As far as substance abuse is concerned, one of the smallest states is one of the biggest offenders. The tiny state of Vermont ranks right up near the top in most drug and alcohol abuse categories, especially in low risk perception of marijuana and alcohol abuse. Admissions to Vermont’s drug and alcohol treatment centers are nearly 400% higher than the national average.

Of all of Vermont’s residents, over fifteen thousand had alcohol or drug abuse issues in 2006, the last data year. About half of them got treatment in one of Vermont’s drug and alcohol rehab centers. According to a SAMHSA report, there are some trends that are concerning. Since 2004, underage drinking by those 12-20 rose from just over 33% to almost 40%, and binge drinking rose by 24% to 28%. Admissions to Vermont drug treatment centers show that alcohol use is rising, as well as the use and abuse of opiates.

Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse

State of Vermont Profile of Drug Indicators

January 2008

Prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Xanax, Percocet, Vicodin, and Valium are all seeing widespread abuse in Vermont. According to the DEA, people can either intentionally or accidentally become addicted, and the nonmedical use of these medicines is not only a problem in Vermont, but all over America. They are widely obtainable- they can be had at clubs, gyms, parties, and even from home medicine cabinets. Unscrupulous doctors write fake prescriptions, and people will lie, cheat, and steal to get the drugs. Obviously, street drugs aren’t the only concern in Vermont and elsewhere. It looks like Vermont’s drug and alcohol treatment facilities have their work cut out for them!

There are forty drug and alcohol treatment centers in Vermont, and of them, two are operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, thirty four are privately run and either for or not for profit. Almost all of them receive public funding and many are associated with local hospitals and doctors, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be sent to a private rehab center in Vermont if you seek help there.

Almost fifty percent of all of Vermont’s drug and alcohol rehab centers are focused on drug treatment, but the rest also deal with the accompanying mental health problems. There are ten residential treatment facilities in Vermont, and the rest provide their services on an outpatient basis. Vermonters looking for opiate treatment may have a harder time getting help, because there are only two programs in the state and thirty five doctors licensed in the distribution of buprenorphine. Programs are different from one clinic to another, so it’s important to get evaluated by your doctor in order to find the correct program for you.

If you are addicted to drugs and alcohol, you should know that there is help out there for you- you just need to know how to get it. There are many drug and alcohol centers in Vermont which will be able to help you live a drug-free life.

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