Expert Insights
I recently read that researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine are now collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office in order to evaluate the effectiveness of two opioid addiction treatment programs for inmates of the local criminal justice system. In late 2019, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office kicked off two projects knowing that people who were recently incarcerated are at high risk of overdose and have little-to-no access to addiction treatment upon release. Working with UNC School of Medicine and Department of Public Safety, the group was able to expand access to treatment and connect recently released inmates with local treatment providers. I will be excited to see the results of these programs. (I anticipate good results!)
~ Rita Milios
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Durham?
The cost to enroll in a drug or alcohol rehab in Durham varies based on many factors, such as the type of treatment facility you select (luxury vs. standard) and whether you have health insurance. Other variables that impact the cost include:
Whether you need inpatient or outpatient (inpatient is generally more expensive)
Features and amenities (luxury or standard facility)
The length of time you spend in care (most programs last 30 to 90 days)
The type of health insurance a rehab facility accepts
Your extent of coverage for addiction treatment services
Whether the treatment center receives non-profit or government funding (facilities that get subsidies often provide reduced-cost services)
Whether you require specialized services, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or dual-diagnosis care
If you’re concerned about your ability to pay for addiction treatment, know that you have many options. No matter your income level, you can find a Durham program that meets your needs and budget.
How Does Durham Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
The opioid epidemic has affected people, families, and communities all over the United States. In North Carolina, overdose deaths involving opioids have doubled in the past ten years. From 2000 to 2020, more than 28,000 people in the Tar Heel State died from drug overdoses. From 2020 to 2021, 185 people died from overdoses in Durham. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, know that help is within reach. There are nearly 40 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Durham that can put you on the path to recovery.
Like many densely populated United States cities, Durham has faced growing substance use issues within the community for many years. Many residents of both the city and Durham County as a whole live with addiction, as evidenced by the following drug and alcohol use statistics:
In 2017, 17% of Durham County adults engaged in excessive drinking, and 21% of county high school students reported drinking alcohol at least once in a 30-day period.
In 2020, 82 Durham County residents died of a drug overdose.
In 2020, 1,126 Durham County residents engaged in an addiction treatment program, and roughly 1,400 people received medication for opioid use disorder.
In the first quarter of 2021, there were 96 opioid-related emergency department visits in Durham County. In 2022, the county saw 99 such visits within the same time period.
If you or someone you love is among the thousands of Durham County residents with drug or alcohol addiction, quality treatment is readily available, regardless of your financial situation.
Alcohol and Drug Laws in Durham, North Carolina
North Carolina Good Samaritan Law: If you call 911 to report a suspected overdose, House Bill 852 grants you limited immunity from arrest or prosecution for drug-related crimes. Whether you call for yourself or someone else, you must remain at the scene until help arrives and cooperate with law enforcement and/or medical professionals. To qualify for immunity, you must only possess a small amount of illicit substances meant for personal use.
Expanded Naloxone Access: Under North Carolina’s Naloxone Access Law, anyone who administers naloxone to a person experiencing an overdose cannot be prosecuted for doing so. This law also protects healthcare professionals who dispense naloxone to persons at risk for an overdose or those who may need to assist an at-risk person.
Durham County Drug Treatment Court: In Durham County, non-violent offenders with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol can engage in state-sponsored substance abuse care instead of being incarcerated. To opt for drug treatment court, a person must meet the criteria for substance dependence or borderline substance dependence and meet legal eligibility requirements.
Resources
- Opioid, Substance Use, And Addiction Services | Durham County – NC – Public Health. (n.d.). Www.dcopublichealth.org.
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Durham County Opioid Overdose Emergency Department Visits.
- Durham County Department of Public Health. (2021, March). Durham County Community Health Assessment 2020.
- North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services. (2022). Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). North Carolina Medicaid Program.
