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The Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area, part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, is grappling with a significant opioid crisis that mirrors the broader national epidemic. This rapidly growing region has experienced a substantial increase in opioid use and related overdoses in recent years, prompting local authorities and healthcare providers to implement various strategies to combat the issue.
Key Statistics on Opioid Use in Raleigh
- Raleigh saw a 73% increase in opioid use between 2005 and 2015.
- Emergency department visits due to suspected opioid overdoses in Wake County outnumbered fatal overdoses by a ratio of approximately 5 to 1.
- In Wake County, the opioid overdose death rate was 12.8 per 100,000 from 2017 to 2021.
- In 2021, 11.7% of Wake County residents were prescribed an opioid medication.
Opioid Overdose Statistics in Raleigh
- In 2021, at least 180 Wake County opioid overdose deaths involved heroin or fentanyl.
- In 2020, fentanyl was involved in nearly 70% of all opioid-related fatalities in Wake County.
- In 2022, there were 219 opioid overdose deaths in Wake County.
Demographic Data & Insights
- In Wake County, the majority of opioid misuse and overdose incidents occur among young adults and middle-aged people, particularly those between 25 and 44.
- Men are disproportionately affected, comprising a larger percentage of opioid overdose deaths compared to women.
- White residents experience the highest rates of opioid overdose.
Common Opioids & Prescribing Trends
The Raleigh-Cary metro area has been significantly impacted by the opioid crisis, mirroring trends across North Carolina. Understanding the types of opioids commonly found in this area is important for residents, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
Polysubstance use is common in the Raleigh-Cary area. More than 60% of overdose deaths involve multiple substances, with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine increasingly being found in combination with opioids.
The opioid landscape in Raleigh-Cary is constantly evolving:
- A shift from prescription opioid misuse to illicit opioid use
- Increased prevalence of fentanyl and its analogs in the drug supply
- Rising rates of polysubstance use involving opioids and stimulants
State Funds & Resource Allocation
To address the opioid crisis, various stakeholders in the Raleigh-Cary area have implemented targeted strategies:
- Wake County Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition: Formed in November 2015, this coalition combines resources from multiple organizations to prevent drug overdoses through education, outreach, and data analytics.
- Expanded Naloxone Distribution: Efforts to increase access to this life-saving overdose reversal medication across the community.
- WakeMed Drug Take-Back Program: An initiative to safely dispose of unused prescription medications, reducing the risk of misuse.
- Increased Mental Health Resources: Approval for additional inpatient beds for short-term crisis care, addressing the link between mental health and substance abuse.
- Innovative Monitoring Approaches: The nearby town of Cary pioneered wastewater testing to identify drug use patterns and effectively target interventions.
- Integrated Opioid Action Plan: Wake County has developed this plan, which includes prevention strategies, treatment and recovery support, harm reduction initiatives, data collection and analysis, and community engagement and education.
Resource & Support Groups in Raleigh
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Raleigh
- SMART Recovery in Raleigh
- Raleigh Recovery
- Offers outpatient treatment with a focus on MAT and counseling
- Address: 6010 Six Forks Rd Suite 203, Raleigh, NC 27609
- Wake County Human Services - Substance Use Services
- Offers a range of treatment options, including MAT, counseling, and case management for people with substance use disorders
- Address: 220 Swinburne St, Raleigh, NC 27610
- Phoenix Counseling and Recovery Center
- Provides outpatient treatment and MAT, along with individual and group therapy
- Address: 2525 Blue Ridge Rd Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27607
- New Season Treatment Center
- Provides comprehensive outpatient care, including MAT and counseling services
- Address: 3911 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not have insurance, the cost can vary based on the prescribed dose. Patients unable to afford buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) (regardless of insurance coverage) can apply for cost-assistance. The company that makes Suboxone offers this type of program to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more, go to: inSupport program.
You can also get discounted buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) using pharmacy coupons or cash prizes. If you go to the GoodRx website (goodrx.com), you can enter in your zip code and find coupons and discounts at your pharmacy of choice. (On average, if you use GoodRx coupons/discounts, you can slash the typical price of generic Suboxone film from $395 to $118).
Before you are prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), you will need to undergo an initial medical evaluation so that the doctor can ensure that it is an appropriate medication for you, though this does not require an in-person visit and can be done via telehealth (with video or telephone).
Once you have completed this assessment, the doctor will send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy. So, yes! You can find a licensed buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) provider online and they can get you started on it via telehealth services without any in-person appointments.
- Buprenorphine/naloxone (Subxone) which is available in outpatient clinics (at your primary care doctor’s office or a psychiatrist’s office)
- Naloxone (Vivitrol) which is available in outpatient clinics (at your primary care doctor’s office or a psychiatrist’s office)
- Methadone, which is available only through methadone clinics
If you are interested in Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) offered entirely through telehealth services, visit bicyclehealth.com. To get help on finding other treatment options and levels of care (such as inpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs/IOPs, residential programs, and methadone clinics), call the SAMHSA helpline at:
1-800-662-HELP (4357).