Substance Abuse Stats in Hempstead, NY
Hempstead, New York is known for drug abuse because of its closeness to ports in New York and New Jersey. Those ports are easy places to ship in drugs such as fentanyl from China, so those drugs end up on the streets of Nassau County.
Most overdose deaths in Hempstead happen with prescription opioids, such as:
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Oxycodone
What else should you know about drug abuse in Nassau, where Hempstead is?
For starters, substance abuse stats in Hempstead include:
- Fentanyl deaths increased by 79% in 2014
- Overdose deaths were the leading cause of death for 18 to 35-year-olds between 2014 and 2017
- Synthetic opioid deaths increased by 73% in 2015
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
If you’re considering rehab in Hempstead, NY, your first job is learning the differences between outpatient and inpatient rehab.
It’s best to choose inpatient first if you can. Outpatient treatment can be tempting because of the freedom. But your treatment is more effective if you commit fully. Inpatient is the only way to remove the stresses of daily life while receiving medical care.
Many patients start with inpatient treatment and later move to outpatient. This lets you continue your care for months or years after inpatient ends.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
It’s common for treatment centers to offer substance abuse programs that last from 30 days to 90 days.
Research shows that 90-day treatment is the shortest length that works. The longer you commit to rehab, the better your outcome.
It can be tempting to choose a short rehab period but in the long run, that approach could cost you even more time in rehab.
Opioid treatment requires longer treatment than most, especially if you’re using medication to treat cravings. A year is the minimum treatment period recommended for medication-assisted treatment of opioid abuse.
What to Expect at Rehab
Drug abuse treatment is different at every treatment center. It’s also different for every person since nobody has the same health or drug history as yours.
However, most rehab programs have a few common elements:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This kind of therapy teaches you how your thought processes work so you can understand yourself better. It also helps you with strategies to avoid drug use.
- Group therapy: Support groups and 12 Step groups are an important part of recovering from substance abuse. Social support helps you know that you’re not alone. Sometimes seeing your situation from a new perspective can help.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You should go to detox if you’re physically dependent. That means your body is so used to having a drug in its system that you become sick if you stop using the drug.
If you’re dependent, you’ll have withdrawal signs that include:
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Vomiting
The biggest symptom of all is a craving to use the drug that’s causing withdrawal. Without the right help, it can be very hard to get through detox.
Many treatment centers will require that you attend detox first if you’re dependent. That’s because they’re simply not set up to help with detox.
How Long is Detox?
Most detox programs last between three days and 14 days. The shortest detox programs are for alcohol withdrawal, which is intense but quick.
Longer detox programs exist for substance abuse including opioids and stimulants.
It’s important to be in detox for long enough. If you leave detox early, you’re likely to relapse. Choose a longer stay over a shorter stay if you can.
If you’re not sure what the right detox length is for you, ask a doctor or your care team at rehab. They’ll be able to help you choose the best length based on your unique history.