Wyoming

Wyoming’s majestic mountains and vast plans give residents and visitors spectacular scenery to take in. With the state’s natural beauty, many people would be surprised to hear how severe Wyoming’s drug issues truly are. The rate of past-month drug use rivals the national average and the state’s rate of drug-induced deaths is actually higher than the national average. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 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, 6.82 percent of Wyoming residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month. The national average was 8.02 percent. Additionally, 2.96 percent of Wyoming 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, reports that as a direct consequence of drug use, 68 persons died in Wyoming in 2007. This is compared to the number of persons in Wyoming who died from motor vehicle accidents (134) and firearms (76) in the same year. Wyoming drug-induced deaths (13 per 100,000 population) was similar to the national rate (12.7 per 100,000). The Wyoming Prescription Drug Monitoring Program was established by the State Board of Pharmacy in 2005, as authorized under W.S. 35-7-1060 (enacted 2004). The Board of Pharmacy “collects Schedule II-IV controlled substance prescription information from all resident and non-resident retail pharmacies that dispense to residents of Wyoming” and generates statistics and patient profiles accessible to health care providers and prescribers.

Treatment Episode Data Set, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that during 2010 in Wyoming, marijuana was the primary drug cited among drug rehab admissions. This was followed closely by stimulants (including meth), other opiates (including prescription drugs), cocaine, heroin, other/unknown, tranquilizers, sedatives and inhalants. Wyoming residents recognize the need for drug rehab programs in their state; more and more of their youth and young adults succumb to addiction problems the increased need for effective treatment rises. A successful drug rehab is measured by individuals who complete the program and are able to maintain their sobriety long after they leave treatment. Research on graduates of drug rehab programs show that there are definitely some drug rehab programs that are more effective than others. While it is true that you get out of drug rehab what you put into it, attending a program with a known high success rate will further ensure you lasting sobriety once you complete treatment. We know that you will find more success in sobriety by attending a long-term inpatient drug rehab than enrolling into a short-term or outpatient program. Research shows that inpatient drug rehab programs lasting 90 days or longer have higher success rates than shorter programs. This is because 90 days is the point where the recovering person has truly been able to detox and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, learn about addiction and how it affects them physically and socially as well as take in new techniques and tools to prevent returning to using drugs. These programs are typically residential treatment programs offering the recovering person a chance to live in a drug free environment where they can focus on their recovery.