• Lexington
  • Rockbridge
  • Buena Vista
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Regional
  • In-Depth Reporting
  • About Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Rockbridge Report
Rockbridge Report
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
  • Lexington
  • Rockbridge
  • Buena Vista
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Regional
  • In-Depth Reporting
  • About Us
Tuesday, September 26
Rockbridge Report
Home»Buena Vista»Death rate from stress-related addictions rise for white people in Virginia   

Death rate from stress-related addictions rise for white people in Virginia   

April 5, 20183 Mins Read

By Rachel Hicks  

A recent study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Pittsburgh found that the death rate from stress-related conditions increased by 83 percent among middle-aged white people in Virginia over the past 20 years.  

The “deaths of despair,” as researchers call them, include suicides and deaths caused by drug overdoses, alcohol poisoning and alcoholic liver disease. 

“Over time, chronic stress, despair, and the pain they produce can induce harmful coping behaviors,” the study said.  

Since 1995, the Shenandoah Valley, which includes the Rockbridge area, has also seen the third highest relative increase in stress-related causes of death in Virginia, according to the study.   

Lexington psychologist Vickie Kave said people often reach a breaking point when day-to-day stress exacerbates deep-rooted psychological issues. That’s when they turn to substances for relief.  

“The underlying issues [for substance abuse] are various mental health issues or disturbances,” Kave said. “They could be… anxiety or depression.”  

John Young, the executive director of Rockbridge Area Community Services, said marijuana and alcohol are the most abused substances in Rockbridge County.  

This year, patients treated for marijuana addictions have accounted for over 24 percent of all people who received treatment at RACS, according to the center’s data. People seeking treatment for alcohol abuse have also made up over 20 percent of all RACS patients. 

“A lot of times when folks step out of addiction, they don’t know what to do with themselves because they’ve just been caught up with that,” Young said. “So, part of treatment is just getting them caught up in new social networks that are going to be healthy for them.”  

Young said outpatient treatment is RACS’ primary service, which allows people to continue their recovery process at home after they receive therapy.  

The RACS staff also offers individual counseling and works with local Alcoholics Anonymous groups to provide support for people with ongoing problems.  

Areas in Virginia with the biggest increases in stress-related causes of death also had greater economic problems, including high unemployment and poverty rates, according to the study.   

About 22.2 percent of Lexington residents and 12.3 percent of Rockbridge residents live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The poverty rate is 11 percent in Virginia and 12.7 percent nationwide. 

“There’s become a sense of hopelessness … with no employment and no way out,” Kave said. 

But she also said sleep, nutrition and exercise programs are crucial for preventing dangerous habits and substance abuse problems.   

Sarah Crihfield, a 22-year-old Buena Vista resident, said she tries to deal with her hectic lifestyle using healthy coping mechanisms.  

“I sleep and play with my dog,” she said. “I just feel like a lot [of stress is] on me.”  

Crihfield works at the IHOP on North Lee Highway to support herself and her mother.  

“We’re tight on money,” she said. “I work fourteen hours and I’m a server, so I pull doubles, work all night and I don’t feel like I get enough sleep.” 

 Local florist Victoria Fallen said while some aspects of her job are also stressful, she tries to enjoy the creative parts of her work.  

“Driving can be stressful – getting to places on time and making sure nothing happens to the flowers on the way,” she said. “But I like working with the flowers. I like making artistic arrangements out of them.” 

Young said it’s important to watch out for family members and friends who are beginning to cope with stress in unhealthy ways.  

“Some people maybe don’t realize that they have an addiction problem and other people are telling them… ‘You need to stop and get this under control,'” he said. “A lot of times folks ignore that advice.”  

Related

Apr. 6, 2023 Newscast
Apr. 4, 2023 News Update

rockbridgereport

The commonwealth’s attorney for Rockbridge Count The commonwealth’s attorney for Rockbridge County and Lexington said he wants victims of sexual assault at Washington and Lee University to seek help from police and prosecutors who can investigate and file criminal charges. 

In the past month, two former W&L students have faced sexual assault charges.

Read Ned Newton’s full story on our website, rockbridgereport.wlu.edu.
Lexington’s City Council has given the go-ahead Lexington’s City Council has given the go-ahead for a developer to begin drafting plans to build apartments off Spotswood Drive. 

The new permit approval comes after months of controversy about the design. 

Read Andrew Arnold’s full story on our website, rockbridgereport.wlu.edu.
A new, 24-hour EMS crew will help in providing bac A new, 24-hour EMS crew will help in providing backup services to Glasgow and other nearby cities and towns.

For more details on the new EMS crew, visit: https://youtu.be/k03HNBKB978.
Buddy, the horse, and Police Chief Angela Greene l Buddy, the horse, and Police Chief Angela Greene led the Lexington Christmas Parade. Buddy is one of the future Mounted Police Unit horses working with the Lexington police. 

Watch Buddy and the latest broadcast of the Rockbridge Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDZ4A6xuk-4
A developer sought final city approval this week t A developer sought final city approval this week to build 62 apartment units on Lexington’s Spotswood Drive.

Echelon Resources went before the city’s planning commission Thursday to request a permit allowing the developer company to construct multi-family housing at the Spotswood site. The planning commission will offer a recommendation for approval or denial to the Lexington City Council. The city council will likely have a final vote on the permit in early January.

The proposal received some pushback from Lexington residents who fear the development will significantly increase traffic, impede the local hospital, or strain the city’s water and sewer systems. 

For more details on the Spotswood proposal visit: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/spotswood-drive-apartment-complex-moves-forward/
Lexington’s city manager is searching for a full Lexington’s city manager is searching for a full-time city attorney. The previous city attorney, Jared Jenkins, no longer serves in the position following his split from Mann Legal Group.

Learn more by visiting the Rockbridge Report website: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/lexington-replaces-city-attorney/
Two students at Virginia Military Institute and Wa Two students at Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University posted bomb threats on anonymous social media platforms last week.

After investigations, both posts proved to be false alarms. Disciplinary measures for the students are unclear. 

Read the full story here: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/two-university-bomb-threats-posted-on-anonymous-social-media-proved-false/
Local nonprofits, like the Rockbridge Area Relief Local nonprofits, like the Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA) and Washington and Lee’s Campus Kitchen, will provide extra support for families facing food insecurity during the holidays.

Read more about this on the Rockbridge Report website: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/community-groups-to-offer-food-to-students-and-their-families-during-holiday-break/
“Normal people can’t afford that." Lexington “Normal people can’t afford that."

Lexington is Stacey Dickerson-Suggs’ hometown, but the single mother can’t afford to live here. Virginia house prices are going up about 10% each year. In Lexington, the median price of a home has increased 27% in the past year.

Read more about this on the Rockbridge Report website: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/lexington-renters-buyers-cant-find-affordable-housing/
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Twitter
My Tweets
Reporters
Producers
Supervisors

Kevin Finch

Toni Locy

Alecia Swasy

Michael Todd

Rockbridge Report
© 2023 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version
 

Loading Comments...