Haverhill, Massachusetts, is not immune to the prescription drug abuse scourge that greatly affects the country. The state, as a whole, struggles to gain control of the number of deaths from overdoses to prescription benzodiazepines, commonly called benzos, and other drugs.
The Massachusetts state medical examiners found that 38% of the bodies they examined contained benzos, along with other drugs. In 2016, there were more than 300 overdoses in Haverhill, as reported by The Eagle-Tribune. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)’s 2018 state data brief on overdoses, benzo-related overdose deaths ranked behind fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Haverhill had 30 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, as reported by the Massachusetts Department of Health’s 2021 Number of Opioid-Related Deaths, by City/Town.
In Essex County, overdoses were reported higher in 2018 than that of the state and the country, as indicated by Impact Essex County.
It is fairly common that some people will overdose on the combination of opioids and benzos. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) relays from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), which monitors emergency department visits in certain areas, that there were 1 million emergency department visits attributed to prescription drug abuse in 2009. It is reported that 22,000 visits involved a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Benzos comprised the greatest majority of those.
Benzos fall under the central nervous system depressant class of drugs. They are meant to treat anxiety and panic for a short time. They may also be prescribed for insomnia. Some benzos have a fast onset of action, like Valium, and others have a slow onset of action, such as Xanax. Benzos can produce side effects, like sedation, weakness, dizziness, and unsteadiness. When they are taken in combination with alcohol or opioids, you can expect to feel extremely sedated.
Benzos can cause physical dependence if they are taken too long or too many are taken at once. Stopping use of benzos after using them for an extended time may result in physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Muscle cramps
The safest way to stop abusing benzos is to taper off them slowly.
People who abuse benzos rarely use the drugs alone. They are often used in combination with opioids to enhance the euphoric effects of the drugs. If you have been taking a benzo for several months, the risk for tolerance and addiction increases. If you abuse benzos in doses higher than prescribed, you are at a greater risk of experiencing dangerous and potentially fatal side effects. These are:
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions
- Severe drowsiness or coma
- Slow heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Severe weakness
Serenity at Summit in Haverhill, Massachusetts, is a substance use treatment center with decades of experience helping people detox from benzos and undergo addiction treatment. Keep reading to learn what we offer to help you stop abusing benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepine Drug Rehab in Haverhill, MA
Benzodiazepine Drug Rehab in Haverhill, MA
Serenity at Summit is a detox and clinical stabilization addiction treatment center with locations throughout New England and a center in Haverhill, Mass. We administer benzodiazepine addiction treatment to help our clients transition from detox to clinical stabilization services (CSS) easily.
When you are admitted to our Haverhill facility, you will undergo a complete medical and clinical evaluation, which occurs within 24 hours of admission. Here, the staff will learn your background, history of substance use, mental health status, and any other urgent needs you may have.
Many people have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders when they come to addiction treatment. If this pertains to your circumstances, the treatment plan that will be developed will include treatment for both disorders. After the initial evaluation, you may need to undergo medical detox or what we call acute treatment services (ATS).
Detox
Detox is the process the body goes through when all the drugs, alcohol, and toxins exit a person’s system. At Serenity, ATS involves very intensive care 24/7, lasting about a week depending on your needs. Medical staff observes your progress and manages your medical needs at all times. This level of service ensures your safety and comfort as you experience withdrawal symptoms, as some of them can be medically dangerous. The A in ATS stands for acute, which means your most urgent needs are addressed immediately.
Another goal of ATS is to monitor and address any other urgent medical needs you may have. Addiction can be closely tied to other medical problems, like infection disease, injuries obtained from accidents.
Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS)
CSS is a level of service that consists of 24-hour medically managed detox services in a non-medical setting at Serenity Haverhill. It usually follows ATS and includes observation, supervision, support, education, and counseling, therapy, counseling on addiction and its consequences, relapse prevention, and other therapy types.
CSS may last about 14 days but can be longer for some people. It is a short-term inpatient type of treatment. It may be an option for you if you don’t need medically managed detox or ATS.
Inpatient/Residential
Inpatient treatment at Serenity at Haverhill is limited to the short-term clinical stabilization service. Individuals who are engaged in inpatient treatment could expect to take part in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps them understand negative or ineffective thoughts and learn how to change this way of thinking.
You may also find other therapy types beneficial in your recovery from benzo abuse, such as motivational interviewing, stress management, process groups, relapse prevention, group and individual therapy, family systems, and a complement of holistic therapies.
Residential treatment is a good option for you if you need to be away from the triggers of substance abuse. It involves a higher level of accountability and structure if needed. There are different aspects of residential treatment at Serenity that are factored into your treatment plan including, medical, psychological, and social needs. You can expect to delve into these needs and work with a therapist in determining what your most pressing concerns are and how you will address and manage them when treatment is complete.
Every part of substance use and mental health disorder treatment at Serenity at Haverhill is examined, and your treatment plan will employ therapies that you want, along with the evidence-based therapies used in treating addiction.
Drug Rehab in Haverhill, MA FAQ
Drug Rehab in Haverhill, MA FAQ
It is not hard to fathom that there are questions that may not have been answered. In light of that, you will find below some of the questions that many people ask. If you do not find the answers, please let us know. We are happy to find the answers for you.
How long is rehab?
As each person is an individual, each person’s rehab is individual to their needs. There is no predetermined length of time in rehab. However, in order for substance use treatment to be truly effective, NIDA recommends 90 days (three months) is needed to “significantly reduce or stop drug use.” Addiction recovery is a long process, and for some, a lifelong process. As you progress in addiction treatment, so will your treatment plan. It evolves as you evolve. Your stay in rehab may be less than 90 days, but that depends on your level of addiction and other factors.
Does Serenity at Summit provide transportation?
Serenity at Summit does provide transportation to and from our facility. If you are traveling from out of state by air, you will have to pay for your airfare. We may be able to pick you up at the airport. We also provide transportation to and from medical appointments outside of the treatment center and to local NA and AA meetings.
How much does drug rehab cost?
We know that drug rehab costs can be a major obstacle in getting needed addiction treatment. There is much information online regarding the cost of addiction treatment. Generally, the cost depends on several factors, like the type of treatment center you go to, any medications you are given, amenities you use, and other things. Also, if you have insurance or not. If you are concerned that drug rehab will be too expensive, give us a call so we can work on some solutions with you.
Do I have to travel?
Yes, you will have to travel one way or the other to get to us. Whether you are coming by air, train, bus, or private vehicle, travel will be necessary in order to get to Serenity at Summit in Haverhill. Think of it this way‒sometimes it is better to get substance use treatment far from home so you can focus only on your addiction and mental health needs, away from obligations and distractions.
What insurance carriers does Serenity at Summit take?
We accept most of the major insurance plans, and that includes those under the Affordable Care Act. We are also in-network with several insurance companies, which could save you some money should you choose Serenity. You can also call us and verify your insurance with one of our friendly and helpful intake specialists.
