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addiction, the various populations at risk for the disease, current statistics and trends, and
psychological disorders that often accompany addiction. You will also find information on spotting
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outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care. In this section, you
will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and
therapy and payment and insurance options.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.
The recovery process doesn't end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to
life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as
12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with
rewarding relationships and meaning.
Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use
prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active
recovery to advocates who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our
community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience.
On July 10, the Akron Board of Education in Akron, Ohio, voted 5–1 to allow middle and high school resource officers in the city’s public schools to carry naloxone, an opioid overdose antidote.
The policy will go into effect in September 2017.
“I just hope that, if it’s necessary, it’ll be available to save somebody,” board member John Otterman told the Akron Beacon Journal.
Akron police officers were trained in August 2016 to administer Narcan, a brand name of naloxone, to overdose victims. In September, they will carry two doses of the nasal spray in each of the city’s nine public middle schools and six public high schools.
Not everyone supports the policy. Debbie Walsh, the only board member to vote against the measure, expressed concern that the availability of naloxone in schools could result in more students turning to drugs.
“The people who talked to me said they agreed with me,” Walsh later told NBC News. “They, too, are worried that having it on hand might be creating an even bigger problem by sending the message to kids: ‘Don’t worry, take drugs. We’ve got Narcan to save you.’”
Dr. Matthew Davis, a professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, disagrees with Walsh’s stance. He told NBC News that no existing evidence shows that the availability of Narcan encourages people to use drugs.
Davis also said that making naloxone available in middle and high schools is good public health policy. He compared stocking school cabinets with Narcan to placing defibrillators against gym walls.
What Is Naloxone?
In a matter of minutes, naloxone can restore normal respiration in someone who has stopped breathing because of an opioid-related overdose. Opioids include heroin and prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet.
Emergency department physicians, paramedics and other first responders commonly administer naloxone by injecting it into muscle tissue or spraying it into the nose. The medication binds to opioid receptors in the brain to block the effects of these drugs.
From April 2016 to March 2017, paramedics at Denver Health Medical Center injected naloxone nearly 1,000 times, according to a report by The Denver Post. During that time, it was administered in parks, public bathrooms and homes throughout the city.
In 2017, Steve Hulac, a paramedic lieutenant for Denver Health, told The Denver Post that paramedics at the medical center are using the antidote about three times per day.
In recent years, naloxone has become available over the counter in a number of U.S. locations. The medication is available without prescription at CVS pharmacy locations in 41 states and at Walgreens stores in more than 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Opioid Epidemic in Ohio
Ohio has been deeply affected by the opioid epidemic. The number of unintentional opioid-related overdose deaths among Ohio residents rose from 296 in 2003 to 2,590 in 2015. These deaths include those from prescription opioids, heroin and fentanyl.
Prescription Opioid Overdose Deaths in Ohio, Excluding Fentanyl:
Year
Number of Deaths
2003
221
2005
388
2007
504
2009
543
2011
795
2013
644
2015
667
Source: Ohio Department of Health
Eighty-three Ohioans aged 15 to 19 died of opioid overdose from 2014 to 2016, according to data from the state’s health department. However, no documented opioid overdose deaths occurred among Ohio youths aged 10 to 14 in 2016.
Summit County, where Akron sits, has been greatly affected by carfentanil, a synthetic opioid estimated to be 100 times as toxic as fentanyl and 10,000 times as potent as morphine. The drug is commonly used to sedate large animals.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Matt Gonzales is a writer and researcher for DrugRehab.com. He graduated with a degree in journalism from East Carolina University and began his professional writing career in 2011. Matt covers the latest drug trends and shares inspirational stories of people who have overcome addiction. Certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in health literacy, Matt leverages his experience in addiction research to provide hope to those struggling with substance use disorders.
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