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Along with the rest of the country, Minnesota is experiencing a tragic epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose deaths. Many residents of the state struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues, and need the help of professional treatment providers and community resources.
Roughly 1 out of every 10 Minnesota residents live with a substance use disorder. However, only about 10% of these individuals who struggle with some form of substance use disorder receive treatment for it. Additionally, in Minnesota:
Minnesota has harsh drug laws in place for both sale and possession. There are five degrees of penalties that vary based on the type of drug and the amount involved. The first degree involves the most serious and punishable drug-related activities, whereas the fifth degree is the least severe punishment.
| Sale | Possession | Penalty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Degree | 17+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 10+ grams heroin, 50+ grams of other narcotic drug, 200+ doses hallucinogen | 50+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 25+ grams heroin | 0-30 yrs., 4 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $1 million fine |
| Second Degree | 10+ grams any narcotic drug other than heroin, 3+ grams heroin, 50+ doses hallucinogen, sale of Schedule I or II narcotic drug either to a person under 18 or in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment center | 25+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 6+ grams heroin, 50+ grams of other narcotic drug, 100+ doses hallucinogen | 0-25 yrs., 3 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $500,000 fine |
| Third Degree | Any amount of narcotic drug, 10+ doses hallucinogen, sale of any Schedule I or II drug to a person under 18 or employment of person under 18 to sell same, any amount of cocaine or heroin | 10+ grams any narcotic drug other than heroin, 3+ grams heroin, 10+ grams of other narcotic drug and 5 doses of a Schedule I or II narcotic drug in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment center | 0-20 yrs., up to $250,000 fine |
| Fourth Degree | Any Schedule I, II, or III drug in a school zone, park zone or public housing zone. Any Schedule IV or V drug to person under 18 or conspiracy for the same | 10 doses hallucinogen, any amount of Schedule I, II, or III controlled substance with intent to sell | 0-15 yrs., up to $100,000 fine. |
| Fifth Degree | Any Schedule IV drug | Any amount of Schedule I, II, III or IV drugs | 0-5 yrs., up to $10,000 fine. |
Minnesota's medical cannabis program became legal in 2015. The following year, in 2016, program registration opened to qualifying individuals. As of July 2016, eight patient centers began operations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Rochester, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Eagan and Hibbing. Additional centers are planned for other cities in the coming year.
To qualify for medical marijuana, Minnesotans must have a qualifying condition such as:
Each patient is limited to a 30-day supply at any given time. While home cultivation is not allowed, many state licensed dispensaries are starting to open their doors across the state.
Although medical marijuana is legal, the recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Minnesota. Those found in possession or the drug will be penalized accordingly.
| Marijuana Amount | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 42.5 g or less | Misdemeanor | No jail time, $200 maximum fine |
| More than 42.5 g, but less than 10 kg | Felony | 5 years jail, $10,000 maximum fine |
| 10 kg, but less than 50 kg | Felony | 30 years jail, $250,000 maximum fine |
| 50 kg, but less than 100 kg | Felony | 30 years jail, $1,000,000 maximum fine |
| More than 1.4 grams inside a vehicle (except trunk) | Misdemeanor | 90 days jail, $1,000 maximum fine |
Individuals facing their first charge may be eligible for a conditional discharge. This allows a person to serve probation time rather than going to trial. Oftentimes, a drug education course is required as well. After successfully completing probation, all charges will be dropped.
Minnesota men, young adults, and Native Americans experience higher rates of substance use disorders than other groups, as do individuals living in the northeast region of the state.
Minnesota is seeing the effects of the opioid epidemic that is sweeping much of the nation. These rising rates of substance abuse and overdose are fueled by heroin, prescription painkillers and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
Psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, and benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, are also frequently abused in Minnesota.
Minnesota has experienced a fivefold increase in drug overdose deaths since 2000. While drug abuse and overdose derail the lives of people from every walk of life in Minnesota, certain population groups are exposed to this risk more heavily than others.
A 2018 Minnesota legislative report found that “Native American Minnesotans are five times as likely to die from a drug overdose as White Minnesotans, with African Americans being twice as likely to die from a drug overdose as White Minnesotans.” At this time, in these groups, this was the greatest difference in the rate of these drug overdose deaths in the entire country.
Many drugs can cause overdose, however, certain drugs cause fatal overdose more frequently. Opioids of all kinds, heroin, psychostimulants, benzodiazepines>, and cocaine were listed by the Department of Health as drugs that caused high numbers of overdose deaths in the state. As of 2016, except for cocaine, overdose deaths from all of these drugs were on the rise.
In 2016 there were:
From 2015 to 2016, the total number of opioid-involved deaths climbed 18 percent. This upward trend was largely due to an increasing number of deaths caused by heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl and tramadol. Specifically, during this time:
Based on recent research, experts believe that overdose death rates will rise 37 percent over the next decade in Minnesota. Opioid drugs like prescription painkillers and heroin are largely responsible for these tragedies, a trend that is expected to continue.
In early 2018, USA Today ranked Minnesota sixth among states with the highest alcohol abuse rates. This was largely based on a high rate of excessive alcohol use. Just over 21 percent of Minnesotans reported binge or heavy drinking, a number higher than the national average at that time of 18 percent.
Even though alcohol is legal, it's still a drug. If a person isn't careful, alcohol misuse can quickly develop into dependency and harmful patterns of an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol abuse includes binge drinking and heavy drinking, both behaviors that are problematic in Minnesota.
In Minnesota, the toll of alcohol abuse and addiction is great:
Alcohol abuse can deeply affect every part of a person's life. Without treatment, a person's health, relationships, and life are all in jeopardy.
After alcohol, in 2016, methamphetamine was the substance that people most frequently sought treatment for in Minnesota. As Minnesota confronts the opioid epidemic, compassionate and comprehensive treatment options and addiction prevention efforts are even more critical.
Minnesota is poised to fight the rising opioid epidemic and other forms of drug abuse head on. Supporting individuals, professionals, and communities in the fight against drug abuse help to save lives and heal the damage caused by addiction.
Minnesota addiction prevention programs include:
The Minnesota Prevention Resource Center
This organization provides resources and other forms of assistance to Minnesota groups and professionals who are fighting substance abuse. This initiative organizes training, events and community campaigns across the state to educate people on the risks and prevention of drug abuse.
Naloxone (Narcan) Access
The Minnesota legislature made Narcan, a life-saving opioid-overdose reversal drug, more available in 2016. Pharmacists can now prescribe this drug to people at risk of overdose or their loved ones without a prescription.
Finding a treatment program that offers research-based treatments is one of the best preventative and protective measures against addiction.
At an addiction rehab center, you’ll work with professional healthcare providers throughout the detoxification and treatment phases. Should a formal, medical detox be necessary, you may be prescribed medication to help ease any withdrawal symptoms and make you more comfortable in the early days of your recovery. The treatment phase of rehab usually consists of individual therapy, group counseling sessions, and other methods depending on the facility and type of program (inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, etc.).
To start your search for a rehab center in Minnesota, browse through our directory of listings to see what programs are available. Once you’re ready you can call us to speak to a treatment support specialist who can walk you through the steps of how to get linked up with a program.
For inpatient programs, patients live onsite and fully immerse themselves in treatment, which can improve outcomes. Before choosing an inpatient rehab program, there are many different factors to consider, including:
Treatment programs in the state of Minnesota offer a variety of services to help clients overcome addiction. Although the type of treatment varies, some effective services and programs include:
Drug and alcohol abuse can poison a person's body, causing serious illness and disease. In addition to the risk of fatal overdose, many of these conditions can be life-threatening.
Addiction treatment has grown to include many transformative services and therapies. From 12-step programs and evidence-based behavioral therapies to holistic treatments and medication-assisted treatment programs, the range of choices for addiction treatment in Minnesota is wide.
High-quality addiction treatment programs and therapies view treatment as a process that adapts to a person's specific needs and life circumstances. Customizing treatment to a client's unique needs can increase treatment participation and success rates.
Not every person will require every stage of treatment, but it is important to understand the role of each program and service plays in recovery. It's also beneficial to talk to a trained addiction treatment specialist for guidance.
The following programs and services can help a person get to treatment, thrive while there and stay sober for the long-term.
Using alcohol or drugs over a long period of time can change the way the brain works. From this, it can be difficult for a person to make decisions that are good for their physical and mental well-being. On top of this, many people can't accept that they have a problem they can't solve. A professional intervention can help a person overcome these issues.
A professional intervention is a service that provides compassionate yet firm guidance to help an individual to accept their need for treatment. An interventionist will plan the intervention, research and provide treatment options and arrange for the person to get to treatment.
The best chance of personal growth, healing and long-term sobriety rest in individualized care. To deliver personalized services and increase the odds of positive treatment outcomes, a person's life and history of substance use need to be evaluated. This process is called a clinical assessment.
A clinical assessment examines a person's physical and mental health and the way they've been affected by substance use. This evaluation should also assess the level of chemical dependency to determine if a person needs detoxification services.
An assessment will likely include:
Once the addiction specialist has a full picture of a person's life, health, and addiction, they can develop an individualized treatment plan.
The longer a person uses a drug, the greater the damage to their body and brain. One of the greatest physical changes that come from chronic drug abuse is dependence. When a person's body is dependent on a drug, it can't function normally without it. This is why a person has withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop using a substance.
A medically supervised drug and alcohol detox supports a person through withdrawal so that painful and uncomfortable symptoms are minimized or prevented. This is most commonly accomplished through medications. Methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) are used to treat individuals who are detoxing from heroin, prescription opioids or fentanyl.
Minnesota inpatient addiction treatment participants live on-site for the duration of treatment. This sober environment offers round-the-clock support and protects them from triggers that could motivate a relapse.
Many people have deeply personal needs and goals they hope to address in treatment. High-quality treatment programs don't just treat substance abuse; they address these issues by also teaching a person how to build stability and fulfillment in their life.
Outpatient care can be a great resource during recovery. Sometimes, on its own, this form of care isn't intensive enough for people with moderate to severe addictions. Instead, outpatient care can be a great tool for those who need to refresh their recovery skills or who would benefit from support while they transition from inpatient treatment to independent living.
Many Minnesota treatment programs provide their graduates with aftercare and alumni support. These services may include mentorship programs, peer support groups, recovery coaching, and inspirational resources to help a person stay sober.
After a person completes treatment, they need to incorporate the sober-living skills they learned into their daily life. Some people find this hard to do when they're surrounded by the pressures and challenges of regular life. A sober living home may be a good alternative for these people.
These group homes sometimes referred to as halfway houses, provide a sober environment that supports personal development and recovery. Some of these homes provide options for families and people with children.
Minnesota drug rehab programs may offer specialized forms of care to meet the unique recovery needs of each patient.
Addiction and mental health disorders can be deeply intertwined. In many cases, one causes the other or makes symptoms of the other more severe. Sometimes this begins through self-medication, as a person drinks alcohol or takes drugs to cope with the symptoms of the mental illness. But unfortunately, as substance abuse continues, it frequently makes the disorder worse, which then leads to more drug abuse.
A dual diagnosis treatment program helps a person to recognize the ways the disorders are connected. Psychotherapy teaches a person more positive ways to think, healthy coping skills and habits of good self-care. These sessions help a person to heal and gain control over negative thoughts, emotions or behaviors which could feed either disorder.
Many people are hesitant to go-to treatment for fear of the impact it will have on their job or reputation. This is common among executives, licensed professionals or other individuals who have demanding careers. The good news is that a number of facilities provide treatment that allows a person to remain active in their career, while other programs offer services that accommodate the demands of professional life.
These tailored programs help a person develop skills that can benefit both their career and personal life. Leadership, communication, stress management, and team-building skills are all professional life skills that may be addressed during treatment.
Other addiction treatment programs may include:
High-quality addiction treatment programs strive to reinvigorate a person's health and life while also teaching transformative sober-living skills. To do this, many programs combine evidence-based treatments with alternative therapies that address overall wellness. This customized approach better ensures that a person's body, mind, and spirit are all on the path to recovery.
Therapies may include:
Paying for treatment raises a lot of questions, but fortunately, there are numerous options besides private-pay that can help a person get treatment. Many drug rehab centers accept health insurance. In Minnesota, these may be provided by:
People who have Medicaid or Medicare may also be able to use their benefits to help pay for treatment.
If a person doesn't have insurance or is still unsure about paying for treatment after their out-of-pocket contribution, other assistance may be available. Many facilities offer or accept scholarships and grants, sliding-fee scales or financing options.
When determining the expense of rehabilitation in minnesota, look at the expense as an investment in your family's future. Most recovery centers are able to take partial payment through any insurance plan you have. If you wish to talk about your eligibility and the cost of treatment in MN, dial our hotline, toll-free to get direct and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your MN inpatient-residential drug and alcohol treatment with take four weeks or 90 days, making the call immediately improves your chances of becoming and keeping healthy. Deciding on a recovery facility that can address your needs before you ever set foot in the door can also help a lot. When you're ready to book treatment, our phone line advisors can help you find the right location so you get a good start.
There is no set cost for addiction treatment due to the varying levels of care, services provided, and amenities included at different treatment facilities. For example, if you wish to seek treatment at a luxury facility with special amenities, you should expect the cost of treatment to be higher.
Other cost-contributing factors will be determined by an addiction treatment professional during the admissions process. For example, depending on the severity of your addiction, you may require a longer length of treatment which will add to the cost of rehab.
Getting help for a substance use disorder can be life-saving. If you are concerned about how to pay for treatment, there are ways to make it work, even if it feels overwhelming. Some options to try include:
There are various programs across the state that can help you, including public insurance options like Medicare and Medicaid. To see if you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, visit healthcare.gov, or call the Minnesota Department of Human Services for more information.
Other great sources of addiction treatment information for Minnesota residents include:
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