Drug And Alcohol Addiction in Springfield, Massachusetts
Located in Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts suffers from the ongoing Opioid Epidemic like many other cities across the country. Recent data shows a 73% increase in Opioid-induced overdose deaths in Western Massachusetts. From 2017 to 2018, Hampden County alone had an 84% increase in fatalities.
While there are limited treatment facilities in the immediate area, there are many in surrounding regions that specialize in various forms of addiction and abuse rehab and recovery services.
Springfield’s Opioid Catastrophe
Throughout Massachusetts, the four counties on the western side of the state have the highest rates of Opioid prescriptions and 90% of robberies and larcenies throughout the area are linked with Opioid use. Officials say that there is a connection “at every level” between Opioid abuse and the criminal justice system; Hampden County’s population of inmates with a substance use disorder (SUD) has increased from 79% to 88% over the past 10 years. The percentage of Opioid-specific abuse disorders has doubled from 20% to 43%.
Springfield police arrest drug dealers trafficking drugs on regular basis. In 2017, the local police responded to 368 opioid overdoses. Additionally, the police made 11 arrests and confiscated 6,700 bags of Heroin. One officer seized 9 grams of raw Heroin, while traffickers were arrested for possessing $100,000 worth of the deadly drug.
Prescription Drug Abuse In Springfield
Medical patients who have sustained severe injuries are often prescribed Opioids like Codeine and Percocet. Springfield police have had rising concerns surrounding the prescription Opioid crisis America faces, as they have seized 500 pounds of unused prescription medication in recent years. This amounted to “thousands of prescriptions” seized by authorities.
Patients may transition to cheaper alternatives from prescriptions, finding Heroin available on the street for as little as $10 a bag. Once individuals discover the illicit substance is available and a crude substitute for a prescription medication, they may begin to transition to harder drugs. Sadly, individuals can become addicted to Heroin after even just one use, and risk exposure to other drugs like Cocaine. Some drug dealers will combine drugs like Fentanyl or Cocaine in Heroin bags; the end result is that individuals unknowingly crave the laced Heroin more frequently.

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Drug Tolerances, Drug Dependences, And Drug Addictions
An important step in considering rehab is to know whether you have a tolerance, dependency, or an addiction. All are potentially harmful with destructive effects on the mind and body.
A tolerance for a substance is when the patient is accustomed to the chemical and the effects are not as strong. They require a higher dosage to get the same effect. Tolerance for chemicals often lead to a dependence; however, patients with a tolerance to a chemical can stop using the substance before a dependence begins.
A dependence is more severe; someone with a dependence not only has a tolerance, but also experiences withdrawal symptoms if they stop using. Opioid withdrawals in particular are extremely uncomfortable, and even potentially deadly.
The extreme discomfort of withdrawal symptoms can make individuals stay on the drug and develop an addiction. An addiction is a more severe dependence, which can lead addicted individuals to completely dedicate their lives to drugs and alcohol, and cause major life and personal changes. Individuals suffering from addiction have very little control over their use of alcohol or drugs.
Find Your Path for Healing in Springfield Today
Contact a treatment provider today. Treatment providers have the knowledge needed to guide prospective patients and discuss available treatment options.
Published:
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Krystina Murray

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Krystina Murray has received a B.A. in English at Georgia State University, has over 5 years of professional writing and editing experience, and over 15 years of overall writing experience. She enjoys traveling, fitness, crafting, and spreading awareness of addiction recovery to help people transform their lives.
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