Addiction in Northern Virginia: A Hidden Crisis
We often hear about the opioid epidemic, but many of us believe it won’t affect our lives. However, is that really the case? In Fairfax County, opioid overdoses are the number one cause of unnatural death, according to the Fairfax County Health Department. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Fairfax County are higher than in half of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports that addiction affects all ages, genders, and communities, including those in Northern Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner stresses that there is no “typical” opioid user; this addiction epidemic affects people of all ages, all genders, and all areas of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In Fairfax County it had been reported that 1 in every 22 Fairfax County children from 8th to 12th grade self-reports non-medical use of prescription painkillers, and even more of these children report using alcohol and marijuana (Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, 2020).
While many want to believe that the affluent communities around us are immune, the data proves otherwise. By most accounts, our region remains relatively affluent: Fairfax City ranks tenth on the list of the wealthiest places in America for 2020 based on household income. Arlington County ranks eighth, Fairfax County third, Falls Church City second, and Loudoun County tops the list at number one (U.S. News and World Reports, 2020).
Our region leads the country in wealth, and we enjoy beautiful neighborhoods with top-tier school systems. Our proximity to Washington, D.C., provides easy access to city life, but we also have stunning country views along the Potomac River. However, despite all of this, Northern Virginia remains deeply affected by what is arguably the worst addiction epidemic this country has ever experienced.
The Reality of Addiction in Northern Virginia
Addiction in Northern Virginia doesn’t discriminate based on wealth or status. It’s a mental health disease that impacts every community. At New Paradigm Recovery, we understand the devastating effects that addiction has on lives and families. The founding partners of New Paradigm Recovery met in long-term recovery, which has shaped the empathetic and compassionate treatment environment we’ve created.
New Paradigm Recovery offers a comprehensive outpatient program to help individuals build a solid foundation for recovery. Our treatment addresses alcohol and substance use along with underlying trauma and co-occurring mental health disorders. We emphasize healthy habits such as building meaningful friendships and engaging in recovery support networks. Importantly, we work with spouses, families, and friends to heal fractured relationships and promote emotional wellness at home.
At New Paradigm Recovery, we believe that healing our families and communities requires facing the harsh realities of addiction in Northern Virginia. Data from local health departments makes it clear that this problem is not going away. As a treatment provider and citizens of the D.C. metropolitan area, we have a responsibility to look beyond stereotypes, support those struggling with addiction, and build pathways to lasting emotional and mental wellness in our community.
Sources
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. (2020, May). Opioid use disorder in Fairfax County. From Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/heroin-opioids/county-facts
U.S. News and World Reports. (2020, December 11). The 15 Richest Counties in the U.S. From U.S. News and World Reports: https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/slideshows/richest-counties-in-america?slide=16
1 Trauma is a unique yet common factor in all forms of addiction and mental health disorders. We work collaboratively with specialists in the outpatient community in order to begin the process of treating trauma yet understand full well that working through trauma is a lifelong process, and not limited to an intensive outpatient care program.