The United States is in a long battle with drug addiction and overdose deaths that goes from year to year, claiming lives of people of all ages and stages of life. Like other places in the country, New Hampshire has its share of drug crises that are affecting communities throughout the state. According to a New Hampshire Drug Monitoring Initiative report issued in October 2021, 201 people died from a drug overdose in September 2021, with 83 cases waiting for the results of the toxicology report. The demographic most affected by drug overdose deaths in the state were people ages 30 to 39, which makes up 28% of all the overdose deaths that occurred in the state in 2021.
A drug data report from New Hampshire’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner further shows how drug use is affecting communities in the New England state. In 2020, officials confirmed 417 drug-related deaths. Of those involving opioids, fentanyl was involved in 165 deaths, while fentanyl and other drugs (excluding heroin) were responsible for 154 deaths. Surprisingly, no overdose deaths involved heroin or heroin and other drugs (excluding fentanyl), according to the report.
Heroin and fentanyl were the cause of three deaths, while other opiates/opioids were responsible for 33 deaths. According to the report, other drugs were responsible for 60 deaths in 2020. Report data also shows that fentanyl, and fentanyl and other drugs were collectively responsible for 112 deaths between January 2021 and August 2021. Some of the other drugs linked to these deaths were:
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Alcohol (ethanol)
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Gabapentin
- Ketamine
- Para-Fluorofentanyl
Many of these drugs were used in combinations in the drug deaths recorded.
According to the New Hampshire Drug Monitoring Initiative report, Hillsborough County, where Nashua is located, had the highest incidence of treatment admissions as of September 2021. The county, along with Coos County, had the second-highest number of incidents involving emergency personnel giving out Narcan (naloxone) administration, a medication given to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Hillsborough had 1.48 incidents per 10,000 population while Coos County had 1.50 per 10,000 population. The report credits the availability and public use of Narcan as a factor in why overdose deaths declined statewide since its use was implemented in June 2015.
Also, Hillsborough County had the second-highest number of opioid-related emergency department visits per capita, with 2.36 visits per 10,000 population. Strafford County has the most at 3.21 visits per 10,000 population. Further illustrating Hillsborough’s drug problems, the county had more people enter treatment for opioid/opiate use, with 1.37 admissions per 10,000 population.
By September 2021, New Hampshire residents with substance use disorders entered professional treatment for the use of:
- Cocaine/crack
- Methamphetamine
- Opiate/opioid
As the data shows, the residents and communities in Nashua and statewide recognize the continued fight against drug abuse, addiction, and overdose. As life-saving efforts continue, so does the reality that drug use likely will continue. One bright spot is that it appears from the data that some Nashua residents realize they need and want professional help.
Serenity at Summit Drug Rehab in Nashua, NH
If you or a loved one is struggling with a drug or alcohol dependence, Serenity at Summit can help get you on the road to recovery. We offer treatment programs that offer drug rehab and detox at our accredited facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts, about a 40-minute drive from Nashua. Our treatment professionals use an integrative approach that combines clinical practices and evidence-based methods that are widely used in the addiction treatment field. Below, you’ll find more information on the services we offer.
Acute Treatment Services
If you or a loved one enters our facility with high-risk drug withdrawal symptoms or serious medical needs, you will likely receive our acute treatment services (ATS). “Acute” is the term we use to convey the urgent nature of the patient’s needs. Patients who are in alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal could have seizures and other complications that require emergency care.
In acute treatment services, our medical staff and addiction treatment professionals will monitor you or your loved one for 24 hours as the substances exit the body on their own. This period can be dangerous for substance users who do not have the support they need. Our staff will make sure you remain safe as they help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Being in our care will also reduce or eliminate the chance of you having a relapse as you end your substance use. This is critical to your recovery. If any medical emergencies arise, you can rest assured knowing that professionals who understand the unique needs of patients in recovery will know what to do.
Your time in ATS will mainly depend on what drugs you used and the symptoms you have. You could receive medication during this time based on the substances you are withdrawing from. You also may be placed on a tapering schedule to allow the body time to adjust to a lower amount of the drug in your system. Acute treatment services can last a week or longer, depending on your specific needs.
How long you are in acute services depends on how long your withdrawal symptoms last. The factors that could affect this period include:
- The kind of substance you have been using
- How long you have been using it
- How much you used (dose, amount)
- How you used it (taking it orally or smoking, inhaling, or injecting it)
Our team will do a full assessment based on these and other factors to determine how to help you get the most out of acute treatment services.
Clinical Stabilization Services
Serenity at Summit also offers clinical stabilization services (CSS) to help patients who have completed acute treatment services and are ready to move on to the next treatment phase. Before our patients start this part of their recovery program, we take a full survey of their needs to understand what they need to achieve full sobriety while they are in drug rehab. We assess their background, substance use history, mental health history, and other important areas of their lives to ensure we personalize their program so that they get the most out of it. People who have a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time will receive dual diagnosis treatment for both at the same time.
If you receive treatment in CSS, you can expect a structured program that uses a combination of therapies and services to help you understand your disorder(s) and how to manage them healthily and effectively so you can leave drug abuse and addiction behind. While in CSS, you could receive any of the following:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Family Focused Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Individual Therapy
You will also learn about addiction, life and wellness skills you can use in recovery, and relapse prevention strategies. Learning how to recognize your triggers is an important part of staying on track with your sobriety goals. Depending on your program, you may be able to use holistic approaches to addiction recovery, such as reiki, yoga, and meditation, in addition to evidence-based, rigorously tested methods.
Aftercare
While drug rehab and detox last for a specific time, recovering from substance abuse and addiction is a lifelong effort. You will have to actively manage sober living from now on, and we will help you. We offer aftercare services to people who complete our program to ensure they continue to work toward the life they want and the goals they have set.
You are not alone in this fight against addiction. We stand with you and will connect you with resources that help you navigate your new life in recovery. If you want further support with a 12-step group or outpatient services, we can help you find them. Aftercare programs can also assist with finding employment, transitional housing that promotes sober living, and other services. You also will gain a community of friends who understand your unique challenges and can stay connected with them. Sober-focused activities encourage fellowship, fun, and a strong commitment to enjoying life without substance use.
Drug Rehab and Detox in Nashua, NH, FAQ
Deciding to get drug rehab and detox help for substance addiction starts with a “yes,” but it also raises questions, and the answers can help you decide if this is the next move for you. Going to drug treatment is an investment on many fronts, especially time and money, so you should have all the information you need as you start a new chapter.
We have answered some questions we commonly get about our facility and rehab in general. Please call or connect with us online so we can answer any questions you have. We can also offer further insight and clarity about any information you read below.
How Long Is Drug Rehab?
Everyone will not have the same drug rehab experience, and this includes how long it lasts. Your time in treatment will be unique to you and your needs and preferences. As noted above, several factors can shape your timeline. We encourage you to focus on getting the most out of your program and focusing on what you want to leave with. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends staying in treatment for up to 90 days (three months). Some believe more time treatment can raise one’s chances of staying sober.
Does Serenity at Summit Provide Transportation?
If you live in the Nashua, N.H., area, you are less than an hour’s drive from our Haverhill, Mass., facility. If you’re traveling from out of state or another country, you will have to pay for your transportation here and back. We could arrange to pick you up from the local bus and train stations or the airport. For more information concerning your situation, we urge you to call us.
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost?
Drug rehab costs are also largely shaped by a person’s unique needs and preferences. Not everyone needs the same types of services or needs them for the same length of time. Drug treatment can be expensive. This is widely known and acknowledged, especially since it is a common barrier to getting help for many people. How big the final tab is will depend on the facility you go to and the services and amenities you receive while there. If you have to stay on-site for 24-hour care for some time, that arrangement can be more expensive than an outpatient program that allows you to commute back and forth daily or as needed. Medications, therapies, travel costs, and other factors must be considered as well.
If you have insurance, your treatment costs could be lower. Despite the costs, we believe you should get the care you need to improve your life and your health. An addiction left untreated does not go away; it gets worse, and as a result, your health and well-being can decline. Once you reach out to us, we can review your situation and help you figure out the best plan for you.
Do I Have to Travel?
We offer our acute treatment services and clinical stabilization services on-site here in Massachusetts, so you will have to travel to us. If you can’t travel to us, we may be able to help you locate a facility that is easier to access from where you live.
What Insurance Carriers Does Summit Behavioral Health Take?
We do accept insurance from major carriers, and we are in-network with a few. Your insurer may be one of them, which means lower treatment costs for you. Our verifications team can speak with your insurance company to learn if you can use your benefits with us, or you can let us know after you’ve checked with your insurer. We don’t accept Medicaid or Medicare at this time, but we offer personal payment plans. Give us a call today to help you as you start this new chapter in your life.
