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Drug abuse has deadly consequences, a fact exemplified in the rising numbers of overdose deaths throughout the United States. Unfortunately, West Virginia is no exception to the current epidemic. Consider the following statistics:
High rates of substance abuse in the state may correspond with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In fact, between 2014 and 2015, the number of West Virginians who had serious suicidal thoughts was slightly higher than the national average (4.2% compared to 4%). The good news is that treatment can make the difference between losing your life to drugs and/or alcohol, and living a happy healthy life in recovery.
In West Virginia, the possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) involves serious criminal charges. Legal penalties typically depend on the type of drug and the quantity. Subsequent offenses usually have harsher penalties such as increased time in jail or fines.
In many cases, possession of a narcotic drug is a felony and can come with 15 years in jail, plus a fine up to $15,000. For offenses involving non-narcotic drugs, sentencing is less severe and can range from one to five years in jail, in addition to a set fine.
Both recreational and medical marijuana are illegal in West Virginia. If you are found possessing, distributing or manufacturing marijuana, you will face severe legal penalties. First offenders, however, are able to opt for probation time rather than jail. After successfully completing your probation terms, the charge will be dropped from your criminal record.
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ||
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 90 days – 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine |
| Sale or Distribution | ||
| Any amount | Felony | 1 – 5 years in jail and $15,000 fine |
| Trafficking marijuana into WV | Felony | 1 – 5 years in jail and $15,000 fine |
| To a minor or within 1,000 feet of a school | Felony | 2 years in jail |
Other penalties are in place for tampering with a drug screening test as well as selling drug paraphernalia. For example, attempting to manipulate a drug screening test in any manner is a misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine. In addition, operating an illegal drug paraphernalia business is a misdemeanor and involves six months to one year in jail, plus a $5,000 fine. Drug paraphernalia encompasses water pipes, bongs, roach clips, cocaine freebase kits, scales and other equipment used in the production or manufacturing of illegal substances.
A number of U.S. states, including West Virginia, have enacted harm reduction laws in an effort to reduce the negative impact of substance abuse on individuals and communities. Instead of forcing individuals to abstain from an addiction, harm reduction laws provide ways to help protect their health and safety. Laws may consist of syringe exchange programs (SEPs), naloxone laws, 911 Good Samaritan laws, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and methadone clinics.
West Virginia has one of the highest rates of hepatitis C in the nation. The outbreak is largely due to the increasing number of heroin users. One of the most common ways to transmit hepatitis C is by sharing contaminated needles.
The West Virginia syringe exchange program (SEP) started in September 2015. The program aims to reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C which are common among injecting drug users (IDUs). There are currently four needle exchange programs in West Virginia: Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and Vienna. Lawmakers are encouraging counties statewide to start similar programs in their local communities.
As part of Senate Bill 335, West Virginia lawmakers allow first responders to access naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that helps reverse the harmful effects caused by an opioid overdose. The bill, approved in 2015, gives first responders the ability to administer naloxone in emergency situations.
After seeing the positive results of first responders administering naloxone, the West Virginia legislature passed another bill in March 2016 allowing pharmacies to dispense naloxone without a prescription. Starting June 10, 2016, residents across the state are able to obtain naloxone. Now, family members, friends and other individuals can carry naloxone – a law expected to save many lives in the event of an overdose.
Illegal substances are transported through West Virginia in a variety of ways. In an effort to stop major drug trafficking organizations, several West Virginia counties are part of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. Through the program, multiple agencies – local, state and federal – work together on different initiatives to combat serious drug operations.
Some of the current Appalachia HIDTA projects include:
In 2016, the highest drug-overdose death rates in America were found in West Virginia, according to the most recent data available from the CDC.
At 52 deaths per 100,000 people, this number was:
In West Virginia, substance use disorders range from those caused by alcohol to ones rooted in illicit drugs like cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and meth. State residents also abuse a variety of prescription drugs, including benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax), ADHD stimulant medications (Adderall, Ritalin) and opioid painkillers (OxyContin, Vicodin).
While all of these drugs can profoundly damage a person's life, opioid drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers have caused a statewide crisis.
Frequently referred to as ground zero of the American opioid epidemic, West Virginia had the highest rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in the nation in 2016. A recent analysis estimates that the opioid epidemic costs the state's economy roughly $8.8 billion a year.
To put this in perspective, in 2016:
This dramatic jump is due to increased heroin and synthetic opioid (including fentanyl) overdose deaths. Specifically, from 2010:
Many experts believe that the rising rates of opioid abuse and overdose are linked to the high number of opioids prescribed across the country. At 110 opioid prescriptions per 100 people, the number of opioid painkiller prescriptions is so high that every state resident could have their own prescription.
In certain rural areas, this opioid prescription rate is astronomically higher:
In response to the rising opioid crisis, West Virginia has created several statewide programs that focus on decreasing and preventing substance abuse.
Experts from three major universities recommended an opioid response plan based on state data, public input and national best practices for substance abuse. This plan focuses on prevention, early intervention, treatment, overdose reversal and support for the families of people who abuse drugs.
This statewide initiative is made up of 26 organizational and individual members, including the West Virginia Bureau for Children and Families, the National Guard and West Virginia State Police. This group uses data to create policies that address substance abuse prevention at the community, county and state levels.
Additional outreach efforts include needle exchange programs throughout the state to decrease disease transmission and the distribution of free naloxone (Narcan) kits that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
There are numerous programs available to help you break free from addiction’s grip. If you’re unsure of whether to choose an inpatient or outpatient program, you may wish to call your insurance company to see what types of treatment are covered. Also, evaluate your specific needs: can you realistically stay sober if you continue living at home in your current environment? For many people, the initial part of treatment requires them to get away to a completely sober environment where they can focus solely on sobriety and learning the skills they’ll need to stay abstinent when they return home.
If you need help discussing your options, call us any time of day to speak to a treatment support specialist who can help guide you toward the right fit.
If you’re worried about paying for a rehab program, don’t fret. You may still be able to afford it with options such as:
When considering the cost of treatment, remember that, in the end, the toll that addiction takes on your life is far greater.
With a variety of treatment programs located in the state, it can be difficult to choose the right one. Here are some things to consider when searching for a rehab program:
Understanding the many services available from drug and alcohol treatment centers is a challenge. It starts with learning the service terminology, which includes:
A person's mental and physical health, relationships and job can all be damaged by addiction. The most effective West Virginia addiction treatment programs address these needs to ensure patients build the strongest foundation for their recovery. Addiction treatment plans may include some or all of the following levels of care.
Addiction changes the way the brain works in ways that prevent some people from realizing that they need help for their addiction. In these circumstances, an intervention may help them to acknowledge their addiction and commit to seeking treatment.
Professional interventionists plan and moderate the intervention. Once a person decides to seek treatment, the interventionist will have a plan ready to get them into treatment promptly.
When someone stops drinking or doing drugs without professionally guided medical care, cravings and withdrawal symptoms can quickly spiral out of control. West Virginia drug and alcohol detox programs provide compassionate medical support so a person can safely, comfortably and successfully progress through detox.
Without the 24-hour care provided by a professional drug and alcohol detox program, a person is more likely to relapse as a means to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. To protect a person from these risks and to encourage the body to heal, a variety of detox programs use medications to decrease or prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
West Virginia inpatient addiction treatment works to eliminate negative mindsets and behaviors that threaten sobriety. Through therapy, a person can begin building positive behaviors and life skills that support long-term recovery. This process can be challenging, and for many people, these goals are more easily achieved through the support and residential setting of an inpatient drug rehab program.
High-quality inpatient drug rehab programs build each client's treatment program around their particular needs. Treatment can include addressing any relationship, job, educational, health or medical problems caused or aggravated by addiction. Many treatment therapies teach coping and stress-reduction skills to help a person handle these areas of their life in a more healthy and productive way.
During outpatient drug rehab, a person returns home after treatment each day. Some people may choose to live in a sober-living home during this time.
While this flexibility is beneficial for some people, for others it can open the door to triggers and relapse. Traditional outpatient and intensive outpatient programs may work best as step-down programs, used by patients after an inpatient program to encourage a commitment to recovery principles as they adapt to the demands of sober living.
West Virginia aftercare and alumni support services provide a person with ongoing access to a recovery support network in the time after treatment.
Aftercare programs in West Virginia may include:
Some aftercare programs last a few months to a year, while others may last all throughout a person's recovery.
To better provide individualized care, West Virginia addiction treatment may include options for specialized treatment services, including:
Medication-assisted treatment combines medications with behavioral therapies to help a person achieve and maintain a sober life. For opioid addiction, buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone are used to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Acamprosate (Campral), Disulfiram (Antabuse) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) may be prescribed to help a person remain abstinent from alcohol.
Many men and women feel more comfortable pursuing treatment in a gender-specific program that addresses recovery needs related to gender. LGBTQ persons may choose care in an LGBTQ-friendly treatment program.
More than one out of five West Virginia adults suffered from depression in 2016—the second-highest depression rate in the nation.
For people who face depression or any other mental illness alongside addiction, access to dual-diagnosis treatment is crucial. These programs use a combination of behavioral therapies and counseling to treat both conditions in one personalized approach.
Some programs approach treatment from a traditional, 12-step model, while others embrace an approach that focuses more heavily on mind-body-spirit wellness. In either case, people typically achieve better outcomes when involved in peer support groups and therapy.
Research-based behavioral therapies can help a person grow emotionally and gain control of their decision-making process. To encourage healing across a person's life, these therapies may be delivered in individual, group and family settings.
These research-based behavioral therapies may include:
Many people experience better treatment outcomes when traditional therapies are combined with complementary therapies for a holistic approach to healing. Complementary therapies help a person to manage stress and rebuild self-confidence, two factors that support balanced, sober living.
Complementary therapies may include:
To help a person's mind and body heal, even more, a number of facilities offer clients personalized nutritional guidance and exercise classes.
Many people use health insurance to cover the cost of treatment. A person's copay, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum will be dependent on their plan.
In West Virginia, the following health insurance companies may offer behavioral health care coverage:
A variety of financial assistance programs exist to help a person pay for substance abuse treatment beyond health insurance.
The following options may offer greater financial freedom to pursue the best treatment program for their needs:
Medically supported drug and alcohol detox programs last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the chemical dependency. Once any physical dependence has been broken and withdrawal symptoms have stabilized, long-term sobriety can be reinforced through participation in a drug rehab program. Short- and long-term programs exist, and treatment lengths range from 30 days to a year or more. Typically, the longer a person can stay in treatment, the greater the benefit.
Regarding the price of rehabilitation in west-virginia, look at the expense as an investment in your future. Most rehabilitation clinics are able to take partial payment through any insurance plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the cost of treatment in WV, call our no-charge number to get clear answers to your questions.
Whether your WV inpatient-residential alcohol and drug recovery with take four weeks or three months, beginning your treatment today improves your chances of getting and keeping healthy. Deciding on a recovery clinic that can meet your expectations before you ever arrive at the center can also help considerably. When you're ready to book treatment, our helpline advisors can help you get properly placed so you are throughly satisfied.
How much you're asked to pay for a rehab program will depend on where you choose to attend treatment, how long you plan to stay, and the amenities that you determine are must-haves during that time.
While the cost may seem high, it can help to understand that most treatment facilities accept more than one type of payment (e.g., cash, insurance, or Medicaid). Also, 77% of West Virginia treatment facilities offer treatment at no charge for clients who cannot otherwise pay, and 47.6% offer sliding-scale services.
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