Substance Abuse Stats in West Virginia
Like many Southern states, West Virginia has a long-standing problem with opioid drugs.
That problem includes all kinds of opioids, such as:
- Synthetic opioids, e.g. fentanyl and methadone
- Heroin
- Prescription opioids, e.g. tramadol and hydrocodone
In a 3-year period, heroin deaths in West Virginia increased by 67% between 2014 and 2017.
Part of the problem is drug overprescription. In 2017, doctors wrote 81 narcotic prescriptions for every 100 people. That number’s decreasing with time.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Not sure what kind of rehab is the right choice? Outpatient rehab is a good choice for a select few people. If you need flexible rehab arrangements, then outpatient may be a good fit. However, to make it work, you need some stability already.
Inpatient rehab is the best choice for most people. It gives you structure and stability from day 1, including a daily routine. It removes much of the temptation of home life, too. Most people should attend inpatient rehab if they can!
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The best rehab length depends on you and your needs.
However, research says that 3 months is the minimum rehab stay that works. When you attend shorter rehab lengths, your risk of relapse increases.
Any amount of rehab is better than no rehab, but you should commit to the longest rehab period possible for you. Longer treatments are correlated with better outcomes.
In fact, it’s recommended that opioid patients commit to 12 months or longer.
What to Expect at Rehab
A licensed and accredited rehab should offer a combination of evidence-based treatments during your stay.
These include individual therapy, group therapy, and regular check-in sessions. In some cases, you may have regular drug testing. This is more likely if you’re attending outpatient.
During inpatient, you’ll stay busy from dawn until dusk with enriching activities and sessions. Staying busy keeps your mind on what matters: recovery.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You need to go to detox if you have any form of substance use disorder. That’s because substance use disorder leads to withdrawal when you stop using drugs.
Withdrawal isn’t harmful in most cases, but it can be dangerous in some cases. And even when it’s not dangerous, it’s still painful! Your risk of relapse is higher during withdrawal.
You may have symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Mood changes
- Muscle cramps
- Panic attacks
- Stomach pain
How Long is Detox?
Detox usually lasts 3 to 5 days. In rare cases, it can last longer than a week. The actual length depends on:
- Your drug use history
- Your health history
- Your history of relapse
If you use multiple drugs or have relapsed before, then your care team may recommend a longer detox.
The same is true if you have a history of certain health problems, such as liver problems or mental health problems.