Anderson, Indiana is a mid-sized city located about one hour northeast of downtown Indianapolis. Established in 1827, Anderson functions as the county seat of Madison County and it saw substantial growth throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. However, as a commercial hub within the Rust Belt, Anderson’s economic growth and population boom slowed in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly since the city was no longer a source of natural gas at that point. Since then, Anderson has struggled to deal with high poverty rates and substance abuse.
As of the latest census, the city of Anderson boasts a population of 55,099, down from its peak of over 70,000 in the early 1970s. Despite its dwindling number of residents, Anderson still accounts for roughly 41% of Madison County, making it the most populous city in the area. However, the slowing economy could see Anderson shrink even further. In 2022, more than 1 in 5 Anderson residents lived below the poverty line. Moreover, the median household income in Anderson is $44,974, which is far below the state median of $67,173, and even the county median of $60,060. [1]
While residents of Anderson enjoy easy access to Indianapolis by way of Interstate 69, the city has really struggled to overcome the exodus of industrial jobs and the lasting economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have only exacerbated the growing substance abuse crisis in the region. In Anderson, marijuana and meth are among the most commonly abused drugs, though prescription opioids, cocaine, alcohol, and heroin are not far behind. To make matters worse, neither Anderson nor Madison County offers many resources to help guide those in need toward recovery.
Continue reading to learn about substance abuse and addiction in Anderson, Indiana. If you or a loved one are fighting addiction in Anderson or the surrounding area, you can always reach out to Addiction Rehab Centers for help.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Anderson
Like nearly every city in Indiana, Anderson doesn’t manage its own substance abuse data; this responsibility falls on the county and state. Madison County collects substance abuse data from coroner’s reports and hospital discharge data, and Indiana works to analyze this data and compare it to other counties throughout the state. This means that, while more than half of the cases recorded in Madison County are attributable to Anderson, many are attributable to other nearby cities like Alexandria and Elwood. That said, the data provided by Madison County is still extremely helpful when evaluating the current crisis in Anderson.
Based on death records in Madison County, overdose deaths have risen dramatically over the past few years, though provisional data for 2023 may show signs that this trend is reserving. [2] The table below shows how deaths involving all drugs (including alcohol) have changed in the area over the past few years in Madison County:
Year | Total Deaths | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 38 | N/A |
2017 | 51 | Increased by 34.2% |
2018 | 37 | Decreased by 27.5% |
2019 | 53 | Increased by 43.2% |
2020 | 51 | Decreased by 3.8% |
2021 | 53 | Increased by 3.9% |
2022 | 81 | Increased by 52.8% |
*2023 | 25 | Decreased by 69.1% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first quarter of the year.
Between 2016 and 2022, annual overdose deaths increased by 113%. The worst year by far was 2022, and this aligns with data collected in many other parts of the state. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn led to higher overdose deaths across Indiana and much of the country — Madison County was no exception.
The silver lining is that, based on provisional data for 2023, overdose deaths appear to be dropping. However, until these figures are finalized, we cannot draw conclusions with any degree of certainty.
When evaluating the state of substance abuse in a given city or county, overdose deaths are often one of the most important statistics to consider. However, many people overdose and survive the experience. In fact, if there are proper resources in place and medical personnel have the opportunity to act quickly, many overdose deaths can be avoided. To better understand the state of substance abuse in Anderson and the rest of Madison County, we evaluated the number of hospital discharges related to substance abuse (i.e. non-fatal overdoses).
The table below shows the hospital discharges involving drug overdoses in Madison County between 2016 and 2023: [3]
Year | Total Hospital Discharges | % Change From Previous Year |
2016 | 374 | N/A |
2017 | 362 | Decreased by 3.2% |
2018 | 287 | Decreased by 20.7% |
2019 | 322 | Increased by 12.2% |
2020 | 373 | Increased by 15.8% |
2021 | 497 | Increased by 33.2% |
2022 | 429 | Decreased by 13.7% |
*2023 | 217 | Decreased by 49.4% |
*Data for 2023 is provisional and only accounts for the first quarter of the year.
Between 2016 and 2018, overdose hospital discharges shrank by approximately 23%. However, hospital discharges in Madison County rose steadily over the following three years, peaking at 497 in 2021. Since 2021, overdose hospital discharges seem to be in decline, particularly in 2023. But once again, 2023’s statistics are provisional (as of this writing), so it’s unclear just how much overdoses have declined in the past two or three years.
Types of Substance Abuse in Anderson
In 2022, marijuana, meth, and heroin were the most abused drugs in Madison County and the city of Anderson. These figures are easier to extract based on arrest and re-arrest statistics over the past few years. Here is the latest data from Indiana’s Next Level Recovery program showing the arrests involving different kinds of addictive substances between 2016 and 2023 in Madison County:
Year | Total Arrests | Alcohol | Cocaine | Marijuana | Meth | Opioid | Drug Paraphernalia |
2016 | 1812 | 626 | 47 | 361 | 372 | 72 | 655 |
2017 | 1944 | 569 | 83 | 370 | 642 | 78 | 675 |
2018 | 1808 | 460 | 44 | 389 | 717 | 45 | 711 |
2019 | 1716 | 311 | 85 | 362 | 784 | 89 | 763 |
2020 | 1427 | 213 | 83 | 337 | 666 | 74 | 682 |
2021 | 1386 | 161 | 102 | 327 | 585 | 60 | 658 |
2022 | 1410 | 221 | 79 | 341 | 625 | 95 | 656 |
2023* | 1275 | 248 | 81 | 282 | 455 | 112 | 434 |
*Statistics for 2023 are still preliminary and do not account for the entire calendar year.
Arrests involving addictive substances have declined in Madison County since 2016, but this is not a definitive sign that fewer substances are being abused. The lowest annual arrests were recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time the governor of Indiana had issued a stay-at-home order. This meant that fewer people were being arrested for crimes like driving while intoxicated (DUI). That said, it’s important to take note of the changing trends of drug and alcohol abuse in Madison County.
Based on arrest records, alcohol abuse is in significant decline in the area. While cocaine and prescription opioid arrests make up a small percentage of the total arrests in Madison County, both have increased since 2016. Marijuana and meth arrests remained very high between 2016 and 2022, with no sign of either drug slowing down. Lastly, drug paraphernalia arrests have also been very high nearly every year on record, and these arrests are most often associated with meth or heroin abuse. While the statistics for 2023 are still provisional, they indicate that arrests are still in decline, though alcohol, cocaine, and opioid abuse are seeing a resurgence.
Who Can Benefit The Most From Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab for drug and alcohol addiction is particularly beneficial for the following cases:
- Mild-to-moderate addiction is where a person understands they need help but haven’t hit the rock bottom
- Having a strong support system at home
- Parents with young children
- Finding the easiest way to learn is by continually practicing new skills
- Having a busy lifestyle
- Being unable to afford inpatient rehab
- In need of more structure and support to prevent relapse after completing inpatient rehab
What Are The Different Types Of Outpatient Rehab Programs?
Not every outpatient treatment program is the same. There are different types of outpatient rehab, such as:
- Day programs – the most intensive schedule is, partial hospitalization program (PHP), and it lasts five to seven days a week, for a minimum six hours a day. It includes individual, group, and family therapy sessions as well as a treatment for dual diagnosis
- Intensive outpatient program – more flexible than a day program. It includes treatment or therapy sessions that last three to four days a week. The intensive outpatient program is beneficial for people who also need a more intensive treatment, without spending the time in a facility
- Continuing care (aftercare) – comprises support groups whose primary objective is to provide accountability and ongoing support for those who have transitioned from an intensive outpatient program. Continuing care groups usually meet once a week
- Outpatient dual diagnosis treatment – takes place when symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse are mild to moderate. More severe symptoms require inpatient treatment
What Does Outpatient Rehab Include?
The exact outpatient rehab services depend on the severity of the addiction. In most cases, patients need medical care, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Some of them also need treatment for dual diagnosis.
Medical care focuses on evaluating a patient’s physical health during the recovery process. On the other hand, therapy is the cornerstone of outpatient rehab. Behavioral therapy focuses on approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and performs in individual, group, and family settings.
How Much Does Outpatient Rehab Cost?
Compared to inpatient rehab, outpatient programs are more affordable for mild-to-moderate addictions. In many cases, the costs of outpatient rehab are around $5000 for three months, but the price can go up to $10,000 or beyond.
Factors that influence the costs of outpatient rehab include patients’ specific needs, duration of counseling sessions, and frequency of visits. In some cases, patients pay $500 per session. The location also plays a role in price, which is why in some places, the costs of individual therapy sessions go from $50 to $150.
Many health insurance providers cover the partial or full cost of outpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment.
Anderson Substance Abuse Resources
The city of Anderson does not have any programs or initiatives to help residents struggling with addiction. Instead, it relies on county and state resources. For example, in Madison County, the following programs are available:
- Naloxone training and distribution
- Overdose response program
- Syringe exchange
Naloxone distribution is one of the most effective methods for preventing death in the event of an opioid overdose. LHC Naloxone Counties in Indiana work extensively to educate first responders on Naloxone usage, while also getting state funding to have Naloxone readily available when it is needed. The county’s overdose response program helps different departments coordinate and share information to provide the best possible assistance to those experiencing an overdose, particularly when the overdose involves opioids like fentanyl. Lastly, the syringe exchange program helps provide single-use equipment to drug abusers, thereby reducing the spread of blood-borne infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C.
Anderson Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab
Anderson is a city that has really struggled in recent years, due in large part to circumstances far beyond anyone’s control. To add insult to injury, economic woes have been accompanied by rising substance abuse cases. As a result, there are thousands of people fighting addiction in Anderson and the rest of Madison County, with relatively few local or state resources that can help.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one live in Anderson and are looking for addiction treatment options, Addiction Rehab Centers is just a phone call or less than an hour’s drive away. Located in Indianapolis, we offer those struggling with addiction a comfortable, modern, and effective rehab facility. Our staff has the experience and knowledge to address a wide range of addiction-related problems, from reducing early withdrawal symptoms to treating co-occurring mental health issues. By reaching out to our team, you can begin your journey to a brighter tomorrow — free from the grip of addiction.
If you or a loved one need help, don’t hesitate to reach out as soon as possible. Addiction Rehab Centers is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can contact us on our website or call us directly at 844-551-4673.
