Substance Abuse Stats for the City of Denver, Colorado
Denver, a city that is home to over 600,000 people, is not immune to drug and alcohol addiction. Here are some substance abuse statistics for Denver and Denver County:
- 22 percent of people over the age of 18 report drinking excessively.
- 36 percent of car accidents in which someone died were alcohol-related.
- 370 people died from overdoses in 2017 in Denver.
While prescription opioids are one of the most common causes of overdoses, heroin and cocaine were also prevalent.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient Treatment: For those with addiction and dependence, residential drug treatment in Denver is the best first step. It’s also the most common. You’ll spend 24-hours a day working on your mental and physical health in this environment.
Outpatient Treatment: This is not as common initially, but many people will move from inpatient to outpatient drug treatment as they improve. There are forms of outpatient treatment that can be used to help you based on the severity of your addiction.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Most people remain in drug and alcohol treatment for at least 6 weeks before being reassessed for changes to their treatment plan. However, it is more common for people to need 90 days of care, at least. You may benefit from six months of care. This may combine both inpatient and outpatient treatment, depending on how well you do. Don’t rush care. It doesn’t help you and may lead to relapse risks for many people.
What to Expect at Rehab
During rehab, you’ll be working with a therapist and a doctor to improve your mental, physical, and emotional health. The best treatment centers in Denver do this through customized treatment plans. They may include care such as:
- Medications to help stop your withdrawals and cravings
- Talk therapy with a therapist to work on addiction risks, causes, and prevention strategies
- Holistic care for your body and mind
- Mental health treatment for underlying mental illness
- Peer support groups for enhanced support
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Your therapist and doctor may recommend the use of detox as a first step towards getting you the care you need. Detoxification takes time but allows your body to process and remove all the toxins and chemicals. You may need detox if:
- You have an active addiction and cannot stop using
- You’ve used drugs for a long time
- You are facing medical problems
- You have mental health issues
- You’ve relapsed from drug recovery before
How Long is Detox?
Detoxification is a complex process that can’t be rushed or sped up. However, your doctor will give you an estimate based on the type of drugs you’ve used and your history. Most of the time, drug detox takes about a week. The normal range is 3 to 21 days. You may need more help if you have liver or kidney damage, or you have a slowed metabolism. In these cases, your body may need more time.