Vermont

While Vermont is nicknamed the “Green Mountain State” for all its natural beauty, residents struggle with several drug addiction issues including marijuana and cocaine. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), reported that during 2007-2008, Vermont ranked first among all states in several drug-use categories among persons age 12-17: past-month illicit drug use; past-year marijuana use; and past-month marijuana use. Vermont also ranked first in the Nation for past-year cocaine use among young adults age 18-25. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - State Estimates of Substance Use from the 2007-2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides national and state-level data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs (including non-medical use of prescription drugs), and mental health in the United States. In the most recent Survey, 11.64 percent of Vermont residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month. The national average was 8.02 percent. Vermont's rate was one of the 10 highest among the states. Additionally, 4 percent of Vermont residents reported using an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past month (the national average was 3.58 percent). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 58, Number 19 for 2007 reported that as a direct consequence of drug use, 68 persons died in Vermont in 2007. This is compared to the number of persons in Vermont who died from motor vehicle accidents (71) and firearms (52) in the same year. Vermont drug-induced deaths (10.9 per 100,000 population) were lower than the national rate (12.7 per 100,000). In an effort to combat the state’s prescription drug problem the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System was authorized in 2006 by Act 205 and launched by the Vermont Department of Health in 2009. This program collects information from pharmacies on Schedule II-IV controlled substances dispensed to outpatients. The information collected is available to healthcare providers and prescribers and is collected submitted on a weekly basis.

Treatment Episode Data Set, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that in 2010 the primary drug cited during Vermont drug rehab admissions was other opiates (including prescription drugs). Following opiates, residents of Vermont cited marijuana, cocaine, heroin, other/unknown, stimulants, tranquilizers and sedatives. The need for drug rehab programs for the residents of Vermont is evident by the number of treatment admissions each year. While there are many different types of drug rehab methods, philosophies and locations, a majority of those enrolling into drug rehab are mainly concerned with how long will it take? There are different length drug rehab programs. You can choose to attend a short-term program that will typically last several weeks to just over a month in some cases. These programs are often outpatient, but not always. Short-term drug rehab programs are known for lasting 28 days and are the most commonly known length of drug rehab treatment. However, just because this is the most well-known type and length of treatment it does not mean that it is the most appropriate fit for your recovery needs. Another effective type of drug rehab is known as a long-term treatment. Long-term drug rehab programs are when the recovering person will spend a great deal of time living at the treatment facility. This type of treatment is ideal for those who have truly committed themselves to ending their drug addiction and finding a new life based on sobriety. Long-term treatment provides the client with support 24 hours a day and can last anywhere from 3 months to a year. This approach to addiction recovery is focused on the re-socialization of the client back into the community. Long-term drug rehab programs are considered the most effective and intensive forms of drug rehabilitation. The recovering person has the time that is truly necessary to learn to live without drugs and develop new and healthy skills to handle life’s problems instead of turning to substances to solve their problems.