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John’s Creek, GA Rehabs
Johns Creek, GA has seen a daunting increase in Opioid use among it’s resident over the past
several years. This suburban area consisting mostly of middle and upper class residents is part
of what’s now being called the Heroin Triangle, incorporating Johns Creek and neighboring
Atlanta Suburbs such as Sandy Springs, and Alpharetta, making up the northern portion of
Fulton County. The DEA has been working tirelessly to combat the trafficking of narcotics in
this distribution hub, and the community is stepping in to help.
The main demographic of drug abusers in Johns Creek is teens and young males, age 18-25.
While the main drug of choice is marijuana, opioid usage is becoming an epidemic in the
John’s Creek area. it is estimated that 2,500 teens use pain killers recreationally, daily. Baby
boomers make up second highest concentration of drug users. Cocaine use in baby boomers
has reportedly quadrupled in recent years, and Opioid use has doubled. Fulton County, which
houses the states capital, Atlanta, and it’s suburbs, has seen a 16 percent increase in opioid
deaths over the last year – twice the national average. Opioid deaths account for 68% of
overdose deaths in Georgia.
Fulton County is the only county in Georgia with a population of over 1 million residents. Nearly
every major highway and interstate in metro-Atlanta pass through Fulton County, as well as
Georgia 400 to the north, and Interstate 85 for the south. Fulton County is also home to the
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport which is the busiest airport in the world. These
routes have made Fulton County, Atlanta, and John’s Creek a major hub for drug trafficking via
air and land. Due to it’s central location, the Atlanta area has become a main distributor to drug
markets throughout the East Coast of the US. Though a decade ago, Mexican Cartels were
primarily smuggling cocaine through Fulton County, in recent years, the amount of opioids
being brought into the area has reached epidemic proportions.
Prescription drug users are at a high risk of becoming heroin users, as heroin is becoming
increasingly easier to access than prescription pills, even in suburban neighborhoods. On top
of heroin and prescription pain killers, synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl are quickly rising in
popularity, bringing the death toll up with them. Fentanyl is more potent than morphine, and is
often used in conjunction with heroin to increase it’s potency. Another synthetic opioid
appearing on the scene is Cerfentanil. Even a dose smaller than a grain of sand is enough to
be fatal to a human.
Law Makers and Non-profit organizations are teaming together to put an end to the Opioid
crisis in Johns Creek and greater Fulton County, becoming the first county in Georgia to join a
nationwide lawsuit against Opioid distributors and manufacturers.
If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, you don’t have to fight it all alone. With the help of
professional addiction specialists, you can gain the tools to start new and overcome addiction.
John’s Creek, Georgia Drug Laws
While Georgia has severe penalties for drug possession and abuse, there are also safeguards
in place for people trying to get help.
The actual penalty for being convicted of drug related crime depends on the drug, amount, and
intent to sell or use, as well as number of offenses on your record. Convictions are severe and
accompanied with mandatory minimum sentences which are to be served without parole. For
example, a felony conviction for possession of marijuana can carry a sentence of a minimum of
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1 year jail time and up to 10 years, even if it’s a first offense. The possession of four grams of
heroin will land a minimum sentence of 2- 15 years in jail. The penalty for the intent to distribute
could come with a mandatory 25 years imprisonment and a hefty fine of $500,000, depending
on the amount in possession.
While Georgia does allow very limited use of medical marijuana under House Bill 1 or
“Haleigh’s Hope Act”, it is one of the strictest states that has legalized medical marijuana.
Patients may only possess cannabis oil with low-THC percentage – no more than 5%, and are
limited to 20 ounces. Growing Marijuana and possessing whole plants is illegal. Patients must
qualify by receiving certification from a doctor with whom they have an established patientdoctor
relationship, and they must suffer from one of eight qualifying conditions, including
Cancer
Epilepsy or seizure disorders related to traumatic head injuries
Severe or end-stage ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
Severe or end-stage MS
Severe or end-stage Parkinson’s Disease
Severe or end-stage Sickle Cell Disease
Crohn’s Disease
MitoChondrial Disease
In addition to qualifying, the patient must pay a $25 fee. While the oil has been decriminalized
for qualifying medical patients, it’s is unclear how they may procure it.
Drug Charges can have lasting negative affects on your life, including difficulties finding
employment and housing, as well as challenges in relationships. Seeking help before you run
into legal trouble is your best bet at turning addiction around.
Drug Abuse Prevention
While penalties for possession and drug use are severe, there have been many recent efforts in
Johns Creek as well as the greater area of Fulton County to educate the public and fight the
opioid epidemic. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities or
DBHDD received $11.7 million in its first year which will be spent focusing on education,
prevention and recovery. In addition, Fulton County Vice Chairman Robert Ellis recently teamed
with The Summit Counseling Center and volunteers from Georgia Overdose Prevention to hold
an Opioid Summit in Johns Creek to outline how the opioid epidemic is affecting the area, and
measures that are being taken to prevent it from getting worse. In the summit, Ellis announced
that donation boxes will be placed throughout Fulton County, to aid in the safe removal of
prescription opioids from the community.
Georgia also has implemented a medical amnesty law, or “Good Samaritan Law”, which allows
limited legal immunity for people seeking medical assistance for themselves or others
experiencing an overdose. The law extends to immunity from arrest, charge and prosecution
for the person experiencing the overdose, and the person seeking medical attention in good
faith for possession of some drugs, probation and parole violations, possession of
paraphernalia, and possession or consumption of alcohol, as long the evidence for the arrest
was obtained solely from the medical assistance sought out. The law was passed in an attempt
to save lives that might have otherwise been lost as a result of bystanders fearing legal
repercussions of illegal activities. The implementation of the Medical Amnesty Law also allows
First Responders and those likely to be in a position to respond to opioid overdose victims the
ability to administer the lifesaving antidote, Naloxone or NARCAN. Non-profit organization
Georgia Overdose Prevention members are working to make sure Naloxone is available to all
first responders.
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Johns Creek Drug Addiction Treatment
Johns Creek is home to many drug abuse resources, support groups, and rehab centers that
can assist you in overcoming addiction.
Assessment
Drug and Alcohol assessments are the first step in evaluating if a drug or alcohol problem is
present, and to what degree. They’re also used as ways to assess what kind of treatment is
useful, appropriate, and and available based on individual needs. Drug and alcohol
assessments are available at many treatment facilities and can often be helpful in reducing
drug-related court sentences. The American Alternative Court Services, or AACS can assist in
conduction personalized drug or alcohol assessments and recommending treatment for court
related cases. The AACS can be reached at 404-594-1770.
Intake
Once you’ve completed an assessment and have gotten a treatment recommendation from a
professional, you’ll begin the pre-intake and intake process. This is the time to find the best
treatment facility and professionals that fit your personal needs. During the intake process, ask
any questions you may have about your treatment plan, the professionals you’ll be working
with, and the facility. The staff at the facility may also have some questions, as well as
screenings, or tests which will assist them at developing a roadmap for your success. While
beginning treatment can be scary and uncomfortable at first, you’ll be more likely to stick to
your program if you have a good idea of what to expect during treatment, so make sure to ask
clarifying questions and respond to inquiries honestly.
Detox
The first step in most treatments is to detox. After abstaining from addictive substances, the
body goes through a period of withdrawal. The length of time and severity of withdrawal
depends on how long the user has been addicted, how often they used, the type of drug(s)
used, the users tolerance to the drug, and the users overall health. Detox can last between
several hours up to three weeks, and may include anxiety, depression, hunger, fatigue,
discomfort, irritability, and restlessness.
Each drug has its own withdrawal symptoms and general length. For example, it is common for
those going through alcohol detox to experience delirium tremens or ‘The DTs’. Symptoms of
the DTs include delirium, tremors, hallucinations, irritability and agitation, mood swings, light
sensitivity, and fatigue.
Opioids withdrawal, including that of heroin and prescription pain killers can last anywhere
from a several hours to a few weeks, and can include intense drug cravings, nausea,
restlessness, body aches, insomnia and irritation.
It’s crucial to have a healthcare professional present while detoxing from drugs and alcohol, as
it can lead to emergency situations.
Inpatient Treatment
There are several different types of Inpatient Treatment Facilities, and it’s up to you and the
professionals treating your addiction to determine which type is right for you.
RTC – A Residential Treatment Center (RTC) is a live-in medical program (inpatient) that
provides therapeutic treatment for behavioral issues, mental illnesses, and substance abuse.
Patients spend most if not all of their time at the facility under close care of professionals until
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treatment is completed. A Residential Treatment Center is often the approach taken when
outpatient programs aren’t working, or more extreme supervision is needed during treatment.
PHP – A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a type of treatment that allows the patient to
have a structured psychiatric treatment without the constant inpatient supervision of an RTC.
The patient typically spends several hours a day, 5 days a week at the facility, but isn’t required
to spend the night.
IOP – An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a type of treatment that, similar to PHP allows
the patient to spend some time at the treatment facility – often 3 hours a day, 3 days a week.
IOP treatment is often useful after one has completed RTC or PHP treatment.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment programs offer less restrictions than inpatient, and are an option for those
with mild to moderate substance abuse issues or a part of long-term care for those who have
already participated in an inpatient treatment. A patient will visit the outpatient facility for
several hours a week for group and/or individual therapy.
Aftercare
Once a patient completes their treatment, whether inpatient or outpatient, it is recommended
to have an aftercare plan in place. Aftercare programs focus on relapse prevention and support
for the patient and their family upon integrating back into the “real world” after treatment.
Sober Living
Sober living homes are homes or community environments available to people recovering from
alcohol and drug abuse. Living around others that are also abstaining from harmful lifestyle
choices breeds a supportive transitional living environment. Many Sober Living homes
incorporate 12-step programs and/or individual recovery plans.
Decisions Point Wellness Center
10700 State Bridge Rd #6, Johns Creek, GA 30009
(888) 892-8178
(Offers IOP and weekend IOP treatment options, as well as Sober Support and Men’s Recovery
Residence.)
The Summit Counseling Center
1180 Medlock Bridge Rd
Johns Creek, GA 30097
(678) 893-5300
Pathways Recovey
(Offers Assessment, Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy, Recovery Monitoring, and
Relapse Prevention)
Call us to find an addiction treatment center that meets your needs and start your journey to
recovery today.