Information About Drug Rehab in New Hampshire
Drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent in New Hampshire, according to statistics from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The state’s death rates from fentanyl overdoses, according to the National Library of Medicine, are three times the overdose death rate per capita in the rest of the United States.
In 2021, New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation accepted over $1 million in funding for the state’s Drug Court Program. This funding is intended to help correct the state’s substance abuse crisis and curb overdose deaths, which increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Overdose
Abusing drugs and alcohol has effects on your brain, including your behavior, which may lead to severe consequences in your personal and professional life. Prompt drug rehab treatment in New Hampshire is essential to help keep the addiction from worsening and help you resume a normal life. Legal substances, including prescribed opioids, over-the-counter medications, and alcohol are some of the most commonly abused substances.
Substance Abuse and Overdose
When people abuse drugs or alcohol, their usage often leads to addiction, which happens when users cannot control their usage. In many cases, those addicted to drugs, alcohol, or other substances continue their usage even when they have already suffered severe consequences from the substance abuse. Some users may use drugs to unsafe levels, resulting in overdoses. Opioids, in particular, account for as many as two-thirds of overdose-related deaths.
Overdoses
Drug overdoses are among some of the most devastating possible consequences of drug addiction. An overdose may be intentional or unintentional and occurs when people ingest too much of a drug for their body to handle. Although overdoses often occur with drugs taken for legitimate medical purposes, a common reason for an overdose is when users take drugs to get high.
In 2018, according to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New Hampshire, 26% of the deaths their office investigated were drug overdoses. Of these drug-related deaths, more than half were fentanyl-related. Fentanyl, used with other drugs besides heroin and opioids, accounted for most of the other overdose deaths.
Withdrawal: What It Is
Drug withdrawal is one of drug addiction’s most severe and potentially life-threatening effects. Withdrawal symptoms occur when users have become physically dependent on drugs, and their bodies must learn to adjust to the absence of the substance. Medical intervention helps alleviate some of the worst effects of the overdose.
What Are Some of the Symptoms People Have During Withdrawal?
Brain chemical fluctuations that occur because of substance withdrawal often lead to physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. Some of these symptoms that people living with an overdose might encounter include:
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Increased appetite
• Muscle aches
• Burning, numbness, and tingling feelings
• Fatigue
• Anxiety or irritability
• Tremors
• Depression
• Sweating
• Goosebumps
• Agitation and restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping
Drug Withdrawal Length and Severity Varies
Depending on the substance involved and the severity of use, withdrawal symptoms could last a few days to weeks. The duration of time you used the substance and how much you used may play a role. If you’ve used a drug for a long time and in large amounts, your body will likely go through a longer withdrawal process, possibly with more severe symptoms.
Other Medical Conditions Can Influence Withdrawal Length
Other medical conditions may impact the length and severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Examples of medical conditions that might be an issue include:
• Depression
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Decreased activity levels
• High pulse rate
Those going through a withdrawal with these or other preexisting conditions will want to seriously consider ensuring that they have proper medical supervision throughout the process. Any of these medical conditions could cause complications. Medical supervision also ensures that these health issues are properly treated during the process.
Medical Supervision During Withdrawal Is Necessary
Going through drug withdrawal can be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening without proper medical supervision. One of the most dangerous situations may occur after suddenly stopping a substance. For example, benzodiazepines can cause life-threatening symptoms if stopped abruptly.
Medical supervision during the withdrawal process helps people recovering from the effects of the addiction to avoid the relatively common discomfort during the process. Delirium or seizures sometimes occur after giving up a drug, making medical supervision necessary. There is also a greater risk of relapse without proper care during the withdrawal period.
How and Why to Get Help With Your Drug or Alcohol Addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction are severe problems in New Hampshire, and many living with the realities of addiction may not know how or why to get help. One of the most important things to remember is that you are not alone in your struggle. The isolation many feel when struggling with addiction is an important reason to seek help.
In addition to inpatient treatment centers and counseling, there are community-based services available to people in New Hampshire seeking help. Calling 2-1-1 is an ideal way to reach out for some of the available resources.
Peer support groups are often helpful for people struggling with an addiction. The most popular examples of such groups include 12-step programs. These groups allow people to interact with others struggling with addiction and learn valuable coping skills. They also help those with substance abuse issues to connect with each other and provide each other with a support system that they can lean on when they are tempted to relapse.
Drug rehab programs offer the best opportunities for people living with substance use disorders to regain control over their lives. One of the advantages of rehabilitation programs is that there are different options depending on the type and severity of the addiction. Access to different options may increase the chances of a lasting recovery.
What Types of Treatment Are Available?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) lists 67 substance abuse treatment centers or programs in New Hampshire. This number includes over 14 residential treatment centers and over 40 outpatient treatment options.
Long-term Drug Rehab Treatment Centers in New Hampshire
Most experts consider long-term substance abuse treatment the best option for New Hampshire drug rehab. Here are some of the reasons a long-term program works well for many.
These programs offer clients at least three months to help with their addiction, rather than rushing them through the process. Long-term programs may exceed 90 days, providing a higher level of care. A person entering a long-term program may have to undergo drug detox first.
Treating All Important Needs
An advantage of long-term programs is seeing to needs beyond drug addiction. Many people with drug addictions have social, psychological, or medical problems that also need to be addressed. Some programs may assist with vocational issues clients need to overcome to function in society again.
Living Drug-free 24/7
One of the most significant advantages for many in these programs is residing in a drug-free environment. The environment is not only drug-free and safe but helps provide the support that clients need 24/7 while going through the process. An important goal is to resume life outside the facility without drugs being a constant problem.
Different Methodologies
Long-term programs can use different types of methodologies. Faith-based, holistic, or other types of treatments suiting unique client needs might be in place. Some clients prefer these options, and access may further aid them in recovery.
Important Structure
One of the most important benefits of long-term programs is structure, which many clients require for more meaningful recovery. Learning healthy habits and having daily routines help clients make use of structure in their lives.
Do Treatment Centers in New Hampshire Address Specific Group Needs?
Certain demographic groups have special needs that must be taken into account during treatment. New Hampshire has several treatment centers dealing with specific groups’ needs.
There are treatment centers that deal with the needs of older and senior adults who often have additional medical conditions besides drug addiction requiring treatment. They may need to learn to manage chronic pain without relying on addictive medications, and these centers can provide them with alternative medications or coping techniques.
You will find treatment centers in New Hampshire that have programs for the LGBTQ+ that include sensitivity to clients’ gender and sexual identity. These centers can help people understand how gender dysphoria or a lack of family acceptance could have contributed to their substance use disorder.
In New Hampshire, there are treatment centers that offer programs for pregnant and postpartum women that can help treat the needs of the unborn or nursing babies as well. There are also treatment centers that work with men and women separately in case some clients don’t feel comfortable in the presence of the opposite sex.
Types of Treatment Centers in New Hampshire
Long-term Residential Treatment
Long-term treatment can last as little as one or as many as six months because of the intensity of the program. A number of the facilities that SAMSHA lists offer long-term treatment.
Short-term Inpatient Treatment
Short-term programs have a 28-day or less duration. New Hampshire has rehab centers that offer short-term rehab treatment programs.
Detoxification Programs
New Hampshire offers over a dozen detox programs, according to the SAMSHA directory. Detoxification is a necessary process that helps the body rid itself of drug-related toxins.
Outpatient Treatment
Despite its decreased intensity, outpatient treatment can be very effective for many people coping with drug addiction. New Hampshire has a number of outpatient programs that have various lengths.
New Hampshire offers several helpful options for people requiring drug rehab. Anyone coping with addiction will benefit from knowing the full range of options that are available to get themselves on a lasting path to recovery.
