Substance Abuse Stats for the City of Portland, Maine
Substance abuse statistics for the city of Portland, Maine indicate a strong presence of growing consumer use of illicit and prescription drugs. Take a look at a few of these risk factors:
- In Portland itself, 318 deaths attributed to an overdose of drugs occurred from 2008 to 2018.
- In the first 9 months of 2019, there were already 277 drug deaths.
There are numerous types of drugs used here, but the most heavily used are opioids, including prescription pain medications, heroin, and fentanyl.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
The right type of rehab in portland depends on a person’s health and the severity of their addiction. Common options include:
Inpatient Treatment: The most intense and designed to help stabilize individuals in a safe, drug-free environment, those receiving inpatient treatment receive 24/7 care for emotional and physical needs.
Outpatient Treatment: Intensive outpatient treatment is one form, designed to allow a person to live at home but to spend up to 8 hours a day receiving care most days of the week.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The length of treatment is never rushed because doing so can increase the chances of a person overdosing. However, most people will need at least 90 days of constant care to stabilize. Most will need a total of six months of treatment, including inpatient and outpatient, to gain the confidence they need.
That’s not the end, though. Support groups, mentoring programs, and even additional outpatient care is often necessary.
What to Expect at Rehab
The amount of care needed is always determined based on an initial assessment of a person. A customized treatment plan is likely to include:
- Care for any type of mental illness through a co-occurring disorder program
- Medications to stabilize health and brain function while also minimizing any complications from withdrawal
- Therapy to deal with the underlying cause of the alcohol or drug use as well as to develop strategies to manage triggers and risks
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Those with a serious or long-term addiction will need detox. A doctor or therapist will recommend this if it is generally necessary. Detox is also beneficial in cases of:
- Long-term drug use
- High-risk substance use
- Previous relapse risks
- An inability to stop using even if desired
- A higher than normal risk of complications
How Long is Detox?
Once admitted into a detox program in Portland, a person’s health is assessed on a day-to-day basis. Typically, treatment ranges from 3 to 21 days. This may be longer if a person has a slow metabolism, often the case when there is liver damage. Some people also need a longer treatment time during detox because of their history of drug use or other health complications. It is, like all other treatments, never rushed to ensure a person gets the highest level of care possible.