Portland Addiction Treatment Resources
Portland, Maine, is a coastal city known for its 19th-century architecture and run nightlife. With its good education options and many employment opportunities, it’s no surprise that the Forest City is finally starting to grow after years of losing population. More than half a million people now live in the Greater Portland area, making it the most populous metropolitan area in northern New England. While things are looking up for the region, alcoholism and drug use disorder remain a problem for many residents.
Overdose deaths from opioids in Maine has increased over 500% from 1999 to 2019. Between 2008 and 2019, 373 people died from overdoses in Portland; overdoses were up 25% in 2019 from 2018. State-wide, 380 people died from opioid overdose that year.
Most fatalities from opioid overdose in Portland were using more than one substance. For example, many people start using prescription opioids before moving to heroin. While both substances can help kill pain, they are also extremely addictive. Those with substance use disorder often find themselves chasing a high after gaining a tolerance. This is a dangerous situation that can easily lead to overdose. Many drug traffickers in Portland sell fentanyl disguised as heroin or heroin laced with fentanyl. This is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
In addition, methamphetamine use has risen in Portland and Maine as a whole. This highly addictive stimulant affects the nervous system, and often leads to overdose deaths.
Cocaine use seems to be increasing in Portland as well. Between 2015 to 2016, cocaine overdose deaths in the city increased from 35 to 60. Local law enforcement has been doing its part to curb the surging market for the drug in Cumberland County. In 2018, Maine’s Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated over a pound of cocaine in Portland that was worth $50,000.
Alcohol Remains a Problem Too
While it’s technically legal, alcohol can be just as dangerous as the most illicit drug. Research shows that Maine ranks #11 in terms of heaviest-drinking states in the U.S. This is not something to be proud of. To overcome alcohol abuse (or any addictive drug), you’ll have to first go through a detoxification program. Detox refers to the process of eliminating toxins (i.e. drugs or alcohol) from the body. While medical detox only takes a few days to a week, it can be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms.
Getting Treatment in Portland
Many people in Portland are seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. According to U.S. News & World Report, Portland’s sober living community has increased over the past decade. If you’re looking to overcome a substance use disorder, you’ll have no trouble finding support once you finish a drug rehab program.
U.S. News & World Report has also called Portland one of the best places for people who have overcome addiction to find employment and continue education. Many local employers are open to hiring people who are now committed to their new sober lives. The city is also in need of more employees because most of its workforce is at the age of retiring.
How Do You Know If You’re Addicted to a Drug?
Most drugs are so addictive that it’s dangerous to try them even once. Meth and cocaine are examples of drugs that have an extremely addictive impact on the brain. Furthermore, painful withdrawal symptoms often cause users to relapse. For this reason, it’s crucial to seek drug addiction treatment if you have a substance use disorder.
When it comes to alcohol, many people refuse to admit they have a problem. However, if you take more than one drink every day, treatment may be necessary. If anyone you love has raised concerns about your alcohol or drug use, it’s good to listen to them.
Here are some signs that someone is addicted to a substance:
- Needing to increase your intake of the substance because the old dose no longer has a strong effect on you
- Taking a prescription drug after you no longer need it for treating a health problem
- Feeling bad after the drug’s effects have worn off
- Getting into trouble because of the drug
- Thinking about the drug often
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Borrowing or stealing money to buy more of the substance even if it’s alcohol
- Why Should You Get Help Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addiction?
Many addicts cannot stop using on their own. They continue to find themselves using the substance, and as a result, they feel worse about themselves. It’s a vicious cycle of deepening an addiction and damaging self-esteem.
There’s also a psychological side of addiction that will keep reoccurring unless you address the root issue. What will happen the next time you experience a life stressor? Drug rehab programs equip you with healthy coping mechanisms to reduce the chance you’ll return to drugs.
Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and extremely difficult to get through on your own. Most people with drug use disorder need medical professionals to monitor the detox process. Professionals can also give you medications that ease your symptoms.
Receiving drug addiction treatment will help you regain control over your life and financial stability. Ultimately, the cost of drug rehab is less expensive than the cost of ignoring an addiction.
Types of Drug Addiction Treatment
Drug addiction treatment programs are categorized by level of care. While inpatient residential rehab programs require staying at the center, outpatient programs let you live at home while attending the center regularly for treatment.
How do you know which is right for you? A rehab center can help you make the right decision based on the substance you’re addicted to and the severity of your addiction. Many drug rehab centers offer sliding scale and other payment options.
Your personal preferences also play a role. If you’re strongly opposed to residential treatment, you can choose a partial hospitalization program that meets five days a week while allowing you to live at your house. Partial hospitalization programs are the most intense level of care you can receive without having to live at the rehab center.
Once you complete a residential rehab program, it’s recommended you step down into an outpatient treatment program. If you think you need more intense treatment than an outpatient program, you could step down into a partial hospitalization program. Outpatient programs usually provide nine to 20 hours of treatment each week. Partial hospitalization programs require four to six hours a day for five to seven days a week.
Finding the Right Drug Rehab Center
It’s important to find the right drug rehab center for a lasting recovery. While you may want to pick a facility that’s close to home, this isn’t always a good idea. Your local region is likely filled with distractions that could lead to relapsing. Don’t be scared of considering rehab centers in neighboring states. Attending a drug rehab out of state can improve your chance of recovery because it takes you into a new environment where you can refocus.
Although some part of you may feel sad to let go of old connections, it’s important for sobriety. If you continue to hang out with people who aren’t yet ready to give up their own addictions, you’ll be at risk. By staying out of state, it may be easier for you to let go of things that connect you to the substance.
Two rehab centers great for getting away from your current life are Green Mountain Treatment Center and New Freedom Academy.
Green Mountain Treatment Center
This treatment center in New Hampshire has beautiful views of the White Mountains. Its landscape includes apple orchards and rolling hills. With gender-separate programs, the Green Mountain Treatment Center uses a 12-step curriculum along with clinical therapies. Experienced 12-step facilitators and masters level clinicians work at the drug addiction treatment center. They will create an individualized treatment plan for you. Furthermore, you’ll have access to an on-site chef who can prepare nutritious meals. You’ll also have access to educational workshops, an on-site gym, and holistic therapies like meditation and yoga.
If you stay at Green Mountain Treatment Center, you’ll be paired with another patient who’s also going through recovery. This will help acquaint you with the center. More importantly, you’ll feel more welcome once you have a mentor who understands firsthand what you’re going through. When you are further along in your recovery, you will be in charge of welcoming another newcomer. This responsibility helps you to develop confidence in yourself. You’ll feel good helping someone and encouraging them to stick to their treatment. If a sense of community and social interactions are important to you, you’ll likely love Green Mountain Treatment Center.
New Freedom Academy
New Freedom Academy is another tranquil drug rehab center. It’s located in the countryside of Canterbury, New Hampshire. The small treatment center is ideal for people who don’t like large groups. New Freedom Academy provides gender-separate living accommodations, nutritious chef-prepared meals and access to weekly family recovery workshops. You can play paintball, mini-golf and bowling as well.
New Freedom Academy can treat co-occurring disorders and offers holistic therapies like yoga and meditation. It also offers educational workshops. Proven clinical therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are incorporated in treatment plans based on an individual’s needs.
Getting the Help You Need
Whether you’re using alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal substances, it’s important to overcome addiction. They all have damaging effects on your body and well-being. The sooner you seek treatment, the faster you can feel better again. You can overcome any addiction and restore your life. All it takes is finding a good rehab program that will provide you with valuable support.
