For many in this country, what may be initially thought of as merely “recreational” drug and alcohol use may actually foretell the onset of larger, more chronic issues of addiction and addiction-related consequences. Residents of North Dakota are certainly no exception.
One of the commonly abused substances in ND is alcohol. On average, ND students report having more than 4 alcoholic drinks per week. Regular and heavy alcohol consumption not only comes with negative health effects but can also put you at risk of injury, prosecution, and other dangers, shown in statistics like those below:
Illicit and prescription drug abuse are also major concerns for the state, with almost 15% of students using prescription drugs without a prescription. The abuse of these drugs, such as opioids like oxycodone and stimulants like Adderall, can be a slippery slope to using drugs like heroin and meth.
The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office has reported that, from 2010-2015, heroin-related drug violations increased from 4 to 177, while meth violations in ND jumped from 246 to 1,633. Meth use has also been steadily increasing amongst ND residents with numbers almost doubling from 2012 to 2015.
Possessing, manufacturing or distributing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) comes with serious criminal charges in North Dakota.
Substances are organized into five schedules depending on their risk for abuse. Schedules I and II contain the most harmful substances like heroin, opioids, opium derivatives, codeine, morphine and oxycodone. Schedules IV and V are less likely to be abused and may have recognized medical uses such as Ezogabine, Pregabalin, some stimulants, Propofol and Dextropropoxyphene.
Offenses are then divided into seven classes: class AA felony, class A felony, class B felony, class C felony, class A misdemeanor, class B misdemeanor and infraction. These help determine the appropriate criminal charges, jail time and maximum fines. Generally, CDS penalties range from class A felony to class A misdemeanor.
Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
---|---|
Infraction (first offense) | Up to $1,000 fine |
Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 30 days in jail and $1,500 fine |
Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and $3,000 fine |
Class C Felony | Up to 5 years in jail and $10,000 fine |
Class B Felony | Up to 10 years in jail and $20,000 fine |
Class A Felony | Up to 20 years in jail and $20,000 fine |
Class AA Felony | Up to life in jail with no opportunity for parole |
Marijuana use for both recreational or medical purposes is illegal in North Dakota. The possession, sale, manufacture of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia comes with tight legal penalties. Paraphernalia is classified as anything used to manufacture, store or consume marijuana such as water pipes, bongs, roach clips and rolling papers.
While possession is a serious offense, the sale of marijuana comes with much harsher consequences. For instance, criminal charges for selling marijuana may come with a mandatory minimum sentence (MMS). An MMS means you must serve an entire sentence without the chance of parole.
Legal penalties for marijuana are arranged accordingly:
Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
---|---|---|
Possession | ||
1 oz or less | Misdemeanor | 30 days in jail and $1,500 fine |
More than 1 oz – 500 g | Felony | 5 years in jail and $10,000 fine |
More than 500 g | Felony | 10 years in jail and $20,000 fine |
Sale | ||
Any amount | Felony | 3 – 10 years in jail and $20,000 fine |
Using a minor | Felony | 10 years in jail and $20,000 fine |
Any amount within 1,000 feet of a school | Felony | 20 years in jail and $20,000 fine |
Paraphernalia | ||
Possession, manufacture, delivery or advertisement of paraphernalia | Misdemeanor | 1 year in jail and $3,000 fine |
To a minor | Felony | 5 years in jail and $10,000 fine |
Any marijuana-related offense in North Dakota requires an individual to undergo a drug addiction evaluation. In addition, those who are convicted while under the age of 18 will have their driver's license suspended for up to six months.
North Dakota responded to the state's alcohol crisis with regulation. The state began by adding a zero-tolerance drunk driving law for residents under the age of 21. This means that anyone under the age of 21 who is driving with a BAC of over 0.0 percent will be subject to fines and possible jail time.
Additional laws that were passed in 2014 to combat drunk driving include mass media campaigns and school education to inform residents of the risks of drinking and driving. Ignition interlocks have also been installed in the cars of known offenders. These devices prevent the ignition from starting the vehicle if the individual blows a BAC of over a certain percentage.
For all illicit drug abuse and use, the state of North Dakota has relied on multi-component interventions to bring awareness and treatment options to every county. For these interventions, the state relies heavily on community coalitions and task forces to help combat the drug crisis on a local level.
Call us or browse our listings to find a North Dakota rehab program that is right for you. You may wish to ask the following questions before you make your final decision:
Different rehab centers have different accountability systems to ensure the facility maintains integrity and uses the latest research to treat addiction. When looking for a program in North Dakota, consider a few crucial elements of treatment:
When considering drug and alcohol treatment, it's helpful to become familiar with some essential services and programs. Here are some effective services offered within effective rehab programs:
Not all drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs are the same. Some programs may focus on treating a specific type of substance abuse, while others may focus on offering services for one specific gender or demographic. This differentiation among addiction treatment programs in North Dakota is important because it enables patients to choose a program that best matches their needs.
While withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable for most individuals, there are some types of addiction that can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The drugs most commonly involved in this type of severe addiction include alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.
When an addiction reaches the point of life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is often a necessary first step in the recovery process. Medical detox uses a combination of medical expertise and support, along with medications to help patients safely make it through the withdrawal phase.
Medically supervised detox help patients to cope with severe withdrawal symptoms such as:
It is important to note that medical detox should always be followed by an inpatient or outpatient drug rehab program that can also treat the mental and emotional factors associated with addiction.
Inpatient drug rehab is widely considered to be one of the most successful types of rehab programs in the United States. During a residential addiction treatment program, patients are completely removed from the stressors of their previous environment and are placed in a supportive setting surrounded by individuals who understand what they are going through.
Not all North Dakota inpatient drug rehabs are created equal, and it is important to first decide which aspects of rehab are important to recovery before choosing one. Some aspects that can help determine if a rehab program is a good match include amenities, living arrangements, food offerings, and treatment modalities.
Outpatient treatment programs for drug or alcohol addiction can be used in combination with an inpatient program or can be used as a standalone treatment program. It is recommended that outpatient addiction treatment is used as a standalone program for individuals who are unable to dedicate the time away from work or their families to complete an inpatient program.
When used as a transitional tool for individuals who have already completed an inpatient or residential drug rehab program, outpatient rehab can be extremely successful for many patients. Most North Dakota outpatient addiction treatment programs help their patients apply skills and coping mechanisms learned during inpatient rehab to the daily challenges of life in sobriety.
Depending on each patient's level of independence in their recovery process, a more intensive outpatient program may be necessary. Intensive outpatient programs will meet more frequently than traditional outpatient programs—sometimes as frequently as 5 to 6 days per week. Many intensive outpatient programs also offer 24/7 support for their patients to keep them on track even on the tough days.
For some types of addiction, it may be necessary to participate in a specialized treatment program. Many addiction treatment centers offer specialized programs to assist patients in the recovery process.
Religious organizations sometimes sponsor addiction treatment programs that are faith-based, incorporating faith into each patient's treatment plan.
Other types of specialty rehab programs can include:
When an individual has been given a diagnosis of a mental health disorder along with a substance use disorder, this is known as co-occurring disorders. Many drug and alcohol treatment facilities in North Dakota offer specialized programs for the treatment of co-occurring disorders. These dual-diagnosis programs treat both the mental health disorder and the addiction simultaneously to encourage a full recovery for patients.
For some individuals, participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program where the opposite sex is present can feel intimidating. Gender-specific programs can help relax this feeling and make patients feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Many facilities in North Dakota offer gender-specific treatment groups, enabling patients to feel at ease during their treatment.
Often used in medical detox, medication-assisted treatment can also be used to encourage long-term sobriety. Certain types of medications can assist in the recovery process for individuals suffering from severe or long-term addiction by curbing cravings and helping prevent withdrawal symptoms.
A variety of treatment modalities and therapies may be used during both inpatient and outpatient rehab. These therapies vary based on the type of addiction treatment program and what the patient responds to best.
Some common addiction treatment therapies include:
Some therapies used in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction are intended to support or complement other clinical therapies by focusing on whole-person wellness.
These complementary therapies may include:
Length of treatment can vary greatly depending on patient needs and the type of program that the patient is participating in. Short-term drug rehab is generally considered to be 14 days to 90 days in length, with many short-term facilities offering programs in increments of 30 days. Short-term programs are often very structured and sometimes more intensive than longer programs.
Long-term addiction treatment stays can last anywhere from three months to one year, sometimes transitioning into a sober-living home to offer continued support while the patient adapts to independence. Long-term rehab is not only for individuals with severe or long-term addictions; it can be a good choice for anyone struggling with any type of addiction.
Many payment options exist for addiction treatment. It is not uncommon for health insurance plans to cover some or all of the costs associated with addiction treatment.
Health insurance carriers that may offer coverage in North Dakota include:
For those who are not covered by a health insurance plan, other payment methods can make financing drug rehab possible. Some facilities offer payment plans for individuals who qualify that can break the cost of treatment down into smaller monthly payments.
There are also various forms of healthcare loans that can be taken out with little or no interest charged to the patient. These types of loans are sometimes sponsored by state governments and may also be available through Medicaid or Medicare. Like a payment plan, breaking this cost down into monthly or quarterly payments can take a significant amount of stress off the patient's shoulders.
Regarding the price of rehab in north-dakota, look at the expense as an investment in your future. Most rehab clinics are able to take partial payment through any company or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the cost of treatment in ND, contact our no-cost number to get clear and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your ND inpatient-residential prescription and illicit drug rehab with take four weeks or three months, beginning recovery today improves your chances of becoming and staying healthy. Determining a rehab clinic that can meet your needs before you ever start the program can also help quite 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 are a variety of payment options for substance abuse treatment in North Dakota. Many facilities accept private health insurance policies, as well as Medicare and North Dakota's Medicaid program. If you're insured by one of these plans, it's a good idea to call your insurance provider to learn more about the coverage offered and which treatment centers are in your network.
If you do not have insurance, or if the program you're interested in doesn't accept your insurance, there are still options available. Some ND facilities offer sliding scale fees, meaning that the amount you're charged is based on what you're able to pay, and some offer payment plans that allow you to pay for treatment in installations rather than one lump sum.
One of the common barriers to getting treatment is the cost of rehab. But remember, you can’t put a price on your life. If you don’t have enough money to cover the cost of treatment, you can:
Don’t let anything stop you from receiving the help you need to get your life back on track.
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