Substance Abuse Stats in Islip, NY
Worried about drug abuse in Islip? As part of Long Island, Islip and the rest of Suffolk County have an opioid problem that needs to be addressed.
Prescription opioids, synthetic opioids, and heroin are the drugs most abused in Suffolk County, mimicking the rest of the tri-state area.
Curious about substance abuse stats in Islip and Suffolk County?
Read on:
- 617 people died from opioid overdoses in 2017—a record number!
- Opioid abuse cost the county $117 million in healthcare in 2017
- Opioid abuse grew by 77% between 2013 and 2017
- Overdose deaths grew by 92% in the same timeframe
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
If you’re thinking about rehab in Islip, you should talk to your care provider about the type of rehab that’s right for you.
Inpatient and outpatient rehab are very different, but many patients end up using both at different times.
It’s common to start your recovery with an inpatient stay and transition to outpatient rehab after. Some patients keep attending outpatient rehab for months or years after they graduate inpatient!
Inpatient rehab is the right choice to start your recovery because it offers an immersive place to get better. Outpatient rehab is better for keeping your condition under control.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
In most cases, rehab should last at least 90 days. If you’re getting treatment for opioid abuse, it’s better to commit to a year of rehab.
That might sound like a lot of time, but remember that substance abuse disorder causes thought and behavior changes that can take a lifetime to unlearn.
The more time you give yourself to focus on treatment, the more likely that you’ll get better.
Set yourself up for success by choosing the longest rehab stay that you can. Your body and your mind will thank you!
What to Expect at Rehab
At rehab, you should expect your days to be full of activities that help you focus on recovery. These can include:
- Check-ins: Daily check-ins help you stay involved in your treatment and give you a chance to ask questions.
- Medication: Sometimes medication can be used to manage drug cravings and withdrawal. Ask your care team if this is an option for you.
- Symptom management: In some cases, detox symptoms can last past the detox phase. You may get medication to control pain, stomach discomfort, and mood changes.
- Therapy: Different kinds of therapy can teach you coping methods to get through cravings.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You need to go to detox if you’re dependent on any drug. Dependence causes symptoms such as:
- Agitation
- Mood changes
- Headache
- Pain
- Stomach problems
- Sweating and fever
These are withdrawal symptoms and they can be severe. Detoxing alone can lead to relapse and so can attending rehab without detox first.
A detox program gives you access to medical care which can make a huge difference in your comfort levels.
If you’re not sure whether you need detox help, talk to your care team. They can help you decide what approach is right for you.
How Long is Detox?
The length of detox depends on the drug you’re stopping. For instance, cocaine detox can take weeks, while alcohol detox takes just a few days. Most detox facilities have three-, five-, seven-, and 14-day detox options.
If you use multiple drugs, detox can take longer or be hard to predict. The same is true if you use drugs often or heavily. Be honest with your care team about your drug use habits.
It’s very important to stay in detox long enough to get the drug out of your system. Stopping detox too early puts you at risk for relapse.
Sources
- Fiscal Policy Institute. (n.d.). The staggering cost of Long Island’s opioid crisis
- Gifford, LICDC, LPC, S. (2018, October). Differences Between Outpatient and Inpatient Treatment Programs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Duration of treatment
- New York Department of Health. (2017, February). Town of Islip health equity report