If you are an adult in crisis, please call the 24/7 Adult Crisis Hotline at 904-206-1756.

Please call 9-1-1 immediately if you or your loved one is having a medical emergency.

Adult Resources

SUBSTANCE DISORDER AND ADDICTION

According to the CDC, Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder, or addiction, is a medical condition that can affect ANYONE regardless of their age, race, gender, income level, or even social class. Addiction does not discriminate. Many times people start taking opioids to address a specific situation like surgery or an injury. And, unfortunately, even when following prescribed amounts, some people can become addicted. The first major warning sign of misuse or addiction is when the person keeps taking the opioids when they no longer need them or when using them has caused major problems for them in the past. These problems can include relationship issues, job issues, or even issues with the law.

Death from an opioid overdose happens when too much of the drug overwhelms the brain and interrupts the body’s natural drive to breathe. When experiencing an overdose, breathing can slow to a dangerous level or even stop, causing brain damage or even death. Understanding the signs of an overdose can save someone's life.

SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE:

Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
Pupils become small or constricted
Breathing becomes slow and shallow
Choking or gurgling sounds may occur
Body becomes limp
Skin turns pale, cold, and/or blue

In some cases, it may be hard to tell if someone is overdosing or just high. If you are not sure, the best thing to do is react as if it is an overdose.

IF YOU SUSPECT AN OVERDOSE:

Immediately call 9-1-1
Administer Naloxone if available
Keep the person breathing and awake
Lay the person on their side to keep them from choking in case they vomit
Stay with them until emergency help arrives

WHEN IN CRISIS

If you or a family member is in CRISIS, call the Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare mobile response team at the 24/7 Adult Crisis Hotline: 904-206-1756.

EMERGENCY TREATMENT

Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It can be injected or given through a saline solution. You can get Naloxene through Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare in Yulee or Hilliard; through the Saint Augustine Harm Reduction Collective, or through Jacksonville Metro Treatment Center.

Click here to find Naloxone

CONTROLLING PAIN WITHOUT OPIOIDS

When dealing with pain, first consider non-opioid treatments to control the pain effectively without side effects. Some options include physical therapy and/or exercise, chiropractic, massage therapy, non-opioid medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, acupuncture, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

medications can be taken to help in addiction recovery

OPIOID ADDICTION PREVENTION

The best way to combat opioid addiction is prevention. Some ways to prevent addiction include:

If you are prescribed a medication, ask your doctor if it is an opioid and if there is risk for addiction. If the answer is “yes,” ask for alternatives.
Never take prescription opioids in higher doses than prescribed.
Avoid taking opioids with alcohol or other substances.
Never share your prescription. Most addiction begins with medication from a friend or family member.
Keep your medications out of the reach of children and safely protected from any individuals living in or coming into your home.
Never change a dosage without first discussing it with your doctor.
Properly dispose of all medications (preferably using Deterra).

two women together connected in their addiction recovery

a young woman getting medical assistance for her addiction recovery

a woman takes deterra to help in her recovery

some people administering deterra for recovery

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction has also proven safe and effective. MAT alleviates withdrawal symptoms and decreases the likelihood of returning to opioid use. Through regimented medication, along with counseling and behavioral therapies, the desire to use can be brought down to manageable levels as the brain gradually recovers. The three most common types of medication to treat opioid addiction are methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine.

Trauma Informed Care is a system of “organizations, programs and services that are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities or triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate, so that these services and programs can be more supportive and avoid re-traumatization.” While this may include specific practices, it is most importantly an overarching philosophy that guides healthcare professionals in their interactions with children, parents and each other.

Harm reduction method is an evidence-based, public health strategy that was developed initially for adults with substance abuse problems for whom abstinence was not feasible. Harm reduction can be described as a strategy directed toward individuals or groups that aims to reduce the harms associated with certain behaviors. When applied to substance abuse, harm reduction accepts that a continuing level of drug use (both licit and illicit) in society is inevitable and defines objectives as reducing adverse consequences.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addiction recovery helps change negative habits by replacing them with good habits. The key to any successful behavior change is to make the new behavior something that one will definitely do consistently so that it becomes a new habit that becomes associated with the situation or setting. CBT approaches have done well with many disorders and helps patients toward the end of addiction recovery put a personal plan for resilience in place once they are done with treatment.

Faith-based treatment enable people of faith to participate in groups where other like-minded people are present and are struggling with similar problems. Faith-based treatment options can help individuals feel a sense of fellowship, support, and belonging that can assist in their recovery. Click here for more information on faith-based options in Florida.

HELP IS AVAILABLE

Substance Abuse and Mental Help Services Administration national helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

NATIONAL SUICIDE TEXTLINE: Text “HOME” to 741741

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS LINE: 1-904-580-0529

SEE BELOW OR CLICK HERE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTERS

ADDICTION IN OUR YOUTH

Among U.S. youth ages 12 to 17, more than 750,000 report misusing pain relievers at least once in the past year. Nearly 60% of youth, ages 12 to 17, report that the source of their most recent misuse of prescription pain relievers was a friend or relative.

Children and young adults are particularly susceptible to drug abuse and addiction because their brains are still developing.

What to do? This advice comes from DoseofRealityFL.com:

Talk with young people about the dangers of prescription painkillers, especially opioids and narcotics
Ask healthcare professionals for non-narcotic alternatives when prescribing for the young people under your care
Let young people know they are important and you are there to support them no matter what
Do not supply young people with a steady supply of money if you are not certain about where and how it will be spent
Rather than staging an “intervention,” focus on creating incentives to get young people to a doctor or substance abuse counselor
Bring young people to a medical professional or counselor who can check for signs of drug use (including drug testing) and other mental health issues
Consider taking away a young person’s phone or device if you suspect drug use
If you suspect drug use, try to get young people to be evaluated by a doctor or counselor

Youth Referral: 904-875-6113

a woman holding medication and is troubled

two men helping one another through recovery

hands holding drugs that can lead to addiction

a woman holds another's shoulders in support during recovery

ROAD TO RECOVERY: REHABILITATION IS POSSIBLE

There are no easy paths or guarantees for recovery from opioid addiction. It takes time, commitment and, most importantly, support for the brain to recover from the chemical changes caused by recurrent opioid abuse.

Opioid addiction can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, age or income, and recovery is possible through the support of community and loved ones recognizing and ending the stigma associated with addiction.

Find hope watching these stories of recovery. Here are more powerful stories told by people struggling with addiction and family members of people who have been addicted. You are likely to find someone here you can relate to and learn from.