Substance Abuse Stats in Bennington, Vermont
Bennington is a small town in southwestern Vermont with a population of around 16,000 people. Although Bennington is a quiet town, its proximity to the larger city of Albany, New York means that drug and alcohol abuse is common.
Check out these stats about substance abuse in the state of Vermont:
- In 2016, more than 37,000 people in Vermont had an alcohol use disorder.
- Only 3,326 of these people sought treatment. That is less than 10%!
- Around 18% of Vermont adults are regular marijuana users. That is twice the national average
- 25% of Vermonters over the age of 65 engage in risky drinking.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Substance abuse treatment comes in many forms. People seeking treatment in the Bennington area will need to decide what level of care best suits their needs. There are several levels of care, but most of them fall under the umbrella of either inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment.
Inpatient rehab offers patients more support and structure. Deciding between the two depends mainly on:
- How severe your addiction is
- How dependent you are on drugs or alcohol
- How much support you have at home
- How mentally and physically healthy/stable you are
Rehab is the safer choice for people who aren’t sure how much support they need.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The type of care you choose is important, but it’s not the only thing that matters. If you choose to go to inpatient rehab, you will also have to decide how long you will stay for. This seemingly simple decision can have a huge impact on your recovery.
Stays of less than 90 days have been shown to be less effective, resulting in higher rates of relapse. If you relapse, you will have to go back to rehab. In general, the longer your stay at rehab, the better your chances of long-term success. Still, you should consider:
- Your budget
- Logistics
- Your treatment needs
What to Expect at Rehab
Rehab looks different for everyone. Techniques that are very helpful in treating one patient may be totally ineffective for the next. This is why rehab centers that offer the most personalized treatment plans are often regarded as the best.
Most rehab plans include both formal treatment, and supportive exercises and activities. Treatment might take the form of therapy, medication, or group meetings. Activities range from art classes to meditation, and are meant to help patients relax and gain confidence.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Detox is often confused with inpatient rehab, but they are separate. That said, many people who go to rehab have to go to detox first. Detox is necessary for people who:
- Have drugs or alcohol in their body
- Are still drunk or ‘high’
- Are going through or might go through withdrawal
- Are physically dependent on a substance
Detox is similar to a hospital. It is specifically for people who need to get drugs and alcohol out of their system. The main purpose of detox is to manage withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
How Long is Detox?
Detox can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It mostly depends on how long a patient’s withdrawal period lasts. However, some patients have to stay in detox for longer because they are physically or mentally unstable.
Some factors that can influence how long withdrawal lasts include:
- Age
- Health
- Gender
- Weight
- Specifics of substance abuse
- Metabolism
People who are young and healthy tend to process drugs and alcohol faster than others. Additionally, people who have been abusing drugs heavily for a long time will have a more difficult detox. Detoxing at home is dangerous and should never be attempted as it can lead to relapse and other problems.