What Do We Know About Addiction Treatment in the United States?

According to the most recent 2016 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (conducted by SAMHSA), the number of drug and alcohol rehab centers has risen to 14,632. Here are some statistics about these facilities and the types of programs they offer:

• 14,399 programs completed the survey.
• Within these facilities, they had a total, combined one-day census of 1,150,423 patients.
• The number of programs in the U.S. has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase.
• There have been some notable changes in facilities between 2006 and 2016.
• In 2006, 59% of facilities were private, non-profit programs.
• By 2016, only 53% of them fell into that category.
• Within that same timeframe, the number of for-profit addiction treatment centers went from 28% to 35%.
• Opioid treatment programs that offer medication assisted therapy make up 8%-9% of all programs.
• Between 23% and 30% of all patients have received methadone treatment.
• Between 1% and 5% of all patients have been treated with buprenorphine for opioid addiction.
• 49% of patients were treated at private, non-profit organizations.
• 39% of patients were treated at private, for-profit organizations.
• 5% of all facilities were operated by local governments and treated 5% of the patients.
• 2% of all facilities were operated by state governments and treated 3% of the patients.
• 82% of the programs offered outpatient treatment and 91% of patients received this type of care.
• 24% of the programs offered residential, inpatient care, and 8% of patients received it.
• Hospitals offered inpatient treatment to 1% of all patients.

NIDA states that illicit drug use in the U.S. has been increasing with every passing year. In 2013, it was estimated that 24.6 million people aged 12 or older had used an illicit drug during the last month. That is 9.4% of the population, which is an increase from 8.3% in 2002. Statistics also show that 22.7% of people between the ages of 12 and 20 are consuming alcohol. Also, 30.2% of men and 16% of women report binge drinking during the last month. The biggest problem is that in 2013, 22.7 million people in America needed treatment for a substance abuse disorder. Only about 2.5 million of them ever followed through. It is not surprising that there is such a need for drug and alcohol addiction treatment in our country. There is no denying that prescription drug abuse has gotten out of control in Colorado. More people are addicted to painkillers now than ever before. In fact:

• Colorado currently ranks 16th in the nation for the misuse of prescription medications.
• More than 255,000 Colorado residents over the age of 12 abuse them every year.
• That is more than 1 out of every 16 people in the state.
• At least one person in the state dies each day because of a painkiller overdose.
• Since 2000, 10,544 residents have died from overdosing.

Additional Colorado addiction statistics state that:

• Close to 50% of adults age 21 and older have consumed marijuana at least once.
• 1,249 adults report heavy drinking.
• In 2015, there were almost 1,000 drug-related deaths.
• Between 2000 and 2015, deaths from opioid drugs have increased threefold.
• 85% of people with addictions either cannot or will not get the help they need to recover.

A part of that last statistic may be that they do not realize what type of help is available to them. Allow us to provide you with the information you need to know about inpatient vs. outpatient treatment.

Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Rehab: The Types of Treatment for Addiction

When you contact a drug or alcohol rehab, you may be asked if you prefer inpatient or outpatient treatment. It is important to examine the differences between the two, and you should consider the benefits of each.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient treatment may be called by a few different names. There are programs that last for 28 to 30 days, and those that last even longer. Many patients require care that lasts a much longer period of time. This may be called long-term rehab or sober living. The care patients receive in these types of facilities is much more intense than it is in an outpatient setting. But for many patients, that is the only way they will be able to stop using. They will benefit from receiving individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and treatment for their withdrawal symptoms. Many addictions require the patients to go through a period of detoxification prior to entering rehab. This will depend on the type of drug the individual has been using. The time spent in detox is usually included in the overall time for rehabilitation.

The Pros of Residential Treatment in Colorado

There are many advantages to attending an inpatient treatment program. Some people need the more rigorous forms of therapy they will receive there. They will also have constant medical monitoring that can help to prevent a complication from withdrawal symptoms. During a residential treatment program, patients get the opportunity to completely restructure their lives. They learn how to live without relying on a drug or alcohol to get them through each day. They will also work with staff to create a relapse prevention plan, which can help them stay sober or clean.

The Cons of Inpatient Rehab

There are two major disadvantages of going to inpatient treatment in Colorado. Both of them can keep people from getting the help they really need. The first is the cost of treatment. It is usually much higher than one would find in an outpatient clinic. While insurance companies are now required to help pay for rehab under the Affordable Care Act, copays are usually lower for outpatient care. The second disadvantage of inpatient rehab is the time commitment that is required. In most cases, patients are at least required to stay for 28 days, although there are exceptions to this. Some may need to be in treatment for an even longer period of time. This can be difficult for those who work full time, attend school, or have families at home.

Outpatient Rehab

Just like there are different types of residential rehab in Colorado, there are several types of outpatient rehab. The least intense version of treatment involves working directly with a counselor on a regular basis. There is usually no group therapy, unless that counselor offers special groups for their patients. This method is typically reserved for those who have already had a higher level of care. It may not be appropriate for someone who is new to recovery simply because they generally need more support. An intensive outpatient program can be a good way to attend rehab and continue to live at home. 5-Day IOPs are usually quite strict, and patients are required to attend all of their appointments and remain compliant with the program. It usually runs for about 12 weeks, and patients attend appointments between three and five times per week. Many 5-Day IOPs are held during the evening hours. Day treatment programs are another type of outpatient treatment. Like 5-Day IOPs, they are intensive, and there is a fairly large time commitment required. Usually day treatment is held during the daytime hours, but patients may still live at home.

The Pros of Outpatient Treatment in Colorado

There are many benefits to attending an outpatient drug or alcohol rehab center. Patients are able to be much more flexible about how they receive their treatment. They can live at home, and in many cases, they can continue to work and take care of their families and other responsibilities. The cost of outpatient treatment is often a deciding factor. It can be much more cost effective to attend this type of rehab. Insurance companies will often provide benefits that cover more of the costs of treatment on an outpatient basis. Some may even cover it in full. Also, an outpatient program allows patients to put new coping skills into practice right away. They can come back to their support groups and get feedback and learn different, better ways to handle certain situations. This is not possible in an inpatient setting.

The Cons of Outpatient Rehab

While there are many benefits of outpatient rehab, it is impossible to ignore the drawbacks. It may not be the best solution for everyone. Some patients live in homes where substance abuse is accepted, or even encouraged. For these individuals, leaving their homes for an environment that is completely recovery-minded is preferable. This is why it is very important for people to talk with a professional before making a decision. It could be that an outpatient program is not a good fit for them. Many rehab programs offer a free addiction assessment over the phone, which will be very informational. The professional you talk to can give you a recommendation for the proper type of care.

The Number of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Colorado

There are currently 378 drug and alcohol treatment programs located in Colorado, according to SAMHSA’s treatment finder tool. This is a significant number, but there is definitely a need for all of them. This number encompasses all types of rehabs, both inpatient and outpatient. When searching for treatment, it can be very difficult to know where to begin, or what you should be looking for. It is not surprising if you are struggling to figure it out.

What to Look for in a Recovery Program in Colorado

Not all addiction treatment programs are the same. Some are better than others, and it is important to know how to tell the difference. There are certain characteristics that a solid drug or alcohol recovery program should have. They should offer:

• Detox services, or referrals to high quality detoxification programs to aid in the withdrawal process.
• Proof of accreditation through The Joint Commission to demonstrate their quality of care.
• Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders (mental health conditions that can accompany addictions).
• Proof of their success rates, and they should be the same, or higher than the national average.
• A commitment to instruction and guidance on relapse prevention.
• A solid aftercare plan for when the treatment is over.

How to Avoid a Rehab Scam

It takes a very keen eye to be able to decipher between a real rehab facility and a scam. Some of the websites look really nice, and they make it sound like they really want to help people. You should definitely look for the following signs that you might be encountering a scam:

• You should be able to find valid contact information on the website. There should be an actual address (not just a PO Box) and a phone number. They may also list an email address where you can get more details about the program.
• They should have a list of staff. This includes all support staff, admissions staff, nurses and doctors. The best programs will list staff members’ names and some information about their education. There should also be pictures of each staff member.
• They will be no alumni staff member available to speak with you. This person is in charge of keeping in touch with former patients. They should be able to offer you the contact information of people who have been patients before for referral purposes.
• They may state that they can cure your addiction. They are not supposed to use language that talks about curing anything; only treating it.
• They may offer monetary awards or gifts in exchange for treatment. This could mean offering to cover the costs of your care, travel arrangements and even hotel costs for visiting family members

How do You Know You Need Treatment?

Perhaps you are in a position where you have been encouraged by your loved ones to get help for your addiction. The problem is you are not sure it is really all that necessary. You feel that you have your substance abuse problem under control. When you are ready to quit using, you will just quit. It sounds simple, but it really is not. So many people battle addictions for years, and many of them fail to realize that they have problems that need treatment. It is very important for you to know the truth about yourself and your relationship to drugs and/or alcohol.

Look for the Signs of Drug Addiction

Try to look for some of the more common signs of drug addiction in yourself. Some of them include:

• Continuing to take a prescription medication even when you no longer need it.
• Feeling the need to use a larger amount of a drug in order to get the same effects or experience.
• Using a drug because you like the way getting high feels.
• Feeling strange when you stop taking a drug; this is known as withdrawal.
• Feeling as though you cannot stop taking a drug, even if you really want to.
• Spending a lot of your time acquiring your substance of choice.
• Spending a lot of money on drugs, and experiencing financial problems as a result.
• Finding it difficult to think about anything other than using.
• Not having as much interest in the hobbies you once used to enjoy.
• Feeling the need to hide your drug use from the people who love you.
• Having relationship issues that stem from your substance abuse.

The Signs of Alcoholism

There are also many signs of alcoholism, which include:

• Drinking larger amounts, or more often than you plan to.
• You have attempted to quit or cut down on how much you drink more than once, but those attempts failed.
• Finding that you spend a lot of time obtaining alcohol, drinking it, or recovering from hangovers.
• Having such a strong desire for alcohol that you cannot think about anything else.
• Having problems with your relationships, school, work or friends.
• Continue to drink even when it is having a negative impact on your health.
• Stop participating in certain activities because you will not be able to drink.
• Experiencing frequent blackouts.
• Needing to drink more alcohol than you once did in order to feel the effects of it or get drunk.
• Go through withdrawals when some time has passed since your last drink.

Take an Addiction Quiz to Learn More

It may be a good idea for you to take a quiz to get more information about your relationship with drugs or alcohol. We have several quizzes available on our website that can help you learn more. Some of them include our:

• Drug Addiction Quiz
• Alcohol Addiction Quiz
• Heroin Addiction Quiz
• Prescription Drug Addiction Quiz
• Cocaine Addiction Quiz

Take some time in answering the questions. Make sure that you are completely honest. That is the only way that you will get an accurate assessment. Once you finish the quiz, you will be able to get a recommendation for you, based on your answers. You may learn that you do not have an addiction at all. Or, it is possible that you will find out that you do, and you need to start treatment right away. Either way, it is better to have an answer.

Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Rehab in Colorado: Which is Right For You?

The only question left to answer is, which type of treatment is right for you? When it comes to inpatient rehab versus outpatient rehab, the answer is really subjective. Everyone needs a different level of care, and what works for you might not work for someone else. At AspenRidge North, we maintain a strong commitment to our patients and their needs. When you contact us as a prospective patient, you can be certain that you are calling an actual rehab program. In fact, you can walk through our doors and ask any of our staff members questions at any time. We will be happy to talk with you about our services and figure out the best way to get you the help you need. It is very difficult to admit that you have an addiction and need to go to rehab. We understand that, and we are here to walk you through the entire process. You are not in this alone, and with our help, we are confident that you will get the assistance you need to maintain long-term recovery. Have we answered your questions about residential vs. outpatient rehab? Please contact us today if you’d like to learn more, or get started with treatment.