Substance Abuse Stats in Wheeling, WV
Wheeling is a troubled community in West Virginia, where drug overdose deaths are the worst in the country. Heroin has been a problem in the area since 2003. That’s the year Pittsburgh distributors moved into the Northern Panhandle.
In Wheeling, drug overdose deaths doubled 3 years in a row between 2016 and 2018.
Calls to 911 for drug overdoses increased year over year in the same time period.
The most popular drugs in the area are opioids, including synthetics and heroin. Crystal meth is also a problem in Wheeling.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
What kind of rehab is best for you? It’s different for every situation, but most people should go to inpatient first.
That’s because inpatient is a 24/7 intensive experience. You’ll get access to care 24/7. And you’ll learn coping strategies faster than anywhere else.
If you can’t leave work or children behind to go to inpatient, then outpatient is an option. This type of rehab lets you attend part-time while living at home.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Rehab should last at least 90 days. That’s because 3 months of treatment is the shortest length proven to work.
When you leave rehab too early, your risk of relapse increases. It’s very important to go to rehab for long enough.
If you are recovering from opioid abuse, then you should get treatment for at least a year. That seems like a long time, but opioid addiction is a lifelong condition. The longer you stay in treatment, the better you’ll learn to cope.
What to Expect at Rehab
Most rehab stays are a mix of activities, therapy, and medication. Your exact treatment plan depends on your history and needs.
Your rehab may include activity-based therapies such as equine therapy or art therapy. This helps you learn and practice safe emotional expression.
Evidence-based therapy for drug addiction includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment. These are the most effective when you use them together.
Finally, group therapy lets you share your experiences in a safe setting. This can be very cathartic in recovery!
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You should go to detox if you have an addiction. Addiction is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a drug.
Addiction can be physical or psychological. For most drugs, withdrawal is a physical process. Going to detox helps you manage the physical symptoms. This lessens the risk of relapse, which is highest during withdrawal.
If you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a drug, then you should go to detox. The symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
How Long is Detox?
Most detox programs are 5 to 7 days in length. However, shorter and longer programs exist. Detox can last anywhere from 3 to 21 days and still be normal.
The length of detox varies depending on:
- The kind of drug you’re stopping
- Whether you’re stopping multiple drugs
- Your drug abuse history
- Your relapse history
You may need a longer detox with certain drugs such as benzos or opioids. Talk to your care team about the best detox length for you.