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The number of people in New Hampshire receiving treatment for a substance use disorder increases every year; in 2015, single-day count surveying revealed that more than 8,000 people were enrolled in NH substance abuse treatment programs, up from under 6,000 in 2011. What’s even more concerning is that this is just a small portion of the people suffering from addiction. A survey found that less than 11% of people actually receive addiction treatment when they need it.
It’s important that those who are suffering from drug dependence and addiction get the help they need and complete a full treatment program at a rehab facility. Without professional medical help, you or your loved one are at risk of overdose and other physical and mental health complications. You may think overdose won’t happen to you, but, in reality, if you are abusing drugs, you are at risk. Overdoses are happening every day in New Hampshire. The state continues to have one of the highest overdose rates in the United States. In 2015 alone, overdose deaths in the state rose to 422, an increase of almost 100 deaths from the previous year.
New Hampshire provides comprehensive statistics on substance abuse hospital admissions and deaths from overdose. Deaths from drug overdoses, primarily heroin and fentanyl, peaked at 485 in 2016. In 2017, 395 drug-related deaths were recorded, with 158 of them in Hillsborough County. Here are more troubling statistics:
The possession, manufacture and distribution of illicit substances in New Hampshire comes with serious legal consequences. Drugs are organized into five schedules according to their risk for dependency and potential medical uses. For example, schedules I and II drugs have no medical uses and are highly addictive. These include heroin, LSD, methaqualone, oxycodone, methamphetamine, methadone and cocaine. On the other hand, schedules IV and V consist of substances that may be used for medical reasons and have a lower potential for abuse. Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Lyrica and certain cough prescriptions all fall under schedules IV and V.
Possession charges for controlled dangerous substances (CDS) are as follows:
| Substance | First Offense | Second Offense |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule I, II, III or IV substance | Class B felony and a fine up to $25,000 | Class A felony and a fine up to $50,000 |
| Schedule V substance | Up to 3 years in jail and/or $15,000 fine | Class B felony and a fine up to $25,000 |
| Hashish – 5 gm or more | Misdemeanor and fine up to $5,000 | Class B felony and a fine up to $25,000 |
| Hashish – less than 5 gm | Class A misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
If you are found possessing or selling an illicit substance within 1,000 feet of a public or private school, you will face additional penalties. In these situations, sentencing for time in jail and fines will be doubled.
Medical marijuana passed New Hampshire legislation in June 2013 as part of House Bill 573. A few years later in April 2016, the first dispensary began operating and serving patients. As of August 2016, roughly 1,300 individuals were enrolled in the program.
In New Hampshire, the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana are:
Medical marijuana patients are limited to possessing two ounces at a time. Since home cultivation is strictly prohibited, individuals must obtain their marijuana from an approved state dispensary.
While marijuana for medical purposes is allowed in New Hampshire, recreational use of marijuana is illegal. In June 2016, Senate Bill 498 was enacted to reduce the penalties for first-time marijuana offenders. Criminal charges for a first offense dropped from a Class A offense to an unspecified misdemeanor which involves no more than one year in jail and a maximum fine of $350.
Other legal penalties related to the possession or possession with an intent to sell marijuana are:
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ||
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and $350 fine |
| Possession with an Intent to Sell | ||
| Less than 1 oz (first offense) | Felony | Up to 3 years in jail and $25,000 fine |
| 1 oz – less than 5 lbs (first offense) | Felony | Up to 7 years in jail and $100,000 fine |
| 5 lbs or more (first offense) | Felony | Up to 20 years in jail and $300,000 fine |
Subsequent offenses often carry greater criminal charges and sentences. If the crime happens within 1,000 feet of a school zone, fines and jail time will be doubled. Additionally, individuals under the age of 21 will face a driver's license suspension – one to five years for those under the age of 18, and 90 days to one year for individuals under the age of 21.
New Hampshire residents abuse fentanyl, carfentanil—an elephant tranquilizer 100 times stronger than fentanyl—methamphetamines, crack cocaine, heroin, heroin laced with fentanyl, marijuana, and other drugs.
To combat drug use, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has established several initiatives that include promoting medication-assisted treatment programs and increasing access to addiction treatment programs.
Other New Hampshire initiatives and agencies working to implement programs to prevent and decrease substance abuse in the state include:
With so many rehab options available, searching for the right center for you can be overwhelming. Don’t let this delay you from getting the help you need; there are ways to make your search easier:
New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services' Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services funds regional public health networks throughout the state. In addition, New Hampshire maintains a mobile-friendly treatment locator service, the New Hampshire Recovery Hub, to help people find the right program for them. Things to consider when searching include:
New Hampshire licenses and certifies substance abuse professionals and prevention specialists. The state has also established a Center for Excellence which oversees a continuum of care from prevention to treatment. Some essential services or programs offered include:
Several addiction treatment formats are available in New Hampshire to support a person recovering from a substance use disorder. Programs are designed to provide physical, mental and emotional support as clients learn to live a life of sobriety.
A clinical assessment will determine what substances were abused, the duration of the substance abuse and any underlying factors that need to be addressed in treatment in order to achieve long-term recovery. Drug rehab programs in New Hampshire can provide programs tailored to a person's specific needs, and an addiction treatment plan may include some or all of the following programs.
For friends and family members who are concerned that a loved one does not see the harmful effects of their drug or alcohol use, an intervention may be necessary to convince the person to seek help.
A professional interventionist will meet with the members of the group in advance, help plan the conversation and select a treatment center. Professional interventions have a high success rate in persuading someone with a substance use disorder to seek addiction treatment.
Depending on the substance of abuse, detoxification is often the first step in ending an addiction. In a drug and alcohol detox program, the substance is withheld while the person is under the supervision and receives medical support as their body begins to adjust to sobriety.
Because detoxing from some substances can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and side effects, medical care and 24-hour support may be necessary to help a person safely break a physical addiction to drugs or alcohol. Withdrawing from drugs like benzodiazepines, alcohol or opioids cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that can worsen without proper care. Medications may be provided to relieve stress and discomfort and to prevent or alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Once a person is safely through the withdrawal period, addiction treatment can begin. Therapy and recovery activities teach relapse-prevention skills and other behavioral modifications that ensure a long-lasting recovery.
In New Hampshire, residential addiction treatment programs offer therapy, ongoing medical support and medication-assisted treatment to help patients develop the recovery skills that will keep them sober for a lifetime. The person will live at the facility while in the program.
Outpatient drug rehabilitation programs allow patients to return home or to a sober-living facility after treatment each day. This less-intensive program can serve as a step-down level of care for someone who has just completed an inpatient program but who would benefit from continued support as they adjust to their new life in sobriety.
Outpatient addiction treatment programs are also beneficial for those who are highly motivated to recovery but have work or family obligations and cannot participate in a residential program.
New Hampshire aftercare and alumni programs are often available to those who have completed an addiction treatment program. These services are a way to stay in contact with the recovery community and access support when needed.
Many addiction treatment centers in New Hampshire provide specialized programs to accommodate each patient's unique needs. These may include medication-assisted treatment, care for dual-diagnosis disorders and gender-specific therapy.
Several FDA-approved medications are available to prevent withdrawal and help reduce the risk of relapse. Drugs such as naltrexone (Vivitrol), methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone) might be given to help with those who are in recovery from an opioid use disorder. For those recovering from an alcohol use disorder, drugs such as acamprosate (Campral) or disulfiram (Antabuse) may be used.
Mental health disorders frequently co-occur with substance use disorders. Those with a dual diagnosis for substance abuse and mental health require treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously, each in context of the other.
Gender-specific therapy groups can be useful to encourage participation and address gender-related issues that affect recovery.
New Hampshire offers a wide variety of addiction treatment programs that can be combined to fully address a person's unique needs.
Addiction treatment therapies may include:
Counseling on an individual basis allows the person in recovery to meet with a therapist to address their addiction issues and any underlying behaviors associated with the addiction.
Behavioral therapy addresses any negative thought patterns or destructive behaviors. These methods can include motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
Complementary therapies are often offered in New Hampshire as part of a holistic addiction treatment plan, adding to traditional therapies with activities that address whole-person wellness. Complementary therapies may include acupuncture, yoga, journaling, and equine therapy.
Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous can give people in recovery a chance to meet in a group setting with others to hear success stories and learn how others overcome the everyday struggles of sobriety.
Family therapy can help loved ones who were affected by substance abuse to learn more about addiction, identify enabling behaviors and provide a more stable environment in the home.
Developing any missing life skills, such as enrolling in college, finding employment or improving communication skills, helps to ensure a fulfilling life in recovery.
Learn about eating healthy and improving physical health can further reduce the risk of relapse.
By learning stress-management skills, the person in recovery can learn how to manage stress without turning to substance abuse. Stress-management tools may include meditation, stretching and breathing exercises.
In New Hampshire, there are various ways to pay for drug and alcohol treatment programs:
Addiction treatment is a covered behavioral health service benefit under many health insurance plans. Copayments and out-of-pocket costs will vary based on provider.
In New Hampshire, medical insurance providers may include:
Addiction treatment program lengths vary. Programs can last a few days or several months, depending on the person's needs.
Inpatient treatment programs typically last 30 to 90 days, but some can be extended longer if needed. Outpatient programs last similar lengths, while some alumni programs are designed for lifelong participation.
As you determine the cost of rehabilitation in new-hampshire, look at the expense as an investment in your family's future. Most treatment centers are able to take partial payment through any PPO or HMO plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the cost of treatment in NH, contact our no-cost number to get direct and honest answers to your questions.
Whether your NH inpatient-residential alcohol, prescription and illicit drug addiction recovery with take 30 days or three months, making the call immediately improves your odds of getting and staying healthy. Picking a recovery facility that can meet your standards before you ever begin can also help immeasurably. When you're ready to book treatment, our phone line advisors can help you find the right location so you can move on to getting healthy.
Many people don't receive the substance abuse treatment they need to make a positive change due to the steep costs of addiction treatment. That being said, rehab doesn't always have to be expensive. It all depends on the type of treatment program (luxury vs. standard), duration of the program (30-day vs. 90-day), location, and your insurance plan. Insurance can help to mitigate the out-of-pocket costs associated with treatment.
If you have insurance, it's important that you call your provider to learn more about your individual plan and coverage. In the state of New Hampshire, almost 70% of programs accept private insurance, about 76% accept Medicaid, and more than 40% accept Medicare.
If you don't have insurance, don't let that hinder you from getting the help you need. Recovery facilities understand the financial burden that treatment can present, which is why almost half of NH programs offer reduced fees based on income. You can also take out a loan, open a Healthcare credit card, raise money on a crowdfunding website, such as GoFundMe or IndieGoGo, or use your savings. Remember, nothing is more important than your health and happiness.
Addiction treatment can range anywhere from $600 a day for a detox program to $58,000 for an entire 90-day program. Don’t let the cost stop you from getting help—there are several options to help you pay for treatment.
If you need financial assistance, you may be able to get help from:
There are numerous resources for New Hampshire residents who want more information about or are struggling with drug abuse and addiction:
If you’re experiencing an emergency situation, such as an overdose, you should go straight to calling 911. Don’t wait.
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