Substance Abuse Stats in East Buffalo, PA
East Buffalo is a small town in Union County, Pennsylvania—where drug abuse has slowly climbed over the years.
Union County (where East Buffalo is located) ranked #62 in overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in 2015. By 2017, that rank had climbed to #58.
Just four people died from drug overdoses in the area in 2015. In 2017, that number increased to 11 overdose deaths.
While overdoses have climbed over time, the rate is still low compared to other parts of Pennsylvania.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
What kind of rehab is best for you? The first decision is outpatient vs. inpatient rehab—and it’s one of the most important!
Inpatient rehab is the best type of rehab if you need extra stability and care. The 24/7 care environment is immersive and can help you recover.
Outpatient rehab is a good choice if you need some extra help in managing your life and care. You can go to rehab part-time while still working and taking care of your family.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The length of rehab should be at least 90 days if not longer. Research shows that when you go to rehab for less than three months, you’re at a higher risk of relapse.
If you’re getting treatment for opioid abuse, then 12 months is the minimum you should consider.
That sounds like a long time, but you didn’t develop a substance abuse disorder overnight. It takes time to recover too.
What to Expect at Rehab
At rehab, you should expect to stay busy! The typical rehab experience is full of:
- Activities: Therapeutic activities offer an outlet for emotional expression in recovery.
- Opportunities to check-in: Your care team will check in with you often to make sure they can answer questions you have.
- Therapy: Talk therapy and group therapy are both common rehab experiences.
If you’re recovering from opioid or alcohol abuse, then medication may be part of your routine too. This includes drugs like Suboxone or buprenorphine.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Consider going to detox if you have withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using drugs. Those symptoms can include:
- Agitation
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Pain
- Seizures
- Stomach upset
- Sweating
Withdrawal can be very distressing. It’s the most common time to relapse, and for good reason. Detox can help you through the most difficult part of recovery.
Other signs you should go to detox include:
- Doing anything to get drugs, including doctor-shopping or stealing
- Trouble stopping drug use
- Using drugs despite bad consequences
How Long is Detox?
Detox can last from a few days to a few weeks. It depends on the type of drug as well as other factors, such as your:
- Treatment adherence
- Drug use history
- Health
- Metabolism
It’s hard to accurately predict detox because it’s not the same for everyone.
It’s important to be honest with your care team about your drug use history and other factors. This helps them predict how long your detox needs to be and what to expect.
Sources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Treatment approaches for drug addiction
- The opioid threat in Pennsylvania. (2018)
- Wallace, A. E., & Weeks, W. B. (2004). Substance abuse intensive outpatient treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 27(1), 27-30. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2004.03.006