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Wyoming, like the rest of the United States, struggles with alcohol and drugs and the consequences of substance abuse and addiction. Consider the following statistics:
If you’re one of the many Wyoming residents struggling with drug abuse and addiction, you don’t have to be a statistic. The right treatment can give you hope and be your first step toward a new life without drugs and alcohol.
Illicit substances are strictly prohibited in Wyoming including their possession, distribution and manufacture. Depending on the type of drug and amount involved, you will face harsh legal penalties.
Substances are broken into five schedules based on their risk of abuse and harm. For example, drugs that have a high risk for dependency – heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids – fall under schedules I and II. The remaining schedules, III, IV and V, include drugs that have a lower risk for dependency such as codeine, some stimulants and antidepressants.
Criminal charges for controlled dangerous substances (CDS) in Wyoming are as follows:
| Schedule | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|
| Schedules I or II – Narcotic | Up to 20 years in jail and $25,000 fine |
| Schedules I, II and III – Non-narcotic | Up to 10 years in jail and $10,000 fine |
| Schedule IV | Up to 2 years in jail and $2,500 fine |
| Schedule V | Up to 1 year in jail and $1,000 fine |
While medical and recreational are both illegal in Wyoming, the state has passed a medical cannabidiol (CBD) law. CBD is only to be used in the treatment of severe, debilitating epileptic conditions and must contain a high amount of CBD and low percentage of THC.
Criminal charges for possession and cultivation are usually less severe than distribution, but all penalties are strictly enforced. In addition, if you're found in possession of marijuana within 500 feet of a school, the fine will increase $500.
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ||
| Persons under the influence | Misdemeanor | 6 months in jail and $750 fine |
| 3 oz or less | Misdemeanor | 12 months in jail and $1,000 fine |
| More than 3 oz | Felony | 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine |
| Distribution | ||
| Any amount | Felony | 10 years in prison and $10,000 fine |
| Cultivation | ||
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine |
While medical and recreational are both illegal in Wyoming, the state has passed a medical cannabidiol (CBD) law. CBD is only to be used in the treatment of severe, debilitating epileptic conditions and must contain a high amount of CBD and low percentage of THC.
Criminal charges for possession and cultivation are usually less severe than distribution, but all penalties are strictly enforced. In addition, if you're found in possession of marijuana within 500 feet of a school, the fine will increase $500.
With a growing number of substance abuse cases in Wyoming, state officials have enacted several harm reduction laws to help keep neighborhoods safe. Harm reduction laws look at a whole person rather than just an addiction. By offering prevention and recovery resources, the laws focus on the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
The Wyoming Department of Health works with local organizations and pharmacies in an effort to inform residents about safely discarding unused or expired medications. Wyoming's prescription drug take back program keeps medications off the streets and also helps keep the environment clean.
Lock boxes are located in cities across Wyoming for people to anonymously and safely dispose of their prescription medications. You can place any unused or expired prescription drugs, prescription patches, medications, ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and pet medications in a properly labeled take back box. Products not accepted in drop off boxes include liquids, lotions, aerosol cans, inhalers and needles.
In 2004 to 2005, Wyoming had five prescription drug-related deaths. Less than 10 years later, between 2012 and 2013, the number of deaths linked to prescription drugs rose to 116. Lawmakers are hopeful that stricter regulations on the state's prescription drug monitoring (PDMP) program will help reduce prescription drug abuse.
Since 2004, Wyoming's PDMP has collected information about drugs in schedules II–IV that are prescribed and dispensed. Health providers and pharmacists are able to access this data and view patient medication history, as well as look for any red flags of substance abuse. In addition to detecting potential substance abuse, the Wyoming PDMP allows doctors and pharmacists to:
Wyoming's rural terrain and close proximity to major highways makes it an easy target for drug trafficking efforts. Because of this, several counties – Albany, Campbell, Laramie, Natrona, Sweetwater and Uinta – are part of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
The Rocky Mountain HIDTA works to educate the public about substance abuse, specifically marijuana. Federal, state and local agencies develop initiatives that target drug trafficking efforts along major highways. Through information sharing systems and innovative technology, agency operations are able to stop dangerous drug cartels.
Several initiatives implemented by the Rocky Mountain HIDTA include:
Alcohol abuse and addiction have long been a problem in Wyoming, however, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, heroin, and prescription opioid drug abuse rates are climbing.
From 2013-2014, 7.5 percent of Wyoming residents aged 12 or older abused alcohol or struggled with alcohol addiction—nearly 36,000 residents.
A 2016 state report cautioned, “The high percentage of alcohol-involved arrests, the inordinate number of arrests for public intoxication and driving under the influence, and the high levels of blood alcohol content or drivers arrested for being impaired represent real and significant threats to public safety.”
In 2016:
Some experts believe that heroin and prescription opioid painkiller abuse rates rose when the price of methamphetamine soared after effective governmental crackdowns on production and distribution. Whatever the reason, abuse of heroin and other opioids like fentanyl can quickly lead to addiction and overdose.
Key opioid statistics include:
While some of these trends are encouraging, without effective addiction treatment options these numbers could begin to climb again.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, significant rates of methamphetamine abuse began to crop up across Wyoming. While rates of meth abuse had somewhat declined, levels of abuse have begun to climb recently in certain regions.
Meth addiction continues to destroy the lives of Wyoming residents every day. Meth abuse can cause erratic, unpredictable and sometimes violent behaviors. Because of this, meth is frequently linked to the crime.
According to the 2016 Alcohol and Crime in Wyoming report:
Promoting statewide early intervention, prevention and outreach services helps to reduce the impact of substance abuse in Wyoming.
This outreach campaign strives to prevent substance abuse through culturally appropriate and evidence-based strategies.
By the aid of the University of Wyoming's counseling center, the AWARE program educates college students on healthy choices and harm-reduction strategies that can prevent and reduce substance abuse.
Wyoming law allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone (Narcan) to persons in need of this potentially life-saving medication. When administered quickly enough, Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose. Grant funding and a standing order for the purchase of Narcan also allows first responders to more readily obtain Narcan.
When you need help, it can be difficult to know where to start looking. You can begin by:
If you’re ready to speak to someone about getting into a program, you can call us at any time to have a confidential conversation with one of our treatment support specialists.
Wyoming has only a handful of licensed residential treatment facilities able to assist people struggling with opiate or prescription drug use, and waiting lists are common. When looking for a program, consider the following criteria:
Although numbers are small, Wyoming has begun to offer programs for individuals with opioid use disorders. The state licensed substance abuse treatment centers, which may offer the following essential services:
The behaviors and emotions that accompany addiction can be deeply damaging to a person's life, relationships and health. Unfortunately, as drug and alcohol abuse becomes chronic, changes in the brain can make it difficult for a person to take care of themselves and their family.
A clinical assessment will help treatment providers to determine what services and therapies would be most beneficial to a person's recovery journey. A combination of the following services may be used to provide a person with customized addiction treatment.
An intervention can be a transformative service for a person who cannot or will not accept that they need help. A professional interventionist will talk to a person's family and research treatment options. From this, they'll present the best treatment options to the person in need. An effective intervention can be a motivating force that helps a person take the first steps toward treatment.
Should a person suddenly stop using alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids or any other drug they're addicted do, they will likely experience discomfort as their body goes through withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are often accompanied by strong urges or cravings for the drug.
Without professional help, withdrawal can become severe, motivating a person to relapse just to stop the symptoms. A medically supported detox provides compassionate, 24-hour care while a person's body rids itself of the drug. Medications are commonly used to reduce or prevent cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal.
Once a person's body has stabilized after detox, the mental and emotional causes and effects of addiction should be addressed. Inpatient drug rehab centers typically give a person more time to spend in therapy. These intensive sessions help a person to uproot negative behaviors while creating positive and abstinent ones in their place.
The most effective inpatient drug rehab programs offer individualized treatment plans that take into account each patient's unique experiences. These customized combinations of services address the issues that matter most to a person. Whether it be parenting concerns, failing relationships, job troubles or financial struggles, high-quality inpatient drug rehab programs help a person to overcome the negative ways addiction has impacted their life.
Outpatient drug rehab programs do not typically offer the level of safety and support provided by an inpatient program. Outpatient addiction treatment patients return home after treatment each day, a set up that could expose them to relapse triggers or to drug-using peers.
While some people achieve sobriety through outpatient drug rehab, this level of care is often better used as a step-down program following an inpatient program. In this role, traditional outpatient and intensive outpatient programs help a person to transition to a sober, community-minded life. Some people prefer to add an extra layer of protection by residing in a sober living home during this time.
Recovery is frequently referred to as a journey, and for good reason. Addiction treatment takes hard work and perseverance, however, this work shouldn't stop once a person leaves treatment.
Aftercare and alumni support services play a valuable role within the recovery process.
Recovery support services in Wyoming may include:
These services provide inspiration and accountability while also offering opportunities to strengthen a person's recovery skills.
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies to increase the likelihood of long-term recovery. Medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone may be used to prevent opioid withdrawal. Acamprosate (Campral), disulfiram (Antabuse) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) are prescribed to help people achieve and maintain abstinence from alcohol.
Some people feel they can more fully focus on their recovery goals in a gender-specific treatment program. These create a safe and welcoming space to address any gender-related issues affecting a patient's recovery. LGBTQ-friendly treatment may also be available in Wyoming.
Many people who experience addiction also have a co-occurring mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dual-diagnosis programs identify and treat the ways each condition impacts the other, most commonly through behavioral therapies. Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment improves a person's chance of successful, long-term recovery.
A growing number of addiction treatment programs combine evidence-based therapies with alternative, holistic approaches. This integration helps a person to heal mentally, physically and emotionally.
Research-based behavioral therapies include:
To enhance and nurture the positive behaviors and mindsets learned in individual, family and group therapy sessions, complementary therapies may be used:
Addiction can deplete a person's physical health, causing fatigue, nutritional imbalances, and malnourishment. Many programs provide residents with nutrition education and exercise programs to help them recover from this damage.
Prolonged drug or alcohol abuse can drain even the deepest pockets. In the long run, the cost of treatment can be far less than the toll addiction takes on a person's health, relationships and quality of life.
While considering payment options, a person should first determine if their health insurance provides any coverage that will help.
Health insurance companies that may provide benefits for the treatment of substance use disorders in Wyoming include:
A person's copays, coinsurance, and deductible will vary depending on the company and specific insurance plan.
Should insurance not cover all of the cost, other payment options may include:
The length of an addiction treatment program will be determined by the type and severity of drug abuse. Health and medical concerns may also influence this decision.
Most Wyoming addiction treatment programs last 30, 60 or 90 days, or in some cases, a year or longer. Moderate to severe addictions are generally best treated in long-term programs.
When considering the cost of rehab in wyoming, look at the expense as an investment in your family's future. Most recovery facilities 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 WY, call us toll-free to get all the answers to your questions.
Whether your WY inpatient-residential illicit and prescription drug addiction recovery with take ninety days or three months, calling our treatment help line improves your chances of becoming and keeping healthy. Picking a recovery program that can suit your needs before you ever begin rehab can also help substantially. When you're ready to book treatment, our phone line advisors can help you find the right location so you are happy with your choice.
The cost of substance abuse treatment ranges widely and is influenced by several factors, including:
Understandably, the prospect of paying in full for a rehab program can be nerve-wracking. For this reason, many facilities will offer financing options, and some will even adjust the cost based on what you can afford. The bottom line is that you may end up losing much more than the cost of rehab if you continue in active addiction.
If you don’t have insurance or you don’t think you can afford the type of treatment you want, don’t give up; there are options. Some programs may offer to help set up a payment plan so that you can get into treatment right away and make payments on a set schedule. You may also be able to find centers that charge you on a sliding scale. This simply means they’ll set the price according to what you can afford to pay. You may also qualify to enter a state-funded program at low or no cost.
Remember, the price you’ll end up paying for not getting help will be far higher than the price of entering a program.
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