Substance Abuse Stats for the City of West Palm Beach, Florida
Drug addiction is a nationwide problem. If you look at drug and alcohol addiction statistics for West Palm Beach, Florida, you can see it impacts many:
- In 2015, one person arrived in hospitals every 90 minutes on average due to overdosing.
- In 2018, 1,141 people died as a result of a drug overdose in Palm Beach County.
- The city’s drug overdose mortality rate is 27 for 2018. That is much higher than the national average of 14.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient drug treatment, also known as residential drug treatment, is the most effective option for most people with addiction. It involves 24-hour medical and mental-health monitoring in a drug-free environment.
Outpatient drug treatment involves fewer restrictions and allows a person to live at home during care. It’s best for those who have completed residential treatment or those with a very stable and supportive environment at home.
Most people will transition from inpatient to outpatient care over time.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Once in drug and alcohol treatment, a person’s needs are assessed on a daily basis. Most people will need to remain in care for at least 90 days. This can be extended as long as 6 months for some people.
It’s never wise to move through treatment too fast. Doing so can create an increased risk of drug use as well as overdose. That’s why a prolonged approach to rehab tends to be best for most people with addiction.
What to Expect at Rehab
During drug and alcohol rehab in West Palm Beach, each person is given a treatment plan that addresses their unique needs. This generally includes a course of treatment for physical, mental, and emotional care. It may include:
- Medications to aid in withdrawal symptoms and mental health needs
- Talk therapy to address the cause of addiction as well as the long-term prevention of relapse
- Holistic care designed to improve mind, body, and spirit
- Mental health care
- Group and family counseling
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Many doctors and therapists recommend detoxification as a first step in getting drug treatment. This process involves allowing the body to naturally process the drugs and chemicals to eliminate them. Detox is beneficial for many people, including those who:
- Have used drugs for a long time
- Used highly addictive drugs that have detoxing risks
- Cannot stop using on their own without pain and discomfort
If your therapist recommends it, detox is often very important to your health.
How Long is Detox?
The amount of time a person spends in detox depends on just how fast their body processes the drugs. For most people, this means less than a week of care. However, it can last, on average 3 to 21 days. Detox can take longer for those who have used drugs long term. In addition, if you have liver or kidney damage, that can slow down the detox process. Mental illness also needs prolonged detox.
