Substance Abuse Stats for the City of Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara, California, a part of Santa Barbara County, has seen a moderate increase in fentanyl overdose deaths recently. The October 2019 edition of the Santa Maria Times reports that 16 fentanyl overdose deaths occurred in the county between January and October 2019. In 2018, 69 people died from all drug overdoses with 31 attributed to fentanyl. Additionally, 648 people visited emergency rooms with non-fatal drug overdoses.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Sometimes you can’t take time away from home or work no matter how much you need inpatient treatment. In that situation, it’s good to know that outpatient treatment is an option. You attend every night in the evening after work for the length of the program.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends that people addicted to drugs attend an inpatient program for at least 90 days whenever possible. If you can, it’s your best shot at long-term recovery.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Most treatment programs last at least 28 days. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that 90 days is the minimum time required for the program to be most effective. Remember that addiction is a complex issue with many layers. It takes more than a few weeks to work through them and learn healthier coping strategies. Your counselor may even recommend a longer program if you have abused hard drugs or used for a long time.
What to Expect at Rehab
Rehab looks slightly different for everyone. You might need medication to lessen the effects of drug cravings while someone else does not. Your counselor might decide you need the maximum amount of one-on-one therapy while another person could benefit primarily from group therapy. The most important thing you can do is understand your own needs and look for a treatment program that can meet them. You don’t want to return to treatment because you didn’t get the tools you needed.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You may need detox before starting an addiction treatment program if you can’t physically or mentally function without drugs. The counseling staff needs you to have a clear mind to complete the hard work of treatment. For this reason, the person completing your intake process may require that you attend detox before treatment. While detox can be physically and emotionally challenging, you will always have support staff by your side. A doctor can also prescribe medications specific to detoxification.
How Long is Detox?
You’re an individual, and it’s impossible to give an exact answer to this question before you start. You should plan on a shorter stay if you used softer drugs, enjoyed good health before you became addicted, or haven’t abused drugs for long. The opposite is also true. Most detox programs last a minimum of three days and can last as long as a few weeks.