Atlanta Treatment Centers

Atlanta, GA, presents a unique picture when it comes to the levels of drug, alcohol, or substance abuse problems. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) completed a survey in 2013 and found that, while there was a decrease in the number of people abusing cocaine, there was a significant increase in methamphetamine and heroin abuse.

Through the NIDA research, it is now known that:

• There has been a significant decrease in the number of people seeking substance abuse treatment as a result of cocaine abuse. This has been confirmed by the State Medical Examiner's Office (ME), the National Forensic Laboratory Information Systems (NFLIS), and the Georgia Poison Control Center (GPCC).
• The most abused substance in Atlanta is alcohol. In fact, almost 50% of admissions to detox and rehab facilities were a result of alcohol abuse, either in combination with other substances, or on its own. It is also the main reason why people have contacted the crisis lines in relation to drugs.
• There has been a notable decrease in the number of people seeking treatment as a result of marijuana/cannabis abuse. That said, it continues to be the most commonly abused and used illicit substance in Atlanta.
• There has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking treatment as a result of methamphetamine abuse. In fact, it is at its highest level since records were collected. This is also confirmed by the NFLIS. According to the ME, there has been a decrease in deaths as a result of methamphetamine, however.
• Heroin abuse levels have stabilized, which is quite unique in the country as a whole. However, Mexican heroin is now more readily available, which has been confirmed by the Domestic Monitor Program (DMP) and the NFLIS.
• Prescription drug abuse continues to be a significant problem. The NFLIS and ME both report that OxyCodone abuse has stabilized for the first time since 2007. Additionally, rates of overdose deaths have dropped significantly. However, there has been an increase both in abuse and overdose deaths as a result of Alprazolam and hydrocodone. What makes Atlanta unique, however, is that these decreases and increases do not seem to be linked to heroin abuse, which usually increases when the number of people having problems with prescription drug abuse decreases.
• Abuse of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy or Molly, has decreased to levels that are almost negligible.

What the above statistics show is that the approach that Atlanta is taking for drug and alcohol abuse, which includes educational resources about prevention and intervention, and accessibility to state sponsored inpatient and outpatient rehab and detox treatment, is working. That said, further efforts need to be made to address the problem of alcohol abuse, which continues to be a serious problem. Unfortunately, as a readily available and legal substance, it seems to be very difficult to make any progress with this. The focus, at present, is very much on educating people about the dangers of alcohol and addiction, and how it can often be a gateway drug to other substances. These messages are particularly important for Atlanta's younger population.