A Look at Addiction and Drug Rehab in Wyoming

Drug addiction is a huge issue that affects many people and can lead to homelessness, health problems, and even death. Drug rehabilitation in Wyoming is becoming increasingly necessary, with many people turning to addiction specialists for help with their substance and alcohol use disorders. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone you love, you’ll find a variety of treatment options available to meet your individual needs.

Wyoming Substance Use Statistics

Although drug abuse in Wyoming does not appear to be as widespread as it was a dozen years ago, substance use disorder (SUD) remains a serious problem in the state. Fortunately, help is available for those who need it.

According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 7.07% of Wyoming residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month. In 2009-2010, Wyoming was one of the top 10 states for rates of drug use in several categories, including illicit drug dependence among persons aged 12-17.

In 2022, a survey ranked Wyoming as the 21st worst state in the nation for drug problems. The state also ranked second highest in the country for the rates of drug-related arrests per capita.

On a positive note, Wyoming had the lowest rates of teenage drug use in the nation. In addition, the state is home to the largest number of treatment providers per 100,000 drug users, so those in need of help can easily find it.

Alcohol Use

According to the Wyoming Department of Health Alcohol Prevention Plan, Wyoming ranked 44th in the United States for alcohol use and abuse. An estimated 21.4% of people in Wyoming aged 18 years or older had an alcohol use disorder, and 5.5% were classified as having an alcohol abuse disorder. From 2013 to 2014, 7.5% of Wyoming residents 12 or older, nearly 36,000 people, used alcohol or struggled with alcohol addiction. In 2016, approximately 57% of Wyoming custodial arrests involved alcohol, and these arrests were highest in Sheridan, Teton, and Fremont counties.

Opioid Use

The CDC estimates that the rates of opioid use have increased in Wyoming since 2012, when users accounted for an estimated 4.8% of the population. From 2015 to 2016, the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in Wyoming increased from 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people to 8.7 fatalities. However, illegally acquired and illicit drug-related deaths are currently stabilizing.

Methamphetamine Use

In 2016, there were approximately two methamphetamine-related deaths for every 100,000 people in Wyoming, according to a report on alcohol and crime in Wyoming that also looked at other forms of substance abuse. This report from the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police found that methamphetamine-related arrests had increased yearly since 2010, doubling between 2013 and 2016. In 2016, approximately 8.5% of the nearly 16,000 drug-involved arrests in the state involved meth.

Meth addiction continues to destroy lives in Wyoming every day. In recent years, methamphetamine-related arrests and use have increased in the state due to a price drop and growing availability of the drug.

Wyoming Drug and Alcohol Addiction Resources

Regardless of the drug that you or a loved one may be struggling with, the good news is that help is widely available across the state of Wyoming. In addition to resources like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Alanon and Alateen Family Group, there are many rehabilitation facilities offering a variety of treatment programs. The right treatment resource for you will depend on the severity of your addiction, personal obligations, overall health, and other factors. Read on to learn about some of the options available.

Intervention Services

An intervention is an organized attempt to confront someone with an addiction and encourage them to seek treatment. Interventions can be conducted with or without professional help, but many treatment facilities offer specialists who can help family and friends plan, organize, and implement one of these events. Both substance and behavioral addictions such as drug and alcohol use and compulsive eating and gambling can prompt an intervention.

Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs

In many cases, the first step in the recovery journey is a detox program. During detox, your body rids itself of drugs or alcohol and begins to recover from prolonged use of the substance. Depending on the severity of addiction, detox can present very uncomfortable symptoms, so it is often best performed under medical supervision. Medical professionals and addiction specialists can monitor a person’s vital signs and provide medication to make withdrawal and detox more comfortable.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Inpatient treatment provides a structured program that will offer you a safe environment to focus on recovery. Many different types of treatment are available at different levels of intensity. It will help you overcome your addiction and prevent a relapse.

The most effective inpatient drug rehab programs offer tailored treatment plans for individuals. One of the most common is long-term residential rehabilitation, which uses a stable environment to help you focus on recovery. During inpatient treatment, you will stay at a facility 24/7 and take part in both group and individual counseling sessions to uncover the roots of your addictive behavior. Many treatment centers also include complementary therapies such as meditation and yoga to promote overall health.

The length of an inpatient program will typically depend on a person’s individual needs. Short-term programs can last three to six weeks, but there are long-term programs that can last for up to a year. Most people remain in residential treatment for 30to 90 days.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient drug rehabilitation programs may be suitable for those with jobs and families, as well as those who have completed an inpatient program and need additional care. They offer the benefits of inpatient treatment without the need to stay in a facility full time. Outpatient treatment allows you to continue your regular daily routine while receiving treatment.

Generally, outpatient treatment comprises group counseling, individual therapy, and 12-step programs. Like inpatient treatment, the focus of outpatient care is on providing addiction education, counseling, stress management techniques, and goal setting. In an outpatient program, you may attend treatment once or multiple times a week depending on your needs.

Aftercare and Alumni Services

Aftercare is essential to help prevent a relapse and to assist you in staying on track with your recovery. Many different types of aftercare programs are available. Recovery support services in Wyoming may include:

• Alumni mentorship programs
• Online recovery toolkits
• Peer support groups
• Self-improvement classes
• Sober living homes

Sober Living Centers in Wyoming

Coming out of drug addiction can be a scary and stressful process. Some people have struggled for years with the effects of drugs, and there is no easy way to deal with these issues. For many people, destructive living environments have contributed to their addiction and can derail their recovery efforts once they leave treatment. Sober living centers provide a stable, drug-free living environment where residents can support one another in their recovery. Research has shown that these types of communities can help people continue to abstain from alcohol and drug use.

Specialized Wyoming Addiction Treatment Programs

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment combines medications that your doctor prescribes with behavioral therapy to help you address your addiction. Some of the medications used include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Drugs like acamprosate and disulfiram are used to help with alcohol addiction. Research has shown that medication-assisted treatment can help:

• Increase treatment retention
• Decrease relapse rates
• Reduce overdose deaths
• Help those in recovery gain and maintain employment

Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Program

Dual diagnosis refers to someone who has both a mental disorder and an addiction to alcohol and drugs. This is a common situation, so many treatment programs offer specific dual-diagnosis care. Addressing both mental health issues and addiction simultaneously is important because each can exacerbate the other. Some of the mental health conditions that often exist alongside addiction include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Treating both substance use disorder and mental health conditions often includes the use of medication and various therapeutic approaches.

Wyoming Addiction Treatment Therapies

Whether a person is dealing with addiction and mental health issues or just addiction, therapy will definitely be part of the treatment program. Here are some types of therapies that you may take part in after seeking help from a Wyoming treatment provider.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on changing negative thinking. It can be challenging and requires the person to examine their thoughts and behaviors. The therapist will help you identify negative thought patterns that directly affect your behavior. Then, they will help you develop healthier thinking patterns and coping mechanisms. CBT has been shown to be effective for addiction as well as various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Similar to CBT, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps people develop healthier ways of coping with stress. Particularly, DBT helps people to live in the moment through mindfulness training. By teaching clients to react to their surroundings in non-judgmental ways, DBT assists people in remaining calm and avoiding negative thought patterns that may lead to addictive behavior.

Motivational Interviewing

As the name suggests, motivational interviewing is about helping a person become more self-motivated. This evidence-based approach to behavior change uses guided communication between the clinician and client to draw out an individual’s own reasons for changing. The main goal is on strengthening a person’s own motivation to change so that they can be successful in their recovery.

12-Step Facilitation Therapy

This approach is often used to treat addiction to drugs. In 12-step facilitation therapy, you have the support of a group to help you overcome your addiction and stay sober. It can be particularly effective if you’re looking for peer support to avoid the negative consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.

Seek Help from a Drug Rehab in Wyoming

The treatments and therapies discussed above are just some of the many options to receive treatment for addiction in Wyoming. Knowing about the available options can help you make a more informed treatment decision for yourself or your loved one. The most important thing to remember is that treatment is widely available, so it’s easy to find something that fits your needs. With the right treatment and support, recovery is possible, and you can look forward to a healthier life free of drugs and alcohol.