While many who read this article have known about the Jersey shore for many years, the area was made famous by the infamous MTV show “The Jersey Shore” airing December 3rd, 2009. Cast members like “Snookie” and Mike “The Situation” glorified Italian American culture in a reality television show that followed these young adults’ lives. Unfortunately, the show delved deeply into alcohol abuse. We later found out that cast member Mike Sorrentino struggled heavily with addiction.
Although the show was notorious for parties, drinking, and Mike’s drug use, the Situation is popular today for his sobriety and ability to motivate others to lead a healthier lifestyle. Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious condition affecting millions of Americans nationwide, and those living on or near the Jersey shore are not exempt. Drug rehab in the area has proven to save lives, and it’s important that you understand the statistics of drug use in the region.
Jersey Shore Drug Rehab Statistics
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported 70,2000 drug overdose deaths in 2017 and 47,600 of those related to opioids. The uptick in opioid-related deaths has garnered concern, and it’s largely in part due to the increased availability of fentanyl, which is a potent opioid estimated to be 50 times stronger than heroin. The number of overdose deaths increased by 29 percent in New Jersey, and most of the deaths involved opioids.
In addition to theft and the adverse issues stemming from addiction, it also contributes to public health problems, such as infectious disease. For example, 1,143 new HIV cases occurred as a result of intravenous drug use, with nine percent of men and 11 percent of women contracting the disease from injecting drugs.
Most Commonly Abused Substance in the Jersey Shore
The New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System identified heroin as the most common substance leading to substance abuse treatment admission. An estimated 45 percent of those admitted to heroin as their primary drug of choice. Marijuana is the only drug ahead of heroin throughout the country.
It’s common for those to start abusing prescription opioids before abusing heroin, which is cheaper and easier to find than prescription painkillers. Once a person becomes chemically dependent, they’ll turn their focus to illicit substances to feed their addiction once they can’t obtain prescriptions.
New Jersey's Drug Rehab History and Rankings
The state as a whole was hit hard by the opioid epidemic, and there were 3,021 deaths in 2019, up from 1,304 overdose deaths five years prior. Since the state has been hit so hard, officials have been working hard to address it. It has been working to slow the availability of opioids by targeting drug traffickers and reviewing licenses of those who prescribe opioids with impunity. Access to drug rehab on the Jersey shore has also been a focal point.
Quick Treatment Facts
Addiction treatment is a complex process geared toward treating the psychological, mental, and physical issues stemming from addiction. Treatment must be tailored based on your unique needs. There isn’t a program that can cure everyone, and you must feel comfortable about the treatment plan you create with experts prior to entering a program.
