Substance Abuse Stats in Boston, MA
Between 2008 and 2012, the number of hospital visits related to substance abuse increased in Boston. In the same time period, unintentional overdose on drugs was responsible for between 11 and 18 deaths per year, with an average age of 43 years old for an unintentional drug overdose.
From the year 2005 to 2013, public high school students’ rates of marijuana use increased. By 2013, over 40% of Boston public high school students reported having used marijuana. For every year between 2009 and 2013, alcohol was the leading cause for admission into substance abuse treatment, followed by heroin and cocaine.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
When you begin treatment for substance abuse in Boston, you must choose the level of care that is right for you. Two of the main options are inpatient treatment and outpatient care.
In inpatient care, you receive around-the-clock treatment and support from staff, and you live in a facility that is specifically designed for addiction recovery. During outpatient care, you are able to continue some of your daily activities, but you receive treatment daily or weekly. In general, inpatient care is more intensive than outpatient. Depending on the level of care you need, you will probably choose one of these options.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Popular program lengths for rehabs in Boston are 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. Some longer programs, which last up to a year, are available as well. You can choose a length of care that fits your needs based on your budget, schedule, and treatment needs. Inpatient treatment centers aim to help patients get to a place where they are ready to transition to a less intense form of care. Thus, inpatient treatment centers may last long. Depending on your history of substance abuse, it is important to stay a length of time long enough to help you regain and stay sober.
What to Expect at Rehab
Rehab centers in Boston are somewhere that you can recuperate and learn how to live sober. You will be completely immersed in an environment that is designed to help you get clean and stay that way. Your daily activities might include therapy, group meetings, chores, exercise, healthy meals, and relaxing practices, such as meditation and yoga. Some patients are given medication to help their recovery.
Everyone has their own unique experience in rehab, but the goal is the same. This is a place to get away from your substance abuse triggers and learn to stay clean.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Detox is short for detoxification. This is basically a period when people allow their bodies to get rid of all the drugs and/or alcohol in their system before moving on to other forms of treatment.
At detox, you will be monitored around-the-clock by professional addiction specialists. They will keep you safe and as comfortable as possible while you go through withdrawal and your body cleans itself. Anyone who still has substances in their system when they enter treatment needs to go to detox.
How Long is Detox?
Detox usually lasts between 3 to 10 days. It simply depends on how long the body takes to rid itself of all the toxins it was exposed to. Once the process is complete and the patient has been deemed stable enough to leave detox, they will move on to treatment.
How long detox will be depends upon the specifics of the patient’s withdrawal process. This process is impacted by factors like age, gender, and weight. Additionally, how much drugs or alcohol were abused and how long the abuse went on all factor into the length of detox.