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In Vermont, recent surveys (2014-15) about drug- and alcohol-related behaviors help to quantify the extent of substance abuse behavior and the number of state residents struggling with addiction:
Each year, nearly 1,300 people are arrested in Vermont for a drug-related offense, including possessing, selling, manufacturing and trafficking illicit drugs. In 2013, the number of people in Vermont charged with heroin trafficking alone increased 135 percent from 2012.
Penalties for possessing or cultivating marijuana or hashish typically result in prison time and costly fines; however, other consequences may apply. If a person is convicted of any of these marijuana-related crimes, they could lose their college financial aid or have their professional license revoked.
| Type and amount of substance | Maximum time in jail | Potential fine |
|---|---|---|
| Possession and cultivation | ||
| Less than 1 oz marijuana, or less than 5 g hashish | None. The crime is considered a civil penalty. | 1st offense: $200 |
| 2nd offense: $300 | ||
| 3rd offense: $500 | ||
| 1 oz marijuana, or 5 g hashish | 1st offense: 6 months | 1st offense: $500 |
| 2nd offense: 2 years | 2nd offense: $2,000 | |
| 2 oz marijuana, or 10 g hashish | 3 years | $10,000 |
| 1 lb marijuana, or 2.8 oz hashish | 5 years | $100,000 |
| More than 10 lbs marijuana, or more than 1 lb hashish | 15 years | $500,000 |
| 10 mature plants | 5 years | $100,000 |
| 25 mature plants | 15 years | $500,000 |
Children and teens under 18 aren't exempt from the law – they can be charged with a marijuana offense too. Minor offenders might face a $300 fine and lose their driver's license for 90 days. After the second offense, the penalty doubles. A third penalty could land them in jail for 30 days with a $600 fine.
Although Vermont enforces tough punishments against recreational marijuana crimes, medical marijuana is legal throughout the state. Since 2004, thousands of patients with a medical marijuana prescription have gotten treatment for these qualifying conditions:
Patients and registered caregivers are allowed to possess up to two ounces of medical marijuana at any given time. They may also cultivate up to nine marijuana plants, but no more than two mature plants. Vermont's state-licensed dispensaries are permitted to deliver marijuana to a patient's home.
Possessing certain amounts of illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine come with lengthy prison sentences and expensive fines. If the crime involves certain prescription drugs, the sentence is determined by how much more of the benchmark amount – or, regular dosage amount – you possess.
| Illicit Drug Possession Penalties | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type and amount of substance | Maximum time in jail | Potential fine |
| Heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine | ||
| Less than 2.5 g of cocaine or meth, or less than 200 mg of heroin | 1 year | $2,000 |
| More than 2.5 g of cocaine or meth, or more than 200 mg of heroin | 5 years | $100,000 |
| More than 1 oz of cocaine, more than 25 g of meth or more than 1 g of heroin | 10 years | $250,000 |
| 2 g of heroin or more | 20 years | $1 million |
| Other illicit drugs, including prescription pills | ||
| Any amount without a prescription | 1 year | $2,000 |
| 100 times the benchmark dosage | 5 years | $25,000 |
| 1,000 times the benchmark dosage | 10 years | $100,000 |
| 10,000 times the benchmark dosage | 20 years | $500,000 |
There was once a time in Vermont where drug offenders with addictions were treated like criminals, rather than people who needed help. Since then, Vermont has passed a number of harm reduction laws that pave the way toward a less punitive approach to drug addiction and abuse. These laws include education programs, policies and procedures aimed at reducing the risks associated with drug use.
Some of the most noteworthy harm reduction laws and programs in Vermont include:
Vermont's 911 Good Samaritan Law: Under this law, anyone who experiences or witnesses a drug overdose can call 911 without being charged or arrested for drug abuse.
Syringe Exchange Programs: Vermont residents can legally and anonymously obtain sterile syringes at a number of pharmacies for free. Clean syringes help reduce the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS.
Naloxone Access in Vermont: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication that saves countless lives every year in Vermont. It works by reversing the effects of an overdose caused by heroin, morphine or other types of opiate-based drugs.
The city of Rutland is one of the most afflicted communities by the drug epidemic in Vermont. Drug-related crimes across the city are a great concern for residents. That's why volunteer residents of Rutland began Project VISION to advocate drug prevention and safety in the city's neighborhoods.
Rutland is plagued by the number of abandoned homes that were converted into drug dens for heroin and illicit drug users. These drug dens make it easy for more residents, including teens, to become addicted. The city and Project VISION has dealt with this particular problem in two ways:
Since 2011, treatment options in Rutland have greatly expanded to thousands of residents as a result of Project VISION's efforts. Burglaries and thefts also decreased 60 and 45 percent, respectively, thanks to coordination efforts with Rutland law enforcement.
More than one-quarter of Vermont residents in treatment for an addiction are teens or young adults. To protect young Vermonters from becoming addicted, the state's Department of Health launched the Drug Education, Treatment, Enforcement and Rehabilitation (DETER) program.
The Department of Health and DETER work with community coalitions, youth groups, schools and health care providers throughout the state to support young people in making healthy decisions. One of the tactics of the program is the appointment of Student Assistance Professionals (SAPs) to elementary, middle and high schools across the state. These SAPs are trained to identify students at risk of substance abuse, as well as coach students through substance abuse prevention discussions and activities.
Offenders motivated by their addiction to commit crimes now have the opportunity to turn their lives around. In 2015, the state opened its first adult drug court program for nonviolent drug offenders. Rather than face traditional jail time, pre-trial defendants in Rutland can get comprehensive treatment for their drug addiction.
Prior to entry into the program, participants must be approved by a drug court assessment team
and a district judge. Once accepted, participants typically engage in 12 months of drug counseling and submit to random drug tests. Upon successful graduation from the program, the charges against the defendant are reduced or dismissed altogether.
Vermont is no stranger to the opioid epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Back in 2016, Vermont reported 101 opioid-related overdose deaths. This report does not take into account adverse reactions, hospitalizations or death resulting from behavior related to being under the influence of opioids.
In the years between 2013 and 2016, deaths resulting from heroin overdose increased by 25. This statistic was surpassed by deaths resulting from synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, in which the number of individuals who lost their lives due to an overdose nearly tripled.
Marijuana abuse in Vermont contributes significantly to the state's status as having the highest rate of illicit drug use in the country. According to the Deputy Commissioner for Vermont's Department of Health, Vermont ranked highest in the country for marijuana use. Thirteen percent of Vermont residents reported using the drug at least once in the last 30 days.
Vermont's Department of Health points to the state's geographic location to explain these heightened drug statistics. Many of Vermont's larger cities are located along the main highway that runs from Philadelphia to Montreal, hitting both Boston and New York City in the middle. This makes transportation fast and easy for anyone looking to sell an illicit substance.
Alcohol abuse and addiction have been a big issue in Vermont since 2012. Alcohol abuse is defined as using alcohol underage, making risky decisions while under the influence of alcohol or combining alcohol with other drugs. Alcohol addiction is defined by an individual's physical dependence on alcohol and is often preceded by alcohol abuse.
Although rates of alcohol abuse and addiction have remained constant from 2012 to 2016, the rate of adult admission into rehab centers for the treatment of alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction has dropped by almost 1,000 people per year. In 2016, only nine percent of individuals with a diagnosed alcohol use disorder sought treatment in a state-funded facility.
Given numbers like these, it’s clear that many individuals would benefit from finding the right substance abuse treatment. Not only can treatment help you reclaim the parts of your life that may have been compromised due to your addiction, but it can truly save your life.
Starting right here on this page, you can search reputable and vetted treatment centers via the state and city directory. See which facilities are nearby in Vermont, or explore other areas of the country. Sometimes people prefer the comfort of a familiar place close to home for rehab, while others need a break from their everyday environment to focus solely on their recovery—either way, you can find options here.
If you’d rather speak to a real person, call an experienced treatment consultant at to discuss what options are available to you, given the specific details of your circumstance.
Contacting your health insurance provider is another starting point for you to find out which programs are covered and learn more about them. Most plans have out-of-network options too, and while they don’t always cover the full cost of treatment, even having some portion paid makes treatment feasible for many people.
In order to increase oversight, Vermont's ADAP has structured 10 regional Prevention Consultants for the state's 12 health districts. These individuals can help people consider quality programs, which may include the following criteria:
The Care Alliance for Opioid Addiction is a partnership that spans the state of Vermont. It is made up of treatment centers and medical providers who can provide medication-assisted therapy to individuals addicted to opioids. Other examples of treatment options available in Vermont include:
Like other medical and psychiatric illnesses, addiction is a serious disease that should be treated by trained professionals. Finding the appropriate drug or alcohol rehabilitation program can mean the difference between recovery and relapse.
Fortunately, Vermont has many treatment options for alcohol abuse and any other type of substance dependency. Along with health systems that sponsor external rehab programs, several privately owned rehab facilities are fully licensed and accredited. Vermont also has many state-funded programs available.
While there are many approaches to addiction treatment, not all therapies will work for each person. Every addiction is different, and many aspects of the addiction need to be analyzed to understand what the appropriate approach to treatment would be.
For some individuals, admitting that they have a substance abuse disorder or an addiction is difficult. Sometimes that individual may not even realize that they have a substance abuse disorder. For cases like this, an intervention may be necessary.
Professional intervention services are available in Vermont. Whether family members are unsure of the right approach to use for their loved one's intervention or they would like a professional to hold the intervention, professional services can help guide the first steps towards recovery by helping to illuminate just how much the subject's addiction is affecting their life.
Some addictions can be so severe that their withdrawal symptoms may become life-threatening. The severity of these types of addictions is defined by the length of use of a drug, how much of the drug was used and the type of drug.
Drugs that may require medically supported detox include:
Medical detox programs can be a standalone facility or part of a larger health system or drug rehabilitation center. Clinical supervision is offered around the clock for drug and alcohol detox programs, and medication is sometimes used to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
Using a combination of therapies and activities that heal both the mind and the body, inpatient rehab is one of the most effective types of addiction treatment. During residential addiction treatment, patients reside at the facility that is hosting their treatment program. Living on-site is one of the reasons inpatient drug and alcohol rehab can be so successful for patients, as they are completely removed from the relapse opportunities of their previous environment and can focus fully on their recovery.
Inpatient drug rehab programs can vary greatly in length of stay, but most residential programs last 30, 60 or 90 days. Longer stays in treatment can be coordinated when necessary.
An outpatient drug rehab program can be used as a standalone treatment for addiction, but this level of care is more often recommended as a transitional tool or a ”step-down” program for individuals who are moving from a fully supported residential program back to independent life. Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Vermont offers support and counseling for patients in an outpatient setting, allowing them to return home after treatment each day.
Some outpatient programs are more intensive than others. Intensive outpatient programs will generally meet 4-5 days per week for several hours each day. Traditional outpatient programs may meet 2-3 days per week for only a couple hours each day. One of the biggest benefits of outpatient drug rehab is access to a network of support from individuals who can relate to each other's struggles.
Alumni services are one way that some programs offer a continued support network after treatment. Alumni services enable individuals who have completed an inpatient or outpatient drug rehab program to keep in touch with each other and extend a helping hand when needed. With continued support, organizations can help connect individuals from levels of recovery and from a variety of drug rehab programs.
Some drug rehab programs focus on specific types of addiction or methods of addiction treatment.
Specialized treatment programs available in the state of Vermont include:
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications in combination with behavioral therapies to maintain long-term recovery. Medication-assisted treatment is similar to drug and alcohol detox in the types of medications that may be used to prevent withdrawal, however medical detox does not typically include behavioral therapy.
For many people, addiction coincides with a mental health disorder. This dual diagnosis of a substance use disorder and mental illness is known as co-occurring disorders. For this type of diagnosis, it is very important patients receive integrated treatment for the mental health symptoms as well as the addiction.
Several facilities in the state of Vermont specialize in treating co-occurring disorders. Using trained therapists and addiction treatment specialists, this type of comprehensive approach offers better treatment outcomes for individuals with a co-occurring disorder than traditional programs.
Successful treatment for addiction often includes a carefully planned combination of behavioral and complementary therapies.
Each patient may require a different combination of these therapies in order to overcome their addiction:
Individual counseling is a core component of addiction treatment. These one-on-one therapy sessions are generally led by a licensed professional such as a psychiatrist or therapist. Patients may feel more comfortable sharing intimate information with therapists during an individual counseling session. These sessions are important in identifying the underlying cause of someone's addiction, as well as identifying the triggers that contributed to the onset of their addiction.
Both group counseling and support groups are an essential part of many rehab programs in Vermont. Used in both outpatient and inpatient programs, these types of groups can help patients feel like they are not alone and can offer extended support to the patients who need it most. Participation in support groups can greatly increase a patient's chances of recovery.
The impact of addiction often spreads much further than the individual, many times involving families as well. The same is true when it comes to addiction treatment. Recovering from addiction can be more effective when all affected members of the family participate and receive counseling to work through the addiction's impact on their own lives. Families are encouraged to participate in therapy and other recovery activities with their loved one to find their own healing and be able to offer deeper support.
Addiction is an illness that affects the mind, spirit and body. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment should strive to improve all three of these areas. Many facilities offer amenities that cater to physical health, such as workout facilities, walking trails, pools and more.
Some treatment facilities also offer nutrition education. The goal of these programs is to provide not only the nutrition necessary for the body to heal, but also to ignite an interest in whole-body health for each patient. Understanding the importance of treating the body with respect and awareness can help motivate patients to practice healthier eating and exercise habits.
Stress management is a technique taught in some treatment programs that coaches patients through healthier ways of managing their stress. These lessons may include methods like meditation, breathing exercises and recognizing when stress is too great to deal with alone.
The lessons and skills taught during addiction treatment are meant to last a lifetime. To achieve long-term recovery, many addiction treatment programs strive to teach their patients life skills that can help them live a fulfilling life. Everyday tasks such as creating a resume, managing a budget or enrolling in college can often be the key to recovery.
Many commercial insurances offer coverage for both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs.
The following insurances may provide coverage for drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Vermont:
If an individual does not have coverage for drug and alcohol rehab through their health insurance, there are other ways to receive assistance for the cost of treatment. Looking for scholarships or grants can help cover expenses, as well as asking for a payment plan or financing through the rehab facility.
The length of treatment needed for each patient varies based on the severity of the addiction and how they respond to treatment. While inpatient rehab is recommended for most types of addiction, those with severe addictions may need to undergo treatment for six months or more. Less-severe addictions may do well with a shorter program that would last from 30-90 days.
When reviewing the cost of rehab in vermont, look at the expense as an investment in your future. Most rehab programs are able to take partial payment through any PPO or HMO plan you have. If you wish to discuss your eligibility and the price of treatment in VT, contact our no-cost hotline to get clear and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your VT inpatient-residential illicit and prescription drug addiction recovery with take 28 days or three months, beginning your treatment today improves your odds of becoming and keeping healthy. Determining a rehabilitation center that can meet your expectations before you ever set foot in the door can also help substantially. When you're ready to book treatment, our help line advisors can help you find the right location so you can move on to getting healthy.
The cost of getting treatment for a drug addiction in Vermont varies depending on a number of factors, such as how long your program is, whether you're choosing a luxury or executive facility, whether the center accepts insurance, and whether you need specialized care or not. Some facility reviews may mention the cost of programs to give you a better idea of what you'll need to pay.
Even if you don’t have insurance or many financial resources, there are still many good options, beginning with state programs. The state Medicaid program has provisions for substance abuse treatment for those who meet income requirements, and they can direct you to participating treatment providers.
A community health clinic can often make a referral to a good substance abuse treatment program or therapist, as can your personal physician or therapist.
Many churches and other nonprofit or charitable organizations have lists of local treatment providers, and some even offer grants or scholarships to help you pay for it. Calling their administrative office is usually the best place to start.
It’s often surprising for people to learn that treatment centers will work with you financially. From payment plans tailored to fit your budget, to sliding scales, to partial or full scholarships, there are many ways treatment centers can help you afford your substance abuse treatment.
Regardless of where you turn to find addictions treatment, the most important thing is not to give up until you get the help you need.
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