New Hampshire

As recently as 2007/2008 New Hampshire was one of the top 10 states for high rates of drug use in multiple categories. These categories included past-month illicit drug use among persons age 12 or older; past-month illicit drug use among young adults age 18-25; past-year non-medical use of pain relievers among young adults age 18-25; and illicit drug dependence among persons age 12 or older. Across the board, all age groups (12-17 years old, 18-25 years old, and 26 or older) living in New Hampshire who were surveyed perceived only a low risk from smoking marijuana once a month. This state has a higher average of past-month drug use than the rest of the country; an estimated 11% of New Hampshire residents reported past-month use of illicit drugs. The national average was 8% at the time the survey was taken. This is 4% higher than the rest of the United States. Additionally, of the 11% of New Hampshire residents who reported using an illicit substance in the past-month, 3.57% of them used an illegal drug other than marijuana. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention reports that during 2007, 187 persons died in New Hampshire as a direct consequence of drug use, abuse or addiction problems. This number is greater than that of persons in New Hampshire who died from motor vehicle accidents (138) and firearms (78) in the same year. New Hampshire drug-induced deaths (14.2 per 100,000 population) exceeded the national rate (12.7 per 100,000).

Treatment Episode Data Set found that treatment centers in New Hampshire reported that opiates were the most commonly cited drugs among primary drug rehab admissions during 2010. Following opiates as the primary drug cited in treatment admissions (most cited to least cited) include: heroin, marijuana, cocaine, tranquilizers, other/unknown, stimulants, sedatives, hallucinogens, inhalants and PCP. The need for drug rehab treatment for residents living in New Hampshire is on the rise. As this state continues increase their drug use, abuse and addiction beyond the national average residents are finding that enrolling in drug rehab is the most effective and successful way to conquer their drug addiction problems. Completing a drug addiction treatment program will address the main issue of addiction as well as uncovering and resolving the underlying problems that lead the addict to choose to abuse drugs or alcohol in the first place.

During the program participants time in treatment they will be helped through their withdrawal and detoxification process. Depending on the individual, and the substances they are addicted to, this process can be as short as a few days of feeling under the weather to a week or longer suffering with much more severe symptoms. Those who are physically addicted to drugs or alcohol will go through their withdrawal process under medical supervision to ensure their comfort and safety at all times. Once withdrawal symptoms have subsided the person in recovery is ready to begin the educational portion of the drug rehab program. Becoming knowledgeable about drug addiction and how it affects the addict, different types of people in the world (those who wish you well vs. those who will do harm), effective communication skills and positive ways to handle stress are all valuable tools one learns while in treatment. Additionally, the staff and client will work together to address and resolve the underlying issues that drove them to abuse drugs. Through handling these personal issues during one’s time in treatment the recovered client can return to their daily life knowing that they now have resolved their past and have control over their future. Program participants learn all the necessary life skills, recovery tools and relapse prevention techniques while in drug rehab so that when challenges to their sobriety arise they are equipped to effectively handle them without resorting to substance use.