Vermont Drug & Alcohol Outpatient Rehab Centers

Vermont is known for its gorgeous scenery, rich maple syrup and numerous ski resorts. But one thing you might not know about Vermont is that it’s also known for ranking high among some of the states with the worst drug problems.

Vermont is a very small state in New England. In fact, it has the second smallest population in the US, as it’s home to about 624,000 people. Being only the 14th state to enter the union—in 1791—this area has some impressive historic sites that often draw tourists here. Mount Independence and Chimney Point are just a couple of examples.

But what’s not obvious during a visit to historic attractions is the widespread drug use across the state. Fortunately, there are lots of VT drug rehab centers that are equipped to treat addiction.

And there are even more in nearby states, such as Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire. So if you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, there’s a rehab center within a few hours of you that can give you hope.

Vermont Alcohol & Drug Addiction Statistics

For years, Vermont has struggled with high rates of drug abuse. While the drugs that are used can vary—including alcohol, meth and cocaine—the most serious issue is opioid abuse.

These are some stats that should tell you a lot about the worrisome rate of drug abuse in Vermont:

  • In 2018, opioids led to 127 overdose deaths in this state.
  • That year, heroin killed 68 people, while prescription opioids killed 27.
  • Deaths caused by fentanyl rose quickly from 33 in 2015 to 106 in 2018.

Clearly, opioids are a big issue here. And abuse of synthetic opioids—including fentanyl—has skyrocketed in recent years. It’s important for anyone addicted to opioids to start looking at drug rehabs in Vermont to get help fast.

Vermont Treatment Facts

If you didn’t know how bad the drug abuse problem in Vermont was, you’re not alone. Not everyone is aware of the extent of drug abuse here. But the good news is that state officials have known about it for years. And after working on ways to provide some solutions for quite some time, they’ve had breakthroughs that have made it possible for thousands of people to get treatment.

In fact, state officials had something to celebrate when data showed that in 2019, opioid-related deaths had decreased for the first time since 2014. This is likely due to the improved access to medication that can be used to treat opioid overdoses.

For example, naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. So if someone’s breathing has slowed down or stopped after overdosing, naloxone can help revive a person by reversing the overdose.

Recent changes in local laws have made it easier for Vermont residents to get access to naloxone. This may be a big reason for the lower death rate lately. Partly due to changes like this, more than 9,000 people in this state are getting help at rehab facilities in Vermont.

That being said, while opioid-related deaths have decreased recently, overdoses have actually increased. Also, deaths caused by other drugs—including cocaine—have increased since 2018. So there’s still work to be done when it comes to drug and alcohol treatment in this state. If you think you’re addicted to drugs of any kind, it’s important to seek out Vermont rehab centers for help.

Vermont Alcohol Detox and Drug Rehab Questions

Where Should I Go to Receive the Best Alcohol and Drug Detox in Vermont?

You deserve access to a drug and alcohol rehab in Vermont or nearby states that you can trust. This means the staff is compassionate, experienced and can offer the therapies you need. In particular, you should decide if you need a VT rehab center you can live at or one you can simply visit a few times per week.

The first option is called inpatient residential treatment. This means you live there full-time while recovering. If you opt for this, you won’t be working or attending school during treatment. Instead, you’ll be focusing completely on treating your addiction. In this case, finding a treatment center outside of Vermont—and away from your typical distractions—may be your best option.

 But if you need to work or go to school during treatment, you might need outpatient therapy. This means you’ll continue living at home while attending therapy sessions frequently—so you should look for rehab facilities in Vermont that are minutes from your house. Granted, if you feel that getting away from your current home environment for outpatient treatment may be a better idea, Northeast Addictions Treatment Center in Quincy, MA has you covered with a range of therapies that can help. 

How Long Is Inpatient Detox in Vermont?

Your body will need some time to get used to not depending on the drug it’s addicted to. You’ll likely have the most success with this by going to inpatient detox in Vermont. Your withdrawal symptoms may last about 3 to 7 days. For this reason, detox usually takes up to one week to complete.

What Should I Look for in a Detox Rehab Facility?

Detox can bring on some discomfort as your body adjusts to not relying on drugs. During that time, you might want to be monitored by medical professionals who can provide the care you need to recover. This means going to a detox facility in or near Vermont. Before you choose one, find out how much experience the staff has and what kind of treatments are offered during detox. You should also look into the kind of therapy you can get when detox is over so you can seamlessly transition to long-term rehab, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient.

Is Addiction Treatment Necessary for Recovery?

It’s highly recommended that you attend drug or alcohol rehab if you want the best chance at recovery. This is because addiction treatment will teach you the skills you need to cope with the temptations that you’ll face once you’re done with rehab. And if you have any underlying conditions that may be causing your addiction, you’ll get treatment for those as well.

How to Choose a Drug Rehab Center?

If you’re ready to get drug addiction treatment, you’ll likely find there are lots of drug rehabs in Vermont to choose from, and even more in surrounding states. But they don’t all have the same qualifications. Before you make your decision, make sure the treatment center you choose features the following:

Accreditation

Among the most critical qualifications for a rehab in VT to have is accreditation from reputable agencies. The drug rehabs in Vermont that you’re looking at should have approval from accrediting organizations that include Shatterproof, The Joint Commission, LegitScript, and the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.

Evidence-Based Treatments

You deserve to feel confident that the therapy you’re taking has been working well for patients like you for years. Of course, there’s no guarantee that a particular type of therapy will work for you. But it’s good to have an idea that there’s some proven science behind it before you give it a try. So look for VT drug rehab centers that offer evidence-based treatments that include the matrix model, cognitive behavioral therapy and the 12-step program.

Customized Rehab Programs

You need a treatment program that has been formulated just for you if you want the best chances of recovering from addiction. As you look into different VT rehab centers, find out if the staff can customize a program for you. Some factors that may be considered in your program might include the type of drug you’re addicted to, how long you’ve been addicted and how often you can attend therapy.

Medically Supervised Detox

Some substances cause discomfort when you quit them. These are called withdrawal symptoms, and they usually last throughout the detox period, which can take about a week.  During that time, you’ll likely feel safest with a team of medical professionals you can trust to help reduce your symptoms. You might also qualify to take medication that can help detox go more smoothly for you. If this sounds appealing to you, look for a rehab in VT that offers medically supervised detox.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you know or even suspect that your drug addiction is caused by a traumatic event in your past or a mental condition that you struggle with, you need dual diagnosis treatment. This is when you get treatment for both your addiction and the disorder that may be causing it. After all, you need to get to the root of the issue if you want the best chance of staying sober long term, and dual diagnosis can help you do this.

Credentialed Treatment Professionals

It’s important to be able to trust the people who are treating your drug addiction. One way for them to gain your trust is to let you know what credentials they have. As you look at VT rehab centers, you should focus on finding out how many years of training and experience the staff has.

Continuum of Care

 

You’ll find that your addiction recovery needs will evolve over the months and years during treatment. And your treatment plan will need to reflect that. For this reason, try to find a drug and alcohol rehab in Vermont that offers a continuum of care that will adjust as needed, from inpatient detox to outpatient therapy.

 

Family Programs

 

During treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, you’ll find that your family might struggle along with you. Your loved ones might not know what to expect from your recovery journey, and they might need someone to talk to about their concerns. This is why choosing rehab in VT that has family therapy is a good idea.

Selection of Therapies and Treatments

As you look into drug rehabs in Vermont, you’ll find that one or two types of therapy may not be enough. You may need to try a few treatment options before you find one that works best for you. So, it’s usually best to choose a rehab in VT that offers a wide range of therapies.

Types of Rehab Programs in Vermont

Detox Programs

Some drugs cause uncomfortable symptoms when you stop taking them. A few examples of those symptoms include vomiting, insomnia, muscle pain, shaking, sweating and headaches. If you would find it hard to deal with these symptoms alone, a detox program that is overseen by medical professionals may be right for you. This way, you’ll have access to any medical care you need, and you may even be prescribed medication that can relieve your symptoms.

Residential Inpatient Programs

One of the programs you’ll see a lot of are residential inpatient treatment programs. These programs have you live at the treatment center and devote all your time to recovery. You’ll typically have therapy a few times per day and will live with other people who are also getting addiction treatment. During this time, you won’t work or go to school so you can focus entirely on recovering from your addiction.

Medication Assisted Programs

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a popular program in which you take medication that’s meant to help you overcome addiction. It can help reduce cravings and decrease withdrawal symptoms during detox. Whether you take this medication only during detox or throughout the entire rehab process, you’ll have staff available to ensure you’re on the right dose for your specific needs. And if you’re in a dual diagnosis program, you might benefit from medication that will treat your underlying condition, such as depression or anxiety.

Vermont Sober Living

Part of your continuum of care might involve sober living in Vermont. This means you’ll live in a house with other people who are recovering from drug addiction so you have a supportive environment. During your time in sober living, you’ll gain some independence as you begin working or going to school. But you’ll still have the support you need via therapy as often as necessary.

Aftercare Programs in Vermont

Another program you might be interested in toward the end of your drug addiction treatment journey is an aftercare plan. This usually involves your VT rehab center recommending which type of therapy you should continue to attend, and how often you’d benefit from it. This ensures you always have access to support as you return to regular life, this time without depending on drugs.

How to Use Your Insurance to Pay for Addiction Treatment

If you’ve been avoiding getting drug addiction treatment because you’re worried about the cost of it, don’t worry. Most insurance plans pay for several treatment costs so you can get the therapy you need for as long as you need it. The following insurance plans typically cover a portion of the costs, and most VT rehab centers accept these plans:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Maine
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut
  • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield New Hampshire
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Aetna
  • UnitedHealthcare

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction in Vermont

How long does it take to detox from alcohol?

The detox period varies from one person to another, based on how long the patient has been drinking and how much he or she drinks. But in general, it takes about 5 days to detox from alcohol.

How many people die from alcohol in Vermont?

An addiction to alcohol can kill you. This is especially true for Vermont residents, as this state’s alcohol abuse rates—and death rates—are higher than average. In this state, about 293 people died every year between 2012 and 2016. In most cases, alcohol-related chronic conditions can lead to death, with liver disease being a common issue in long-term drinkers.

What is the current state of the opioid epidemic in Burlington?

While Vermont has struggled with the opioid epidemic in recent years, some major cities in this state have made great strides. For instance, in Burlington, city officials have worked on making opioid addiction medications like buprenorphine more accessible to all. As a result, deaths due to opioids have reduced by 50% in Chittenden County, going from 35 in 2017 to 17 in 2018.

Why Choose Northeast Addictions Treatment Center?

At Northeast Addictions Treatment Center, we offer a variety of outpatient programs that are customized to each patient. No matter what substance you’re struggling with or which type of therapy you need, we can create a customized program that’s right for you.

Our trusted staff has years of experience and all the credentials necessary to provide the drug treatment you need. Please contact us if you have any questions about our recovery options or are ready to begin treatment today!

Written by
Northeast Addition Editorial Team

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This page does not provide medical advice.

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