Minnesota Drug Rehab

Most admissions to rehab centers in Minnesota are in relation to marijuana use. Each year, though, opioid and heroin addiction increase. Heroin use in Minnesota has grown into a serious statewide issue. The most common illegal substances in Minnesota are:

Marijuana
Opioids
Stimulants
Heroin
cocaine
Methamphetamines

Drug use is most common within the 18 to 25 age bracket in Minnesota. It is reported that adolescents abuse drugs such as MDMA/ecstasy, inhalants, synthetic drugs, and prescription drugs.

Minnesota Drug Laws

Drug laws for sale and possession are harsh in Minnesota. The state uses five degrees of penalties based on the amount and type of drug involved. The first degree contains the most punishable and serious drug-related activities, while the fifth degree is the least severe.

First Degree Distribution

17+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 10+ grams heroin, 50+ grams of other narcotic drugs, 200+ doses of hallucinogen. Resulting in 0-30 yrs., 4 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $1 million fine.

First Degree Possession

50+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 25+ grams heroin. Resulting in 0-30 yrs., 4 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $1 million fine.

Second Degree Distribution

10+ grams any narcotic drug other than heroin, 3+ grams heroin, 50+ doses of hallucinogen, sale of Schedule I or II narcotic drug either to a person under 18 or in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment center. Resulting in 0-25 yrs., 3 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $500,000 fine.

Second Degree Possession

25+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 6+ grams heroin, 50+ grams of other narcotic drugs, 100+ doses of hallucinogen. Resulting in 0-25 yrs., 3 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $500,000 fine.

Third Degree Distribution

Any amount of narcotic drug, 10+ doses of hallucinogen, sale of any Schedule I or II drug to a person under 18 or employment of a person under 18 to sell the same, any amount of cocaine or heroin. Resulting in 0-20 yrs., up to $250,000 fine.

Third Degree Possession

10+ grams any narcotic drug other than heroin, 3+ grams heroin, 10+ grams of other narcotic drugs and 5 doses of a Schedule I or II narcotic drug in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment center. Resulting in 0-20 yrs., up to $250,000 fine.

Fourth Degree Distribution

Any Schedule I, II, or III drug in a school zone, park zone or public housing zone. Any Schedule IV or V drug to a person under 18 or conspiracy for the same. Resulting in 0-15 yrs., up to $100,000 fine.

Fourth Degree Possession

10 doses of hallucinogen, any amount of Schedule I, II, or III controlled substance with intent to sell. Resulting in 0-15 yrs., up to $100,000 fine.

Fifth Degree Distribution and Possession

Distribution of any schedule IV drug and possession of any amount of schedule I, II, III, or IV drugs result in 0-5 yrs., up to $10,000 fine.

Marijuana Laws in Minnesota

Medical marijuana became legal in Minnesota in 2015. Residents who qualify for medical marijuana may have a range of conditions including:

Crohn’s disease
Cancer/cachexia
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Seizures
Intractable pain
Terminal illness
Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Tourette’s Syndrome

Qualifying patients are limited to a 30-day supply of medical marijuana. Recreational use of marijuana is still illegal in Minnesota. Those possessing or cultivating marijuana may be penalized accordingly.

Addiction Treatment Laws in Minnesota

Drug Rehab in Minnesota Lawmakers in Minnesota use a variety of laws to help reduce harm and protect their residents. The laws range from detecting drug trafficking, to raising awareness about addiction and the consequences of drug use.

Minnesota Syringe Access Initiative

The Minnesota Syringe Access Initiative, passed in 1998, helps reduce the number of people sharing contaminated needles. Sharing needles severely increases the risk for contact with hepatitis C, HIV, and other blood-borne diseases.

Participating pharmacies can sell up to ten syringes without a prescription. Local programs and organizations also offer other welfare services such as rehabilitation information, affordable housing, and workforce development.

Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention

Minnesota is included in the 32 states that utilize the Good Samaritan law. The law essentially provides immunity to people who report a potential overdose to emergency responders or personnel. This law encourages people to call for help when in need, instead of being in fear of the law and other consequences.

The Good Samaritan law in Minnesota also permits the distribution of naloxone. Naloxone is a medication used to counteract the effects of an overdose from opioids. The medication can reverse opioid overdose damage and help restore the individual’s respiratory functions.

Drug Courts

Drug courts were started in Minnesota in 1996. By 2007, the state had 27 courts that covered about a third of the state’s counties. Drug courts are meant to help people overcome their past through recovery instead of spending time in prison or jail. Programs include:

Frequent drug testing
Court appearances
Addiction treatment
Relapse prevention
Substance abuse education
Community service

What is Addiction?

addiction is a brain disease that plagues the households of many Americans. People suffering from addiction tend to compulsively use substances despite knowing the potential consequences. The consequences of addiction can range from household issues to physical problems with the addicted individual. Addiction can physically change a person’s brain structure causing intense cravings and other psychological stressors.

Understanding addiction is imperative when dealing with an addicted loved one, or even when dealing with personal struggles. Effects of addiction can creep into every aspect of a person’s life. Potential effects include:

Aggressive behavior
Impaired judgment
Decreased cognitive function and memory issues
Increased chance of stroke or seizure
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
Decline in work or school performance
High risk of illness due to a weakened immune system
Other adverse health effects such as loss of appetite, lung disease, nausea, etc.

Substance Abuse Interventions

Dealing with addiction in a loved one is a complicated battle. Minnesota addiction treatment centers are largely successful in helping their patients recover from addiction. Helping to encourage someone to join a treatment center is generally difficult, but substance abuse interventions act as a calculated meeting to show someone they have a substance abuse problem.

Interventions help show someone how their lifestyle and behavior is affecting them and the people around them. While in an addictive state, it is difficult to have an organic perspective. In many situations, an intervention acts as a wake-up call.

How Do Interventions Work?

Interventions include close family, friends, and sometimes a professional. Involving a professional in the intervention process can increase the chances of a positive outcome. Professional interventionists help plan the intervention, participate in the intervention, and they can help deal with the psychological aspects of the intervention.

The basic steps or guidelines when staging an intervention typically include:

Develop a plan: Plan for any possible outcome. Keep in mind interventions are emotional and uncomfortable meetings. Therefore, something unexpected may come up. Develop a plan that covers several possibilities. Utilize a professional to help guide the entire process.
Research: Look up your local Minnesota rehab centers and see what it takes to hire a professional. Also, become familiar with addiction and the treatment process. If you are trying to encourage a loved one to join treatment, it is crucial to understand what that means.
Create a team: Interventions should include close loved ones that do not struggle with addiction themselves. Create a team that is passionate about your loved one’s recovery. Fill them in with the entire plan.
Set boundaries and consequences: Set firm guidelines and consequences for your loved one. During the intervention, let them know the consequences of not seeking treatment. These boundaries and consequences should come from a place of love. It is imperative your loved one does not feel attacked.
Plan what each team member will say: Tension runs high during an intervention. The uncomfortable aspects of an intervention can be offset by prior planning. Each participating member should know what they want to speak about in advance. This can help deter people from speaking out of emotion.
Following up: Following up is critical after a successful intervention. Even if someone agrees to seek treatment there is still a possibility of them lipping back into their addiction.

Drug Rehab in Minnesota

Rehab centers in Minnesota offer several options when it comes to treatment for addiction. Understanding what each program offers and how they work can be valuable when seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one. Some programs may fit better for certain situations. Treatment centers will help in guiding you to the right form of treatment, but researching the benefits of each program in advance is beneficial.

Detox

Minnesota drug rehabilitation centers offer detox programs as a first step toward recovery. Detox programs help the struggling individual through their withdrawal symptoms and early stages of drug cravings. Detox also helps people start their recovery journey with a sober mind and body.

Residential Treatment

Residential or inpatient treatment is a common intensive level of care when working toward recovery. Inpatient treatment offers around-the-clock support and monitoring. This form of treatment is generally live-in style and patients have access to a variety of programs and amenities while committing to treatment.

Outpatient Treatment

Many individuals that finish residential treatment want to continue treatment. Outpatient treatment works extremely well for that. Though the completion of another program is not usually required, Outpatient treatment serves as a great continued level of care. Outpatient programs require patients to attend treatment during the day, while returning home at night to take care of responsibilities.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHPs work as a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient treatment. They are less intensive than standard inpatient treatment, but offer more support than outpatient care. Many individuals in a PHP live in a local sober home.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment refers to medication used during treatment to help with the recovery process. Some substances have dangerous withdrawal symptoms and many drug rehabs in Minnesota utilize medications to help curb cravings and reduce the symptoms of withdrawal.

Online Addiction Treatment

Telehealth, which includes online treatment, helps people receive treatment from their homes. Online addiction treatment is a tool for individuals who do not want to or cannot leave their home for treatment.

Therapy Programs

Addiction is not only a physical battle. The mental aspects of addiction are just as important to treat as the physical aspects. Treatment facilities offer therapy programs to patients while enrolled in treatment. The following therapies help patients with the mental health aspect of recovery.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy refers to one-on-one therapeutic treatment between a licensed therapist and their patient. In individual therapy, the therapist guides their patient through their emotions, challenges, and other obstacles they may be feeding into their addiction.

Group Therapy

Developing communication and socialization skills is essential during recovery. Group therapy offers a supportive, real-world group environment led by a licensed therapist. These sessions consist of a therapist and a group of two or more individuals. Group therapy can help in the development of self-awareness, all while building a support system.

Family Therapy

Addiction is often called a family disease. Addiction can cause problems within family relationships. Family therapy helps bring families together to rebuild broken bonds and create a healthy foundation of communication and expression.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Almost half of all people in substance abuse treatment suffer from co-occurring disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment is a form of specialized treatment that treats each disorder someone may have, simultaneously. Individuals in dual diagnosis treatment learn how their mental issues are working with each other to cause deeper problems. Dual diagnosis refers to addiction and another disorder, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or schizophrenia.

Paying for Rehabs in Minnesota

Each Minnesota rehab center likely has an insurance verification page on its website. This tool can help you find which treatment center works best for you or your loved one. As of 2008, insurance companies must offer the same coverage for mental health and addiction treatment as other health issues. The act is called the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.

Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – These open and closed meetings focus on the 12-step process to obtain and sustain long-term sobriety.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Like AA meetings, NA meetings are open to the public but offer closed session meetings.
SMART Recovery – SMART Recovery offers a 12-step program that is not based on religion or faith.
Celebrate Recovery – Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based program that utilizes the 12-Step program.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – FMLA allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for medical reasons and treatment.

Find Treatment Through Addiction Intervention

Nobody deserves to fight addiction alone. Addiction Intervention is a resource that can help you or a loved one find treatment that caters to your current situation. Fighting addiction requires professional intervention and the time to reach out for help is now. If you or a loved one is battling addiction, please call us today.