While Wyoming rates of drug use aren’t as high as other states, far too many Wyoming families confront the pain of addiction each day. In addition to helping a person achieve a drug-free life, individualized Wyoming addiction treatment programs can help a person to heal and rebuild broken relationships.
Wyoming Substance Use Statistics
Alcohol use and addiction have long been a problem in Wyoming, however, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, heroin, and prescription opioid drug use rates are climbing.
Alcohol Use
From 2013-2014, 7.5 percent of Wyoming residents aged 12 or older used alcohol or struggled with alcohol addiction—nearly 36,000 residents.
A 2016 state report cautioned, “The high percentage of alcohol-involved arrests, the inordinate number of arrests for public intoxication and driving under the influence, and the high levels of blood alcohol content or drivers arrested for being impaired represent real and significant threats to public safety.”
In 2016:
- 57 percent of all Wyoming custodial arrests involved alcohol
- Alcohol-related arrests were highest in Fremont, Sheridan and Teton counties
Opioid Use
Some experts believe that heroin and prescription opioid painkiller use rates rose when the price of methamphetamine soared after effective governmental crackdowns on production and distribution. Whatever the reason, use of heroin and other opioids like fentanyl can quickly lead to addiction and overdose.
Key opioid statistics include:
- From 2015 to 2016, the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in Wyoming climbed from 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people to 8.7
- Illicit drug- and prescription opioid-related overdose deaths are currently stabilizing
- Carbon County experienced the most inpatient hospital stays due to opioids
While some of these trends are encouraging, without effective addiction treatment options these numbers could begin to climb again.
Methamphetamine Use
In the 1990s and early 2000s, significant rates of methamphetamine use began to crop up across Wyoming. While rates of meth use had somewhat declined, levels of use have begun to climb recently in certain regions.
Meth addiction continues to destroy the lives of Wyoming residents every day. Meth use can cause erratic, unpredictable and sometimes violent behaviors. Because of this, meth is frequently linked to the crime.
According to the 2016 Alcohol and Crime in Wyoming report:
- Since 2010, meth-involved arrests have risen each year, doubling between 2013 and 2016
- Meth was involved in 8.48 percent of arrests in 2016, totaling 1,346 arrests
- Lincoln, Uinta and Weston counties had higher rates of meth-related crime compared to other areas of the state
Wyoming Substance Use Prevention Programs
Promoting statewide early intervention, prevention and outreach services helps to reduce the impact of substance use in Wyoming.
Substance Use Prevention Program
This outreach campaign strives to prevent substance use through culturally appropriate and evidence-based strategies.
Alcohol Wellness Alternatives, Research, & Education Program
By the aid of the University of Wyoming’s counseling center, the AWARE program educates college students on healthy choices and harm-reduction strategies that can prevent and reduce substance use.
Naloxone For Opioid Overdoses
Wyoming law allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone (Narcan) to persons in need of this potentially life-saving medication. When administered quickly enough, Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose. Grant funding and a standing order for the purchase of Narcan also allows first responders to more readily obtain Narcan.
Wyoming Addiction Treatment
The behaviors and emotions that accompany addiction can be deeply damaging to a person’s life, relationships and health. Unfortunately, as drug and alcohol use becomes chronic, changes in the brain can make it difficult for a person to take care of themselves and their family.
A clinical assessment will help treatment providers to determine what services and therapies would be most beneficial to a person’s recovery journey. A combination of the following services may be used to provide a person with customized addiction treatment.
Intervention Services
An intervention can be a transformative service for a person who cannot or will not accept that they need help. A professional interventionist will talk to a person’s family and research treatment options. From this, they’ll present the best treatment options to the person in need. An effective intervention can be a motivating force that helps a person take the first steps toward treatment.
Drug And Alcohol Detox Programs
Should a person suddenly stop using alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids or any other drug they’re addicted do, they will likely experience discomfort as their body goes through withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are often accompanied by strong urges or cravings for the drug.
Without professional help, withdrawal can become severe, motivating a person to relapse just to stop the symptoms. A medically supported detox provides compassionate, 24-hour care while a person’s body rids itself of the drug. Medications are commonly used to reduce or prevent cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment
Once a person’s body has stabilized after detox, the mental and emotional causes and effects of addiction should be addressed. Inpatient drug rehab centers typically give a person more time to spend in therapy. These intensive sessions help a person to uproot negative behaviors while creating positive and abstinent ones in their place.
The most effective inpatient drug rehab programs offer individualized treatment plans that take into account each patient’s unique experiences. These customized combinations of services address the issues that matter most to a person. Whether it be parenting concerns, failing relationships, job troubles or financial struggles, high-quality inpatient drug rehab programs help a person to overcome the negative ways addiction has impacted their life.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Outpatient drug rehab programs do not typically offer the level of safety and support provided by an inpatient program. Outpatient addiction treatment patients return home after treatment each day, a set up that could expose them to relapse triggers or to drug-using peers.
While some people achieve sobriety through outpatient drug rehab, this level of care is often better used as a step-down program following an inpatient program. In this role, traditional outpatient and intensive outpatient programs help a person to transition to a sober, community-minded life. Some people prefer to add an extra layer of protection by residing in a sober living home during this time.
Aftercare And Alumni Services
Recovery is frequently referred to as a journey, and for good reason. Addiction treatment takes hard work and perseverance, however, this work shouldn’t stop once a person leaves treatment.
Aftercare and alumni support services play a valuable role within the recovery process.
Recovery support services in Wyoming may include:
- Alumni mentorship programs
- Online recovery toolkits
- Peer support groups
- Self-improvement classes
- Sober-living homes
These services provide inspiration and accountability while also offering opportunities to strengthen a person’s recovery skills.
Specialized Wyoming Addiction Treatment Programs
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies to increase the likelihood of long-term recovery. Medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone may be used to prevent opioid withdrawal. Acamprosate (Campral), disulfiram (Antuse) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) are prescribed to help people achieve and maintain abstinence from alcohol.
Gender-Specific Treatment
Some people feel they can more fully focus on their recovery goals in a gender-specific treatment program. These create a safe and welcoming space to address any gender-related issues affecting a patient’s recovery. LGBTQ-friendly treatment may also be available in Wyoming.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
Many people who experience addiction also have a co-occurring mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dual-diagnosis programs identify and treat the ways each condition impacts the other, most commonly through behavioral therapies. Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment improves a person’s chance of successful, long-term recovery.
Wyoming Addiction Treatment Therapies
A growing number of addiction treatment programs combine evidence-based therapies with alternative, holistic approaches. This integration helps a person to heal mentally, physically and emotionally.
Research-based behavioral therapies include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- 12-step facilitation therapy
To enhance and nurture the positive behaviors and mindsets learned in individual, family and group therapy sessions, complementary therapies may be used:
- Acupuncture
- Adventure or wilderness therapies
- Art or music therapy
- Equine therapy
- Meditation
- Mindfulness and stress management practices
- Pet therapy
- Neurofeedback
- Yoga
Addiction can deplete a person’s physical health, causing fatigue, nutritional imbalances, and malnourishment. Many programs provide residents with nutrition education and exercise programs to help them recover from this damage.
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How To Pay For Wyoming Addiction Treatment
Prolonged drug or alcohol use can drain even the deepest pockets. In the long run, the cost of treatment can be far less than the toll addiction takes on a person’s health, relationships and quality of life.
While considering payment options, a person should first determine if their health insurance provides any coverage that will help.
Health insurance companies that may provide benefits for the treatment of substance use disorders in Wyoming include:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
A person’s copays, coinsurance, and deductible will vary depending on the company and specific insurance plan.
Should insurance not cover all of the cost, other payment options may include:
- Scholarships or grants
- Personal loans
- Help from family and friends
- Payment plans
Treatment Program Length
The length of an addiction treatment program will be determined by the type and severity of drug use. Health and medical concerns may also influence this decision.
Most Wyoming addiction treatment programs last 30, 60 or 90 days, or in some cases, a year or longer. Moderate to severe addictions are generally best treated in long-term programs.
Traveling For Addiction Treatment
If a person enrolls in treatment near their home, they may focus too much energy on their loved ones’ needs instead of their own. Additionally, this proximity can also place a person near triggers or drug-abusing peers, factors that could tempt a person to relapse.
Traveling to treatment can make it easier for a person to focus on their recovery. Many people find that traveling to a new location helps to invigorate their sense of self and purpose in life.
Vertava Health offers cutting-edge, compassionate treatment at several locations across the country.
