The Truth About Drug Rehab in Louisiana
Almost 9% of Louisiana’s adults suffer from substance use disorders (SUDs), according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Of these individuals, around 35% struggle with opioid addiction.
The National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were 2,218 fatal overdoses in Louisiana over the 12 months ending April 2021 — the most ever reported over 12 months. This was the fourth-highest number of drug fatalities in the nation and marked a 29% increase from the same period a year earlier. With a drug crisis of these proportions, many people in the state need specialized care to beat their addictions and stay sober afterward.
What Is a Drug Rehab Center?
A drug rehab center is a specialized treatment center where people go to kick their drug and alcohol addictions. These centers offer clients a full range of services, from detoxification to relapse prevention.
The number of addiction treatment programs in Louisiana is increasing. The state has seen a 45% increase in the number of treatment centers over the past five years. There are now approximately 114 drug rehab centers in Louisiana plus even more numerous outpatient programs.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Louisiana offers a variety of detox, inpatient, and outpatient rehab facilities, as follows:
• 50 detoxes, including state-funded centers that are also psychiatric facilities
• 33 short-term inpatient facilities — not enough to serve all the people who need them
• 31 long-term inpatient treatment programs, often the best option for permanently overcoming addiction
• 121 outpatient programs, which may not offer an adequate level of care for clients to succeed
Drug rehab centers treat many types of addictions involving prescription painkillers as well as illicit drugs. Many rehab facilities also treat alcohol addiction.
Detox programs at facilities typically last for three, five, or seven days, but detox can take months. It depends on the abused substance, duration and frequency of use, and other factors. A drug’s half-life determines how long it will take for the body to eliminate it.
Residential treatment programs are intense and typically last for 30 to 90 days. Outpatient treatment programs involve daily therapy, counseling, or group sessions at a rehab center but allow clients to live at home, go to work or school, and meet their family obligations while receiving treatment.
Louisiana Drug Rehab Centers & Programs
Louisiana’s drug rehab centers include both public and private facilities. The majority of drug rehabs in the state are privately owned and operated. Louisiana is also home to a few publicly funded drug rehab centers. Some drug rehab centers also provide services to people from other states, but this is not a common practice.
Rehab in Louisiana: What to Expect
The one thing you can expect when going to drug rehab is that you will be surrounded by people who are also trying to recover from their addiction. This is where you will find the support you need to stay on track with your treatment.
The most important thing is to never give up because help is available for you. It’s up to you to take that first step and make the call. Contact a drug rehab center in Louisiana today and learn more about what they can do for you.
What the State Is Doing About Drug Addiction
The Louisiana State Legislature has recognized the dangerous rise in drug addiction and has taken several steps to address it. Here are some of them:
• They have increased funding for substance abuse treatment services.
• They have passed bills to improve access to heroin addiction treatment.
• Lawmakers have also attempted to make naloxone more accessible. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that can help someone recover from an opioid overdose.
• The state also offers a Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education program. This program provides a range of services, including referrals and training. It also offers information about treatment and recovery options.
• The Louisiana Department of Health also offers a 24/7 hotline for people struggling with addiction. This phone line allows individuals to speak with counselors and receive immediate referrals to treatment programs.
How to Choose a Drug Rehab Center: Important Factors
When you’re researching drug rehabs in Louisiana, here are some important factors to consider:
• Location: How close is the center to your home or work? If you’re receiving outpatient treatment, it’s important to be able to commute there and back without disrupting your daily routine.
• Personalized treatment approach: Every person responds to treatment differently, which is why you will want to select a program that’s tailored to your unique needs as an individual. Some drug rehabs specialize in certain specialized treatment approaches, while others employ various techniques.
• Treatment professionals: The counselors at your treatment center should have experience working with people with the same type of addiction. Additionally, they should be licensed and certified by the state.
• The facility: What type of setting do you prefer — residential or outpatient, small or large? Is it important for you to go to a center in the city or the countryside?
• On-site services: It’s a good idea to consider other services that might be available, such as medical detox, nursing care, etc.
• Continuing support: Find out what resources the facility or community will make available to help you maintain your sobriety after you complete the program.
Individualized Treatment Programs
What makes drug rehab centers in Louisiana different from other treatment programs is the level of individualized care provided. Most rehab facilities employ various treatment methods to help patients conquer their addictions. These methods may include the following.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This therapy helps to recover individuals to identify and change problematic behaviors. It aims to help clients replace these with healthy coping skills and behaviors.
Group Counseling
This therapy helps patients overcome their addiction by encouraging them to participate in group activities. Members may undertake difficult or anxiety-provoking tasks while the group supports and encourages them. This gives recovering individuals the opportunity to learn or relearn social skills to cope with everyday life while maintaining their sobriety.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
IOP aims to help patients overcome their addiction by providing intensive treatment and counseling that usually involves a few hours of individual and/or group therapy at a rehab center three or four times a week. Although IOP programs provide intensive forms of rehab therapy that target harmful behaviors and thinking patterns, they allow clients to live at home.
Relapse Prevention
This type of treatment helps patients develop coping skills to prevent the relapse of their addiction. Relapse prevention is offered at both inpatient and outpatient facilities.
Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)
This type of treatment helps clients overcome their addiction by helping them to use medications that reduce the effects of alcohol, heroin, or prescription drugs. Medication-assisted therapy is offered at both inpatient and outpatient facilities.
Family Therapy
This therapy helps the client’s family deal with the addiction and changes in their loved one’s behavior. The goal is to help everyone involved understand what is happening to the client and how to cope with the addiction.
Many Louisiana-based treatment programs also offer family support. This helps loved ones learn how to help their addicted family member while getting the support they need. Family support services may include group counseling and family therapy. Family therapy works to repair relationships and help families heal from the destructive effects of addiction.
Aftercare and Recovery Support Services
Aftercare services help individuals transition back into their daily lives following treatment. Louisiana drug rehab centers offer many different types of aftercare programs. The most common aftercare services include:
• Relapse prevention groups: These help patients identify the risk factors that could lead to a relapse and develop strategies to avoid them.
• Weekly group meetings: These offer an opportunity to share experiences and advice with others going through the same thing.
• Individual counseling: This may be available through crisis intervention, long-term therapy, and more.
• Weekly meetings with a drug rehab counselor: These are designed to help patients make lasting lifestyle changes to ensure lasting sobriety.
• Recovery support groups: These help patients stay sober by offering a support network and structure. Common recovery support groups include 12-step programs, sober peer groups, and faith-based initiatives.
Licensed and Certified Counselors
Choose a center that employs only licensed and certified counselors. These counselors have the proper training, education, and credentials to provide quality care.
Many Louisiana-based drug rehab centers employ a variety of counselors. This is because it’s important to have a team of professionals who can provide a wide range of services. Some of the most common types of counselors at Louisiana rehab centers include:
• Executive coaches: These help patients develop the skills needed to stay sober and succeed in the workplace.
• Life coaches: These provide coaching and counseling to entrepreneurs and business owners.
• Couples counselors: These help couples work through the issues that keep them apart.
• Group counselors: These work with patients in a group setting to provide support, education, and encouragement.
• Mental health counselors: These help patients deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
• Substance abuse counselors: These help patients understand and overcome their substance abuse issues.
Rehab centers in Louisiana offer many resources you can take advantage of to get the help you need with your addiction and substance abuse. Participating in one or more of the programs mentioned here can be the start of a healthy and fulfilling life of sobriety.
