Substance Abuse Stats in Vermont
Vermont has had a growing substance abuse problem since the start of the drug epidemic. In fact, Business Insider called Vermont the state with the worst drug abuse rate as early as 2013. Back then, 15% of the Vermont population used illicit drugs.
Today, that title goes to West Virginia, but Vermont still has a real drug problem.
For instance:
- In 2017, 3,148 people were in treatment while another 110 were on waiting lists
- In 2018, only 39% of Vermont residents leaving drug abuse treatment had completed their treatment
- In 2019, 223 per 10,000 Vermont residents received medication-assisted treatment for drug abuse
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
While searching for drug rehab in Vermont, you’ll come across two kinds of treatment:
- Outpatient rehab: Patients who are stable and have a good support system may choose outpatient rehab. This offers freedom so you can keep going to work and meeting other responsibilities.
- Inpatient rehab: Inpatient rehab offers monitoring and comfort. This is important for people detoxing from opioids or alcohol.
You’ll want to spend some time thinking about which kind of treatment is right for you. If you have questions about choosing the right kind of rehab, your care provider can discuss them with you.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The length of drug treatment depends on many factors, which can include:
- Your physical and mental health: Substance abuse affects both your mind and body. The stronger you are when you start, the better it will go.
- Your substance abuse history: When you have a complex substance abuse history, then treatment can take longer.
- Your support system: Social support is an important part of rehab from drugs. Therapy can help speed up your recovery.
- Your adherence to treatment: The better you stick to your treatment plan, the more likely you’ll have a successful outcome.
What to Expect at Rehab
Your care team will create a care plan that reflects all of your needs, so there’s no way to predict what to expect without talking to your doctor or counselor.
However, there are common strategies that drug abuse treatment centers use.
They include:
- Managing coexisting conditions such as depression and anxiety
- Using medication-assisted treatment to manage withdrawal
- Teaching you to recognize your triggers with cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Providing social support in the form of group therapy
- Continuing your treatment over time to help ensure long-term success
From here, the specifics depend on the types of drugs that you’re detoxing from and more.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Medical detox is the practice of managing the detox phase of withdrawal.
Medical management means different things for different patients, but it can include:
- Anxiety medication
- Intravenous fluids
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Pain control
- Seizure medication
- Symptom control
Withdrawal is the most uncomfortable part of recovery. Still, it’s easier to manage when you’re in treatment with medical detox. Being sick and in pain can make you want to give up, but medical detox keeps you going by making you comfortable.
You’re more likely to need medical detox in Vermont if you’re withdrawing from opioids or alcohol. These substances can be dangerous to detox from alone.
How Long is Detox?
The detox phase itself is short while recovery is lifelong. While detox can be intense, just remember that there’s an end in sight and detox never lasts forever.
Depending on what kind of drugs you’re detoxing from, this phase can last anywhere from seven days to 10 weeks. Stimulants tend to stay in your system for longer, while fast-acting opioids leave your system quickly.
The exact length of your detox phase depends on the drugs you’re taking, your general health, and how well you stick to your treatment plan.
Sources
- Business Insider: Why Vermont has the highest rate of drug use in America
- Vox: We looked for a state that took the opioid epidemic seriously. We found Vermont
- Vermont Department of Health: Alcohol and drug use scorecard
- The National Institute for Drug Abuse: What is drug addiction treatment?
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Overview, essential concepts, and definitions of detoxification