Substance abuse in New York City has overall increased since 2014, although there has been a recent drop in the number of overdose related deaths [1]. Fortunately, this increase in drug overdoses has lead to a corresponding increase in drug therapy and treatment services in the New York City area.
Since 2017, the New York City Health Department has offered expanded access to treatment for opioid use disorder. The Health Department has also increased accessibility to drugs that offer life-saving treatment for people experiencing overdose [2]. If you live in New York City and have a substance abuse problem, here’s what you need to know about drug abuse and treatment in the NYC area.
Substance Abuse Stats in New York City, NY
According to NYC Health, every seven hours, someone dies of a drug overdose in New York City. In fact, the total number of people who die of drug overdoses exceeds the combined number of people who die of motor vehicle crashes, suicides and homicides. In the first two quarters of 2019, opioids caused approximately 80% of all overdose deaths [1]. These statistics are updated quarterly and are made available on New York City’s official website.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
When you seek treatment for substance abuse, you’ll be faced with a number of choices. Among those choices is the decision to seek either inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is conducted at 24-hour care facilities where patients are offered comprehensive services and on-site supervision.
Outpatient rehab takes place at a facility during the day, and at night, patients are sent home. While outpatient treatment can be more affordable than inpatient rehab, patients who seek outpatient treatment need strong support at home or the program for the program to be successful. People who lack support systems from friends and family at home often respond better to inpatient rehab programs.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Every patient is different, but generally speaking, the longer the patient is in rehab, the better. Rehab programs may last 30, 60, 90, 120 days, or longer. Patients should weigh the pros and cons of a longer program before deciding for themselves what works for them. Longer programs are often more successful because patients must often work through a diverse range of issues and challenges. The longer they are in their program, the more likely they are to succeed when they graduate.
What to Expect at Rehab
Inpatient and outpatient facilities alike offer detox and addiction treatment services to patients. The best facilities offer a range of services following detox, to help patients work through psychological, social, economic and other challenges that could be contributing to their addiction.
At standard treatment facilities, many patients have access to counseling, peer support, an on-site nurse, doctor and other medical services. Every addiction is different and it’s important to offer this range of services to ensure that patients are able to overcome the circumstances that lead to their addiction.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
A lot of people struggle with the question: when is an addiction serious enough to require detox? The answer varies from one patient to another, but in general, here are the symptoms to look for:
- Recurrent use of the drug
- Inability to quit
- Tolerance of the substance
- Use of the substance takes priority over activities that used to take priority, like hobbies
- Use of the substance interferes with the individual’s ability to hold down a job [3]
How Long is Detox?
How long detox takes depends on the substance. For example, if you’re withdrawing from alcohol abuse, symptoms may appear within hours of stopping the use of alcohol, and may finish within a week or a little more. If you’re withdrawing from opioids, withdrawal symptoms could last up to 20 days. [4]
Medical professionals at your inpatient or outpatient facility will be able to advise you about your personal rehab experience, so you’ll know what to expect throughout your stay. For more information about how you can manage the detox and rehab experience, contact a rehabilitation facility near you.