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Substance abuse plagues countless Americans each year. It is a serious public health problem that extends through several facets of society and is responsible for major psychological and physical consequences in users across the country, including Kentucky. Below are a few 2015 statistics concerning Kentucky residents 12 years old and up:
In 2015 in a single-day count, roughly 23,500 people were in an addiction treatment program, a slight decrease from 2013. While that number may seem significant, there is still a large fraction of individuals who fail to receive the treatment they need to recover from a substance addiction. Fortunately, there is assistance for those who don’t know where to seek recovery services.
To battle rising addiction rates, Kentucky has strict penalties for drug-related crimes including possession, trafficking, selling and manufacturing.
Illicit drug possession laws in Kentucky are ranked by degrees, with varying penalties that depend on the offender's previous criminal record. The degrees are defined as:
The more drug offenses a person has, the more severe the consequences.
| Degree of Possession | Type of Offense | Charge | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Degree | First-time Offense | Class D Felony | Up to 5 years prison; fine up to $10,000 |
| Subsequent Offense | Class C Felony | Up to 10 years in prison; fine up to $10,000 | |
| Second Degree | First-time Offense | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail; fine up to $500 |
| Subsequent Offense | Class D Felony | Up to 5 years in prison; fine up to $10,000 |
Drug-related overdose deaths in Kentucky quadrupled between 2001 and 2014. By 2016, fatal drug overdoses reached the highest rate yet at nearly 24 lives per 100,000 residents, a number almost double the national rate.
To further put this in perspective, since 2012:
The surge of prescription painkiller abuse in Kentucky has been fueled by pill mills, excessive supplies of painkillers sent to pharmacies and physicians and a combination of poverty and high unemployment rates.
Almost every county in Kentucky witnessed a fatal drug overdose in 2016. According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, certain counties were hit harder by the opioid epidemic than others.
The top five counties for drug overdose deaths per capita were:
The top five counties for heroin-related overdose deaths were:
The top five counties for fentanyl-related deaths were:
The top five counties for deaths related to the combination of heroin and fentanyl were:
Kentucky residents living in these and other counties who are struggling with addiction to opioids or other drugs should seek comprehensive addiction treatment to find recovery and escape the threat of drug overdose.
In 2012 Kentucky enacted laws requiring doctors and pharmacists to track narcotic prescriptions through a state database. This law is intended to prevent “doctor shopping,” or the practice of a person going from doctor to doctor in an attempt to obtain numerous prescriptions for opioid painkillers.
To help prevent overdose deaths, Kentucky also passed the Good Samaritan Law. This policy protects individuals who report an overdose from being prosecuted for drug possession.
In 2016, Kentucky became the first state to form an online naloxone registry. This resource lets at-risk individuals or their loved ones find pharmacies that supply naloxone (Narcan), an opioid overdose-reversal agent.
An additional Kentucky initiative that helps to protect individuals struggling with addiction is the Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention. This act allows loved ones of someone who is experiencing a substance use disorder to petition for involuntary commitment to treatment. While this may seem to be an extreme step, research has shown that treatment does not have to be voluntary in order to be effective.
There are several different ways in which you can find addiction treatment services that will be the best fit for your specific addiction, schedule, financial situation, and other needs. You can search our directory to view listings and read reviews. If you want immediate help, however, you can call us. You’ll be able to speak with a member of our treatment support team who can provide you with information regarding recovery programs.
If you have insurance, it may be beneficial for you to call your insurance company directly to learn more about what your plan covers and does not cover. Chances are, you will receive at least partial coverage for substance abuse treatment services.
If you have researched some treatment facilities that you’re interested in, your next step may be to call each one to inquire about the details of each specific program. No single treatment type is necessarily superior to another; some people may benefit from inpatient while others prefer an outpatient setting. The important thing is that you map out your priorities and look into each program thoroughly before committing to one.
When you're ready to take the first step towards recovery in Kentucky, it's important to know which questions to ask to ensure you choose the best rehab program. You'll want to consider:
Addiction treatment facilities in Kentucky offer their clients a wide array of services based on the individualized needs of the struggling person and family. A few of the services most often provided include:
When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it's important that they receive treatment as soon as possible. This process starts with research; understanding treatment options and how the recovery process works helps to ensure that a person receives the form of care that is best suited to their individual needs.
Each person working to overcome addiction faces a different journey, due to the unique characteristics of their life. A person's family, career, and education can all potentially influence their treatment decisions. Many people have specific medical or mental health needs that also require specialized care.
Through a clinical assessment, treatment specialists will examine the scope of a person's drug abuse and how it has changed their life. Once they've outlined these factors, they can better assist a person in building an effective path to recovery.
The following services are used prior to, during or after treatment to ensure that a person obtains the best level of treatment and recovery support.
Certain individuals may be unwilling or unable to admit that they need help. This may be because a person is in denial or because substance abuse has changed the structures and functions of their brain, making it difficult to make long-term decisions that would benefit their health.
In many cases, family members are unable to convince a person that their substance abuse warrants treatment. A professionally led intervention may be an option for loved ones who are experiencing this barrier to treatment. A professional interventionist will help to plan and carry out this process from start to finish, supporting both the individual and their family from the intervention itself to when treatment is obtained.
The physical dependence resulting from chronic drug abuse can change the way a person's body functions, causing certain systems to malfunction in the absence of the drug. This reaction is called withdrawal. Individuals addicted to alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioid drugs like heroin have a tendency to experience these withdrawal symptoms more severely.
To reduce or alleviate these symptoms, an individual may begin addiction treatment with a medically supported drug and alcohol detox. This process helps a person's body to flush the drug out of its system so that it can heal.
Medications such as Suboxone or methadone may be used to prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms. In certain cases, medication-assisted treatment may continue beyond the detoxification process to help a person maintain sobriety.
Kentucky drug and alcohol detox services may be available in an inpatient or outpatient setting, but an inpatient, medically supported detox is often recommended for individuals with a physical dependency on a substance.
People who receive individualized, inpatient addiction treatment typically experience increased treatment retention rates and more long-lasting, positive outcomes. Inpatient treatment programs range from 30 days to 60, 90 or 120 days, and sometimes up to a year or longer. Length of treatment depends on how quickly the person progresses through therapy.
One of the biggest benefits of a residential addiction treatment setting is that it removes a person from the people, places, and events that could trigger a relapse. Living on a treatment campus also provides a greater opportunity to reach out to trained professionals when additional guidance or support is needed.
Kentucky residential inpatient drug rehab treats a variety of addictions, examples of which include:
Behavioral therapies and counseling help a person to end dysfunctional habits and thought processes that foster addiction while also introducing healthier ones in their place. These sessions may be offered through individual counseling or a group or family setting, allowing a person to grow on both a personal and interpersonal level.
Kentucky outpatient addiction treatment services include traditional outpatient and intensive outpatient programs. Both are excellent options as step-down services. While some people choose these programs as their main mode of addiction care, outpatient treatment may be better utilized as a recovery support service following an inpatient treatment program.
In this capacity, outpatient treatment can help a person maintain sobriety as they transition from supervised inpatient care to independent living. Some people may also choose to make arrangements to live in a sober living home.
Sober living homes enforce abstinence while residents work on rebuilding their lives. This arrangement can help a person better manage responsibilities that are important to day-to-day living.
Certain addiction treatment programs in Kentucky may offer aftercare support and alumni services. Aftercare support can be a crucial tool to help a person to stay inspired and focused on their recovery for the long-term.
Many people feel more comfortable in a drug rehab program that accommodates their unique needs.
For some, this might mean pursuing gender-specific treatment. Single-gender treatment groups are often beneficial, allowing participants to more fully engage in treatment. Additionally, LGBTQ individuals may feel more at ease seeking treatment in an LGBTQ-only or -friendly program.
Certain programs in Kentucky may offer flexible formats that allow a person to remain committed to important responsibilities in their life. Examples include child-friendly programs or professional programs for those who prefer to continue working while in treatment.
Examples of other specialized treatment programs include:
Many people who struggle with a substance use disorder also have a mental health problem. This is known as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis.
In this instance, the mental illness may have led to the substance abuse or resulted from it. In either case, the best treatments are those that include therapy for each condition within one integrated approach.
Mental illnesses that may be treated in a Kentucky dual diagnosis treatment program may include:
Dual diagnosis treatment may also include trauma-informed care for those who have experienced violence or any form of abuse.
As you determine the cost of rehab in kentucky, look at the expense as an investment in your future. Most rehab centers are able to take partial payment through any company or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to discuss your eligibility and the price of treatment in KY, contact our hotline, toll-free to get frank and honest answers to your questions.
Whether your KY inpatient-residential alcohol, prescription and illicit drug addiction treatment with take four weeks or three months, calling to get treatment improves your odds of getting and keeping healthy. Deciding on a rehab facility that can meet your expectations before you ever start the program can also help quite a lot. When you're ready to book treatment, our hotline advisors can help you find the right spot so you feel comfortable.
Addiction treatment costs fluctuate based on a few variables. Your individual preferences will play a hand in determining costs, as will factors outside of your control such as the severity of the addiction and any co-occurring disorders. Overall, the following factors play a role in determining costs: length of stay, facility amenities, program type, and services.
If you're concerned about the cost of treatment, remember that most people are at least partially covered under government or private insurance. Some facilities also offer scholarships and sliding scale payments based on your financial situation.
If seeking help for a substance use disorder, insurance isn’t the only way you can comfortably pay for addiction treatment services. There are many other options available to help make substance abuse treatment more affordable, such as:
Below is a list of a few resources you can contact in Kentucky and on the national level:
Addiction is a progressive condition, which means that it often worsens as chronic drug or alcohol abuse continues. It’s never too late to get started on a path towards a happier and healthier life. Don’t hesitate to call any of the above resources if you’re looking for assistance.
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