Knoxville, Tennessee Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab

Knoxville, TN is a city that is located in Knox County, in the eastern part of the state. With a population of approximately 193,000 residents according to the US Census Bureau, it is the third-largest city in the state. Knoxville is well-known for its beautiful natural surroundings. Including the Great Smoky Mountains to the south and the Tennessee River running through the city.

The region that is now Knoxville was originally the homeland of the Cherokee Nation before European settlers arrived in the late 1700s. Knoxville was officially established as a city in 1791. Accordingly, it was named after Henry Knox, who was one of America’s founding fathers. He also served as the country’s first Secretary of War. Knoxville was the capital of Tennessee from 1796 to 1812.

Today, Knoxville is a vibrant, thriving city that offers many opportunities to residents and visitors. Downtown Knoxville is home to several museums, performing arts centers, and historic sites. These include the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Bijou Theatre, and the East Tennessee History Center. Also, Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee, which is one of the largest universities in the Southeastern United States.

In terms of economic activity, Knoxville has a diverse economy that is driven by many different industries. These include manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Major employers in Knoxville include the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Covenant Health.

Unfortunately, like other cities across the nation, Knoxville has been greatly affected by substance abuse and the opioid epidemic. The overdose crisis in Knox County is reaching alarming levels, echoing the nationwide trend. So, not only is the magnitude of drug-related deaths increasing, but the nature of these fatalities is also shifting.

In 2021, The Knox and Anderson County Medical Examiner reported a devastating 533 drug overdose deaths in Knox County. A surge from 413 in the preceding year. In addition, neighboring Anderson County reported a similar trend. With 85 drug-related deaths in 2021 compared to 51 in 2020. Even more distressing, preliminary data for 2022 shows an upward trend for drug-death cases in Knox County.

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its analogs are becoming increasingly prevalent in drug overdose deaths. Thus replacing prescription opioids like oxycodone, oxymorphone, and hydrocodone. These alarming trends have severe consequences, with more fatalities involving synthetic opioids and often resulting from polypharmacy. Polypharmacy, which describes the combination of multiple drugs, was involved in 76% of all drug-related fatalities in Knox and Anderson Counties.

Ultimately, the 2021 report underscores the severity of the overdose epidemic. Knox County recorded a 29% increase in drug-related deaths, followed by Anderson County with a 67% increase over the same period. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl and fentanyl analogs were the most frequently identified drugs involved in drug-related deaths in 2021. Therefore highlighting the need for interventions targeting synthetic opioids.

Overall, the overdose epidemic in Knox County has reached an unprecedented magnitude. Consequently, this necessitates interventions to halt the upward trend of drug-related deaths. For those struggling with addiction and seeking rehab in Knoxville, TN, numerous resources are available. From residential treatment centers to outpatient programs, individuals can find the level of care needed to begin their recovery journey.