Laurel Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Detox & Treatment Resources
Laurel is a small city located halfway between Washington D.C. and Baltimore with a population of 25,849. The city is on the banks of the Patuxent River just upstream from the Patuxent Research Refuge, which was formed in 1936 for the purposes of wildlife research. The Patuxent Riverfront Park is a popular recreational area for picnicking, hiking and biking. Also along the river is the Howard Duckett Dam, a popular watersports location. Additional attractions include Fort Meade, just outside Laurel, where visitors find the National Cryptologic Museum and the Dinosaur Park.
Despite being such a small community, the city, which falls within Prince George’s County, borders on the two huge metropolitan areas of Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Together, these cities have a joint population close to 10 million. Although the residents of this area are recognized as being highly educated and affluent, the incidence of drug and alcohol misuse is rising to out-of-control levels. This is illustrated by a report in the Washington Post that cited a 71 percent increase in deaths arising from drug overdose in Prince George’s County for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the previous year. A reason for this sharp increase in fatalities appears to be the increasingly common situation where heroin users buy drugs laced with Fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful drug and even tiny quantities mixed with heroin significantly increase the risk of drug overdose.
The reasons why so many people are struggling with drug dependence are complex and the crisis affects people from all walks of life. What is significant is the high percentage of people older than 45 who are being hospitalized for misuse of opioids.
Yet, there is hope. The Maryland legislature is working on several bills to help in the fight against opioid dependence. These include bills that will allow schools access to drug overdose medication and the introduction of 10 new crisis Laurel drug treatment facilities. Apart from this, there are a number of existing facilities offering treatment and rehabilitation for those grappling with drug and alcohol dependence.
Finding Help & Recovery in Laurel, MD
Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Laurel, Maryland
Several options exist for drug and alcohol treatment. These include outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization and residential rehabs. The effectiveness of the method of rehabilitation chosen depends upon several factors, including the patients’ health, their degree of dependence and their home, social and work environments.
This form of drug treatment takes place at a dedicated residential facility. The first stage is detoxification. Following that process, patients spend several weeks in therapy aimed at helping them understand why they misused drugs or alcohol and helping them develop coping skills so that they do not relapse. The duration of treatment varies from 28 to 90 days, determined by the patient’s condition, the type of dependence and their progress. Two major benefits of a residential rehab program are patients are able to focus on their rehabilitation without outside distractions and they have access to professional staff around the clock.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) follows a similar pattern to that of an inpatient drug rehab except that patients stay at home or in nearby accommodation. As with the residential clinic, the first step is detoxification followed by individual and group therapy every day. While cheaper than a residential drug rehab, partial hospitalization can be just as effective provided patients have adequate support systems and are committed from the outset to overcoming their reliance on drugs and alcohol.
Outpatient drug rehabs allow patients to continue to work and fulfill other responsibilities provided they attend an agreed number of hours in counseling and therapy. This therapy will often be arranged at times that suit patients’ schedules. During rehabilitation, patients stay at home so it’s essential their home and work environments are safe and secure. Outpatient rehab programs are primarily aimed at those who are already in recovery or whose dependence is controllable. They are often used as a step-down program following residential therapy or partial hospitalization.
Before choosing a type of drug rehab center, patients should honestly evaluate their situation, especially with regard to the intensity of dependence as well as their ability to follow through with the treatment. If there’s any doubt regarding their ability to complete the program without relapse, then a residential clinic is the best option. While more expensive, and potential for a longer program raises the success rate, particularly for patients who are grappling with strong addictions. However, if their personal situation is such that they are unable, for any reason, to participate in a residential clinic program, then a partial hospitalization or outpatient drug rehab may be viable provided the home environment is supportive and there’s a determination to get well.
Drug & Alcohol Detox Centers
The first step on the road to recovery is to rid patients’ bodies of drugs, alcohol and related toxins. During detoxification, patients stop using drugs and alcohol and go through a process known as withdrawal. Throughout detoxification, patients experience unpleasant symptoms because their bodies are chemically dependent on drugs or alcohol. For this reason, medically supervised detoxification is recommended because patients can be monitored around the clock and given medication to counter the side effects of withdrawal. A drug detox treatment can take place in public hospitals or in residential clinics that have adequate medical facilities. The duration of detoxification is between three and seven days subject to the patient’s condition and the type of substance dependency.
Related Topic: What is a detox center
Recovery Meetings Near You
Once patients have completed a drug rehab program and returned home, it’s recommended they attend recovery meetings. These are regular group meetings where those in recovery can find help and support from others who have traveled the same road. While the content of the recovery meetings varies, the common thread is that of encouragement, help and support from those who have been there themselves. There are groups for those recovering from drug and alcohol misuse, and for their families.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous is a nationwide group with chapters in every state. AA holds weekly support meetings for recovering alcoholics. The organization promotes a 12-step program toward recovery that helps recovering alcoholics come to terms with themselves, the harm they have inflicted on their families and others close to them, and to live without alcohol. AA is the oldest recovery group and, historically, the most successful.
Laurel Recovery
368 Main St.
Laurel, MD 20707
Crossroads of Recovery
102 Washington Bld.
Laurel, MD 20707
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
8516 Loch Raven Blvd.
Baltimore MD 21286
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous is for those who are in recovery from drug dependence. NA operates along similar lines to AA with regular weekly meetings where participants share their struggles and find strength and support from others in the group. NA has its own version of the 12-step program. As with AA, members remain anonymous and only identify themselves by their first name. Meetings are generally closed except to those in recovery or those struggling with drug dependence.
Crossroads
102 Washington Blvd.
Laurel, MD 20707
Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church
601 8th St.
Laurel, MD 20707
Laurel Regional Hospital
7100 Contee Rd.
Laurel, MD 20707
SMART Recovery Meetings
SMART Recovery is open to anyone in recovery from drug and alcohol dependence. The organization also provides support and counseling for anyone struggling with any form of addictive behavior. The organization differs from AA and NA in that they follow scientific principles regarding addiction recovery processes. SMART Recovery meetings are regimented and their 4-step program works toward creating motivation, managing urges and living a balanced life. SMART Recovery holds weekly meetings and also offers online meetings and chat rooms.
Philip’s Episcopal Church
6 & Main Sts
Laurel, MD 20707
Unity Place
8610 Railroad Ave.
Bowie, MD 20720
Congruent Counseling/Integrative Counseling
10630 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 209
Columbia, MD 21044
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Meetings
It is not only those who are dependent on drugs or alcohol who need help, their families and loved ones also need support and understanding. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are two organizations that offer support meetings for families of alcoholics and those misusing drugs. The organizations are independent, but they operate in similar fashion to AA and NA by offering weekly meetings where families can talk about their experiences and struggles and also where they can find strength to cope and help their loved ones.
Al-Anon
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
11795 Route 216
Fulton, MD 20759
Nar-Anon
4011 Mountain Rd.
Pasadena, MD 21122
With the growing awareness of the need to help those caught in the grip of drug and alcohol dependence, there are numerous organizations that offer help and support. Apart from several local drug treatment facilities, there are a number in Prince George’s County as well as others in surrounding areas.