Recovery professionals push for more addiction resources nationwide

Leaders of the U.S. Department of Health with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration gathered Monday to mark SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day.

The goal is to continue to shine the spotlight on addiction. Leaders also emphasized the need for more addiction resources, like recovery centers, nationwide.

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“We know that recovery centers play a real central role in helping people who are struggling with substance abuse find and sustain recovery. Recovery centers are often peer operated and provide a range of services including peer support, harm reduction, wellness self management, advocacy, social supports and so much more,” said Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, SAMHSA assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse.

The growing need for more addiction services is what prompted B. Reeves to open New Waters Recovery in North Raleigh in October 2022.

The location off Bland Road focuses on detox and diagnostic assessments.

Reeves explained most people seek their services for alcohol addiction. In recent years, he said more people have needed help getting off opioids, like fentanyl.

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“Fentanyl for sure it skews to the younger demographic, but not exclusively,” he said. “Alcohol runs the gamut. Here by the numbers I’d say it’s the older population, but we get people here who are 18 years old for alcohol as well.”

Reeves said sometimes people purposefully seek fentanyl but other times could overdose by taking another drug they weren’t aware had fentanyl in it.

Fentanyl has caused an alarming number of deaths nationwide in recent years.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there were 2,838 known fentanyl deaths from January-October 2023. It was a 1% increase from the year before, which saw 2,797 deaths during the same time frame.

To fight addiction in all forms, Reeves said society must first start with fighting stigmas.

“Those three words: I need help, are the most powerful three words for so many people,” said Reeves. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.”

Reeves also agreed with SAMHSA, stating more centers are needed.

“That’s on us individually as New Waters Recovery and as an industry to make sure there is just more awareness that we exist,” expressed Reeves.

If you or a loved one is in need of support, you can call the SAMHSA crisis line at any time at 1-800-662-HELP to be connected with resources near you.