Drug Rehabs in Gadsden, AL

Drug And Alcohol Addiction In Gadsden

Local Alabama doctors wrote 5.8 million prescriptions in one year. This resulted in Alabama being “the highest prescribing state in the nation for opioid pain reliever prescriptions”. Much of the state’s crime involves drugs, drug trafficking, or people with mental conditions who use drugs to cope. 26% of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s licensed members filed “at least one opioid prescription” in 2015. The national average for the same year was 21%.

In 2017, Alabama lost 17.1 people per 100,000 to opioids. Furthermore, there was a reported 835 people who overdosed in the same year from various drugs. States like West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Alabama were shipped twice as many opioids as other states. Unfortunately, the majority of pills were not used medically, but ended up on the black market. Pharmacies in Etowah county, home of Gadsden, saw 5.7 million pills in 2006. In recent years, the city of Gadsden has filed a lawsuit against the main manufacturers of opioids. The city of aims to use the money for state-wide treatment.

For those struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) in Gadsden, there are treatment options available nearby.

Underage Drinking In Gadsden

According to Gadsden Times, “more than 20% of ninth and tenth graders in the Gadsden City School System reported drinking beer at least monthly.” To add to these findings, “30% of high school seniors in 2006 reported drinking beer each month.” Underaged drinking is highly concerning. Furthermore, Etowah county revealed higher rates of teen drinking than other counties via a survey. The results indicated students additionally engaged in binge drinking.

While these statistics were taken a few years ago, underage drinking is a problem in many U.S. cities. Alcohol produces extremely harmful health problems, and when underaged individuals begin drinking, he or she are potentially creating a destructive habit that can follow into adulthood. While beer may seem harmless, some students can develop a tolerance to feeling tipsy, and explore other types of alcohol.

Underaged students can have academic problems, form bad relationships with friends who drink, and if they increase their alcohol use, can alter their brain function. In such cases, students would need medication to reverse the effects of alcohol abuse. Since high school students are still discovering themselves and developing their place in the world, this could be even more troubling. Binge drinking (drinking 3 or more drinks per sitting) and heavy drinking can escalate from casual drinking if uncontrolled. Long-term problems from drinking alcohol include:

• Tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms and cravings
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Blacking out
• Skipping school
• Unintended pregnancy due to recklessness
• Assault
• Organ damage (brain, heart, kidney liver)
• Hallucinations
• Victimization due to alcohol-related activities or disorderly behavior

According to the Gadsden Times news article, preventing teen drinking can significantly reduce the likelihood of adult drinking in Gadsden teens.

What To Consider For Rehab

Finding rehab for opioids or alcohol can be challenging. Fortunately, people have many options to choose from. The first important point to consider is either traveling or choosing to stay local for rehab. There are pros and cons for both options. Staying local enables someone to have the support of their family, friends, and peer group. Some facilities offer family visits, supporting family time needed in healing. Additionally, there are local programs catered to local members of rehabs. Lastly, local rehab is generally cheaper than traveling for rehab.

Traveling for rehab is more expensive, but it has benefits. Often members who travel take their recovery more seriously. The association of distance with less familiar distractions can help someone better connect to their recovery purpose. Secondly, there are little familiar spaces or memories associated with drug use. This means people may be less attached to spaces like specific streets, friend groups, and other influences that led to substance abuse.

Inpatient Or Outpatient Treatment?

Future patients also have the option of Inpatient or Outpatient treatment. Both offer medication and 12-step groups, as well as assistance for detox, but they are different. Inpatient is typically suggested for many patients, as they have 24-hour care and are fully immersed in the treatment experience. There is also partial hospitalization, which is a middle path between inpatient and outpatient treatment. Individuals get intensive treatment, but go home at night, versus staying “on campus.” Most programs span anywhere from 30, to 60 to 90 days. It has a higher success rate and is best for serious addictions.

Outpatient offers intensive treatment and hands-on care and is available in 3 main programs: day treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and continuing care groups. The doctor or treatment provider helps the future patient make a decision based on their level of addiction. The patient is able to divide their day between treatment and their personal life. This means he or she can balance life and treatment well. There are social support groups and aftercare programs available. Typically, programs span anywhere from 30, to 60 to 90 days, 10 to 12 hours per week, can be half days, day or evenings, and is best for milder addictions.

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Gadsden’s statistics reveal opportunities for people to take action. For more information, contact a treatment provider today.