Find Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Alaska That Works
Abounding with majestic scenes of mountains, glaciers and wildlife, Alaska has captivated explorers, tourists and natives for centuries. The rich history and natural resources of The Last Frontier make it an adventurer’s paradise. But the Land of Midnight Sun also faces many challenges, including harsh weather patterns, remote and isolated towns, extreme daylight and nighttime hours, fleeting tourist and seasonal worker populations and a nontraditional job market.
Like in many other states, substance abuse is a major issue disrupting family and social life in Alaska. In the land of forget-me-nots, however, there is an often forgotten population that struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), American Indians and Alaska Natives are at an increased risk for substance abuse. In fact, 17.5 percent of Native Americans and Alaska Natives were in need of alcohol or illicit drug treatment from 2003 to 2011, compared to just 9.3 percent of people of other races or ethnicities.
Alaska Natives aren’t the only ones susceptible to addiction in the state. Unemployment, difficult climate conditions and a potential lack of services and activities are just some factors that lead 6.7 percent of Alaskans aged 12 and older to abuse alcohol and 3.2 percent of the population to abuse illicit drugs. By addressing these issues head on with the help of alcohol or drug treatment facilities in Alaska and beyond, the state can begin to shake its substance use problem, one person at a time.
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Opioid Crisis
Across the United States, opioid use has soared in recent decades. Alaska has not been spared from this deadly trend. Since opioids began to be prescribed more frequently in the early ’90s, addictions and overdoses have increased significantly. While efforts have been made in Alaska and across the country to help fight the crisis, opioid-related deaths continue to climb. Prescription rates in Alaska have decreased from 68 prescriptions per 100 residents in 2011 to 58.9 in 2016, but deaths from prescription drugs are still on the rise. In 2016, 128 people in the state died from drug overdoses. This number is significantly higher than the 76 who died in 2010, according to a bulletin created by the state’s Department of Health and Social Services. This uptick in deaths is likely due to increases in heroin and fentanyl use. When people who are addicted to prescription opioids are no longer able to obtain these drugs because of costs and new legal restrictions, they often turn to deadly street opioids — like heroin and fentanyl — to prevent withdrawals.
Choosing a Alaska Rehab Facility
With so many drug and alcohol rehab centers in Alaska, it can be difficult to know which is the best for you. Discerning the right drug or alcohol treatment in Alaska — or beyond — ultimately depends on the type and intensity of the addiction. If you’re struggling with a relatively recent dependency on prescription drugs or alcohol, a detox center may be all you need. If your addiction has been ongoing, or you’re struggling with a co-occurring mental health disorder like depression or anxiety, inpatient care at a treatment center may be the right path to follow.
If you’re looking for a out-of-state alternative to alcohol or drug treatment in Alaska, The Recovery Village offers every level of treatment in a peaceful, comforting environment. All locations, including centers in Washington, Colorado and Florida, enable you or a loved one to break free of addiction — physically and mentally — and empower you to pursue sobriety.
When you choose The Recovery Village as your rehab center, you can expect:
- A wide variety of treatment programs from medical detox to outpatient care
- Mental health counseling at every level of care
- Individual, family and group therapy options
- An array of indoor and outdoor amenities for continued healing
- A compassionate team of doctors, nurses and clinicians
- Treatment that is always 100 percent confidential