Regional Medical Center | Thrive for Life | Spring 2018

BY THE NUMBERS R.I.P. The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose DEATHS INVOLVING SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS other than methadone (drugs such as fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol) DOUBLED BETWEEN 2015 AND 2016 , from 3.1 to 6.2 per 100,000. HELP AND HOPE CLOSE TO HOME Dealing with any kind of substance abuse and traveling the long road to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be a trying experience for individuals and their family members. Regional Medical Center Jacksonville has an inpatient acute care medical detoxification program with 16 private rooms, specifically designed for those ages 19 and up. Our compassionate team, including a physician, a nurse, and master’s level licensed social workers and counselors, uniquely cares for each person in the program. Don’t let your loved ones become a statistic. If you think a loved one may benefit from the inpatient treatment program at RMC Jacksonville, please call our intake specialist at 855-852-2158 or 256-782-4330 for a confidential assessment. A physician will determine the best course of treatment, whether inpatient or other options. 13 rmccares.org s of N illicit drugs such as heroin and street fentanyl. “Gray death” is a new and dangerous opioid combination that has claimed recent overdoses in Alabama, Georgia and Ohio. It is a combination of several opioids that are blamed for thousands of fatal overdoses, including heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil—a drug sometimes used to tranquilize large animals like elephants. These strong drugs can be absorbed through skin—simply touching the powder can present risks. These deadly combinations are becoming a hallmark of the heroin and opioid epidemic. Users don’t know what they’re getting and are risking their lives with every single use. And addiction is more prevalent than ever. The faces of substance use disorders are real: they are beloved friends, family members or colleagues. The good news is that treatment for addiction is effective, and people can and do recover. The addiction mindset in the nation and our communities needs to change. Rather than a moral failure, drug addiction should be seen for what it is—a chronic disease requiring the same attention, skill and compassion as other chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Sources: The New York Times (June 5 and September 7, 2017); Facing Addiction in America, The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health (2016); American Society of Addiction Medicine; National Center for Health Statistics 2016 In 2016, there were more than 63,600 DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS in the United States. The age-adjusted rate of drug OVERDOSE DEATHS in 2016 (19.8 per 100,000) was 21 % HIGHER than the rate in 2015 (16.3). babies...