Drug addiction is a major struggle and these days when people don’t know what to do they first turn to Google for answers. Google recently revealed that they saw an all-time high last month for searches of “rehab near me”, “addiction treatment near me”, and “how to help an addict.” Only 10% of people who struggle with addiction receive treatment, and Google’s new tool is looking to change that.
Google launched a new locator tool, “Recovery Resource Hub”, to help those seeking support find resources nearby. Around 20 million people in the US struggle with substance abuse, and they can now gain help for treatment options with the Hub. The Hub allows users to type in a location and see local options for help. The tool includes resources such as counseling, housing help, and recovery support. Local support meetings are also mapped out along with all relevant information if one wants to attend. There is also an option to share it with others.
A key feature of the Hub is that the website aims to help people locate where to acquire Naloxone. Naloxone is a key medication that can counter the effects of an opioid overdose. The U.S. Surgeon General stated that Nalazone can be life-saving for “patients currently taking high doses of opioids as prescribed for pain, individuals misusing prescription opioids, individuals using illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, health care practitioners, family and friends of people who have an opioid use disorder, and community members who come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose.”
On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opiate overdose. The Hub shows people participating pharmacies nearby where they can access Naloxone in case someone is overdosing. The “Naloxone Locator Tool” includes more than 20,000 pharmacies in all 50 states.
The Hub also features another tool “Recover Together”, which helps people find places to dispose of their unneeded medications. Many people do not properly dispose of their unused medications. In fact, only 32% of people dispose of their unused opioid medications. The main place teens acquire medication to abuse is from the medicine cabinet at home.
The Recovery Resource Hub also includes information that reduces the stigma and taboo around drug addiction. The website discusses proper words to use, and how some terms could inadvertently pass judgment.
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction please contact us today!