Nicole L. Davis, LCMHC, LCAS

It is undeniable that the opioid epidemic has greatly impacted the American people. If you’ve watched the viral Hulu show Dopesick or Netflix’s Painkiller, you’ve probably become somewhat familiar with the opioid addiction crisis in the United States.

According to the CDC, approximately 108,000 people died from a drug overdose in 2022. About 76% of those deaths involved opioids. These rates have risen over the last two decades – 2022 saw nearly ten times the amount of opioid overdose deaths than the year 1999 (CDC, 2024). Substance use has become even more dangerous in recent years, with the introduction of synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl), fake pills, and xylazine. Today, many people using illicit substances are not entirely aware of what they are consuming. What is often sold as “heroin” can be a combination of fentanyl, amphetamines, and xylazine. As a result, the rates of accidental overdose are rising. According to provisional data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), approximately 123 people died of a drug overdose here in Lee County during the first six months of 2024 (CDC, 2025).

There are several evidence-based approaches to treat opioid addiction, including medication-assisted treatments and therapy. Substance use therapy can be utilized to address the underlying factors contributing to one’s substance use, such as emotional or psychological issues relating to trauma or mental health conditions. Counseling can help individuals with substance use disorders to recognize and address the underlying emotions that contribute to substance use behaviors, learn to manage cravings, identify healthier coping strategies, and build a stronger support system. Substance use therapy provides clients with education and support to reduce relapse and increases their access to resources. By participating in therapy, individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their addiction, as well as develop skills to support their recovery. In essence, therapy is a critical component of substance use treatment.

Since 2022, Lee County has received over $1.5 million in funds to address the impacts of the opioid epidemic. By 2038, Lee County is expected to receive more than $7.8 million dollars in opioid settlement funds. According to Lee County Government’s Strategic Plan, much of this money will be utilized to increase access to care for individuals impacted by opioid use disorders. This may include covering the costs of substance use treatment and increasing availability of transportation to substance use treatment. With the use of these funds, Lee County estimates it will decrease the number of overdose-related deaths by 20% by the year 2028. If you are experiencing financial or transportation barriers to substance use treatment or are interested in learning more about Lee County’s plan, please visit: https://leecountync.gov/government/renew/reducing_opioid_dependency.php.

Sources:

CDC (2024, November 1). Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic. Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html#:~:text=Opioid%2Dinvolved%20overdose%20deaths1,involved%20opioids%20(about%2076%25).

CDC (2025, January 15). Provisional County-Level Drug Overdose Death Counts. Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/prov-county-drug-overdose.htm.

Lee County NC (2025). Reducing Opioid Dependency Initiative. Lee County North Carolina Government. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://leecountync.gov/government/renew/reducing_opioid_dependency.php.