Substance Abuse Stats in Reading, PA
In the greater Reading area, it’s not uncommon to see reports of opioid overdose in the news. For both men and women, the rate of opioid overdose is higher in Berks County than in the United States.
Other startling drug abuse stats in Reading and Berks County include:
- Berks County was the 15th most affected Pennsylvania county by overdose-related emergency room trips in 2018
- Pharmacists dispensed 63 million doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone in Berks County between 2006 and 2012
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Many patients start with inpatient treatment and later continue with outpatient treatment.
Others start with outpatient treatment. There’s no single right journey because it depends on your needs and your drug abuse history.
- Inpatient treatment is the best choice if you abuse drugs that are challenging to quit (such as alcohol or opioids), if you have co-occurring disorders (like depression or anxiety), or if you need a higher amount of support and accountability.
- Outpatient treatment is the right choice if you’re stable and have a good support system at home—and want to recover in a familiar environment while tending to responsibilities like work and childcare.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The length of your rehab treatment in Reading depends on factors such as:
- What drugs you’re using
- How long you’ve been using
- How often and how much you use
- Your general health
- The protocol of your rehab center
What’s most important is that you stay in treatment for long enough. Studies show that when you stay in treatment for at least 90 days, you lessen your odds of a relapse.
Treatment that lasts longer than three months is less effective. Committing for the right amount of time is crucial to your recovery.
What to Expect at Rehab
It’s important to go into rehab with an open mind. No two treatment experiences are alike—so even if friends tell you what to expect from rehab, you probably won’t have the same experiences that they did.
Your rehab plan might include a mix of the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: CBT helps you understand your thoughts and behaviors so you can use that knowledge to stop using drugs.
- Group therapy: A therapy group might be a 12-Step group, a spiritual group, or an addiction support group of its own. All kinds have value, so you may want to try a few to find the right fit.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You should go to detox if you’re addicted to drugs and facing a tough detox. This is especially true if you use alcohol or opioids.
Alcohol detox is especially dangerous because it can lead to:
- Coma
- Delirium tremens
- Death
- Seizures
Opioid withdrawal isn’t dangerous, but it can be very painful and hard to endure. Without help, it can lead to:
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Pain
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Nausea and stomach upset
Detox helps you manage symptoms and stay comfortable and safe during this challenging part of recovery. You’ll receive regular monitoring, symptom relief, and intravenous fluids.
How Long is Detox?
It’s hard to predict how long your actual detox will be because it varies from person to person. The factors that affect detox include:
- The drugs that you use
- Your drug use habits
- Your health
- Your metabolism
Because detox is different for each person, many facilities that offer detox have set program lengths. This can vary from seven to 14 days or so, but it depends on the facility and the drug detox program.
If you have questions about detox length and what to expect during detox, your care team can answer them before you start the program.
Sources
- Lehigh Valley Live: A look at the toll opioids are taking in PA’s hardest-hit counties
- Reading Eagle: As drug overdose deaths soar, so did the supply of opioid pills in Pennsylvania and Berks County
- Psych Central: Differences between outpatient and inpatient treatment programs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Duration of treatment
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Treatment approaches