Naples drug treatment center sees record number of admissions

Overdose deaths are up and at least one opioid contributes to more than 70% of them. A Naples drug treatment center has seen a record number of admissions in the last month, too, but says that’s a positive sign.

The drug that’s affecting people the most is fentanyl. Addiction to fentanyl is usually treated with a mix of medications, counseling and therapy. In 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, up 15% from the previous year.

Heather Hayes with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, located at 950 6th Ave. N. in Naples, says Florida didn’t see as large an uptick when it comes to deadly drug overdoses but that we did see a huge uptick in fentanyl use. She says this is because it’s easier to find and so much stronger. Hays says it gives her hope to see more and more people reaching out for help.

“In our 73-year history, we saw more residential admissions in the past month than in our entire history,” Hayes said. “That’s the good news. We see people seeking treatment, so that’s one piece. The other piece is to let somebody know that you’re struggling.”

Hayes says the reason why drug overdoses saw an uptick in 2021 is that many people were working from home and some were struggling to make ends meet. She says there is no reason to be afraid to get help.

“To find that courage, to let someone know that there is a struggle and that their use is not normal, that this isn’t social drinking, that this isn’t just taking a few Xanax, because that Xanax could be laced with fentanyl,” Hayes said. “To let somebody know that you’re concerned about your own use.”

Hayes tells WINK news it’s expected to be worse this year and encourages people to get the help they need fast.