Help for Those with Addiction in Greenville
Greenville, Mississippi, is a small city located in the Mississippi Delta. This region is renowned for its musical culture and rich history. The town itself has a population of close to 35,000 people and is the county seat of Washington County. As it is located on the eastern bank of Lake Ferguson, it is a natural destination for those who love water sports. A floating casino is on this lake close to the downtown area while another is just west of the city.
Among the interesting historical sites in the area are the Winterville Mounds, which were constructed by the Plaquemine tribe. This group lived in the area long before European settlers arrived. They built these earthwork structures prior to the ninth century. The historic Natchez tribe succeeded this culture in the Mississippi Delta region.
Because of the rich history, the Winterville Mounds are considered a National Historic Landmark. Not only are there professional excavations in the area, but there is also a fascinating museum filled with artifacts and a park with nature trails.
Interestingly enough, the current Greenville is the third incarnation of that city. It was first established near Natchez but was relocated after the American Revolution and was founded in its current location by William W. Blanton in the early 19th century. The town was named for General Nathaniel Greene.
Thanks to the fertile land of the delta, cotton plantations thrived here. These generated a great deal of wealth for the inhabitants. Greenville itself became a hub for commerce and trade in the area as well as being a center for the art and music of the area. The many large plantations that surrounded the city provided plenty of business to support the economy.
During the Civil War, the city was destroyed. Mrs. Harriet Blanton Theobold, dubbed the “Mother of Greenville,” was instrumental in the rebuilding of the town. She donated land for schools, churches, and public buildings.
Greenville became prosperous again, its economy still largely driven by cotton. Many of its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It is also the source of much of the famous music of the region. Nelson Street in Greenville is considered akin to Beale Street in Memphis. There, the historic blues clubs provided lively entertainment throughout the jazz era — Delta blues, big band, and jazz could all be enjoyed. Record companies scouted the local talent. Thanks to this rich history, it is part of the Mississippi Blues Trail. Additionally, the area is known for its delicious food and the warm hospitality of its residents.
Mississippi’s Issues With Addiction
Given all the positive aspects of life here, one would think it an idyllic place. Unfortunately, Greenville, like many areas of Mississippi, is also dealing with the effects of an opioid epidemic that continues to leave a trail of devastation and heartache. Emblematic of this is a story reported by the local news station out of the capital city of Jackson. It describes six people pronounced dead as a result of a drug overdose.
Addiction specialist John Owen was interviewed and described how the culprit is often Fentanyl laced with heroin. This toxic substance is readily found in Jackson. Owen points out that even a single micro-grain of Fentanyl can be deadly.
Authorities are taking this fast-growing epidemic seriously as it affects so many lives across all age groups, including the young. Drug abuse, as well as alcohol addiction, can lead to crime and tear apart the social fabric of what was once a tight-knit community.
What can be done to address these issues? One of the best things to do if you know someone who is struggling with addiction, or if you yourself are dealing with this painful condition, is to reach out for help.
The compassionate professionals at Defining Wellness Centers are a resource that is available for you regardless of your unique situation. The team has the experts you need to guide you towards recovery and long-term sobriety.
Many people feel ashamed to seek the help they need; however, trained addiction specialists can help them understand that addiction is a disease. When someone understands the root causes, they can effectively deal with the situation without self-blame. They can recognize why it’s so hard to quit on your own and why assistance is so vital.
It doesn’t matter what type of addiction you are struggling with; if you have a substance use disorder, the programs and professionals will guide you towards a hopeful future using proven treatment modalities.
Mississippi’s Opioid Use Is Growing
In 2020, there were more than 2.4 million opioid prescriptions in Mississippi. On the one hand, compared to 2019, prescriptions decreased by over 6%. However, overdose rates increased. The number of total overdose deaths that occurred in 2020 was 124.9% higher than it was in 2019, and opioid-related deaths were up almost 60%.
We Are All Affected
Everyone in the community suffers when addiction is rampant. Even if you and your circle of friends and family are not personally affected, the consequences of addiction in the broader environment can have a negative impact. Crime rates go up, people are hospitalized or die, and taxes must be raised to deal with the economic impact of these events. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, it can be devastating.
Options Available in Greenville
Defining Wellness Centers, located in nearby Brandon, provides a peaceful setting for recovery. The professionals at Defining Wellness Centers include both board-certified doctors and licensed clinicians who have the expertise needed to carefully assess each client and to tailor the best treatment program for their needs.
The types of treatment offered cover not just a wide range of substances but also diverse modalities. Whether the client needs dual diagnosis assistance or a gender-specific program, help is available. Family members and other loved ones are incorporated into the process. This is because recovery is often most successful if the client has a strong support system in place. Often, those in the client’s inner circle also need assistance to reach the healthiest place.
The staff had found that having such a wide range of modalities and techniques provides the best chance for a good recovery as the treatment plan can be tailored for the client’s unique circumstances. Special programs are set up for those dealing with substance use disorders involving various substances:
- Alcohol
- Adderall
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Meth
- Opioids
- Tramadol
- Xanax
Several modalities are used that have been proven effective. These include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Medical detox
- Inpatient rehab
- Partial hospitalization program
- Outpatient rehab
- Aftercare and alumni services
Residential Programs
Structured programs are best for many clients. Defining Wellness Centers provides residential treatments that help create a sense of security. Everything from the treatment of withdrawal symptoms to psychological counseling sessions is available. Therapy sessions are led by experts in their field. All those seeking residential options are provided with timely medication as needed, symptom management assistance, and wellness checks.
Partial Hospitalization Program
This treatment plan is geared towards those who can leave their homes for just a portion of each day. Depending on their progress, they can be provided unsupervised periods as an option.
Outpatient Programs
Since some clients cannot commit to a full-time program of treatment, an outpatient option is available. Not everyone is able to spend the time that more intensive modalities require, and some clients are not temperamentally suited to such care. However, the outpatient programs are designed to give individuals what is necessary to stay on track. In the meantime, they can continue to attend school or work. Some people find a greater sense of balance by following such an approach.
Both Drug and Alcohol Detox Are Supported
Achieving sobriety involves multiple steps. Before a client can be treated in a rehab facility, they typically need help dealing with the withdrawal process. Medically assisted detox is a process that helps treat symptoms and manages the individual’s care to prevent life-threatening situations from arising.
It is important to realize that unassisted detox can lead to serious consequences. Having medical supervision allows for a better outcome. Follow-up care is provided once the client has gone through detoxification.
While many individuals believe that alcohol withdrawal is not a serious issue, the reality is that it may cause conditions such as fatal seizures, hallucinations, irregular heart rates, and delirium tremens. Therefore, both alcohol and drug detox are necessary.
Aftercare
In order to help clients transition effectively to a lifestyle of sobriety, treatment does not end once someone is discharged. Instead, ongoing support is offered for those who need it.
In the early stages of sobriety, those who suffer from addictions will still have many temptations. They are more likely to relapse shortly after treatment. The best way to prevent this is by supporting ongoing mental and psychological counseling. Often, group sessions may help. Because the detox process can affect a client’s body, brain chemistry, and emotional and mental condition, it’s important to keep professionals involved.
12-step Programs
Both 12-step and 12-step alternative programs are offered. Two of the most well-known are Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. These help those suffering from addiction to fight against substance abuse. Individuals can visit these groups and will often find them helpful as they hear from others who have struggled share their own experiences and strategies.
12-step Alternatives
Because each individual has their own set of beliefs, an option that works for some may not work for others. While traditional 12-step programs work for many people, alternatives are also available.
Addiction is a chronic disease and often has a high rate of relapse. That makes it crucial to offer options such as SMART Recovery for those who would derive benefit from these.
It is crucial to remember that sobriety does not occur through a zero-sum scenario. Clients need to figure out the best approach for them and be empowered to design their own recovery.
Our goal at Defining Wellness Centers isn’t to push clients into particular forms of support but to present them with the wide array of available options provided. Then, the client can choose.
EMDR Therapy
One unique treatment option offered at Defining Wellness Centers is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR therapy. Developed in 1987, it is designed to treat PTSD. Instead of relying on talking about past trauma, this modality relies on the body’s use of specific eye movements. If a client starts to abuse a substance as a way of coping with a traumatic experience, then EMDR can often get to the root of the addiction and help them improve as it stimulates the brain in ways that assist clients to overcome the traumatic events that were the root problem.
Let Defining Wellness Centers Assist You
The professional and compassionate team at Defining Wellness Centers will help you or a loved one achieve the goal of long-term sobriety. Whether you have struggled to get sober in the past and relapsed or are new to recovery, the staff can work with you to design a uniquely tailored program that best fits your needs.
Realize that no matter how hopeless you think your situation is, help is available. There is a reason for optimism. At Defining Wellness Centers, people succeed at getting sober. Feel free to get in touch with questions and concerns.
