Drug Rehabs in Springfield, IL

Addiction in Springfield

Springfield, the capital of Illinois the principal city in Sangamon County, Illinois, has seen a colossal spike in the people hospitalized from different drugs. On top of the opioid epidemic that has affected the entire United States, Springfield has been battling other issues. Opioid analogues are taking hold in the city and synthetic marijuana is gaining popularity.

Springfield’s Opioid Spike

When looking at cities with smaller populations, like Springfield, people tend to think that the numbers aren’t as bad as larger cities. However, it is important to look at the percentages. From 2010 to 2015, Springfield’s opioid death rate increased 397%. Springfield’s death and hospitalization rates are both higher than those for Chicago, a major metropolitan area and one of the most violent cities in America.

While much of the nation is dealing with major issues involving prescription opioids, half of Springfield’s opioid-related deaths in 2017 were from heroin, a craze that is sweeping central Illinois counties. Two deaths were recorded as being the result of carfentanil, an opioid that is 100,000 times stronger than morphine. Meant as an elephant tranquilizer, there is no amount of carfentanil that is safe for human consumption. There is no level of tolerance or cutting that can make carfentanil consumable. Likely, as the case has been with fentanyl around the country, some dealers are cutting their supply with carfentanil. While this can cut their cost and increase potency, it is a death sentence for anyone who uses that supply.

Synthetic Marijuana in Springfield

Sangamon, and its neighboring counties, has had an explosion of emergency department visits due to the use of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as spice or K2. The issue with synthetic marijuana is that it is technically “legal.” Because of this, many believe it is safe to use. That is not the truth, however.

While the producers of synthetic marijuana will not use illegal ingredients, the doesn’t meant they’re safe to consume. This, technically, makes synthetic marijuana legal. In fact, many varieties are able to be sold in smoke shops as long as they include the disclaimer, “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.” People looking to get high will turn to this as an alternative to marijuana thinking that it is safe and legal. The ingredients in synthetic marijuana can greatly vary, however. Most recently, A strain that is being dealt across multiple states has seen users go to the emergency room from bleeding out.

The chemical responsible for this is brodifacoum, an anti-coagulant used in rat poison. From March to April of 2018, Central Illinois saw 56 people hospitalized from the effects of synthetic marijuana, and 2 had died from it in Springfield.

Get Help During COVID-19

With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings.

Learn More

Finding Help in Springfield

Looking for recovery in a smaller town can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you’re part of a community. You know the people around you and likely already have a support group. However, this also means that you don’t have far to get away from where the addiction was born. In many cases, being surrounded by your past, knowing where you can go to get a fix, and seeing the same things everyday can be a detrimental to recovery. If that is the case then it is likely beneficial to seek recovery somewhere else.

If you or a loved one are seeking recovery, but don’t know where to start, try reaching out to a dedicated treatment provider. They are here to help you map out your next steps.