In Pennsylvania, cocaine, and marijuana rule the charts for people’s primary drug in treatment. Like in other states, local organizations and the government are also hoping new programs will educate people of all ages and reduce the number of people abusing drugs. Through these initiatives, Pennsylvania addiction treatment options are getting an overhaul to help as many people as possible.
Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Statistics
The state leads the nation in drug overdose deaths among young adults. It also lands number 14 in the highest drug mortality rate in the United States. The most commonly abused drugs in Pennsylvania are marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine, and PCP.
- 65% of drug overdose deaths involved opioids.
- 52% of overdose deaths involved Fentanyl.
- 43% increase in overdose deaths in 12 months.
- 13 people died every day from a drug overdose in 2016.
Addiction Services in Pennsylvania
To prevent the spread of drugs, Pennsylvania has several sentences for possession, distribution, and manufacturing of illicit drugs. They also have different addiction treatment laws in place to help people get the help they need.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Pennsylvania’s PDMP collects information from over 3,000 pharmacies to help reduce drug misuse and abuse. Through the PDMP database, they can identify warning signs of drug abuse. The sharing of prescription information also helps catch drug shoppers, and the data is only limited to law enforcement officials and doctors to control the distribution of prescription drugs.
High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program
Like other states with high-intensity drug trafficking zones, the HIDTA program helps law enforcement agencies be more strategic in reducing drug trafficking. Also, thanks to this program, law enforcement receives the resources they need to expand their presence in susceptible neighborhoods.
Opioid Overdose Reversal Act 139
The rise of heroin consumption in Pennsylvania brought a devastating effect to the community — overdose deaths. The passing of Act 139 allows first responders, friends, and family members to carry naloxone, an opioid overdose reverse medicine.
Treatment Programs for Inmates
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections also offers programs for offenders who’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. These programs are available as self-help courses for medium to high-risk offenders. Also, inmates can choose from outpatient programs, receive access to a therapeutic community session, attend alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous, and SMART meetings. Also, they can join a voluntary program focused on recovery.
Tips for Choosing the Right Rehab Program in Pennsylvania
Finding the right rehab program in Pennsylvania is about doing your due diligence. Unfortunately, some addiction treatment centers only offer cookie-cutter solutions that don’t address the root of the addiction. Below are some things to look for and consider when choosing a rehab facility.
Accreditations
Overall, make sure the rehab center in Pennsylvania you’re looking at has all the proper accreditations. The same goes for therapists and staff. They must have their licenses, certifications, and other related credentials.
Evidence-based Approaches
While alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and more can benefit the healing process, they cannot treat addiction alone. Look for treatments using evidence-based approaches that focus on behavioral therapy, medication treatment, and other treatment methods. Choosing evidence-based treatment also helps ensure your insurance policy will cover at least some of the treatment.
Payment Options
Some addiction treatment options in Pennsylvania are publically-funded, state-funded, or operated by not-for-profit corporations. However, many treatment centers also accept private, state, and federal insurance.
Furthermore, you can always ask about their payment options as some centers may offer payment arrangements, rehab scholarships, and more. A reliable addiction treatment center will help you find a way to fund your treatment. The idea is to make help accessible and look past the money.
Length
Stay clear from any treatment center that promises a cure for addiction over a weekend or a week. In short, drug addiction recovery is often a long-term process that incorporates different types of therapy.
Length of treatment can be anywhere from 30 days for short-term recovery programs, 90-days for longer treatments, and over 180 days for long-term treatment programs. However, a high-quality treatment center will not force you to fit into a specific timeline. Instead, they’ll work with you to help you find the best route. This includes helping you choose between an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment center.
Pennsylvania Treatment Options to Consider
In reality, there isn’t a single path to addiction recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan incorporates various therapies and approaches that help someone understand their addiction and address any co-occurring disorders.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs
Most drug and alcohol addiction recovery journeys start with detox. Because many of these substances cause physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, it’s paramount to have medical assistance and support to do so with comfort. Choosing to detox at a treatment facility also prevents relapse.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Those who stop alcohol or opioids may need a medication-assisted program to start their rehab journey. Various FDA-approved medications help reduce cravings and lessen the dependence on these highly addictive drugs. However, keep in mind that MAT alone isn’t enough to treat addiction. It needs to be paired with supportive services and therapy to help the recovery process.
Personalized Behavioral Therapy
Substance abuse treatment incorporates individual therapy and group therapy sessions throughout the treatment. Both use a combination of various behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Sometimes treatments also include motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), and other behavioral therapy forms that address addiction’s many variables.
Dual Diagnosis Programs
Finally, most people with a substance abuse problem also have a co-occurring mental health condition. Anxiety, depression, psychosis, and personality disorders all co-occur with substance abuse. Dual diagnosis programs treat these conditions simultaneously to promote a better and prolonged recovery.
Should I Travel Outside of Pennsylvania for Addiction Treatment?
There’s no doubt that Pennsylvania offers plenty of resources for addicts and their families looking for help. However, sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. For anyone who’s currently living in a toxic environment prone to abuse, substance misuse, and other triggers, going away for treatment may help.
Overall, research shows that a change of scenery can provide a clean slate for people; benefits include:
- Creating a distance between you and triggers or bad influences
- Preventing you from going home or leaving against medical advice
- Offering the space to focus solely on your health and wellbeing
- Delivering better chances for long-term recovery and sobriety
In our Boynton Beach drug rehab center, we receive people from every city in Pennsylvania and across the country. We also receive addiction treatment patients from many Pennsylvania cities struggling with a steady increase in abuse cases, including, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, eerie, and Reading.
Finding Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please know that there’s help available. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we receive patients from all over Pennsylvania all the time. Besides, we work with your health insurance provider to help find out what they will cover. Our addiction specialists will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the core of your addiction. If you need help finding addiction treatment, contact us today to start the process.
