Substance Abuse Stats for the State of Virginia
The Virginia state medical examiner projects that the state experienced a record number of overdose deaths — 1,547 — for 2019. Most substances have seen the number of deaths attributed to them rise only slightly from 2018 to those numbers projected in 2019.
- Fentanyl, however, was the exception with 883 projected deaths in 2019 compared to 813 in 2018.
- Of the five counties with the most overdose deaths in 2018, only Chesterfield County showed an increase from 66 to 75.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is the preferred approach for addressing substance use disorder. This option provides you with access to professional resources such as clinical staff, a stable environment and 24/7 support.
Outpatient rehab is ideal as the next step in your treatment plan after you’ve successfully finished inpatient rehab. In some cases, you might have responsibilities that make it difficult to go to inpatient rehab for an extended period. Outpatient rehab can fill that void.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The longer that treatment at rehab lasts, the better your chances for a successful recovery. Studies have determined that 90 days is the absolute minimum length of time for the most effective experience.
For the best results, though, it’s a good idea to plan to spend as long as possible in rehab. Today’s addiction professionals recommend that individuals choose the longest length of rehab they can manage.
What to Expect at Rehab
The components of rehab should always be individualized so your specific needs are addressed. Research-based substance abuse treatment relies on therapy. Talk and group therapy fulfill different needs when you’re in recovery. In many cases, your care team will recommend that you take advantage of both for the most effective approach.
FDA medications that have been approved specifically to assist you with the challenging side effects of withdrawal might be prescribed for you.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
If you’ve been using drugs and/or alcohol, it might be difficult to tell if you need detox. In many cases, a drug treatment program requires that you be free of addictive substances.
Other factors that indicate that detox would be beneficial include:
- An inability to stop using on your own
- You display signs of being addicted or dependent
It can be tempting to detox on your own. However, your recovery and safety depend on having access to professionals.
How Long is Detox?
Like other portions of drug treatment, the length of detox is something that is individualized. In some cases, it could take three days for a particular substance to leave your system. At other times, detox could last for 21 days or more.
There are several variables that directly affect the length of detox including:
- The drugs involved
- The way your body metabolism works
- The amount you used
- Your overall health
- The length of time you’ve been using