Because of its location, Charlotte is a major tourist hub and is known as a great destination for vacationers. But despite the city’s beautiful surroundings and multitude of cultural and economic attractions, many residents struggle with substance use and need access to effective addiction treatment.
Addiction Treatment In Charlotte, NC
To determine which addiction treatment services and therapies will work best for an individual’s particular needs, a clinical assessment is typically performed when a patient is admitted to an addiction treatment facility. This evaluation helps treatment providers identify any special circumstances and assess the severity of the addiction as well as identify any mental health problems, like depression, PTSD, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Individuals who are experiencing a mental health disorder in addition to a substance use disorder will need dual treatment, which includes mental health therapy as well as addiction treatment services. Charlotte drug rehab programs may include some or all of the following levels of care:
- Professional intervention services
- Medical detox programs
- Inpatient addiction treatment
- Outpatient addiction treatment
- Aftercare and alumni support services
Intervention Services
Professional intervention services can assist friends and family in helping a loved one to begin their recovery journey. Chronic drug use can make it extremely difficult for a person to prioritize their health and well-being. Some people may not even realize they have a problem.
Charlotte intervention services provided under the guidance of a professional interventionist can help the individual recognize they have a problem and that they need to seek treatment.
Drug And Alcohol Detox Programs
Medical detox programs are one of the most effective ways to treat patients with strong chemical dependencies to certain substances. In particular, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids are highly addictive, and abstaining can cause unpleasant or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Charlotte drug and alcohol detox programs give the individual the support and medical care they need to safely and successfully break a dependency on drugs and alcohol.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment
Also known as residential drug rehab programs, inpatient addiction treatment provides the most intensive level of care. These programs help engage patients emotionally, mentally and socially in a therapeutic community where they receive support from not only staff but also other patients in recovery.
High-quality Charlotte drug rehab programs are committed to not only treating addiction but also to the personal growth and development each patient needs to live a full, sober life afterward. Specialized treatment programs may include:
- Dual-diagnosis care
- Gender-specific groups
- Holistic therapies
- LGBTQIA-friendly programs
- 12-step groups
- Pet-friendly communities
- Religious/faith-based treatment
- Medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone, Methadone)
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Outpatient drug rehab may be beneficial for individuals who need help overcoming a substance use disorder but who still have work, attend a school or maintain family obligations. Charlotte outpatient drug rehab programs offer treatment via a daily schedule of therapies or on a per-appointment basis.
Outpatient drug rehab programs can be used in several ways, including as a:
- Step-down level of care after completing an inpatient addiction treatment program
- Standalone treatment for drug or alcohol addiction
- Treatment for a relapse
Aftercare And Alumni Services
The primary goal of addiction treatment programs is for patients to achieve long-lasting sobriety. Sometimes, other services are needed to maintain the positive momentum that was achieved during the initial treatment program. Many aftercare programs and alumni support services are available that can provide ongoing support.
Charlotte aftercare and alumni services may include:
- Job coaching
- Mentorship programs
- Online recovery groups or resources
- Support groups
- Self-improvement classes
- Sober living homes
Length of Addiction Treatment Programs
The length of time an individual spends in a treatment program depends on their recovery and the type of treatment program they’re participating in. For residential treatment programs, lengths can be as short as 28 days or as long as a year. The month-long programs are often referred to as short-term treatment, and programs that last 90 days or longer are referred to as long-term.
Paying For Addiction Treatment
Payment for drug rehab doesn’t always have to come out of the patient’s own pocket. Many drug rehab facilities accept major commercial health plans that often cover a significant portion of treatment. Some insurance plans will even cover the entire cost of treatment, providing it is with an in-network provider. Common health insurance companies that offer coverage in Charlotte include:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Cigna
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- UnitedHealthOne
Other options to help pay for addiction treatment include:
- Financing options
- Grants and scholarships
- Sliding-scale fees
- Help from loved ones
Substance Use Trends In Charlotte, NC
Large cities like Charlotte all tend to see some level of substance use among residents, which may involve alcohol, marijuana, heroin, opioids, prescription opioid painkillers, and sedatives.
Substances that are commonly used in Charlotte include:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines
- Heroin
- Opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone)
- Marijuana
- Xanax
From 2015 to 2016, North Carolina saw a 24.7 percent increase in drug overdose-related deaths. In 2016, North Carolina hospitals reported admissions for the following drug-related incidents:
- 7,286 hospital admissions for heroin-related incidents
- 10,862 visits for non-heroin opioid-related incidents
- 8,753 admissions related to alcohol use with another drug
- 3,854 admissions due to smoked cocaine and 2,764 using another route
- 14,635 admissions related to the use of marijuana/hashish
- 3,063 admissions related to use of methamphetamines
Prescription Opioid Painkiller Use
The opioid crisis is worsening in North Carolina. Four people die each day from an opioid overdose in the state. In 2016 alone, 1,518 residents died of an opioid overdose. 2016 also saw 2,705 hospitalizations and 4,079 emergency room visits related to opioid overdoses. On more than 13,000 occasions, emergency medical services and first responders in North Carolina also administered naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Substance Use And Addiction: Signs And Symptoms
The easiest way to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug addiction is to watch for behavioral and lifestyle changes. Substance use drives a person to increasingly center their lives and activities around the addiction.
Some typical signs of substance use include:
- Using the substance more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed or planned
- Being unable to decrease the dose of the substance or unable to quit using entirely
- May spend extended periods of time abusing the substance and/or feeling sick from use
- Having strong cravings or urges to find and use the substance
- Using the substance even when it damages close relationships
- Stops taking part in meaningful hobbies or activities
- Participating in unsafe activities while under the influence
- Using after mental health is badly affected
- Increasing the dose of the substance to continue feeling the effects, as tolerance increases
- Developing withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the substance
Drug addiction can overtake anyone’s life. It does not discriminate, and willpower alone is often not enough to stop using. Those who find that they are becoming addicted or are addicted to alcohol or drugs should seek professional help immediately.
Vertava Health provides clients with the most effective and compassionate care possible. Highly trained staff use research-based therapies at locations across the United States. Call today for more information on Charlotte addiction treatment options.
