Drug overdose, alcohol abuse are on the rise in SWFL

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There has been a record number of drug overdoses and alcohol abuse spikes in Southwest Florida in 2021, and the holidays haven’t helped, but there are solutions.

At this time of year, our view is to switch from alcohol as socially acceptable to socially desirable. About a fifth of adults have been essentially binge drinking in the past 30 days, according to a new study, and experts say social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused people to drink more than usual. . go out.

Additionally, the number of drug overdose deaths between April 2020 and April 2021 exceeded 100,000 in the US within 12 months for the first time in 12 months. That’s why organizations like the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Against Alcoholism and Drugs in Naples are here to help.

“Most opioid use deaths are actually due to opioid use and the presence of fentanyl,” said Terry Gerlach, a addiction counselor with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. “As for opioid use, it’s really a lack of education.” –

Experts say the key to avoiding alcohol is to exercise in moderation, but there are medical treatments available for people with serious addictions.

“The good news, though, is that there are solutions to it,” says Gerlach. “Some solutions, first and foremost, are to find treatment for an opiate use disorder. So we use evidence-based practices to give them coping skills. There is also a strong recommendation to engage in drug-assisted treatment, often in the form of a drug called suboxone, which is an opioid receptor that can help someone… reduce their appetite. ”

If you are struggling with addiction, the phone number for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is 1-855-972-5192.

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