Substance Abuse Stats in the City of Atlanta, Georgia
Want to learn more about the substance abuse statistics in the city of Atlanta, Georgia? The city of Atlanta, located in Fulton County:
- Reported 14.8% of the population using an illicit drug.
- Showed that 4.3% of the population were abusing prescription medications.
- Showed a steady increase in methamphetamine use over the years from 5.2%, to 5.7%, to 6.4% in 2010, 2011, and 2012 respectively.
Though there has been a recent decline in cocaine use in Atlanta, increased use of methamphetamine is a growing concern.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Choosing the right rehabilitation will have a lot to do with a patient’s level of addiction, current situation, and previous treatment, if any. Both types offer different levels of support, and for many patients, a combination of the two will provide them with a better chance at success.
- Outpatient Rehab: Treatment in an outpatient facility can be a good option for those who are continuing to work through treatment.
- Inpatient Rehab: If a patient needs 24/7 support or detox, then inpatient treatment is recommended.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The minimum stay for most treatment facilities is 30 days, though 90 days is what is recommended to provide patients with the lowest chances of a relapse. During the beginning phases of treatment, a patient will go through detox if needed and an assessment to determine the program plan that will best help them to achieve their goals. Once completed, inpatient treatment and outpatient follow-up support, such as outpatient programs and sober living, can take up to a year.
What to Expect at Rehab
A patient’s rehab program will consist of programs and treatments designed around the type of substance abused, the length or strength of the addiction, and the support needs for the patient to stay sober.
- Therapy: Both individual and group therapy sessions are used in treatment to identify addiction triggers and provide a support system for after treatment.
- Medications: Patients in detox will often receive medication for symptoms. Medications may also be used for mental health issues.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Patients tend to have a lower incidence of relapse when they have gone through a detox program. Because of this, most rehabilitation facilities prefer patients to go through detox as part of the program but don’t always require it. Detox might be required of a patient if they had tried to quit before and failed, they are suffering from painful or difficult physical withdrawal symptoms, they have abused a substance for a long time, or they are withdrawing from a highly-addictive substance.
How Long is Detox?
The detox process can be as short as a couple of days or sometimes take up to a month or longer. All patients will respond differently to the detox process, so it is hard to determine the exact length of time each patient may take. Factors that can affect the length of detox include:
- A patient’s metabolism.
- The type of substance that was being abused.
- How long the addiction has been occurring.
- The frequency and amount of use.