The resources provided on this page are for information and educational purposes and may not be a complete listing. There is no endorsement of one resource over another.
Faces of Recovery Video
Recovery is for everyone: every person, every family and every community. The stigma surrounding addiction and substance use prevents people from seeking out and receiving support. If we can end stigma, our communities become safer and healthier. We can support those living in recovery, families of those in recovery and our entire community.
Where can I find Naloxone?
- Wake County Public Health Pharmacy, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
- Residents can pick up a kit Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
- Agencies can fill out a request form for Naloxone here.
- Anyone can purchase a kit at a pharmacy without a prescription due to a NC Standing Order.
- North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
- Illuminate NC
Addiction Science
"The Science of Addiction Disease"
Many don’t fully understand how or why someone becomes addicted to drugs. It's a common misconception that addiction is simply a matter of lacking willpower or moral strength, and that quitting should be easy if someone just tries harder. In reality, addiction is much more complicated. Drugs can change the brain in ways that make quitting very difficult, even for those who truly want to stop.
Fortunately there is hope. Researchers have developed treatments that can help people overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. These treatments often include a combination of medication, therapy and support from others. By viewing addiction as a disease rather than a personal failing, we can offer better support and help people on their journey to recovery.
What is Prevention: What is Prevention | Introduction and The Importance of Drug Prevention
What is Addiction: Facts About Fentanyl: Understanding the Risks
Partnership to End Addiction
The Partnership to End Addiction is an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. They offer a range of services including guidance, resources and personalized support to help those struggling with addiction and their loved ones navigate the path to recovery. Their mission is to reduce the impact of addiction through education, advocacy, and direct assistance, aiming to create a world where everyone has access to the help they need to overcome addiction and lead fulfilling lives. They provide tools and strategies to manage addiction and promote a better understanding of the complex nature of substance use disorders.
GRASP
The GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) Raleigh Chapter is a local support group dedicated to helping individuals cope with the loss of a loved one due to substance use. GRASP provides a safe space for those grieving such losses to connect with others who understand their experiences, share their stories and find comfort and support. The organization offers resources, counseling and community support aimed at helping people navigate their grief and begin the healing process. For more information, you can visit the GRASP Raleigh Chapter website.
Wake Area Health Education Center
Wake AHEC offers continuing education webinars for healthcare professionals around addiction, substance abuse and opioid prescribing.
Stigma and Discrimination
Substance use disorders are serious and treatable medical conditions, but people who have them often face unfair discrimination and stigma. This negative attitude can impact their health and well-being in many ways. It's important to know that this stigma also affects people who use drugs but don't have a substance use disorder as well as entire communities.
Even though there are effective and life-saving treatments available, many people don’t seek help because they fear being judged. Studies show that the language we use can contribute to this stigma, including the way healthcare professionals talk about substance use. Using respectful and supportive language is key to reducing stigma and encouraging more people to get the help they need.
Videos and information from the Addiction Policy Forum:
Language Matters: Language Matters
Recovery Capital: Recovery Capital
ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) | VitalSigns | CDC.
Opposite of Addiction is Connection Ted Talk: Johann Hari: Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong | TED Talk
NC Harm Reduction Coalition
The NC Harm Reduction Coalition is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to implementing harm reduction interventions, public health strategies, drug policy transformation and justice reform in North Carolina. NC Harm Reduction Coalition engages in grassroots advocacy, resource and policy development, coalition building and direct services for people impacted by drug use, incarceration, sex work, overdose, gender, HIV and hepatitis and first responders.
HopeLine
HopeLine is free and confidential. This crisis and suicide prevention helpline offers crisis intervention, supportive and non-judgmental active listening, gentle and understanding discussion of crisis resolution, and refers callers to appropriate resources in the community.
Data
Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard
The Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard is a tool designed to track and visualize data related to efforts aimed at addressing opioid and substance use issues. It provides up-to-date information on various metrics such as treatment access, overdose rates, prevention programs, and recovery support.
Opioid Settlement Program- National Opioid Settlement | Wake County Government
North Carolina Alcohol Data Dashboard
This interactive dashboard offers a comprehensive view of data related to alcohol use in North Carolina, including trends, demographics and other relevant statistics. It provides valuable insights into alcohol-related issues and helps track progress and effectiveness of public health initiatives aimed at addressing alcohol use and its impacts.
SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a U.S. government agency dedicated to improving the quality and availability of substance use and mental health services.
Wake County Health & Human Services
Wake County Health & Human Services provides a range of programs and services to support the health and well-being of residents in Wake County, North Carolina.
North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services
NCDHHS' Mental Health and Substance Abuse section offers addiction and substance abuse services, mental health services and information about treatment centers.
Prevention Education Across the Lifespan
Youth, Adults & Seniors
Studies show that certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing substance use disorders and experiencing drug-related harms. These risk factors include:
- Family History: A family background of substance use disorders can heighten the risk.
- Personal Trauma: Experiences of trauma or abuse can contribute to a higher risk of substance use issues.
- Access to Drugs: Easy access to substances can also increase the likelihood of developing a disorder.
On the other hand, protective factors can help reduce the risk of substance use disorders. These include:
- Healthy Relationships: Strong, supportive relationships with family and friends can provide emotional stability and support.
- Financial Stability: Economic security can reduce stress and decrease the likelihood of turning to substances as a coping mechanism.
By understanding and addressing these risk and protective factors, we can better support individuals in preventing and managing substance use disorders.
Keep Medicine Out of Children's Reach: How to keep medications safely out of reach of children and Wake County medicine drop box locations.
Safe Medicine Use for Seniors: Describes the risk of medicine misuse by Seniors, steps to staying safe, and Wake County medicine drop box locations.
Use Prescription Drugs Safely: How to safely use prescription drugs and Wake County Medicine drop box locations.
Do's and Don'ts with Safe Disposal of Needles and Sharps
Under North Carolina’s Good Samaritan Law you may not be prosecuted for certain drug offenses if:
- You seek medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose by contacting the 911 system, a law enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel.
- You believe that you are the first person to seek medical assistance for the overdose victim.
- You provide your name to the 911 system or to a law enforcement officer upon arrival.
- Law enforcement officers were not already at your location executing an arrest warrant, search warrant, or other lawful search.
- Any evidence for prosecution of a drug-related offense obtained by a law enforcement authorities was obtained because you sought medical assistance for a drug-related overdose.
- Learn more about the Safe to Call campaign, which encourages teens and young adults to call 911 to help prevent deaths due to drug overdose and alcohol.
Youth
Poe Center: Talking to your child about alcohol
The Poe Center for Health Education is a nonprofit organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina. It focuses on providing health education and prevention programs to individuals and communities, especially targeting youth.
SAMHSA: Parent resources on talking to your child about substance use
SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign, which provides resources for parents to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about substance use and related issues.
Safety First
Drug Policy Alliance’s “Safety First” resource page. This initiative focuses on harm reduction and safer drug use practices, aiming to provide practical, evidence-based information to minimize the risks associated with drug use.
NIDA for Teens | NIH News in Health
The NIDA for Teens section on the NIH News in Health website provides valuable information tailored for teenagers and their families about drug use and addiction.
SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit
The SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit helps health care providers, communities and local governments develop practices and policies to prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Addresses issues for health care providers, first responders, treatment providers and those in recovery.
Wake County 4-H Youth Development
The Wake County 4-H Youth Development program aims to support youth in personal growth and development through various educational and community-based activities.
Health Rocks! Educator Training | NC State Extension
The "Health Rocks!" program aims to promote positive health behaviors among young people by providing educators with effective strategies and tools.
Adults
Alliance Health
Alliance Health is a managed care organization that provides mental health and substance use services in North Carolina. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with behavioral health needs by offering comprehensive and accessible care.
Wake AHEC (Area Health Education Center)
Wake AHEC (Area Health Education Center) is a regional center focused on improving health care access and quality in North Carolina. Part of the North Carolina AHEC system, Wake AHEC serves the Wake County region and provides a range of services and programs aimed at enhancing the healthcare workforce and community health.
Alcohol Drug Council of NC
This council works to help people overcome substance use and mental health disorders by providing education, recovery support and increasing access to assessments, peer navigation and support.
SAMHSA Overdose and Prevention Response Toolkit
The primary purpose of this Toolkit is to educate a broad audience on overdose causes, risks and signs, as well as the steps to take when witnessing and responding to an overdose. It provides clear, accessible information on opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone.
This Toolkit serves to complement, not replace, training on overdose prevention and response. It is also intended to augment the use of other overdose prevention tools for community engagement and planning, as well as enhance provider education across multiple practice areas.
Seniors and Older Adults
National Institution on Drug Abuse
Substance Use in Older Adults: This website discusses how older adults are impacted differently by alcohol and drugs, provides information on commonly misused substances and their effects on older adults and explains how substance use disorders are treated in older adults.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Older Adults and Substance Use Disorder | NCDHHS: Substance abuse, particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs, among adults 60 and older is one of the fastest growing health problems facing the country. Yet, even as the number of older adults suffering from these disorders climbs, the situation remains underestimated, underidentified, underdiagnosed, and undertreated.
Opioids
Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription medications and illegal substances. They are commonly used for pain relief but have a high potential for addiction and misuse.
Here’s an overview of opioids and addiction:
What are opioids?
- Prescription Opioids: These include medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl, which are prescribed for managing severe pain.
- Illegal Opioids: Heroin is an illegal opioid that is often used recreationally for its intense euphoric effects.
- Synthetic Opioids: Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is extremely potent and can be prescribed for pain management or illicitly used, contributing significantly to overdose deaths.
How do opioids lead to addiction?
- Brain Chemistry: Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and body, blocking pain and triggering feelings of pleasure. Over time, the brain adjusts to the presence of opioids, leading to tolerance and physical dependence.
- Dependence and Withdrawal: With regular use the body becomes dependent on opioids and reducing or stopping use can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating and anxiety.
Signs of opioid addiction
- Increased Tolerance: Needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing physical and psychological symptoms when not using opioids.
- Compulsive Use: Using opioids despite negative consequences, such as problems at work or in personal relationships.
Treatment for opioid addiction
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to focus on recovery.
- Behavioral Therapy: Counseling and therapy address the psychological aspects of addiction, helping individuals develop coping strategies and address underlying issues.
- Support Groups: Participation in groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provides peer support and a sense of community.
Prevention and awareness
- Education: Raising awareness about the risks of opioid use and addiction can help prevent misuse.
- Safe Prescription Practices: Using opioids only as prescribed and discussing risks with healthcare providers can reduce the risk of addiction.
Addressing opioid addiction requires a comprehensive approach, including medical treatment, behavioral therapy, and support systems to help individuals recover and lead healthier lives.
Learn About Prescription Drug Misuse
Describes prescription drug misuse and where to get help.