Tag Archives: addiction recovery

Meth Labs in Kitsap County, Washington

Meth Labs in Kitsap County, Washington

While the entire nation is battling the opioid epidemic, Kitsap County still battles its own methamphetamine epidemic. For years, Washington has been the state with the highest number of meth lab busts. According to a community survey conducted in 2002, drug abuse was the number one concern of residents residing in Kitsap County. But, the local government is doing what they can to address this issue in any way they can.  They have seen some positive response.

Reduction in Meth Lab Busts

While there are still meth manufacturers in Kitsap County, the number of busts has been declining since 2003. This is largely due to a law enforcement bust of one of the biggest drug cartels in the area.  In addition, they have included “meth action teams”.  This is an initiative of the state that uses government funding to boost police efforts and put meth manufacturers in prison. The result?  The number of meth manufacturers is in decline and meth prices are skyrocketing.   But the number of individuals seeking treatment remains the same.

State Initiatives to Reduce Meth Use

Along with expanding the task force to specify drug treatment task forces and pinpoint meth manufacturers, the local government has come up with a few other initiatives. The goal of these programs is to help individuals gain recovery, rather than perpetuate the cycle of addiction and, in turn, the epidemic itself. Some of the state-run meth epidemic initiatives for Kitsap County include:

Community Outreach: The state has allocated $35 thousand to resources intended to spread awareness of the meth epidemic to residents and their affected families.

Crisis Triage Center: Most people who need help for meth addiction end up in the emergency room. And, when this happens, they don’t get the help they need with treatment. To combat this issue, the crisis triage center provides a bed and treatment for affected individuals.

Family Drug Court: Those who go to prison due to addiction rarely get the chance to regain custody of children and end up relapsing due to their circumstances. So, this program gives these individuals the opportunity to gain visits or even regain custody of children.

Treatment: This program works to reduce drug sentences and re-allocate the money that would have been spent housing an inmate into treatment.

Need Help with Meth Addiction in Washington?

If you or a loved one is affected by the meth epidemic of Kitsap County, there is help available. Get the help you need today and invest in a better future, free from drug addiction.

Being Thankful for What You Have

Being Thankful for What You Have

When you are in recovery, it can be difficult to be grateful for where you are in your life. It is, after all, much easier to find gratitude when everything is going smoothly and you feel great. We are well aware of the fact that, for most, recovery and treatment can be very challenging times. Even though a clean and sober life is ultimately for the best, making that commitment is not always easy. That said, a key to successful sobriety from substance is being thankful for each step you take. Here is our advice on what to be thankful for, even when life is hard:

The Opportunity for a Fresh Perspective

Living life clean and sober can help flip your outlook on life from one that may be predominantly negative, to one that is predominantly positive. Instead of feeling as though you’re alone and unloved, recovery and treatment can allow you to realize you are part of a community that wants only the best for you.

The Time to Get to Know Yourself

For many of us, getting to know ourselves is a lifelong challenge. And in some cases, the discomfort that arises from soul-searching may have led to your addictive behaviors in the first place. However, during recovery, you have the time and space to really reflect on who you are and who you want to be. You have the choice to be the best version of yourself, every day, and that is something to truly be grateful for.

The Chance to Build Supportive Relationships

In the past, your addiction may have caused you to turn away from family or friends who genuinely cared for you and wanted to offer help. As you move through recovery and into a clean and sober lifestyle, you have the opportunity to reconcile the past and build strong, positive relationships for the future.

The Freedom To Live a Full, Productive Life

One of the greatest opportunities to be thankful comes from the endless opportunities that await you, as you leave your addictions in the past. Whether you want to commit yourself to helping others through their transformation, develop a deeper understanding of what true fun is, or pursue childhood dreams that had been pushed aside, the sky is truly the limit.

Although it may be difficult to see, there are many reasons to be thankful for where you are at this very moment. At Free by the Sea, we have helped our clients in the Pacific Northwest find gratitude in each step forward, one day at a time. So if you have questions about getting clean and sober, we are here to help. Simply contact us today to get started.