Substance abuse started becoming a problem in Georgia in the 1990s. Since then, the number of people addicted to and losing their lives to substance abuse has continued to rise. During the COVID-19 pandemic, numbers began to grow around the country. In 2021, Georgia saw a tremendous increase in drug overdose. Of the 2,390 deaths, 71% were attributed to opioids and 57% to fentanyl. Non-fatal drug overdoses are also increasing in Georgia.
Health professionals and the local government are making strides to provide resources and education to the public. Effective treatment, rehab programs, and proper education must get into the hands of those needing it.
Southeast Detox is here to help. Conveniently located near Atlanta, Georgia, we are easily accessible. Our addiction treatment programs include the following:
We also have several treatment services. Our clients receive individualized treatment plans catering to their specific substances, preexisting conditions, and underlying disorders.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Holistic Therapies
- Relapse Prevention
- 12 Step Program
Failing to address the substance abuse crisis will continue to have severe consequences. We’ve compiled facts to help you understand the immediate need for action.
Georgia Overdose Facts
In 2020, 2,595 individuals overdosed in Georgia. This was a 16% increase from 2019. Opioids were involved in 77% of those deaths. As fentanyl has become increasingly prevalent in Georgia, it accounted for 996 overdose deaths. There is a disparity between Black and White individuals regarding overdose deaths in Georgia. In 2020, there was a 30% difference between Black Georgians and White, with Blacks in the majority.
Also, in 2020, overdose deaths involving cocaine increased, with 596 deaths compared to 471 in 2019.
546,000 people 12 and older in Georgia had a substance use disorder (SUD) in 2019. 472,000 were related to alcohol and 198,000 to illicit drug use.
Georgia’s most commonly abused drugs are alcohol, opioids, cocaine, and marijuana.
The Office of Addictive Diseases partnered with medical providers to offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to uninsured and underinsured Georgians with opioid use disorders.
Georgia has a statewide crisis hotline called the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL). Callers can receive direct access to crisis intervention and support for mental health and substance use issues.
What to do in the Event of an Overdose
If someone you know might be experiencing an overdose, you must respond with urgency. Remain calm and consider the following steps:
- Time is of the essence when it comes to an overdose. Life-saving measures must be taken, so it’s crucial to call 911 immediately.
- If you are trained to perform CPR, do so immediately. Alternatively, a 911 operator can talk you through the steps.
- Stay with the individual until help arrives. If the individual is responsive, keep them awake and speaking while monitoring their breathing.
- If you have it, administer naloxone. In Georgia, individuals can purchase naloxone from many pharmacies without a prescription. Local health departments and community-based organizations have naloxone at little or no cost to Georgians. Naloxone rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and restores normal breathing.
- Even if you aren’t sure if an individual has overdosed, the best course of action is to seek immediate medical help.
Calling emergency services for help is the most critical step to take in the possible event of an overdose. Early intervention is the only way to save lives.
Georgia Overdose Prevention Resources
The following organizations provide information on overdose prevention. Resources are also available to help individuals recognize the signs of an overdose.
- Georgia Overdose Prevention
- Georgia Department of Public Health
- Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative
- Association County Commissioners of Georgia
The following organizations educate the public on where to access naloxone and how to administer it.
- Georgia Overdose Prevention
- Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone)
- Next Distro Georgia
- Naloxone for First Responders
- Georgia Council for Recovery
- Pharmacy-based Naloxone Access
The following organizations provide access to crisis intervention, support, and treatment and recovery facilities. Most of the resources include information on both mental health and substance abuse.
- Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)
- Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA)
- Georgia Agency Database
- Opioid Overdose Rescue
- Georgia Prevention Project
The following organizations advocate against substance abuse disorders. Individuals can participate in the war against drugs.
Atlanta Overdose Prevention Resources
The following organizations educate the public on where to access naloxone and how to administer it.
The following organizations provide access to crisis intervention, support, treatment, and recovery facilities. Most of the resources include both mental health and substance abuse.
- Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition
- Fulton County Board of Health
- Grady Health
- Overdose Prevention Strategies
Organizations in Georgia offer locations for dropping off used syringes in exchange for sterile ones. Some also take back prescription drugs that may or may not belong to the individual to avoid misuse. These sites also offer education and resources for treatment of substance abuse.
- Fulton County Drug Disposal
- Gwinnett United in Drug Education
- Johns Creek Drug Drop Box
- Kaiser Permanente
- Cobb County Drug Disposal
National Resources
- National Overdose Prevention Network
- National Council for Mental Well-being
- Vital Strategies
- Overdose Lifeline
- Never Use Alone
- SAMHSA’s National Hotline
- Crisis Textline
If you or a family member needs support treating addiction, we encourage you to contact the Southeast Detox or access the available resources.
Most important to us is that individuals receive the treatment they need for a better quality of life. We encourage you to contact us by email at info@southeastdetoxga.com or call us at (706) 873-9955.
