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Recent surveys about behaviors related to drugs and alcohol bear out the evidence that substance abuse is everywhere, including Utah:
Penalties for the possession of drugs in Utah vary according to the type of substance involved. Utah classifies its drugs into five schedules based on the likelihood of addiction and perceived dangerousness. Schedule I substances are considered most addictive, while schedule V drugs have the lowest risk of addiction.
While drug penalties in Utah are tough, state officials are advocating treatment-based approaches in lieu of jail time. In October 2015, Utah passed a law to decriminalize first-time and second-time schedule I and schedule II drug possession offenses. Charges for these offenses were reduced from third-degree felonies to class A misdemeanors. The law also decreases the size of drug-free zones where violators would normally receive increased charges. With these changes to the previous laws, Utah hopes to see a decrease in repeat drug-related offenses and an increase in people getting treatment.
| Classification of Substance | Number of Offenses | Charge | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedules I – II | First offense | Class A misdemeanor | $2,500 fine and/or up to one year in jail |
| Second offense | Class A misdemeanor | $2,500 fine and/or up to one year in jail | |
| Third and subsequent offenses | Third-degree felony | $2,500 fine and/or up to 18 months in jail | |
| Schedules III – V | First offense | Class B misdemeanor | $1,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail |
| Second offense | Class A misdemeanor | $2,500 fine and/or up to one year in jail | |
| Third and subsequent offenses | Third-degree felony | $2,500 fine and/or up to 18 months in jail |
It's illegal for anyone to possess or sell marijuana for recreational use in Utah. Possession of up to one pound of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year of jail time and a fine of $2,500. If a person is caught with any number up to 100 pounds, they can be charged with a felony and face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
As of 2018, medical marijuana became legal for certain health conditions in the state of Utah. Legislation HB 121 signed in 2020 began the process of wiping certain marijuana possession charges from the records. In response to the COVID pandemic, another bill was passed in 2020 that loosened ID requirements to allow easier access to medical marijuana for prescribed patients.
Utah's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Department reported that out of the nearly 135,000 residents who needed help for an addiction in 2015, only 10 percent received treatment. As a response to this statistic, the state is working to create better treatment access for those in need of addiction help. Utah is also strengthening the harm reduction, awareness and prevention programs that have already been put into place.
Harm reduction laws are public health policies and educational initiatives aimed at reducing the harms associated with drug use. Examples of these include clean syringe exchange programs, HIV testing centers, and drug replacement and maintenance therapy centers.
In 2014, Utah passed the Overdose Good Samaritan law to expand emergency medical care to addiction sufferers by providing legal protection for anyone who calls 911 for a drug overdose. This law applies to victims of overdoses as well as witnesses. In the same year, Utah passed a separate law known as the Emergency Administration of Opiate Antagonist Act, which provides greater access to the life-saving medication naloxone. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is an opioid antagonist medication used to counter the effects of heroin, morphine or other opioid-related overdoses.
The law expands access to naloxone in several ways:
Drug courts in Utah were established in 1996 as part of an ongoing effort to fight the rising number of drug-related crimes in the state's communities. Drug courts offer drug treatment and recovery programs to nonviolent drug offenders as an alternative to traditional incarceration.
Drug violators who qualify for Utah drug court must submit a guilty plea for their charges. The plea is put on hold while the offender is in drug court. If the person successfully completes the program, the guilty plea is withdrawn and the charges are dropped. However, if the person doesn't complete treatment, they will go to jail.
Since the first Utah drug court was put into place in Salt Lake, the statewide program has seen hundreds of successful graduates.
The Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program is part of a federal initiative administered by the White House to combat drug trafficking nationwide. The Rocky Mountain HIDTA operates out of Colorado and encompasses 34 counties in four states, including Utah.
The regional program works to provide in-depth intelligence, case support and analysis of drug trafficking investigations for each of the four states in the Rocky Mountain area. Through funding, specialized training for law enforcement and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, Utah has witnessed a steady increase in the dismantling of drug trafficking organizations.
Nearly 60 percent of Utah residents are Mormons or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Mormon religion forbids substance use, but prescription drugs are not commonly included.
A study of prescription drug abuse within the Mormon religion and across the state of Utah found that:
Ongoing studies help to offer insight into this growing problem. Understanding more about the underlying causes of prescription drug abuse can help to lower these statistics in the future.
The Utah Department of Health is actively working to combat rising drug abuse and overdose rates.
A 2014 law allows physicians to dispense naloxone to non-physicians like caregivers and EMTs, and it allows participating pharmacies to dispense naloxone to anyone who needs it without a prescription. Naloxone is a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Additionally, in 2014 the state created a “good samaritan law” that allows other drug users to report a possible overdose without getting in trouble themselves.
Despite these efforts, Utah loses an estimated 6 residents each week to drug overdoses.
It’s imperative to receive quality, trusted care when you are ready to get clean from drugs or alcohol. Experienced clinicians and trustworthy recovery communities can walk with you through the process of detox and longer-term treatment, and they can remind you that you aren’t alone.
Starting on this page, you can search well-vetted treatment facilities through our directory. You can look for care in Utah by city, and you can explore beyond the state if you would like to go to rehab away from the distractions or challenges of your home environment. You can also call one of our helpful treatment consultants to learn about other treatment details.
If you have health insurance, check to see which programs and providers are covered by your plan, since these are likely to be more affordable for you. You can also speak to a benefits specialist about out-of-network options and discuss what portion of the cost your insurance covers.
Inpatient and residential care is often the preferred method of treatment for substance use disorders. It provides medical oversight and structure in a supportive environment. Keep the following items in mind when choosing a Utah rehab program:
In Utah, the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) are responsible for ensuring Utah citizens have the resources and services they need to recover from addiction. Here are some essential programs and services:
Addiction treatment programs can vary greatly from facility to facility. Different rehab centers may focus on various areas of addiction treatment.
When choosing a Utah drug rehab center, it's important to research the types of programs and amenities that each facility offers. Making an educated decision on which drug rehab center to select can mean the difference between recovery and relapse.
Although talking about addiction is not always easy, a direct conversation is sometimes necessary to save someone's life. In the event that a loved one is suffering from a substance abuse disorder, an intervention may be necessary.
If an intervention sounds overwhelming, professional services are available that can help plan and lead the intervention.
Professional interventions in Utah have a high success rate in helping individuals to recognize the damage drugs have caused in their life and the lives of the people they love and convincing them to seek help.
Once an individual has made the commitment to getting help for a drug or alcohol addiction, it is often necessary for them to undergo a clinical assessment. These evaluations are often performed by licensed clinicians who are searching for underlying causes of the addiction, identifying any co-occurring disorders and determining the best methods of treatment for each individual.
Individuals assessments are generally performed by the rehab facility itself, but some private psychiatrists and therapists may also offer these assessments. If performed by a private third party, the clinician will then recommend a specific rehab facility or offer suggestions as to which types of treatment may be most successful for each patient.
Some types of addiction can be so severe that stopping the drug entirely can be life-threatening. Chronic or prolonged use of drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol can have intense withdrawal symptoms, especially when the drug is abruptly stopped. For addictions such as this, medical detox is an important first step in the recovery process.
Medical detox focuses on treating the physical aspects of addiction and is not considered a comprehensive treatment for substance abuse on its own. It is important that patients are transitioned into an inpatient residential program following the successful completion of a Utah medical detox program.
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab is one of the most successful approaches to treating substance abuse and addiction. Utah residential addiction treatment addresses both the mental and physical aspects of addiction and focuses on treating the underlying causes of the addiction. Programs are often customizable to meet the specific needs of each patient.
For many patients, the longer they stay in a residential addiction treatment facility, the lower their chances are for a relapse down the road. Short-term inpatient drug rehab programs generally range from one week to 21 days in length. Most residential drug rehab programs last 30 to 90 days. Long-term programs may last anywhere from six months to a year.
Outpatient drug rehab is usually recommended as a step-down level of care following an inpatient addiction treatment program. Many intensive outpatient drug rehab programs meet 4-5 days per week for over 6 hours per day.
Utah outpatient addiction treatment can be a good option for those who are highly motivated to recover or who cannot leave their jobs or families for an inpatient program. However, the risk of relapse with some outpatient programs can be higher than inpatient programs because the patient is not removed from the triggers or stressors that their lives held while they were still using drugs or alcohol.
Alumni support services are often offered by inpatient drug rehab programs for their residents following the completion of their program. This type of service provides extended support for individuals as they adjust to independence and their lives at home.
It is surprising to many people that aftercare programs are frequently supported by many commercial insurance plans in Utah. Most insurance plans reason that aftercare programs promote lifelong recovery and help to reduce the chance of a relapse down the road.
Many medical detox facilities offer medication-assisted treatment to help the body as it goes through the various stages of withdrawal. This medication is administered by a state-licensed clinician with specific training in the treatment of addiction through medication.
While medication-assisted treatment may not be recommended for everyone, it can be a valuable approach for individuals who are suffering from severe or prolonged addictions with debilitating withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment should always be accompanied by individualized counseling and other therapeutic approaches to addiction treatment.
Drugs that are commonly used in medication-assisted treatment in Utah may include:
Specialized drug rehab programs and services offered in Utah may include:
Most accredited rehab facilities in the state of Utah offer a combination of evidence-based behavioral therapies and complementary therapies that focus on well-being. Behavioral therapies may include:
The purpose of complementary therapies is to accompany, rather than to replace, other therapies used in addiction treatment. For many individuals, the following complementary therapies and approaches have proven to be an asset to their recovery:
Many commercial health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Some of the larger insurance plans that offer coverage in Utah include:
Commercial insurance coverage can vary greatly from plan to plan. It is important to reach out to the insurance company to learn more about coverage benefits for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Important questions to ask include:
For individuals who do not have health insurance or who have plans with a large deductible or high out-of-pocket expenses, there are other options to help pay for drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Some facilities offer sponsorships or scholarships to individuals who qualify for a certain amount of income assistance. Often these facilities are religious or donation-based, and they select candidates that are a good match for their facility.
Most drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs will also offer payment plans to their patients. Payment plans break down expenses into more manageable monthly payments that enable patients to undergo treatment without the stress of paying upfront.
When reviewing the expense of rehabilitation in utah, look at the expense as an investment in your life and health. Most rehabilitation clinics 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 price of treatment in UT, dial our no-cost helpline to get clear and honest answers to your questions.
Whether your UT inpatient-residential illicit and prescription drug rehab with take 30 days or 3 months, not delaying improves your odds of getting and staying healthy. Deciding on a recovery center that can address your needs before you ever arrive there can also help considerably. When you're ready to book treatment, our help line advisors can help you get properly placed so you can move on to getting healthy.
The total cost of drug addiction treatment in UT will vary depending on the type of program you enroll in. Things like the length of your stay, the amenities provided at the center, and your insurance provider all can affect how much you'll pay.
Payment options for substance abuse treatment in Utah include private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and tribunal funds. Some programs offer treatment free of charge for clients that cannot pay.
Even if you don’t have health insurance, there are still other avenues to find substance abuse treatment even if you aren’t sure how you’re going to afford it.
The state of Utah provides substance abuse treatment to low-income residents through its Medicaid program. Simply go online to check your eligibility and learn how to sign up if you meet the right qualifications.
If you prefer a personal recommendation, your family doctor or therapist is a great resource. You can also attend a local Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting to hear from other people in your situation how they got the care they needed.
If you’re like many Utahns and feel like cost is the biggest barrier to getting into treatment, talk to the center you’re considering and ask if they offer sliding scales, payment plans, or even scholarships. You never know unless you ask, and the answer is often yes—treatment centers want to help you get the treatment you need.
Many churches and local non-profits or charities will assist you in finding treatment and may even pay for part of it. Taking the first step to ask for help is often difficult, but when you do, you’ll find a community of caring people who want to help you recover and thrive.
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