Maryland consistently ranks in the bottom of the list of states as far as alcohol and drug addiction are concerned, despite its nearness to many major cities where drug abuse and smuggling are a problem. That doesn’t mean that it does not have a problem at all- in fact, it’s quite the contrary. In 2006, the last year for which we have data, over sixty five thousand people sought help from one of Maryland’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Among the drugs of greatest concern was heroin, and admissions for its use were almost twice the national average.
Along with the widespread abuse of heroin and cocaine comes a lot of crime. The DEA says that the most heroin use occurs around Baltimore, but cocaine is more of a statewide problem. Also, club drugs and marijuana are rampant in Maryland. Drug and alcohol treatment centers are trying hard to meet the renewed demand. They say that people need to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of drug abuse, and that substance abuse in the state keeps on rising. Even worse than that is the fact that most of Maryland’s drug addictions began in the teenage years. 37% of alcohol abusers and almost half of marijuana users said that they used them first before they turned fifteen, and almost half of all cocaine users said they’d gotten their start before they turned 25. It’s well known that if a person gets their first experience with drugs or alcohol before they turn 14, they are much more likely to become addicted.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues At-A-Glance, Maryland
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), December 2008
As of 2006, there were 371 drug and alcohol rehab centers in Maryland, an increase of 26 from 2002. Over half of those centers got some public funding, and 167 of them had deals with local hospitals, making their services available to more of Maryland’s people. Those that need help should examine all of their options, to make sure that the facility they choose offers programs that will meet their needs. Most of Maryland’s rehab centers offer outpatient therapy, but a high percentage (82 centers) offer residential treatment for those with severe addictions.
Because of Maryland’s serious problems with opiate addiction, many of the state’s drug and alcohol treatment centers offer opiate addiction programs, most offering methadone or buprenorphine. These drugs are meant to manage withdrawal symptoms by closely mimicking the effects of heroin and other drugs, without the destructive side effects. As of 2006, there were fifty one centers in Maryland that offered opiate addiction, and 97 doctors statewide that offered buprenorphine therapy.
Don’t let distance be a deciding factor in whether or not you seek help. If you need specialized therapy, you may have to travel a little farther to get it- but most people live near enough to one of Maryland’s drug and alcohol rehab centers so that this isn’t even an issue.
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