Substance Abuse Stats in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and the most populous city in the state. It is also one of the oldest cities in the nation. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation, but when it comes to substance abuse, it has big problems:
- In 2017, 277 people died of opioid overdose in Rhode Island.
- 201 of these deaths were due to fentanyl.
- There were nearly twice as many opioid overdose deaths per capita in RI in 2017 than the rest of the nation, despite the fact that the state had a lower prescription rate for opioids than the rest of the country.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
If you are looking for substance abuse treatment in the Providence area, you will quickly realize that there are many different types of care to choose from. Of these, inpatient rehab and outpatient care are two of the main options.
The main difference between the two is that inpatient rehab involves residency in the treatment center and full immersion into recovery, while outpatient care allows you to live at home and receive treatment for a few hours a week.
When deciding between the two, you should consider your:
- Budget
- Treatment needs
- History of substance abuse and treatment
- Level of independence
- Support system
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
If you decide that inpatient rehab is right for you, you’ll need to choose a length for your stay there. Common program lengths at rehab are 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. The longer the program, the higher your chances of making a full recovery and avoiding relapse.
Some things to consider when choosing a rehab program length are:
- Budget: The longer the program, the more money it will cost. There are many ways to pay for rehab and you should try to avoid letting money make the decision for you. Your life is on the line.
- Your Needs: Only you know how much time is enough to stabilize and recover.
What to Expect at Rehab
It’s hard to know exactly what to expect at rehab, especially at one that is well-operated. The best treatment centers will tailor to your needs and come up with a program that is optimized for your success.
Whatever the specifics of your routine at rehab entails, it will likely include some combination of the following:
- Group meetings
- 12-step programs
- Talk therapy
- Daily check-ins
- Healthy meals
- Exercise
- Relaxing activities
- Life coaching
Rehab is a place to immerse yourself in the recovery lifestyle and get away from your triggers to use drugs and alcohol. You should leave feeling recentered, stable, and ready to take on a sober life.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
It is sometimes necessary for people to go to detox before they can begin treatment. Detox is a safe, medically-monitored place where patients can go through withdrawal in the most comfortable and stable way possible.
Detox is necessary if:
- You still have substances in your system
- You are worried about withdrawal
- You are too mentally or physically unstable to start treatment
Detox is not treatment in itself, but it might be a necessary place for you to regroup and gather your strength before you can begin treatment.
How Long is Detox?
The detox process can last anywhere from 3-4 days to multiple weeks. It mostly depends upon how long and severe your withdrawal period is.
Sometimes, patients are admitted to detox because withdrawal is expected, but it ends up being mild or non-existent and they are released quickly. Other times, withdrawal is very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, so a patient must be kept in detox as they move through the symptoms.
The length of withdrawal depends mainly upon:
- History of substance abuse
- Metabolism
- Overall health
- Mental health
Never try to detox at home. This is extremely dangerous and could lead to relapse or complications with withdrawal.