New ReVIDA Recovery Blog Discusses Appalachia's Opioid Crisis and the Barriers to Treatment for the Working Class

January 24, 2023 at 11:55 AM EST

ReVIDA® Recovery Abingdon is a Virginia addiction treatment center that is located in the heart of Appalachia. As such, this facility is very familiar with the particulars of opioid dependency in its area. That includes how this illness impacts the working class. It’s a subject that is so concerning that the staff at ReVIDA® Recovery felt compelled to write and post a blog on the subject.

A representative of this reputable treatment center says, “There is a huge misconception in America that opioid dependency only impacts the poor and troubled. Trust a rehab facility like us that has seen it all when it comes to opioid addiction, nothing could be further from the truth. Opioid addiction affects people from all walks of life including those with steady jobs that appear to have normal lives. The problem is many in the working class are hesitant to reach out for help. That’s why we thought it was important to write and post our new blog on Appalachia's opioid crisis and the barriers to treatment for the working class.”

The new ReVIDA® blog started with a quote: “Even though medicine long ago reached a consensus that addiction is a complex brain disorder with behavioral components, the public and even many in healthcare and the justice system continue to view it as a result of moral weakness and flawed character.” -Dr. Nora Volkow. This article then went on to state that Appalachia, which has its own particular culture in the Eastern USA, includes over 420 counties that are dotted everywhere by small towns. These are tiny Blue Ridge Mountain communities that, unfortunately, have a long history of opioid use that is only getting worse. The post mentions that it’s a region where almost 6,000 people die yearly from opioid overdoses. It’s thought that stigma, poverty, education, and the availability of resources are the main barriers for those struggling with opioid addiction to seek out help.

The stigma part of these barriers may have much to do with the Appalachian region’s culture. A culture that, throughout history, encompasses rich and strong values. The article says that in communities such as these, where hard work and self-reliance are a way of life, it often creates a mindset of people not needing or wanting help from anyone. The blog states that this even includes help with drug and alcohol dependencies and the mental health issues that often accompany them. The stigma then becomes there is something wrong with getting treated for an addiction. This was affirmed in a recent study by the International Journal of Drug Policy after they asked several women for their thoughts on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use. In the ReVIDA® Recovery article, it states that the women who were interviewed gave surprising answers, as they believed in complete abstinence from medical help, and they feared that those around them would judge them harshly if it was found out that they entered an opioid drug dependency treatment program. This is in keeping with the conservative nature of people in the Appalachian region. It also explains why this avoidance of getting help often leads to opioid dependencies in the area that only become worse.

Also gone over in this ReVIDA® Recovery blog was the role education plays in the area’s opioid crisis, the mortality rates in the Appalachian states for those who have become dependent on opioids, and how the conservative stigma of the area also impacts the many coal mine workers. This article can be read in its entirety on ReVIDA® Recovery's website.

Those that have sought recovery help from ReVIDA® often leave positive reviews about their experience. Kirstie Dotson wrote, “They have been great to me as they help in any way that they can. Everyone is nice and friendly, and I especially love Amanda that works in the lab, she’s the best!” Becky Parton stated, “I love it there because the people are friendly, and they understand about addiction because many have been there at one time or another.”

ReVIDA® Recovery promotes safe and healthy communities by empowering individuals to reclaim their lives from opioid use disorder. Those who are interested in getting more information about the services offered by ReVIDA® in Abingdon can call 276-445-8922 or visit their website. They are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, from Monday to Friday.

###

For more information about ReVIDA Recovery® Abingdon, contact the company here:

ReVIDA Recovery® Abingdon
(276) 206-8197
generalinfo@revidarecovery.com
300 Valley Street Northeast
Abingdon VA 24210