Anne Arundel Police Encourage Heroin Addicts to Join Drug Rehab Centers in Maryland
So far this year, Anne Arundel County has seen more than double the amount of drug overdoses that occurred in 2015, according to local news sources. Of those overdoses, about 14% resulted in death. In an effort to address the county and state’s heroin addiction epidemic, Anne Arundel County Police are encouraging opioid addicts to join drug rehab centers in Maryland that can help them overcome dependency and addiction.
If you’ve become addicted to heroin, morphine, or another opioid, call our helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about your rehab options. Our treatment specialists are available 24/7 to help you find Maryland rehab centers that can help you achieve improved health and lifelong sobriety.
Fighting Heroin Addiction in Anne Arundel County
Maryland police are trying to spread awareness in order to reduce overdose fatalities.
Earlier this year, Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare wrote a letter instructing his officers to encourage drug addicts to seek treatment at drug rehab centers. Drug addicts are frequently arrested for committing various crimes throughout the county, while overdose victims are normally attended to by police and first responders. Altomare included contact information at the bottom of the letter for a 24/7 helpline available to addicts in need of help.
Altomare also mentioned in his letter that his officers have delivered an excessive amount of bad news to mothers about their children suffering overdoses, and that heroin addiction can affect children, family members, friends, and coworkers. Instead of viewing heroin addicts as disposable people, Altomare encourages residents to view heroin addicts as loved ones desperately in need of treatment and help.
Police spokesperson Lt. Ryan Frashure told local news sources that the county’s police department is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to overcome its heroin epidemic. Frashure says keeping an open mind and thinking outside of the box could reveal new prevention and awareness methods that can help combat heroin addiction.
Treating Heroin Addiction at Rehab Centers
Most rehab centers treat heroin addiction using a combination of medication, therapy, and support groups. Medications can help minimize heroin cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while therapy and support groups help address underlying behaviors that led to heroin use and addiction in the first place. Some rehab centers even help patients adopt healthy lifestyle habits that can lower the risk for relapse long after treatment has ended.
Medications commonly used to treat heroin addiction are buprenorphine, methadone, and suboxone. All three medications interact with opioid receptors in the same way as heroin, but without producing the same euphoric high. This helps minimize severe withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting and shaking, while also reducing cravings and strong urges to use heroin.
Many heroin addicts are encouraged to seek treatment at residential inpatient facilities where they can avoid negative influences and exposure to drugs. Inpatient rehab centers offer 24/7 access to medical staff, which is highly important during the detox stage when patients can experience one or more severe withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient rehab environments are also effective at helping recovering addicts develop healthy, structured routines they can maintain after treatment has ended.
If you are currently struggling with heroin addiction, call our helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn about your rehab and addiction treatment options. Our caring treatment specialists will help you find drug rehab centers in Maryland that can help you achieve lifelong sobriety and a happy, healthy, more fulfilling life.
Featured Treatment Center
