Utah Substance Abuse Statistics And Addiction Treatment Options
While many states across the U.S. have seen a spike in prescription overdose deaths, Utah is among the top 10 states when it comes prescription drug abuse. According to the Utah Department of Health, deaths by drug overdose have increased by so much that the state loses more residents to drug poisoning than to firearms, falls and motor vehicle accidents.
Utah Substance Abuse
Utah is seventh in the nation for prescription drug abuse and addiction, and prescription drugs are the most commonly reported addiction in the state. Since 2000, Utah has recorded a 400 percent increase in deaths related to prescription drug abuse and misuse.
Prescription Drug Abuse In Utah
Nearly 60 percent of Utah residents are Mormons or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Mormon religion forbids substance use, but prescription drugs are not commonly included.
A study of prescription drug abuse within the Mormon religion and across the state of Utah found that:
- 62 percent of individuals suffering from a prescription drug use disorder had also been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
- 61 percent of Utah residents with a prescription drug use disorder were also experiencing a physical health problem, most of which were defined by pain. Almost all prescription opioid drugs are used as a method of controlling pain.
- 16 percent had a previous history of drug or alcohol abuse. Many of these individuals had successfully achieved recovery in the past, only to relapse with a new prescription.
- 10 percent of these individuals had a history of suicidal thoughts, behaviors or attempts in the past. Prescription drug abuse has risen among populations suffering from a mental health disorder.
- 65 percent have had ongoing drug or alcohol abuse issues that did not include prescription drugs. Some of these individuals felt that prescription drugs were safer than illicit street drugs.
Ongoing studies help to offer insight into this growing problem. Understanding more about the underlying causes of prescription drug abuse can help to lower these statistics in the future.
How Utah Is Fighting The Opioid Epidemic
The Utah Department of Health is actively working to combat rising drug abuse and overdose rates.
A 2014 law allows physicians to dispense naloxone to non-physicians like caregivers and EMTs, and it allows participating pharmacies to dispense naloxone to anyone who needs it without a prescription. Naloxone is a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Additionally, in 2014 the state created a “good samaritan law” that allows other drug users to report a possible overdose without getting in trouble themselves.
Despite these efforts, Utah loses an estimated 6 residents each week to drug overdoses.
Utah Drug And Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs
Addiction treatment programs can vary greatly from facility to facility. Different rehab centers may focus on various areas of addiction treatment.
When choosing a Utah drug rehab center, it’s important to research the types of programs and amenities that each facility offers. Making an educated decision on which drug rehab center to select can mean the difference between recovery and relapse.
Utah Intervention Services
Although talking about addiction is not always easy, a direct conversation is sometimes necessary to save someone’s life. In the event that a loved one is suffering from a substance abuse disorder, an intervention may be necessary.
If an intervention sounds overwhelming, professional services are available that can help plan and lead the intervention.
Professional interventions in Utah have a high success rate in helping individuals to recognize the damage drugs have caused in their life and the lives of the people they love and convincing them to seek help.
Once an individual has made the commitment to getting help for a drug or alcohol addiction, it is often necessary for them to undergo a clinical assessment. These evaluations are often performed by licensed clinicians who are searching for underlying causes of the addiction, identifying any co-occurring disorders and determining the best methods of treatment for each individual.
Individuals assessments are generally performed by the rehab facility itself, but some private psychiatrists and therapists may also offer these assessments. If performed by a private third party, the clinician will then recommend a specific rehab facility or offer suggestions as to which types of treatment may be most successful for each patient.
Utah Drug And Alcohol Detox
Some types of addiction can be so severe that stopping the drug entirely can be life-threatening. Chronic or prolonged use of drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol can have intense withdrawal symptoms, especially when the drug is abruptly stopped. For addictions such as this, medical detox is an important first step in the recovery process.
Medical detox focuses on treating the physical aspects of addiction and is not considered a comprehensive treatment for substance abuse on its own. It is important that patients are transitioned into an inpatient residential program following the successful completion of a Utah medical detox program.
Utah Inpatient Drug And Alcohol Rehab Programs
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab is one of the most successful approaches to treating substance abuse and addiction. Utah residential addiction treatment addresses both the mental and physical aspects of addiction and focuses on treating the underlying causes of the addiction. Programs are often customizable to meet the specific needs of each patient.
For many patients, the longer they stay in a residential addiction treatment facility, the lower their chances are for a relapse down the road. Short-term inpatient drug rehab programs generally range from one week to 21 days in length. Most residential drug rehab programs last 30 to 90 days. Long-term programs may last anywhere from six months to a year.
Utah Outpatient Drug And Alcohol Rehab Programs
Outpatient drug rehab is usually recommended as a step-down level of care following an inpatient addiction treatment program. Many intensive outpatient drug rehab programs meet 4-5 days per week for over 6 hours per day.
Utah outpatient addiction treatment can be a good option for those who are highly motivated to recover or who cannot leave their jobs or families for an inpatient program. However, the risk of relapse with some outpatient programs can be higher than inpatient programs because the patient is not removed from the triggers or stressors that their lives held while they were still using drugs or alcohol.
Aftercare And Alumni Support Services In Utah
Alumni support services are often offered by inpatient drug rehab programs for their residents following the completion of their program. This type of service provides extended support for individuals as they adjust to independence and their lives at home.
It is surprising to many people that aftercare programs are frequently supported by many commercial insurance plans in Utah. Most insurance plans reason that aftercare programs promote lifelong recovery and help to reduce the chance of a relapse down the road.
Many medical detox facilities offer medication-assisted treatment to help the body as it goes through the various stages of withdrawal. This medication is administered by a state-licensed clinician with specific training in the treatment of addiction through medication.
While medication-assisted treatment may not be recommended for everyone, it can be a valuable approach for individuals who are suffering from severe or prolonged addictions with debilitating withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment should always be accompanied by individualized counseling and other therapeutic approaches to addiction treatment.
Drugs that are commonly used in medication-assisted treatment in Utah may include:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Acamprosate (Campral)
Specialized Addiction Treatment Programs In Utah
Specialized drug rehab programs and services offered in Utah may include:
- Gender-specific treatment groups
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Faith-based or religious programs
- Holistic treatment programs
- Luxury programs
- 12 Step groups and 12-step alternatives
- Court-ordered treatment programs
- Medication-assisted treatment
Utah Addiction Treatment Therapies
Most accredited rehab facilities in the state of Utah offer a combination of evidence-based behavioral therapies and complementary therapies that focus on well-being. Behavioral therapies may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
- Complementary Therapies Used In Addiction Treatment
The purpose of complementary therapies is to accompany, rather than to replace, other therapies used in addiction treatment. For many individuals, the following complementary therapies and approaches have proven to be an asset to their recovery:
- Equine therapy
- Holistic therapies, such as aromatherapy and art therapy
- Wilderness adventure therapy
- Stress management exercises
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Paying For Addiction Treatment In Utah
Many commercial health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Some of the larger insurance plans that offer coverage in Utah include:
- Cigna HealthCare
- Molina Healthcare
- Regence BlueCross BlueShield
Commercial insurance coverage can vary greatly from plan to plan. It is important to reach out to the insurance company to learn more about coverage benefits for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Important questions to ask include:
- Are inpatient or outpatient services covered?
- Is medical detox covered?
- How many days of inpatient rehab are covered?
- What will the out-of-pocket expenses be?
- Additional Ways To Pay For Drug Rehab In Utah
For individuals who do not have health insurance or who have plans with a large deductible or high out-of-pocket expenses, there are other options to help pay for drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Some facilities offer sponsorships or scholarships to individuals who qualify for a certain amount of income assistance. Often these facilities are religious or donation-based, and they select candidates that are a good match for their facility.
Most drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs will also offer payment plans to their patients. Payment plans break down expenses into more manageable monthly payments that enable patients to undergo treatment without the stress of paying up front.
Traveling For Addiction Treatment
It is not uncommon for families to send their loved ones out of state for addiction treatment. There are various benefits to this practice, including enabling their loved one to select a facility that meets their specific needs and offers treatment modalities and amenities that will be the most effective for their recovery.
Another benefit of traveling for treatment is being removed from old environments that are full of distractions and triggers. This allows patients to fully focus on their recovery without being exposed to others who may have contributed to their addiction in the past.
Addiction Campuses is offering confidential, effective and caring treatment. We can help you or your loved one find the care necessary to begin recovery.
Get your life back. Contact Addiction Campuses today for more information on addiction treatment in Utah or anywhere else.
- Utah Department of Health—Prescription Drug Overdoses, Prescription Opioid Deaths, Complete Health Indicator Report of Alcohol Consumption