Are you a New Mexican looking for drug addiction help for yourself or a loved one? You’re not alone, and we can help.
It’s no secret that America is facing an opioid epidemic that is taking a huge toll—costing people their families, their health, and their lives. And New Mexico is no exception. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, a New Mexican dies from a drug overdose every 8.5 hours.
In 2021, 69% of drug overdose deaths in New Mexico involved opioids. A statewide study found that out of the top ten causes of death for New Mexicans, six are associated with alcohol and drug use as a contributing factor. And New Mexico’s rate of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)/Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) is more than double the national average (the national average is 5.9, while New Mexico’s rate is 12.9). So it’s more important than ever to seek help if you want to stop using opioids.
The question is, where can you find drug addiction help in Alaska? We have some answers!
Getting naloxone in New Mexico to prevent overdose
Naloxone is a life-saving antidote in opioid overdose emergencies. When given in time, this medication can rapidly reverse a potentially fatal overdose of heroin or opioid pain pills, providing crucial time to seek medical treatment. You may have seen naloxone referred to by its brand name, Narcan. It is available in stores and pharmacies without a prescription. NM Harm Reduction, a project of the New Mexico Department of Health offers free naloxone kits that can be mailed right to you. This means that everyone in New Mexico who has concerns about opioid overdose (for themselves or someone else) can get naloxone to keep on hand. If you are around opioids (whether they’re prescribed or illicit), it’s a good idea to keep naloxone on hand and know how to administer it.
Methadone clinics in New Mexico
Methadone is the oldest of the drugs approved to treat opioid addiction, and it’s the one that most people have heard of. But it can be hard to get access to. It is classed as a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S. In February 2024, federal regulations changed to make methadone easier to access, but many individual treatment programs still require people to go to an approved clinic (called an Opioid Treatment Program) every day to receive their dose. SAMHSA regulates methadone providers and keeps a directory of all opioid treatment programs in New Mexico. Their directory lists 22 methadone providers in New Mexico at the time I’m writing.
Finding Suboxone doctors in New Mexico
For many New Mexicans, the limited availability of methadone can be a barrier. After all, the state is large, and much of the population lives in rural areas. But there are other options for medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, approved the the FDA. It can help you through withdrawal and relieve cravings, which allows people to stabilize in their recovery and heal from the damage their substance use has done to their health and lives. Buprenorphine (the primary ingredient in Suboxone) is a Schedule III controlled substance, so it is somewhat easier to access than methadone and can be prescribed to a local pharmacy. Most Suboxone providers begin with weekly prescriptions while you stabilize on the medication, and then move to biweekly then monthly scripts.
Workit Health providers serving New Mexico are able to prescribe Suboxone via telehealth. So even if you’re in a rural area or in a part of a city with poor transportation options, you can see your provider and connect with resources through our app-based program. Urine drug screens are even submitted via the Workit Health app.
Help to stop drinking for New Mexicans
Alcohol is a serious problem in the Land of Enchantment. For years, New Mexico has had the highest alcohol-related death rate in the US. It is estimated that one out of every seven New Mexicans engage in binge drinking.
There are treatment centers and peer support networks available throughout New Mexico to help people quit drinking. Workit Health also offers at-home treatment for alcohol use disorder, including clinical treatment, behavioral health support, and the connection of peers who understand. Our providers can prescribe naltrexone and acamprosate, which have been shown to relieve alcohol cravings to help people quit drinking or drink less. Even with the sincere desire to stop drinking, it can be difficult to accomplish alone. Workit Health’s at-home program means you don’t have to; you’ll have many levels of support helping you along the way.