the following research findings about the various aspects of ongoing substance abuse in Maryland:
- Drug use means that Maryland lost 807 people in 2007; the same year, the state lost 675 people to motor vehicle accidents and 678 people to firearm related incidents
- In 2006, law enforcement officials in the state reported a total of 21,200 arrests for cocaine possession
- In 2008, juvenile courts in Maryland, on the other hand, got 4321 referrals for people apprehended driving while intoxicated on drugs or alcohol (or both) while there were 186 diving fatalities linked to alcohol abuse
- In 2008, the Drug Enforcement Administration reported that it apprehended 579 people for a wide variety of drug related charges
- In 2009, data from FARS - or the Fatal Accident Reporting System - show that 1 out of every 3 motor vehicle accident facilities showed positive drug tests for those who were directly involved
Opioid Abuse in Maryland
In 2016, the two main substances that bore the greatest responsibility for addiction related death in this state were both opioid drugs - fentanyl and heroin. The same year, opioids caused 89 percent of all the intoxication related deaths in Maryland.
This number is so staggering that it is not altogether surprising that Maryland is now ranked among the top 5 states with the highest number of overdose deaths rated to opioid use disorder. Since 1999, the rate has been remaining steadily above the total national average. However, it has almost gone up by almost four times since 2010.
Of all the 1856 lives that Maryland lost to opioid use disorders in 2016:
- 1119 deaths were connected to fentanyl
- 1212 of these deaths were linked to heroin abuse
- 418 were associated with prescription opioids
Preliminary reports from 2017 also show that the death rate in this state linked to opioid drugs has consistently remained high. 1501 people, for instance, lost their lives from January through to September as a result of intoxication related to opioids.
In 10 years, the number has climbed by at least 228.4 percent from 2007 where Maryland only experienced 457 deaths. Carfentanil - a deadly opioid drug that is about 10,000 times more powerful than morphine - was detected this year. It was linked to more than 57 deaths.
Drug Abuse Prevention Programs in Maryland
Across the state, Maryland has a wide variety of drug and alcohol prevention programs targeted at both adults and the youth. While most of these prevention efforts are tailored to deal with every aspect of substance, the state continues placing most of its focus on opioids.
According to the State Department of Education, educators can now help fight the opioid crisis in the state. Other programs that have been rolled out to quell the addiction menace in Maryland include:
- The Heroin and Opioid Awareness and Prevention Toolkit
- The Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council
- Improved access to naloxone
Addiction Treatment Programs in Maryland
In many cases, you will find that the best outcomes from treatment will only be achieved if you have the personalized care you require. Today, addiction rehabilitation centers also have a variety of treatment plans that they can customize to fit your particular needs, lifestyle, and wants.
Overall, however, you should keep in mind that substance abuse and addiction are serious problems affecting people from all walks of life. Similarly, many people have recovered from the condition - and so can you.
