Substance Abuse and Overdose Statistics in Burlington, NC
Statewide, in 2020, North Carolina saw a 40% increase in overdose deaths compared to 2019. That’s an average of nine state residents who died each day during the period. Overall, Alamance County reported a lower overdose rate compared to the North Carolina State average, at 13.5 deaths per 100,000 residents versus 18.5 deaths per 100,000 statewide.
A majority of those overdose deaths involved opioid drugs. Unlike the early years of the nationwide “opioid epidemic,” though, the region’s current concerns with opioid drugs primarily involve heroin, fentanyl, and powerful fentanyl analogs rather than prescription medications like oxycodone. Here are a few more statistics on substance use and drug-related overdoses in Burlington, Alamance County, and surrounding areas:
Between 2015 and 2019, the number of North Carolina residents seeking treatment for a substance use disorder jumped from 42,026 to 49,520.
Between 2018 and 2019, the number of drug overdose deaths from all substances increased by nearly 1,000 deaths statewide.
In 2020, the overdose death rate for men was nearly 2.5 times the
rate for women.
A majority of fentanyl-related deaths also involved other substances, including alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as prescription medications.
In 2022, 263 fentanyl-positive deaths were recorded statewide, a slight drop from 266 in the previous year.
Most overdose deaths occurred in the 25-44 age group.
Financing Drug and Alcohol Rehab in North Carolina
If you are worried that you won’t be able to afford drug and alcohol rehab, check out these strategies for financing addiction treatment.
Private Insurance
If you have private health insurance through work or purchased from the Healthcare Marketplace, you can use it to cover the cost of drug and alcohol rehab, either partially or fully, depending on the treatment program you choose.
North Carolina Medicaid
North Carolina Medicaid is a government program providing health insurance coverage for low-income families and individuals. If you have Medicaid, you can use it to cover substance abuse treatment services, although you’ll want to make sure to find a rehab that accepts this form of payment.
Medicare
If you have North Carolina Medicare, you can use it to pay for the cost of drug and alcohol treatment services; however, you’ll want to make sure to find a facility that accepts Medicare.
TRICARE in North Carolina
North Carolina is in the East Region for TRICARE and provides coverage for drug and alcohol addiction treatment and rehab for military personnel, retirees, and their families.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
If you need financial assistance, you can seek out a sliding scale rehab, which charges a reduced price based on your income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
The Indian Health Service funds various alcohol and drug treatment centers that provide free care to Indigenous people with substance use disorders.
Resources
- The City of Burlington, North Carolina. (n.d.). Things to Do.
- Alamance County Health Department. (2021). Alamance County Health Assessment 2021.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). SAMHSA Behavioral Health Barometer: North Carolina
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (March 21, 2022). Press Release.
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Circumstances Surrounding Overdose Deaths in NC: 2020.