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Problematic drug and alcohol use impacts the lives of millions of people across the United States, and Iowa is no exception. Many residents of Iowa suffer from the negative consequences of substance abuse and addiction each day. Consider the statistics from 2015 concerning Iowans aged 12 or older:
Nearly 9,000 people were receiving substance abuse treatment services on a single day count in 2015, which was a decrease a single day count in 2013. Access to alcohol and drug addiction treatment is extremely important, but many people don’t know where or how to find help.
Legal penalties for possessing or distributing an illicit substance in Iowa are harsh. Each drug is classified by a schedule which determines criminal charges and potential sentencing. Drugs in schedules I and II are highly addictive and often have the most severe penalties. Substances listed in schedules IV and V carry the lowest risk of addiction and may have acceptable medical uses.
Here's a breakdown of each schedule:
If you are found in possession of an illicit substance, you will face charges based on the number of previous offenses. Additional penalties may apply depending on the type of drug and the amount involved.
| Possession Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentencing |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | Serious misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and $1,875 fine |
| Second offense | Aggravated misdemeanor | Up to 2 years in jail and $6,250 fine |
| Third offense | Class D felony | Up to 5 years in jail and $7,500 fine |
Marijuana used for recreational or medicinal purposes is illegal in Iowa. However, the state has enacted a medical cannabidiol (CBD) law which approves the use of cannabis extracts that are high in CBD and low in THC. The only qualifying condition for medical CBD in Iowa is intractable epilepsy.
Iowa has strict rules in place for possession, cultivation and distribution of marijuana. While cultivation and distribution often come with more severe forms of punishment, possession charges are not to be taken lightly. Sometimes offenders may have an option to attend rehab. After successfully completing a rehab program, you may be allowed probation rather than time in jail.
Possession and cultivation/distribution charges are different. For example, possession for personal use is generally defined by the number of offenses, whereas cultivation or distribution is based on the amount.
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentencing |
|---|---|---|
| Possession for Personal Use | ||
| First offense | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine |
| Second offense | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and/or $315 – $1,875 fine |
| Third offense | Aggravated misdemeanor | Up to 2 years in jail and/or $625 – $6,250 fine |
Possessing any amount of marijuana within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, public school or school bus involves 100 hours of community service in addition to the possession sentencing.
| Amount | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentencing |
|---|---|---|
| Cultivation or Distribution | ||
| One-half ounce or less plant-form | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine |
| 50 kg or less | Class D felony | Up to 5 years in jail and $750 – $7,500 fine |
| 50 – 100 kg | Class C felony | Up to 10 years in jail and $1,000 – $50,000 fine |
| 100 – 1,000 kg | Class B felony | Up to 25 years in jail and $5,000 – $100,000 fine |
| More than 1,000 kg | Class B felony | Up to 50 years in jail and $1,000,000 fine |
Possessing any amount of marijuana within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, public school or school bus involves 100 hours of community service in addition to the possession sentencing.
You can also face criminal charges for possessing, distributing or manufacturing marijuana paraphernalia. Devices such as water pipes, scales, bongs and other items can include up to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.
Alcohol continues to be the most widely abused substance in Iowa:
Marijuana follows as the second-most abused substance in Iowa. More than 25 percent of adult and juvenile Iowa residents cite marijuana as their primary drug, making it the most common illegal drug—a position marijuana has maintained in Iowa for many years. Aside from alcohol, marijuana and meth also ranked highest for drug-related traffic fatalities and drug-impaired driving.
Marijuana potency in Iowa has also gotten stronger, due in part to the increased availability of concentrates, such as oils, hash, wax, and edibles from states where marijuana has been legalized.
Close on the heels of marijuana abuse rates is the use of methamphetamines, the drug responsible for approximately 19 percent of the adult and youth population admitted to treatment. Methamphetamine also accounts for an overwhelming majority of drug-related prison admissions at 93 percent.
Meth abuse rates had decreased significantly in recent years. This drop was due to a crackdown on in-state meth labs and new legislation limiting the availability of pseudoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. However, meth use is climbing again as a result of the increasing availability of high-grade meth from out-of-state sources.
Similar to trends seen around America, the state of Iowa has experienced the effects of the opioid epidemic. Approximately 2.5 percent of those admitted into substance use disorder treatment in 2017 listed heroin as their primary substance. This rate may seem low, but it represents a number that has tripled in the last six years.
The rate of heroin use is linked to increased control of prescription opioid painkillers. The number of opioid prescriptions written in Iowa dropped by nearly 7.2 percent between 2013 and 2015. As a result, when people who are physically dependent on prescription opioids have trouble getting them, they turn to heroin, which is cheaper and now easier to acquire.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this trend is seen nationwide. Three out of four new heroin users reporting previous abuse of prescription opioids.
Between 2003 and 2013, heroin overdose deaths in Iowa grew exponentially, from one death to 20. Overdose deaths caused by prescription opioids rose by 1,333 percent, from six deaths to 86.
The fifth-most common drug in Iowa is cocaine, responsible for 1.5 percent of addiction treatment admissions in 2017. While cocaine remains a problem, there are positive statistics associated with the overall decline of its use in Iowa: the number of cocaine-related prison admissions is at an all-time low, falling to 7 percent.
Substance use disorders don't just affect the person who is abusing the drug. These disorders also affect that individual's family, friends, workplace, community and the state as a whole. The economic cost of addiction includes a wide range of factors, such as increased workforce absences, traffic accidents, healthcare and treatment costs and legal proceedings, as well as decreased workforce productivity and economic losses that result from incarceration.
The state of Iowa is working diligently to address the problem of substance use disorders. The Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to break the cycle of drug use and help Iowa residents find healing.
This strategy includes programs designed to:
Among the most ambitious of Iowa's goals is the prevention and reduction of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs among 11th graders. The state's strategy is to accomplish this primarily through school-based and statewide educational and prevention programs. If the plan is successful, fewer Iowa residents will fall victim to substance use disorders in the future.
There are many different ways you can find the substance addiction treatment you need to recover from drug abuse. Further, you can always contact treatment centers directly. If you’ve been looking into certain centers in your area or rehabs to travel to, you may want to help narrow down your options by first creating a list of specific program features and treatment offerings you’re looking for and then inquiring as to which programs come closest to meeting your criteria. You can ask questions like:
While conducting your research, you may come up with any other questions that pertain to you and your individual needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want assistance connecting to resources, call us at any time.
In many cases, drug and alcohol treatment starts with a detox program, followed by a more comprehensive treatment that involves counseling and other services. When choosing a program, it's important to consider:
When looking into a drug or alcohol rehab program, it helps to know what services should be provided. The following services are often considered essential components of effective care and treatment:
Substance use disorders are a chronic and progressive disease of the brain. There is always hope, however; through high-quality therapy incorporating some or all of the following levels of care, addiction can be treated and sent into remission.
The Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse oversees every level of substance abuse treatment and prevention services in Iowa. Here are some of the types of treatment programs available in Iowa to address substance use disorders.
The first step toward recovery for many people is drug and alcohol detox. This process allows all traces of drugs and alcohol to leave a person's system. If a person is physically dependent on a substance, withholding it will trigger withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mildly unpleasant to life-threatening, depending on the substance and the duration of the addiction. Professional detox programs offer round-the-clock support to ensure each client is safe and as comfortable as possible during this process.
One of the most effective addiction treatment programs in Iowa is inpatient drug rehab, where clients attend therapy and support groups each day and live on-site for the duration of treatment. This intensive level of care can last from 28 days to six months or longer and involves working with counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists in both individual and group settings.
Outpatient addiction treatment programs are typically less intensive than residential drug rehab but may also offer individual and group counseling. Outpatient programs are designed to provide continued education, support, and relapse-prevention skill development for people who seek to maintain recovery from addiction, most often as a follow-up to inpatient care. Some outpatient programs offer intensive day-treatment services that are comparable to inpatient treatment.
As part of the Opioid State Targeted Response initiative, Iowa is participating in a special program known as Medication Assisted Treatment for Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction. This program provides best-practice found to be effective in combating the nationwide opioid epidemic. MAT Medication-assisted treatment programs provide medications such as acamprosate (Campral), buprenorphine (Suboxone), disulfiram (Antabuse), methadone, and naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol). Naltrexone, in particular, is an opioid overdose rescue drug dispensed by pharmacies that can temporarily reverse potentially fatal opioid overdoses.
Also known as a dual diagnosis, the term “co-occurring” refers to the presence of both a substance use disorder and a psychiatric disorder. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 7.9 million adults in the U.S. fit the criteria for co-occurring disorders in 2014. Both outpatient and Iowa inpatient drug rehab programs strive to offer evidence-based treatment services that address comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The state of Iowa is also committed to seeing to the unique cultural needs of its citizens who struggle with addiction. Culturally competent substance abuse treatment focuses on delivering high-quality, relevant and personalized services based on an individual's racial or ethnic group.
As you determine the price of rehab in iowa, look at the expense as an investment in your future. Most recovery programs are able to take partial payment through any PPO or HMO plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the price of treatment in IA, dial our help line, toll-free to get direct and honest answers to your questions.
Whether your IA inpatient-residential drug and alcohol abuse treatment with take four weeks or ninety days, calling to get started improves your chances of becoming and staying healthy. Choosing a recovery center that can meet your own requirements before you ever step foot in the door can also help considerably. When you're ready to book treatment, our hotline advisors can help you find the right location so you are happy with your choice.
The cost of addiction treatment varies depending on a number of factors including the program type, length of your stay, amenities, and the treatment services provided.
The program type, length of stay, and services are based on your individual needs and the severity of your substance use. These criteria are usually determined with the help of an addiction treatment specialist during the admission process.
Other factors such as luxury amenities and special services like massage therapy are based on your individual preference, and will add to the overall cost of treatment.
If you’re looking to enter a substance abuse treatment program without the help of insurance, there are a number of financing options that can help to reduce costs of treatment. High treatment costs shouldn’t be an absolute barrier to seeking help. Many programs will work with you to place the recovery services you need to get clean and sober within your financial reach.
A few ways in which you can pay for treatment include payment plans offered by the treatment program you attend, sliding scale costs based on what you can afford, and grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
You might also ask about whether programs you’re interested in offer scholarships or even look into attending a state-funded program that provides free or low-cost recovery services.
Every state has different ways to access addiction and mental health treatment. Below are a few resources available for someone in Iowa who is suffering from drug or alcohol abuse:
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