Washington Rehab Center

Within the past decade, heroin use has become a developing issue in Washington state. The Seattle area has seen a rise in heroin deaths of over 50 percent. Many attribute this rise to the fact that heroin has become more accessible in recent years. 

The most common substances treated in drug rehab centers in Washington state include:

• Opioids
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Benzodiazepines
• Methamphetamine
• Synthetic cannabinoids

With laws cracking down on prescription drug abuse, many people turn to heroin as an alternative. As more of the state’s residents turn to heroin, officials continue to raise awareness and look for solutions. One key factor is that Washington is vulnerable to drug imports since it has

direct access to the Pacific Ocean and Canada.

In addition, drug treatment centers in Washington are struggling with ways to help individuals struggling with addiction. Teenagers are becoming addicted at an alarming rate due to the availability of all types of substances.

Washington Drug Use Laws

Many laws have been developed to fight heroin use in Washington.  In recent years, Washington state has been in the midst of a drug epidemic in which heroin and

 prescription drugs have taken over in the lives of residents.

Illicit drugs in Washington can entail criminal charges. Small possession of cocaine or heroin is considered a felony and is often punished with a $10,000 fine and a five-year jail sentence. A charge with the intent to sell a controlled substance, such as heroin or cocaine can increase the penalty to a $25,000 fine and ten years in jail. 

Washington Marijuana Laws

Washington became one of the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in 2012. Though, the medical and recreational laws were kept separate. In 2016, the two legal markets integrated into one. 

Medical marijuana patients have tax breaks and can achieve greater possession limits. Conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Washington include:

• Cancer
• AIDS
• Crohn’s disease
• Cachexia
• HIV
• Glaucoma
• Intractable pain
• Hepatitis C
• Nausea
• Persistent muscle spasms
• PTSD
• Traumatic brain injury
• Seizures
• Any terminal or debilitating condition

On the other hand, recreational users can’t possess more than one ounce of marijuana for personal use. They may also possess up to 72 ounces of liquid marijuana-infused substances. And one ounce of solid marijuana=infused product. 

Addiction Treatment Laws in Washington

Like many other states, Washington utilizes harm reduction laws to help those suffering from addiction. For example, the 911 Good Samaritan law provides immunity from prosecution for drug possession charges if they are at the scene of an overdose. This saves lives as people do not need to hesitate to call for help if someone they are with overdoses from drug use. 

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

The PDMP is a safety tool for pharmacists and medical professionals. This harm-reduction program allows medical professionals to review information before prescribing medication. Some of the benefits this program provides include:

• Preventing overdoses and drug abuse
• Promoting referrals for pain management
• Detecting fraudulent insurance 
• Treating drug addiction
• Supporting patient care

High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program

HIDTA is responsible for developing drug control efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. HIDTA helps immobilize drug trafficking organizations that impact communities in Washington state. They use advanced technology and other resources to detect and dismantle drug traffickers.

Drug Treatment in Washington State

Inpatient drug treatment centers in Washington state offer a wide range of programs. Many rehabs in Washington even have state-funded options for those in need. In addition, most treatment centers accept private insurance and have options for those with financial difficulties.

Understanding treatment options is imperative when looking for treatment. Washington rehab centers have a continuum of care specialized for individuals in almost any circumstance. Finding the right treatment is crucial. When looking for treatment, consider recovery rates, rehab duration, location, and each program’s therapy methods. 

If a loved one is dealing with addiction, the time to help is now. One of the best options for dealing with a loved one’s addiction is staging an intervention. 

How To Stage an Intervention

When planning an intervention, start with the formation of a trusted team. You should enlist a group of core organizers, including close friends, family members, and sometimes even coworkers. It is crucial not to involve anyone who currently suffers from substance abuse issues. 

Another important aspect of staging an intervention is research. Understand addiction and the recovery process. If you can have a deep understanding of addiction, you will be able to relate to and communicate effectively with your loved one. Impact statements from each participant should come from a place of love and not blame or emotion. Offer your loved one support and ensure they will not be going through the process alone.

Keep in mind every potential outcome. It’s recommended that the intervention team rehearses before the event. Interventions are intense, and emotions often run high. It’s best to ensure each participant is prepared and ready to keep their composure. 

Lastly, after the intervention, it is key to follow up with your loved one. Continue your support and hold the intervention team accountable for continuing their support.

Hiring an Interventionist

Enlisting the support of a professional is the best way to stage an intervention. A professional interventionist will help with every aspect, including being present in the meeting. To find an interventionist, you can:

• Contact your insurance and see if an interventionist is covered in your plan
• Contact a local drug rehab in Washington state or a therapy office 
• Ask for recommendations
• Get a referral from a therapist or doctor

Understanding Addiction

Addiction takes on many forms and impacts individuals in various ways. Addiction is classified as a brain disease that can impact people psychologically, emotionally, physically, or even spiritually. 

What is Addiction?

Individuals dealing with addiction will continue using substances even if they know it’s destructive. Addiction, also known as substance use disorder (SUD), may cause a person to hold distorted thoughts, often reflected in behavior and lifestyle. 

Individuals who suffer from addictions can have trouble thinking clearly about the consequences that come along with using harmful substances. They might continue increasing doses over time due to increased tolerance levels causing them to approach dangerous and life-threatening consequences.

Washington Rehab Center Treatment

Professional treatment is the best way to fight addiction. Drug treatment centers in Washington help people recover from mild to severe substance use disorders. The following programs are common among all treatment centers and have value for each stage in recovery.  

Detox

Detox is a vital step in recovering from substance addiction. Washington rehab centers encourage clients to begin treatment with detox so they can start off clean and sober. Many factors determine the safety of a person’s detoxification process, including what substances were used prior to beginning therapy. However, it is always advised that medical professionals accompany individuals for guidance throughout this process and through other stages in their recovery journey.

Residential Treatment

Inpatient drug treatment centers in Washington state offer various resources to help people heal from their addiction and recover from unhealthy habits. Residential treatment is a live-in facility that offers therapy and medical care around the clock. Many individuals find residential treatment life-changing. Depending on each patient’s individual needs, programs may last one to three months or longer if necessary.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment centers can be a better option than inpatient programs for individuals with mild substance abuse issues. These outpatient facilities offer most of the same resources as their more intensive counterparts, but patients are not required to live at the facility. 

Many people enroll in outpatient programs following an inpatient stay so that they can continue treatment if needed. Outpatient programs typically require ten or so hours each week, during which time they will attend group therapy sessions and meet individually with counselors.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is a level of care that falls in between an inpatient and outpatient. An average weekly time commitment for an IOP can be around 12-15 hours, consisting of proven treatments, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and more.

Therapy Types

Drug rehabs in Washington depend on therapy programs to help patients deal with their addiction and mental health issues. Studies consistently show that addiction stems from mental health problems. Focusing on emotional well-being is a priority in treatment. Therapy helps individuals understand how or why addiction may have developed for them personally, which can be helpful when it comes to long-term recovery. 

Individual Therapy

One-on-one therapy is a critical part of any treatment program. Individual therapy helps those with addictions address their unhealthy behavior by working through triggers and understanding how they affect the addiction. The therapist guides patients to find new ways of coping in order for them to overcome any challenges, emotions, or behaviors that may arise during treatment and recovery.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a staple form of psychotherapy in addiction treatment. CBT sessions focus on breaking bad cognitive habits and changing destructive behavior to help the patient gain independence over their recovery process. For example, therapists may utilize techniques such as mindfulness for patients to develop tools for their recovery. Once they have learned how certain behaviors are detrimental towards them reaching goals, they can begin to enact change in their lives.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT helps clients with difficult disorders to treat. Instead of encouraging change like CBT, dialectical behavior therapy helps patients accept negative thoughts. Substance abuse therapists often use DBT to help their clients develop skills involving:

• Mindfulness
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Distress tolerance 
• Emotional regulation 

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses group sessions to develop interpersonal skills in its participants. The environment represents real-life scenarios where patients can utilize their new healthy coping and cognitive habits. Group sessions typically involve a therapist and a group of two or more people. 

Holistic Therapy

Many centers for drug treatment in Washington state utilize holistic therapy, a method that aims to unify the patient’s mind with their body. This type of therapy helps people who are dealing with mental health issues like depression or addiction. Holistic practices address deeper issues rather than just symptoms. Instead of focusing on symptoms alone, this approach is focused more on getting at the root cause of these problems. 

Many treatment programs combine traditional and holistic practices. Studies show this method can provide the best chances for positive outcomes in recovery. 

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

About half of people in addiction recovery are diagnosed with co-occurring disorders. This is often the result of people looking to cope with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more by numbing symptoms. This form of self-medication can introduce many into the cycle of addiction. Dual diagnosis programs treat each co-occurring disorder together as this proved the most effective strategy for treatment.

Paying For Treatment

The cost of treatment should not be a deciding factor when seeking a drug rehab in Washington state. Addiction treatment can save lives, and regardless of your financial situation, treatment centers can typically find a plan to get you or your loved one into treatment. 

Insurance

Many insurance plans cover addiction treatment. When considering treatment, contact the rehab center and ask if your insurance is accepted. 

Affordable Care Act

The affordable care act helps many people get their cost of treatment covered. The initial reason for the act was to extend coverage to uninsured Americans. The Affordable Care Act also requires insurance companies to cover more essential health benefits. 

Family Medical Leave Act

The FMLA helps people take unpaid leave with full job security for many circumstances. The act pertains to companies with more than 49 employees. Eligible employees may use this leave to admit themselves into substance abuse treatment without putting their job at risk. 

Resources

Here is a list of resources for people and families affected by substance use:

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings can be found in every state in the country. These meetings are often open to the public and even open to family. 

Narcotics Anonymous 

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) follows the same guidelines as AA. However, NA meetings are typically centered around substances other than alcohol. 

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery utilizes ideas from the 12-Step program without the implementing religious aspect. If you are looking for a non-religious 12-Step program, SMART Recovery is a great resource.

Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based program for people basing their recovery on religion and the gospel of Jesus. 

Get Connected With Drug Treatment in Washington State

Understanding how recovery works can make choosing rehab an easier process. At Addiction Intervention, we can help you pick out an alcohol or drug rehab in Washington that will offer you or your loved one an opportunity for long-term recovery.