Substance use and addiction have reached an all-time high in the United States, and Virginia is feeling the weight of it.
In fact, 18.5 percent of Virginians (as of a 2017 study) reported either binge drinking (having four or more on one occasion in the past 30 days) or chronic drinking (having eight or more drinks per week). Among Virginians, the largest age group with alcohol dependency is adults ages 18 to 25. Along with that growth of dependency, we’re also seeing an increase in the percentage of children and adolescents addicted to alcohol.
When it comes to other substances, the drug that tops the watch list in Virginia as of May 2018 is Gabapentin, known as “Johnny’s’ on the street, which is often used to treat seizures and nerve pain. It’s sold under the brand name Neurontin. Gabapentin is promoted as a safe alternative to other painkillers by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Additionally, in Virginia alone, there were 1,130 opioid related overdose deaths in Virginia—a rate of 13.5 deaths of 100,000 persons. That’s slightly higher than the nation’s average.
While Virginia and, in fact, the nation are in a crisis regarding prescription drug abuse, there is hope. Programs like the Central Virginia Hope Initiative exist to help people find help, find support and find hope against substance use disorders.
Central Virginia Hope Initiative
The Central Virginia Hope Initiative is a network of local, regional and national recovery services that work to come alongside someone struggling with substance use and help give them access to:
- Detoxification programs
- Intensive outpatient services
- Residential treatment programs
- Peer recovery services
- Aftercare
- Support groups
- Sober living programs
- Inpatient/outpatient mental health services
- Training on the proper use of nasal Naloxone
Someone who comes to the Central Virginia Hope Initiative for help will get paired with an angel and a navigator who will walk them safely through the steps of recovery. And, if that person has drugs or even paraphernalia they wish to surrender, they can do so with the Central Virginia Hope Initiative safely, quiety and with no legal consequence. That means, if someone were to turn in drugs with the Central Virginia Hope Initiative, the police would not be involved. The goal of the Central Virginia Hope Initiative is to simply get someone the help they need to legitimately be treated.
How to get help with Central Virginia Hope Initiative
The Central Virginia Hope Initiative is based out of the Community Access Network location on 5th Street in Lynchburg, Virginia. Drop in sessions are held on the fourth Monday of each month between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. However, individuals can stop in at any time if they are in need of help or assistance.
The Central Virginia Hope Initiative can help with recovery from:
- Opiates
- Methamphetamines
- Marijuana
- And other illegal substances
The Central Virginia Hope Initiative is a partnership between the Opioid Coalition, Unlimited Potential Foundation, Roads to Recovery, Community Access Network, the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Centra Health, The Haven, Horizon Behavioral Health, Lynchburg City Police Department and other concerned family members and citizens.