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Substance abuse and addiction are prevalent conditions that can impact both mental and physical health and have serious, if not deadly consequences. In the state of Washington:
Although drug and alcohol abuse affects so many Washington residents, the fact remains that not everyone who needs addiction treatment gets it. In 2015, there were about 337,000 people in Washington with a diagnosable alcohol use disorder; however, a single-day count of the state’s rehab centers showed enrollment of just over 50,000.
Abusing substances such as opioids, methamphetamine, alcohol, and even prescription medications can have a severe detrimental effect on a person’s livelihood and wellbeing. If you display compulsive behavior related to drug use, continue to use drugs despite negative consequences, or have even tried unsuccessfully to quit using drugs on your own, you may have a substance use disorder that requires professional treatment.
Illicit drugs are illegal in Washington and can entail serious criminal charges. For example, a small possession of heroin or cocaine is considered a felony, punishable by five years in jail and a $10,000 fine. A charge with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, such as cocaine, increases the penalty to 10 years in jail plus a $25,000 maximum fine.
In 2012, Washington became one of the first states to pass regulations for taxing and regulating the recreational use of marijuana. For several years thereafter, Washington's medical and recreational marijuana laws were kept separate. Then, in July 2016, the two legal markets were integrated into one.
When the new law took effect, medical marijuana dispensaries had two choices: obtain a government-issued cannabis license or close their shop. Patients with medicinal marijuana prescriptions now have to go to medically endorsed stores to get what they need.
Qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Washington include:
Recreational users, on the other hand, are limited to one ounce of marijuana for personal uses. They may also possess up to 16 ounces of solid marijuana-infused product, and 72 ounces of liquid marijuana-infused product.
Even though recreational and medical marijuana are legal statewide, certain conditions are illegal such as:
| Marijuana Amount | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz. or less (private possession/consumption) | No criminal penalty | No jail time and no fine |
| 1 oz. or less (public consumption) | Civil penalty | No jail time, but $100 fine |
| 1 oz. – 40 g. | Misdemeanor | 24 hours – 90 days in jail, plus up to $1,000 fine |
| More than 40 g. | Felony | 5 years in jail, plus up to $10,000 fine |
Other criminal charges may apply such as an intent to distribute, consumption while operating a vehicle and additional traffic safety laws.
Washington has several harm reduction laws in place to help those suffering from an addiction. For instance, the 911 Good Samaritan law urges individuals to call for emergency medical assistance in the event of an overdose. The law provides immunity from prosecution for drug possession charges to bystanders who witness an overdose.
In 2011, Washington implemented its Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The program is used as a safety tool for medical professionals and pharmacists. With information made available through a patient care tool, physicians are able to review information before prescribing medications.
Benefits of Washington's PDMP include:
The Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program develops various drug control efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. In designated HIDTA counties, the program focuses on immobilizing Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) that negatively impact local neighborhoods. Through technology and other resources, the program is able to help detect, disrupt and dismantle any organizations involved in drug trafficking.
Washington has two forms of drug courts: adult drug court and juvenile drug court. Both programs provide nonviolent substance abuse offenders with an opportunity to receive treatment instead of serving time in jail. Drug court requires individuals to attend drug treatment, undergo random drug tests, meet with a probation officer and appear before the judge on a frequent basis. In the case of juvenile drug court, adolescents will also be required to work on substance abuse and related issues with their family.
Upon successfully completing drug court, charges will be dropped. However, failure to meet the program's requirements will result in termination from drug court and sentencing for the original charges.
The Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA) program helps nonviolent offenders cut their jail time by up to 50 percent. This alternative program provides chemical dependency treatment and supervision to those who have been charged with a drug-related crime. Requirements often involve community supervision and outpatient treatment programs.
Through the DOSA program, Washington hopes to reduce jail time for nonviolent, drug-related offenders and help them start on a long-term path to recovery.
Methamphetamine and opioid abuse rates run high in Washington. To combat these and other forms of drug abuse, Washington addiction awareness and drug prevention efforts offer hope for all ages and walks of life.
Even though total opioid overdose death rates have somewhat stabilized in Washington, opioid drug abuse remains a potentially deadly practice for all who abuse these substances.
Unlike many areas of the country, prescription opioid overdose deaths declined in Washington in recent years. However, deaths from heroin and synthetic opioids increased.
Heroin and synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths as reported by the Washington State Department of Health:
Opioid drug abuse can cause a variety of serious medical problems. These include neonatal abstinence syndrome and transmissible diseases contracted through injection drug abuse, such as HIV/AIDs and hepatitis C.
Methamphetamine, cocaine, and benzodiazepines (Ativan, Valium, Xanax) are abused at high rates in Washington. In King County, which includes Seattle, overdose deaths have hit a record high. This trend includes increased overdose deaths caused by these substances. From 2011 to 2016, methamphetamine-related deaths increased nearly 400 percent in King County, climbing from 20 fatalities to 98.
Methamphetamine is a problem throughout Washington, particularly among people who inject drugs. In Washington, meth is frequently abused by people who use heroin.
The University of Washington found that “over three-quarters (78%) of people whose main drug was heroin reported they had used methamphetamine by itself in the last three months and over half (52%) had used it in combination with heroin.”
Battle Ground Public School's Project AWARE grant is committed to improving mental health and decreasing drug use in Washington schools. This funding helps to increase access to community-based mental health services while also supporting clubs in schools that focus on drug-abuse prevention.
The publicly-funded Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative works in high-need communities to reduce and prevent substance abuse. These services are promoted in 39 counties and makeup 52 communities and nine educational service districts.
With high amounts of heroin abuse, Washington officials and community leaders continue to fight the dangers of injection drug abuse. As of January 2018, Washington had, 25 syringe exchange programs in 18 counties. These programs give people who inject drugs clean, sterile needles to reduce the transmission of bloodborne diseases.
Addiction treatment can take place in a variety of settings and formats, including full-time inpatient or residential rehab, outpatient programs, detoxification services, group therapy sessions, and one-on-one meetings with an individual counselor.
Whether it’s your home state or you’re traveling to WA from another state to escape a triggering home environment, the plentiful options and amenities offered by Washington rehab facilities guarantee that there’s something for everyone. During your research, it will be up to you to decide which features will best help you in recovery.
An inpatient or residential treatment center provides individuals with round-the-clock medical care, a structured schedule, and the opportunity to learn valuable coping skills in a supportive environment. Keep the following in mind when choosing a treatment center:
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) provides a multidisciplinary approach to the issues concerning drugs and alcohol. Its research is designed to improve the methods, policies, and practices of addiction treatment. Common services may include:
For a person living with addiction, life can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. On top of this, chronic drug and alcohol abuse can change the way a person's body and brain function, making life even more stressful.
Customized Washington addiction treatment programs use targeted therapies to treat the physical and mental damage done by drugs or alcohol. Ideally, every step of a person's recovery journey should be based on their individual needs. One way of achieving this is through a clinical assessment.
A clinical assessment determines the severity of the addiction, identifies any other factors that underlie the addiction and evaluate the way it's changed a person's life. This information helps treatment providers to build a customized treatment plan. When used within an individualized approach, the following services and therapies can increase a person's odds of achieving long-term recovery.
Sometimes family members and close friends feel powerless to help a loved one who doesn't see the damage that substance abuse is causing in their life.
Washington intervention services can help loved ones get their family member the help they need. In addition to planning and conducting the intervention, a professional interventionist will also help arrange to get the person to treatment.
Chronic drug abuse takes an immense toll on a person's body and brain. The physical impact of addiction to certain substances is so intense that a person's body becomes dependent on the drug. This can lead to withdrawal when substance use is stopped.
Withdrawal is very common among individuals who heavily abuse alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioid drugs. These are also the types of dependencies that are most frequently directed to a medically supported drug and alcohol detox due to sometimes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Highly trained medical professionals constantly supervise patients during this time. Clinicians administer medications (such as Suboxone) as necessary to reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms.
In a customized Washington inpatient addiction treatment program, a person will be guided to address areas of their life that need strengthening and healing.
A key aspect of successful addiction treatment is removing the negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors that contribute to substance abuse. Patients also learn how to make healthy decisions that improve their health, family lives, and careers.
Inpatient drug rehab centers provide intensive treatments and therapies that can help a person achieve these goals. Washington inpatient addiction treatment offers the most time in therapy so patients are better supported while developing lifelong relapse-prevention and sober-living skills.
Outpatient programs provide therapy and treatment services during the day, and patients return home or to a sober-living home in the evenings. Though some people find success in outpatient programs alone, outpatient drug rehab isn't typically the best option for first-line addiction treatment. Instead, outpatient programs, including intensive outpatient programs, work best as a follow-up to an inpatient program.
Outpatient programs help a person to transition from the fully supported environment of a Washington residential program to independent life. This continuity of care helps to decrease the likelihood of relapse. Outpatient programs may also be a good option for people who need to brush up on recovery skills due to a setback in their recovery.
Washington aftercare and alumni support services can help a person stay strong in the face of life's challenges.
Peer support groups and alumni mentorship programs are two beneficial resources that help keep a person inspired and focused on their recovery. Some people have an easier time transitioning from a treatment program to independent, sober life by residing in a sober-living home after they complete treatment.
Addiction treatment may be delivered in a traditional 12-step approach or a more holistically focused non-12-step format. Many Washington facilities also offer specialized programs for people with specific needs.
Medications are used with behavioral therapy to help deter substance use and maintain a drug-free life. Maintenance medications for opioid addictions include Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone. Medications used to discourage alcohol use include disulfiram (Antabuse) and acamprosate (Campral).
Individuals with co-occurring disorders—both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder—receive compassionate dual-diagnosis therapy that treats both conditions simultaneously.
These programs offer gender-specific therapies and therapy groups. Some Washington programs offer LGBTQIA-friendly programs for individuals in this community who seek help.
The following research-based addiction treatment therapies have shown great success in treating both substance use disorders and mental health disorders:
Because addiction can affect people on an individual, family and social level, these therapies are often delivered through a combination of individual, family and group sessions. This better ensures that a person learns transformative life skills so that they can heal and grow in every aspect challenged by addiction.
While these therapies can be impactful on their own, many individuals reach a greater level of personal development when they're supported by alternative or holistic therapies. Stress is a major contributor to addiction and relapse. Some Washington addiction treatment programs offer mindfulness and stress-management classes, yoga, massage, acupuncture or other therapies that help a person's body and brain to release stress.
Many treatment centers offer exciting nutritional and exercise programs to further improve overall wellness. In addition to these, some centers take advantage of Washington's beautiful wilderness areas by offering equine, adventure or wilderness therapies.
As you consider the price of rehabilitation in washington, look at the expense as an investment in your future and your family's. Most rehab programs are able to take partial payment through any PPO, HMO or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the cost of treatment in WA, contact our no-cost helpline to get clear and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your WA inpatient-residential drug and alcohol addiction recovery with take four weeks or ninety days, beginning your treatment today improves your odds of becoming and staying healthy. Picking a recovery center that can address your needs before you ever begin rehab can also help immeasurably. When you're ready to book treatment, our phone line advisors can help you find the right spot so you feel comfortable.
Rehab costs will vary widely, and factors influencing how much you'll pay include whether you choose a standard or luxury program, the location of the facility, how much your insurance will cover, and the duration of the stay.
The price of an inpatient program can seem daunting initially, but it's important to weigh the financial cost against the price you'll pay for not getting the help you need. You could suffer financial devastation, fractured relationships with your loved ones, even death.
Many programs offer options for people who need help affording treatment. You can call specific facilities to ask about their financing options.
If finances are a concern, you will likely want to review your payment options before entering rehab. Determine what your budget is, find out what your health insurance will cover, and find a facility that will work with you, either through payment installments of a pre-determined amount or a sliding scale in which the amount you’re charged for services is based on your ability to pay.
If you do not have health insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover addiction treatment, there are other options available. Washington’s state Medicaid insurance program as well as the federal government’s Medicare insurance are mandated to cover substance abuse treatment programs. There are also low-interest healthcare loans and credit lines available so you can set up a payment plan that suits your needs.
Other places you can turn to for help getting started in addiction recovery include:
If you’re in need of help or love someone who is struggling, there are excellent resources available from local state agencies, as well as nationwide initiatives to curb the damage done by substance abuse. Check out the following:
If you’re still unsure of how to get started, call us to speak with a treatment support advisor who can answer your questions and help you find a rehab facility that will meet your needs.
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