South Dakota Substance Use Statistics And Addiction Treatment Options
Home to the renowned landmarks Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument, South Dakota is a large state with a surprisingly small population. Miles of open prairies flow into the Black Hills National Forest. South Dakota is rich with the history of the Native American tribes who once dominated the land and still reside in the area on reservations.
In recent years, however, South Dakota has seen a spike in illicit drug use across the plains.
Methamphetamine use accounts for a lot of this increase, as several meth labs and production rings have been uncovered in the state. Vast areas of unoccupied land make these types of labs difficult for local law enforcement to locate despite increasing measures to monitor drug trade across the state.
South Dakota Substance Use Statistics
In 2015, South Dakota police seized 31 pounds of methamphetamine and discovered and dismantled 28 meth labs. There were incredible 2,126 arrests for methamphetamine, which is an alarming statistic considering the sparseness of the local population.
Synthetic drugs have also arrived on the scene in South Dakota. Bath salts, a synthetic drug that produces a stimulating effect similar to cocaine, has been found on individuals arrested for committing violent crimes and suffering from an overdose.
Synthetic marijuana (Spice, K2) has been a popular drug choice among teens. A survey conducted by the South Dakota Health and Drug Administration showed that nearly four percent of high school adolescents had tried the drug at least once in their lifetime.
Heroin has also been making a comeback in recent years throughout the state of South Dakota. Local authorities who have been tracking these drug trends over the past several decades indicate that rates of heroin use among South Dakota residents reached a peak in the 1980s, then decreased significantly over the next 20 years. In the past five years, however, rates of heroin use and overdose have been climbing again. Many officials believe the nationwide opioid epidemic and overprescribing of painkillers is to blame for this increasing trend.
South Dakota Addiction Prevention Programs
South Dakota state officials have worked to stay ahead in the fight against methamphetamines through the use of special task forces that aim to rid the region of meth labs and traffickers. These special units are comprised of various law officials and detectives who carefully track the spread and trade of methamphetamine into South Dakota’s smaller communities.
The South Dakota Department of Social Services has also created a campaign against methamphetamine use, called Meth Changes Everything. This campaign urges residents to pledge against using meth or other drugs. Stories of how meth use negatively impacted people’s lives are an important part of this campaign, sharing the effects of illicit drug use with those who are most at risk.
South Dakota lawmakers also work with hospitals and physicians to develop new laws regulating the prescribing of opioid painkillers in a medical setting. These laws make it easier for prescribers to view a patient’s recent prescriptions and keep track of individuals seeking out opioids for non-medical use.
South Dakota Addiction Treatment Programs
For many people who seek recovery, the best way to take back control of a life that has been damaged by addiction is to seek professional help through a specialized drug and alcohol treatment program.
High-quality drug and alcohol rehab facilities in South Dakota create personalized treatment plans for each of their patients. Clinicians will perform an assessment of an individual’s health, mindset, the severity of addiction and other mental health needs to determine what therapies will work best for that individual.
This type of individualized addiction treatment can help patients achieve lifelong recovery.
Intervention Services
Substance use and addiction can quickly turn lives upside down. Sometimes, addiction can continue for years until something happens that forces an individual to discuss their substance use with family and loved ones. For others, it may be possible to spot a developing addiction in a loved one before their life spirals out of control.
It is sometimes necessary to seek professional help through an intervention. Professional intervention services can help plan a group discussion to talk to someone about their substance use and research treatment options when they agree to go to drug rehab.
Drug And Alcohol Detox Programs
Addiction has a profound effect on the body, changing the structures and function of the brain over time. The body begins to function more normally with the substance than without it, resulting in withdrawal if the substance is withheld.
Addiction to some substances can be so severe that withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Prolonged use of opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, in particular, can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms. During a medically supported drug and alcohol detox, patients receive 24-hour care and medical support, ensuring their safety and comfort as their body begins to heal.
Medical detox addresses the physical aspects of addiction but is not considered a comprehensive treatment for substance use on its own. To acquire relapse-prevention skills that will reinforce lifelong sobriety, patients transition to a residential addiction treatment program following the successful completion of drug and alcohol detox.
Comprehensive Inpatient Addiction Treatment
Residential addiction treatment programs in South Dakota have been particularly effective for those who seek to build a life in sobriety. High-quality inpatient addiction treatment programs are well-rounded and offer treatment approaches for both the physical and mental effects of substance use and addiction.
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs immerse patients in a supportive and healing environment that is entirely focused on recovery, protecting them from familiar places and people that can trigger cravings. A patient may even select an inpatient addiction treatment facility that is out of state to ensure that they are able to focus completely on their recovery.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Outpatient drug rehab programs are a good option for individuals who are not able to live away from home for an extended period of time due to family or work constraints. Outpatient programs are also a good step-down level of care for patients who have completed an inpatient program but who may need continued support as they get back to their normal routine.
While outpatient programs are usually not as comprehensive or structured as inpatient programs, they can still offer a similar network of support and counseling. Some outpatient addiction treatment programs meet as frequently as several times per week. Other outpatient programs may only meet once or twice a month, which is considered to be more of an aftercare or alumni support program.
Sober Living Homes
Sober living homes offer a substance-free residential community for those in early recovery. Sober living offers support and guidance to those who are transitioning from a treatment program back to independent living. Individuals are able to return to work and live a normal life while in a sober living home.
Sober living homes might be run by an organization affiliated with drug and alcohol treatment, or they can be a more structured environment such as a clinical facility or faith-based home.
South Dakota Addiction Treatment Therapies
A comprehensive addiction treatment program in South Dakota will include therapies that treat both emotional and environmental triggers. Each patient may be different in which therapies will work for them, so it is not unusual for therapists to attempt multiple therapies before determining which will be the most successful for that patient.
Behavioral therapies can be complemented by more holistic therapies that focus on whole-body wellness. This combination has proven to be very successful for many patients.
Some common therapies include:
- Adventure therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Art or music therapy
- Biofeedback
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Pet or animal therapy
- Wilderness therapy
- Yoga
- 12-step programs or 12-step alternatives
Medication-Assisted Treatment In South Dakota
Addiction treatment therapies are sometimes paired with pharmacological approaches to prevent withdrawal symptoms, discourage future substance use and reduce the patient’s risk of relapse. This type of approach is referred to as medication-assisted treatment.
Some of the medications that are used in medication-assisted treatment include Suboxone (buprenorphine) and methadone. These medications are used for patients who are recovering from an addiction to opioid painkillers or heroin. Antuse (disulfiram) and Campral (acamprosate) are used in medication-assisted treatment for individuals suffering from an alcohol use disorder.
How To Pay For South Dakota Addiction Treatment
It is surprising to some individuals that their health insurance will cover drug or alcohol rehab. Many health insurance companies that service South Dakota also offer full or partial coverage for addiction treatment.
Health insurance companies that may offer coverage for addiction treatment in South Dakota include:
- Aetna
- Avera Health Plans
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield South Dakota (Anthem, Wellmark)
- DAKOTACARE
Coverage for addiction treatment may vary by insurance plan, facility type and location or length of care.
If health insurance is not available to pay for drug or alcohol addiction treatment, many facilities offer other options. Some programs may offer scholarships or grants to certain individuals in need of drug or alcohol rehabilitation. Other facilities may utilize payment plans or sliding-scale fees to assist those who may struggle with the cost of rehab.
Finding Addiction Treatment Services In South Dakota
Considering out-of-state addiction treatment can be a great move. Out-of-state drug rehab puts distance between a patient and their previous life and frequently results in a more focused commitment to treatment. In some cases, choosing an out-of-state rehab facility is the best choice.
