Between 2011 and 2021, the rate of drug overdose deaths in North Carolina more than doubled.1 The COVID-19 pandemic, alarming trends in fentanyl, and other factors led to spikes in overdose rates across the U.S., but North Carolina significantly outpaced the national average. Evidence-based substance abuse treatment near Charlotte, Raleigh, and other areas across the state is critical for fighting the rise in drug overdose rates.
NorthStar Clinical Services offers substance abuse treatment programs at our Charlotte, NC, center. By using evidence-based treatment and compassionate care, we guide our clients through the stages of early recovery so they can enjoy lasting recovery. Get help for yourself or a loved one by calling 888.373.8052 today.
Charlotte’s Fentanyl Problem
The Charlotte area is not immune to the rise of fentanyl. The synthetic opioid was originally used to treat severe, acute pain. Now, illicit versions of the drug are being found everywhere, including in counterfeit prescriptions, cocaine, meth, and heroin. In 2023 alone, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department seized at least 30 kilograms of cocaine—enough to kill 15 million people.2
Fentanyl is such a dangerous drug because of its potency; it is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Illicit versions of the drug are unregulated and often cut into other drugs to make them stronger. If someone doesn’t have a tolerance for opioids as strong as the fentanyl dose they’re exposed to or if they relapse after their tolerance lapses, they can easily overdose on a tiny amount of fentanyl.
Recognize an Opioid Overdose
Someone experiencing an opioid overdose will show signs, including:
- Bluish/grayish skin, especially around the lips and/or nails
- Slow, shallow, or trouble breathing
- Nodding off, which is falling in and out of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Small or pinpoint pupils
If you think someone you love is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately. If you have access to Narcan (naloxone), a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication, you can administer it. You still need to contact emergency personnel if you administer Narcan since the individual may require multiple doses or other interventions.
Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment in North Carolina
Two of the most effective approaches to helping people struggling with substance abuse have proven to be harm reduction and evidence-based treatment. Both approaches recognize that addiction is not a failure, flaw, or choice. Rather, addiction—substance use disorder (SUD)—is a chronic, relapsing condition that requires compassion, support, treatment, and community to overcome.
Harm Reduction
The North Carolina government passed multiple laws to make naloxone available without a prescription.3 If you live with opioid addiction or know someone who does, carrying Narcan in case of emergency could save their life. You can call local pharmacies, health departments, or other programs to see if they will dispense the medication to you.
There are also several syringe exchange programs in the state. Syringe exchange programs help reduce the risks associated with needle sharing when using drugs. These programs may also distribute Narcan and make referrals to substance abuse treatment programs.
Addiction Treatment
Evidence-based addiction treatment helps break the cycle of addiction and create healthy habits for the lifelong recovery journey. Talk therapy is often used in rehab to help clients identify the behaviors, triggers, and circumstances that lead to substance use so that patterns can be broken. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) helps reduce cravings for those recovering from alcohol or opioid addiction. Co-occurring treatment helps address underlying mental health conditions that contribute to drug or alcohol use.
You can find a wide range of addiction treatment programs in North Carolina, but enrolling in a trusted program can help you access quality treatment. NorthStar Clinical Services is a staple of the Charlotte area, helping individuals from around the region understand how to navigate the early stages of recovery and make lifelong change.
Evidence-Based Treatment in Charlotte, NC
NorthStar offers two primary levels of addiction treatment at our center in the heart of the Elizabeth community in Charlotte.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – For those who recently completed a detox or residential treatment program, our PHP provides support for five hours a day, five days a week. Clients engage in individual, group, and family therapy. They also have access to MAT as needed and recommended by our treatment staff.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – Our IOP allows clients to continue treatment while practicing their new skills at their job, during class, and at home. We offer day and evening group options that meet three days per week.
We also provide outpatient/aftercare services that support our clients after they complete a more intensive level of care. Sober living accommodations can also be coordinated for clients who need somewhere safe, stable, and substance-free.
Get Started by Calling NorthStar Clinical Services
Don’t wait any longer to find help for yourself or a loved one. Guidance, support, and compassion are available at NorthStar Clinical Services. Our evidence-based treatment plans help clients gain the skills needed to achieve recovery and make real progress.
We are located next to the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center and St. John’s Baptist Church near Independence Park. You can easily get to our center via train, bus, or car. Call 888.373.8052 or complete our confidential online form to get help now.
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