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When you suffer from a drug or alcohol addiction, every day can feel like a struggle, and you may feel like you’re all alone. But many people face the same challenges you do—and you don’t have to look far to find them.
Recent surveys reveal that among Pennsylvania residents, substance abuse reaches into every corner of the state:
Pennsylvania has severe sentences for possession, distribution and manufacturing of illicit drugs. Legal consequences vary based on the type of drug and amount involved. Drugs with the greatest risk of dependency have more serious penalties than those that are less likely to be abused. For example, possessing more than five grams of cocaine comes with a minimum of five years in prison.
For controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, sentences are as follows:
| Number of Offenses | Legal Sentence |
|---|---|
| First offense | One year in prison, and/or $5,000 fine |
| Second offense | Two years in prison |
| Third offense | Three years in prison |
Pennsylvania became the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana in April 2016. It will take the Pennsylvania Department of Health roughly 18 to 24 months to complete the process of implementing the state's medical marijuana program.
Once the program is implemented, qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania will include:
Medical marijuana patients will be limited to a 30-day supply at any given time. The possession limit also encompasses cannabis-infused oils, topical ointments, tinctures and liquids. Patients will be required to obtain marijuana from licensed dispensaries as home cultivation is not allowed.
Although the medical marijuana program has taken effect, recreational use of the drug is still illegal. Possessing, distributing or cultivating marijuana for personal uses will result in jail time and fines. While a person may be eligible for conditional release for their first offense, later convictions can lead to a doubled penalty.
| Marijuana Amount | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 30 g or less | Misdemeanor | 30 days in jail and $500 fine |
| More than 30 g | Misdemeanor | 1 year in jail and $5,000 fine |
Pennsylvania's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) has reported significant success in recent years.
Through the PDMP database, physicians and pharmacists are able to provide better patient care, detect early warning signs of drug abuse and identify potential insurance fraud cases. State-to-state sharing of prescription information also plays a vital role in catching drug shoppers. Data is kept confidential and requests for information are strictly limited to law enforcement officials.
As part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, Pennsylvania's law enforcement agencies work to develop strategic plans that will reduce drug trafficking.
Some of HIDTA's current projects include:
Like many states across the nation, Pennsylvania has seen a rise in drug-related deaths caused by heroin and prescription opioids. Currently, one in four Pennsylvania families struggle with substance abuse.
The passing of ACT 139 will now allow first responders, friends and family members to carry naloxone, an opioid overdose medicine. Naloxone works by reversing the harmful effects of an opioid overdose by preventing respiratory and central nervous system depression. The medication is administered by injection and will kick in within minutes.
After administering naloxone, an emergency medical team should be contacted immediately. This life-saving medication counteracts dangerous overdose symptoms and helps get people back on their feet.
Pennsylvania has been hit harder by drug addiction and the opioid epidemic than many other states.
As of July 2017, the rate at which Pennsylvania's drug overdoses were increasing was higher than any other state. In a 12-month period spanning from 2016 to 2017, state drug overdose deaths rose by 43.4 percent.
In 2016:
Pennsylvania's opioid overdose death rate was nearly 40 percent higher than the nation's.
A staggering 80 percent of Pennsylvania's counties had an overdose death rate higher than the national average in 2016. The national average was 16.3 deaths for every 100,000 people.
In 2016, the top five Pennsylvania counties for drug-related overdose deaths were:
These rising numbers are largely due to opioid drugs. In 2016, three of the top five drugs most frequently identified in drug overdose deaths were opioids:
Prescription drugs that may be responsible for these deaths include opioid painkillers such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin, and benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax.
Other forms of Pennsylvania drug abuse that can cause overdose include:
In July 2017, in Lancaster County alone, 102 people overdosed on synthetic marijuana in just three days.
This law allows first responders to carry and administer naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication that can save lives. Loved ones of a person at risk of overdose can receive a prescription for naloxone (Narcan) under this law. Act 139 also protects a person who reports an overdose from prosecution.
This program offers safe options to dispose of medications. The goal is to reduce the number of prescription drugs available for diversion and abuse.
The aim of this initiative is to increase the chance that a person successfully recovers from addiction after an overdose. Under this program, a person receives a referral for substance abuse treatment while they're still in the emergency department.
Clearly, if you suffer from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you are not alone. You also have many ways to find treatment for your substance use disorder. A good place to start is right here. Either search our directory of providers—both in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, if you prefer somewhere away from the distractions and potential triggers of everyday life—or call our experienced treatment consultants who can walk you through your options.
You can also ask your family doctor, counselor, or church leader for a trusted referral to a treatment professional or organization. The benefits department of your health insurance company is an excellent resource for local treatment providers, too, and you can discuss any options your plan includes for out of state programs, if you so desire.
When choosing a rehab program, it's crucial to understand what to consider before enrolling. Understanding the following may help someone receive the best care that's the right fit for them:
When researching rehab programs in Pennsylvania drug, it's important to understand some components of effective inpatient treatment. Knowing key terminology, as well as some offered services, can help when comparing various options.
Consider:
A variety of individualized services and therapies make up each person's addiction treatment plan. From the first days of recovery to the years beyond, the best addiction treatment services focus on keeping a person inspired, accountable and committed to better health and sober living.
The following Pennsylvania addiction treatment programs can help a person build a strong and balanced recovery.
Chronic drug use can change a person's brain chemistry. This damage can impair a person's thoughts and decision-making abilities. Paired with denial, this can make it hard for some people to see that they have a problem or that they're in need of treatment.
Pennsylvania intervention services can help a person overcome this hurdle so they can get the treatment they need. A professional interventionist will help plan the intervention, oversee it and assist the person and their family as they choose a treatment program.
Drug and alcohol abuse can create a strong physical dependence on a substance, meaning that a person's body cannot function normally in the absence of the drug. In many cases this dependency causes a person to become very sick if they stop using the substance. This is often the case with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, all of which can cause severe or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxing at home without medical supervision can be very dangerous. The risk of relapse during an unsupported detox is also higher than during a professional drug and alcohol detox program.
Pennsylvania medical detox programs offer greater protection against relapse and medical complications caused by unsupervised withdrawal. Medications are frequently used to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Intravenous fluid therapy and nutritional support may also be administered to help a person's body heal and cleanse the drug from its system.
A variety of therapies are used during inpatient drug rehab to help a person grow and build positive behaviors that support sobriety. Counseling sessions help a person to transform their lives and overcome negative patterns caused by addiction. Peer support groups are great ways to find encouragement, accountability and new sets of coping skills.
During residential drug and alcohol rehab, clinicians address the ways addiction has hurt a person psychologically and even spiritually. Every program is slightly different, however, the most effective treatment programs typically use psychotherapies to help a person work through the emotional and mental damage of addiction. These sessions guide a person toward hope, healing and healthy habits of self-care.
Once a person has found sobriety, they must take steps to protect themselves against relapse. Chronic substance abuse can change a person's behaviors and thought processes. Inpatient addiction treatment generally commits more time, resources and therapy sessions to overcome these obstacles. This in-depth approach teaches coping and relapse-prevention skills so that a person will be better able to handle the demands of a sober life.
Outpatient drug rehab has several roles in addiction treatment. While some people benefit from outpatient drug rehab as a standalone treatment, many people have greater success when using it as a step-down service.
As a step-down level of care, outpatient programs support a person as they transition from the structured setting of residential treatment to independent living. Outpatient addiction treatment programs provide guidance, support and fresh tips on how to practice sober living.
Recovery is a journey that takes constant diligence and support. It can be very difficult for a person to maintain a drug-free life on their own.
There are numerous resources that can help a person nourish a stable recovery after they leave treatment:
Staying active in the recovery community can inspire a person to stay positive, healthy and sober.
Specialized Pennsylvania drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs give clients more opportunities to work on the issues that impact them the most.
Addiction can cause physical, mental and emotional imbalances. Many people find that they are more successful when each of these areas is treated together. Medication-assisted treatment blends behavioral therapies, counseling, and medications into one integrated approach.
Medications for opioid use disorders:
Medications for alcohol use disorders:
Addiction can affect men and women differently. Gender-specific programs provide therapies and treatments that address gender-related addiction issues. This may include programs that treat certain physical health needs or ones that address important life experiences, like parenting or surviving traumatic events.
Mental-health issues that co-occur with addiction can complicate a person's treatment needs. Recovery can be far more successful if the mental health disorder is treated along with the addiction. Dual-diagnosis treatment programs may address:
Other specialized addiction treatment programs are offered throughout Pennsylvania, such as holistic, LGBTQIA-friendly, luxury or religious programs, or programs designed for executives or professionals.
Pennsylvania addiction treatment programs use traditional, spiritual, alternative and research-based therapies. This integrated approach helps a person find their unique path to sobriety.
Evidence-based behavioral therapies work to develop positive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that build a strong foundation for recovery and may include:
A growing number of drug rehab programs offer exciting and engaging alternative therapies that enhance a person's confidence, resilience, and inner strength:
A person's body needs to heal and strengthen itself after the effects of prolonged drug abuse. A number of Pennsylvania addiction treatment programs offer classes on nutrition or physical fitness to support these goals.
Many people don't seek treatment because they think they can't afford it. Fortunately, a number of options exist that can help a person pay for treatment. One of the biggest is health insurance. Each insurance provider offers different benefits, and copays and deductibles will vary between companies and plans.
Health insurance providers that may offer benefits for addiction treatment in Pennsylvania include:
If a person finds that they're still in need of financial assistance after insurance—or if they don't have insurance—there are a number of ways they could get the treatment they need:
A patient's initial clinical assessment will help treatment providers determine how long a person should be enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program. Individuals facing medical problems or a dual diagnosis may need longer treatment. Short-term programs last 28 to 30 days. Other program options include:
Long-term treatment may last a year or more.
When reviewing the expense of rehabilitation in pennsylvania, look at the expense as an investment in your future and your family's. Most treatment facilities are able to take partial payment through any PPO, HMO or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to discuss your eligibility and the cost of treatment in PA, contact our help line, at no cost to get clear and honest answers to your questions.
Whether your PA inpatient-residential alcohol, prescription and street drug recovery with take 30 days or 90 days, beginning your recovery today improves your odds of getting and keeping healthy. Picking a rehabilitation facility that can meet your expectations before you ever begin rehab can also help a lot. When you're ready to book treatment, our hotline advisors can help you find the right spot so you feel comfortable.
Getting addiction treatment in Pennsylvania doesn't have to be a financial hardship. There are numerous options to help you cover the cost of rehab services.
Start by determining if your current health insurance offers coverage for rehab. Ask your provider which services are covered and which facilities are in your network so that you can accurately estimate what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.
If your insurance does not cover addiction treatment, you may be able to work directly with the rehab facility so set up a payment plan and timeline that fits your budget. Some centers offer sliding scale fees, and certain PA-sponsored facilities may even have free services.
In addition to the above options, you can also explore Pennsylvania’s state and regional programs for those with no insurance or for those whose plans provide extremely limited coverage. Federal plans like Medicaid provide additional options if you have a limited income, and representatives can direct you to participating treatment programs.
Individual treatment centers are often willing to work with you on various payment options too. Sometimes, they offer a sliding scale based on your income and other factors, and many will work out a payment plan that allows you to get the treatment you need now while giving you time to pay it off.
In some cases, treatment centers or local charitable organizations offer partial or full scholarships specifically for substance abuse treatment. Usually, it’s simply a matter of asking what’s available and taking the steps to apply.
No matter which option you choose, reaching out today to get the help you need may be the best decision you ever make.
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