The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates at least 50% of opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid painkiller. Drugs like oxycodone, fentanyl, and heroin all contribute to the rising number of overdose deaths. In Missouri, the highest rates of opioid-related deaths occur in the state’s eastern regions, especially St. Louis and the surrounding rural and suburban areas.
Below are additional statistics on the state of drug abuse among vulnerable populations in Missouri:
Missouri is known for having some of the stiffest penalties for drug offenses in the country. Nearly 36,000 people were arrested for a drug violation in 2016 alone. Many states classify illicit drug offenses according to the amount and type of substance involved. However, that's not the case in Missouri.
Missouri also enforces a minimum sentence requirement of at least one year in prison for drug possession convictions.
On Jan. 1, 2017, new prison sentences and fines for most drug-related crimes will take effect. The tables below show the 2017 penalties, as well as charges that end on Dec. 31, 2016.
Missouri Illicit Possession | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Type of offense | Previous charge (ending Dec. 31, 2016) | Previous penalty (ending Dec. 31, 2016) | New charge (effective Jan. 1, 2017) | New penalty (effective Jan. 1, 2017) |
First-time and subsequent offenses | Class C felony | 1 – 7 year prison sentence; $5,000 fine | Class D felony | 1 – 4 years in prison; $5,000 fine |
Selling or producing drugs in Missouri is considered a much more serious crime, especially if it was committed near an elementary school, high school or college. The 2017 penalties for these crimes are similar to those involving first-degree burglary, voluntary manslaughter or statutory sexual assault.
Missouri Illicit Distribution and Manufacturing | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Type of offense | Previous charge (ending Dec. 31, 2016) | Previous penalty (ending Dec. 31, 2016) | New charge (effective Jan. 1, 2017) | New penalty (effective Jan. 1, 2017) |
Regular distribution or manufacture | Class B felony | 5 – 15 year prison sentence; variable fine | Class C felony | 1 – 7 year prison sentence; $5,000 fine |
Distribution or manufacture within 2,000 ft of a school | Class A felony | 10 – 30 years in prison; variable fine | Class B felony | 5 – 15 year prison sentence; no fine |
While most of Missouri's drug crime penalties will change in 2017, penalties for marijuana offenses will remain the same. Depending on the amount of marijuana involved and the circumstance of the crime, violators could potentially spend the rest of their lives in prison.
Marijuana Possession | ||
---|---|---|
Marijuana amount | Charge | Maximum penalty |
Less than 10g | Class D misdemeanor | 15 days in jail; $300 fine |
10g – 35g | Class A misdemeanor | 1 year in prison; $1,000 fine |
35g – 30kg | Class C felony | 1 – 7 year prison sentence; $5,000 fine |
30kg – 100kg | Class B felony | 5 – 15 year prison sentence; $20,000 fine |
100kg or more | Class A felony | 10 years – life; $20,000 fine |
Marijuana Sale or Cultivation | ||
Less than 5g | Class C felony | 1 – 7 year prison sentence; $5,000 fine |
5g – 100kg | Class B felony | 5 – 15 year prison sentence; $20,000 fine |
100kg or more | Class A felony | 10 years – life; $20,000 fine |
500 plants or more | Class A felony | 10 years – life; $20,000 fine |
Sale within 2,000 feet of a school | Class A felony | 10 years – life; $20,000 fine |
Sale to a minor | Class B felony | 5 – 15 year prison sentence; $20,000 fine |
In 2014, Missouri enacted a cannabidiol (CBD) law to treat patients suffering from intractable epilepsy.
According to the law, patients with a prescription can possess up to 20 ounces of CBD at any given time. Patients can obtain the oil from a number of state-licensed dispensaries; however, home cultivation is not allowed. The oil cannot contain more than three-tenths of one percent of THC.
Access to comprehensive drug addiction treatment programs is a key component in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Missouri has several statewide initiatives to decrease and prevent substance abuse.
The MORE Project seeks to decrease the number of opioid overdose deaths in the state by educating and training first responders in rural regions. The program also distributes naloxone, a drug that can save lives by reversing an opioid overdose.
The Division of Behavioral Health uses community-level initiatives and policy change to help reduce substance abuse in the general population, with a focus on youth and pregnant women.
This coalition is focused on reducing substance abuse in the college population. Twenty-one public and private college and university campuses participate in this initiative and provide services and support that focus on substance abuse prevention, underage drinking, mental health issues, and suicide prevention.
The goal of the SPIRIT project is to decrease substance abuse in school-aged individuals. Participating agencies use evidence-based methods to achieve this goal, while also improving school performance and reducing violence.
In addition to these initiatives, Missouri also supports a number of needle exchange programs or syringe services that give people who inject drugs an opportunity to receive sterile injection supplies. These programs help to reduce the harm associated with IV drug use, such as disease transmission and improper disposal of used needles.
People use drugs and/or alcohol for various reasons: to cope with stressors, feel pleasure, or manage pain, for example. Repeated use of psychoactive substances can change the way the brain reacts to drugs and can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that can last throughout a person’s lifetime. However, treatment is available and research shows that a combination of medication and behavioral therapies is most successful in managing addiction.
The decision to access treatment is the first step in recovery. There are hundreds of professional centers across the country that provide evidence-based treatment in a relaxing, sober environment. You can call us to speak to a representative about finding a rehab center that’s best for you.
Finding the right rehab program is critical for setting the groundwork towards long-lasting recovery. When choosing a rehab program in Missouri, there are a few specifics to keep in mind, including:
There are a number of different rehab services available for the treatment of addiction. The right program addresses the unique issues facing the individual and is likely determined by an individual assessment. Consider the following services and programs:
Addiction rewires the brain, often causing a person to want a drug more than nearly anything else in their life—including their health and well-being. Instead of practicing self-care and managing important responsibilities, such as a career or family obligations, many people spend large amounts of time and energy on finding and using drugs or alcohol.
Missouri addiction treatment programs work to undo the physical, mental and social damage caused by addiction. From this, a person can begin to heal and learn healthy behaviors that support a balanced, sober life.
Individualized Missouri addiction treatment services begin with a clinical assessment. This evaluation determines the severity of the addiction and the damage it has inflicted on a person's life. Addiction specialists then use this information to build a customized treatment plan that may include some or all of the following levels of care.
Many people willingly choose treatment, however, some have difficulty recognizing the need for professional help. An intervention can help motivate a person to seek help and connect them to the addiction treatment services that could change their life.
A professionally trained interventionist supports a person's family in planning and conducting the intervention. An interventionist can also help family members research treatment options and make arrangements to get a person into rehab.
Medically supervised detox programs in Missouri provide specialized medical support to keep clients safe and as comfortable as possible during detox and withdrawal. Some drug and alcohol detox programs offer medications to reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
A medical drug and alcohol detox is frequently recommended as the first step of treatment for people with strong chemical dependencies, such as those caused by alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioid drugs.
While a detoxification program centers on breaking the body free from the physical aspects of addiction, a drug rehab program focuses on treating the psychological and behavioral elements to prevent relapse. Through addiction treatment, a person is better prepared to meet the challenges of a newly sober life. For many people, an inpatient drug rehab program offers the best environment to achieve these goals.
An inpatient drug and alcohol rehab program offers a therapeutic community that inspires and supports a person as they work to build a sober life. This community is made up of highly trained clinicians and peers who are facing their own recovery journeys. These relationships enhance the recovery principles learned during therapy and counseling sessions.
High-quality Missouri inpatient drug rehab centers offer individualized treatment programs. These programs teach sober living skills that are tailored to the unique demands of a person's life.
These skills help a person to build and maintain healthy behaviors and positive mindsets that support a balanced, sober life. This recovery skill set includes coping skills, relapse-prevention tools, and stress-reduction techniques.
While Missouri outpatient programs can be used as a standalone treatment for addiction, in many cases, these programs have a more valuable role when used as a supportive service following an inpatient program. In an outpatient drug and alcohol rehab program, clients participate in therapy sessions and group activities during the day and return home or to a sober living facility in the evenings.
Outpatient care helps a person to transition from the structure and support of a residential program to independent living. Both traditional outpatient and intensive outpatient programs can be used this way. The severity of a person's addiction and the circumstances of their life will determine if a step-down program is appropriate, and if so, which program is best for their needs.
Newfound sobriety can be intimidating, and the risk of relapse is highest in the time right after treatment. Many people find they're more successful in their recovery if they participate in aftercare services or an alumni program.
These Missouri recovery support services help a person to remain strong and abstinent in the face of challenges they experience in their day-to-day lives. The goal of aftercare is to keep a person inspired, accountable and active in their recovery so that they're prepared to cope with circumstances that could threaten their sobriety.
Examples of aftercare and alumni support services include mentorship opportunities, self-improvement programs, peer support groups, and sober-living arrangements.
As part of their commitment to individualized care, a growing number of addiction treatment centers offer specialized treatment programs.
In Missouri, these may include:
While medications used to treat substance use disorders are useful on their own, research shows that they are more effective when paired with behavioral therapies.
A medication-assisted treatment approach may include buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone, two maintenance medications for opioid addiction. Disulfiram (Antabuse), acamprosate (Campral) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) are often used to deter a return to alcohol use.
Individuals with co-occurring disorders—when a substance use disorder and mental health disorder occur simultaneously—have a better chance of achieving long-lasting sobriety through a dual-diagnosis treatment program.
Dual-diagnosis care integrates treatment of both conditions into one program, most commonly utilizing a personalized combination of behavioral therapies.
Men's- or women's-only programs provide services and therapies that respect and address the unique circumstances clients experience in their lives. Certain Missouri facilities may also offer LGBTQ-friendly programs.
While many Missouri addiction treatment therapies can be transformative when used alone, more often than not, they achieve their greatest benefit when used in combination with other therapies. These therapies may include research-based behavioral therapies, 12-step programs and complementary or alternative therapies that are holistic in nature.
Addiction can impact an individual on a personal, family and social level. For the best chance of long-term sobriety, treatment must address each aspect of their life that has been impacted by addiction. High-quality programs offer behavioral therapies in individual, family and group settings.
Evidence-based behavioral therapies include:
Stress is one of the most common triggers of cravings and relapse. Past drug abuse can destroy a person's morale and self-confidence, factors which can be equally damaging during recovery. To address all aspects of a client's well-being in recovery, Missouri drug rehab programs may offer the following complementary therapies:
To further support whole-body wellness and healing, many programs offer nutritional guidance, exercise programs and access to a variety of engaging recreational activities.
The price of addiction on a person's health, well-being, relationships and employment can be immense—far more than the cost of addiction treatment. Many financial options are available to those who seek help for a substance use disorder, the most common of which is health insurance.
Health insurance companies that may provide coverage for addiction treatment in Missouri include:
Drug and alcohol detox programs may last a few days to a few weeks. While short-term, 30-day inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment programs do help many people get sober, research has shown that the best treatment results are achieved in long-term rehab programs lasting 90 days or more. Aftercare services are often available to former clients indefinitely.
As you consider the price of rehabilitation in missouri, look at the expense as an investment in your life and the lives of your family. Most recovery clinics are able to take partial payment through any PPO, HMO or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to talk about your eligibility and the expense of treatment in MO, contact our toll-free hotline to get frank and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your MO inpatient-residential prescription and street drug recovery with take four weeks or three months, not delaying improves your chances of becoming and keeping healthy. Determining a treatment facility that can meet your requirements before you ever begin rehab can also help considerably. When you're ready to book treatment, our phone line advisors can help you find the right location so you get a good start.
Just as rehab is not a one-size-fits-all experience, it also does not have one set price. Many different factors influence the cost of the treatment program of your choosing. For instance, luxury programs, which offer upscale amenities and services, cost more than traditional inpatient programs, while outpatient programs are cheaper than inpatient, in most cases.
Recovery programs also vary in their length, typically lasting anywhere from 30 to 90 days, although they may be longer if necessary. A shorter program will cost less than a longer program.
Another important factor to consider is that of insurance. Seventy-two percent of Missouri facilities accept private insurance, 25% accept Medicare, and 65% accept Medicaid. If you don't have insurance, there are other ways to pay for your treatment. 92% of recovery programs in Missouri accept self-payment or cash.
Whether you are considering inpatient or outpatient treatment, you might be concerned about how to cover the expenses. Keep in mind that no matter how expensive rehab is, you are investing in your health and your future.
In order to cover the cost of addiction treatment, consider the following:
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