Substance Abuse Stats in South Burlington, Vermont
South Burlington is a city with a population of about 18,000 people. As part of the Burlington metropolitan area, South Burlington is one of the only areas in the state that can be considered ‘urban’.
Although Vermont is a small and relatively quiet state, its proximity to large east coast cities makes it a major substance abuse hub. Check out these stats on drug and alcohol abuse in the state of Vermont:
- Vermont has one of the nation’s highest rates of marijuana use, with nearly 20% of the population reporting that they use pot.
- 36% of high school students report having used marijuana.
- 18% of teens reported having driven a car after drinking.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Patients in the South Burlington area who are seeking substance abuse treatment will find that there are several options available to choose from. Most of the levels of substance abuse treatment fall under the umbrella of either inpatient rehab or outpatient care.
Inpatient rehab is much more intensive than outpatient. Your decision on which type of care to choose should be based upon:
- Whether you need detox
- How severe your addiction is
- How psychologically and physically dependent you are
- How much support you have at home (family, friends)
- How stable you are otherwise (mentally, socially, financially, etc.)
If you aren’t sure which is right for you, the safe choice is to go to rehab.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
How long you stay at rehab is an important factor in whether your recovery efforts succeed. Inpatient treatment has been proven to be more effective if you stay for longer than 90 days.
If you do not stay at rehab long enough, you risk:
- A greater chance for relapse
- Poor long-term results
- Ending up back in treatment
Many people try to cut corners in their recovery by staying at rehab for a short amount of time. However, with a greater risk for relapse, you are likely to end up back in rehab and spend more time and money on your recovery if you go this route.
What to Expect at Rehab
Rehab is different for every individual. What works in treating one patient may not work for another. As you work with rehab specialists, you will fine-tune your treatment program to fit your needs.
Some common elements that can be found in the treatment programs of many inpatients are:
- Therapy
- Medication
- 12-step meetings
- Group therapy
- Activity therapy such as art, yoga, meditation, or dance
- Healthy meals
- Skills coaching
- Exercise
- Rest
At rehab, you will be in an environment that supports your sobriety, rather than one that triggers you to use drugs. It will be largely up to you to engage in the work at hand and make the most of your time there.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Detox might be a necessary step to take before beginning rehab. If any of the following apply to you, you need to go to detox:
- Anyone who has drugs or alcohol in their system
- Anyone who is under the influence of narcotics
- Anyone who is at risk for going through withdrawal
- Anyone who is physically dependent on a substance
Detox is a hospital-like setting where patients can go through withdrawal safely. Medical monitoring allows for a greater level of safety and comfort during this difficult process. Anyone who might go through withdrawal or who is in the midst of withdrawal needs to go to detox when searching for treatment in South Burlington.
How Long is Detox?
Detox can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The length of detox depends on a few factors. Primarily, the specifics of the patient’s withdrawal period will dictate how long detox goes for.
Withdrawal times vary greatly, depending on factors such as:
- Age
- Weight
- Metabolism
- Gender
- Health
- Mental health
- Severity of addiction
Never try to detox at home. Doing so can lead to relapse and complications with dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from some substances can be dangerous or even fatal if handled incorrectly. Going to detox ensures that you will get the support you need during this trying process.