Substance Abuse Stats in Essex Junction, Vermont
Essex Junction is a village of around 10,000 residents. It is located in Chittenden County, in northwestern Vermont. Although Essex Junction is a small town, Vermont’s substance abuse issues are noticeable here.
Consider these stats about drug and alcohol abuse in Vermont:
- In 2017, 114 people died for reasons involving opioids in Vermont. 77 of these deaths involved fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
- One out of every four deadly car crashes in Vermont in 2017 involved cannabis.
- Nearly one-third of Vermont high school students said they drank in the prior month during a survey.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Substance use disorders are complex and treating them requires a varied approach. What works for one patient may not work for the next. There are many types of care available, but inpatient rehab and outpatient care are the most common.
Inpatient rehab programs are also called residential treatment. Patients live at the treatment center alongside other addicts in recovery as well as a team of support staff.
Outpatient treatment allows patients to live at home and keep going to work or school. Treatment sessions occur on weekends or in the evenings for a handful of hours per week. Choosing between the two comes down to your specific needs.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
If you are going to inpatient rehab, you are probably curious how long your stay will be. Rehab program lengths vary quite a bit, but in general, longer stays are more effective. As a guideline, keep in mind that stays of less than 90 days have been shown to be less effective than longer stays.
Factors that will influence how long you stay at rehab include:
- Your budget.
- Your needs for treatment.
- How stable you are, mentally and physically.
- What substance(s) you have been abusing.
Rehab is an investment in your future. By choosing a longer stay, you give yourself a better chance at staying sober and avoiding relapse.
What to Expect at Rehab
Rehab involves total immersion in the recovery lifestyle. You will eat, sleep, and live alongside other addicts in recovery, as well as a dedicated team of support staff. Your schedule will involve formal treatment, supportive activities, and time to relax and unwind. The best treatment centers offer patients the most personalized recovery plans, so it is difficult to predict exactly what your schedule will look like.
You can expect to spend part of your day in therapy, group meetings, and other formal treatment environments. The rest of your time will be spent doing restorative activities and exercises that are meant to help you relax and gain confidence.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Detox and rehab are not the same thing, but many patients in rehab have already been through detox. Detox is a place where people go when they still have drugs and/or alcohol in their system.
Withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can be a difficult process. Withdrawal can even be dangerous or deadly sometimes. Detox centers are places where people go to manage withdrawal symptoms and make sure they stay safe during this time.
Examples of withdrawal symptoms that can be managed at detox include:
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Heart rate changes
- Blood pressure changes
- Vomiting
- Sweating
How Long is Detox?
People stay in detox for varying amounts of time. How long a patient stays depends mostly upon their withdrawal symptoms. Some people have very serious withdrawal periods that last for a long time, while others only take a few days and have light symptoms.
Overall, detox generally takes between 3 and 14 days. Aside from withdrawal symptoms, factors such as the patient’s mental and physical stability can influence the length of detox. Once you are through withdrawal and feeling stable, detox staff will clear you to begin treatment.
You should never try to detox at home. Doing so can be dangerous. Always visit a detox center to cope with withdrawal.