‘We want individuals struggling with alcohol and drug problems and their families to know that, although addiction is a challenging health issue, treatment is available and recovery is possible.”
– Joe Harding, Director BDAS
CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and HumanServices’ (DHHS) Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) on Jan. 5 announced the launch of a new website directory for locating alcohol and other drug treatment services in New Hampshire. The site, www.nhtreatment.org, was developed to help New Hampshire citizens in need of substance abuse treatment find available service providers.
“This website is a valuable tool and provides a much needed service. It will help individuals who are in need of treatment find help and aid healthcare providers in locating available services for individuals in their care,” said Joe Harding, BDAS Director. “It also will enable providers who provide treatment to easily register to list their services on this website. We want individuals struggling with alcohol and drug
problems and their families to know that, although addiction is a challenging health issue, treatment is available and recovery is possible.”
While there has been a reduction in the number of individuals reporting
non-medical use of prescription pain medication in New Hampshire, many of these individuals have transitioned to using heroin as an alternative, which is cheaper and more readily available. According to the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office, the number of heroin-related deaths rose substantially between 2010 and 2013 — from 13 to 70. Additionally, emergency room visits related to heroin use more than doubled between 2012 and 2013. Consequently, the number of individuals seeking treatment has also risen. In the last 10 years, the number of people admitted to state-funded treatment programs rose by 90 percent for heroin use, and by 500 percent for prescription opiate abuse.
“The misuse of drugs in New Hampshire has been an ongoing challenge,” said Harding. “Not only with prescription opiate and heroin use, but also with youth and young adult substance use. Although the rates of misuse among youth and young adults has gone down, New Hampshire still ranks in the top ten of all states for alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana use, prescription pain reliever abuse, and alcohol or drug dependence. The good news is that there are concerted and effective efforts underway to prevent alcohol and drug problems and to dramatically expand the capacity for substance use disorders treatment services in New Hampshire.”
The website www.nhtreatment.org is also accessible from www.nhcenterforexcellence.org and www.drugfreenh.org. For more information on substance misuse and addiction in New Hampshire, visit http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/
