Lancaster Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Detox & Treatment Resources
The city of Lancaster sits west of Philadelphia in south central Pennsylvania. It has a long, rich history that dates back to 1681, under a charter from King Charles II to William Penn that offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy several historical landmarks. The city also offers flourishing art community, a grand theater, an orchestra and an opera house. Other points of interest include several parks, such as the Williamson Park. Also, the city is only a short drive from many recreational activities available along the Susquehanna River and Lake Clarke.
Sadly, there’s another type of recreation that’s prevailing in the beautiful Pennsylvanian countryside: opioid abuse. The state is experiencing a surge in overdose deaths. In 2016, there were 907 deaths just in Philadelphia alone. Overall, 13 people died needlessly every day in Pennsylvania from a drug overdose.
Fortunately, addiction doesn’t have to end in disaster. It isn’t easy, but alcohol and drug treatment in Lancaster is available. Medical professionals know that drug dependence is a chronic disease that affects the brain and behavior. Like diabetes, you can fight addiction and win. Officials and recovery experts are dedicated not only to reducing the number of drugs on the streets, but also discovering and mitigating the circumstances that take people down the path of substance misuse.
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Finding Help & Recovery in Lancaster, PA
Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is one of hundreds of cities across Pennsylvania that are fighting a drug misuse epidemic and the situations the misuse and overdose create in the community. Authorities are limited in what they can do to reduce alcohol dependence, because the drug is legal and widely available throughout the country. But they are working hard to reduce misuse in other areas, such as prescription misuse and illegal substances.
In an attempt to reduce prescription drug misuse, authorities in all levels of government have created several new laws and guidelines to track and limit pain pill prescriptions and apply harsher punishments to anyone who distributes pills and prescriptions illegally. However, while this sounds great on paper, it has created new problems.
People already misusing prescription pain medications have found their legal supplies cut off. As the pill mills have closed, sales on the black market have gone up. With the price on the streets so high, many must choose between seeking help or turning to a cheaper drug with a longer and more addictive high: heroin. This is often a deadly choice, and many first-time users overdose because of the increase in potency that their bodies can’t handle. Fortunately, there is another option. Below is a detailed review of the types of drug and alcohol treatments in Lancaster.
Residential treatment programs are short, intense hospitalizations lasting between three and six weeks. Patients live in a fully restricted environment and attend several group sessions, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, along with individual therapy appointments. During the program’s duration, patients will address any underlying mental health issues that can interfere with their recovery, and develop strategies with their clinicians to avoid triggers and successfully deal with cravings. To reduce the chances of a relapse after discharge, patients should strictly follow aftercare instructions.
Patients that aren’t ready to leave an inpatient drug rehab in Lancaster, PA after six weeks can benefit from a partial hospitalization program. Also known as day treatment programs, these allow you to ease into your community at a slower pace to reduce your chances of relapsing. Patients spend four to eight hours a day attending group and individual therapy sessions, and return to their home communities for the rest of the day.
Outpatient programs are the least restrictive programs that still offer those in recovery access to meetings and other resources to stay sober. Patients in outpatient drug rehabs in Lancaster, PA complete and follow treatment plans that they can adjust as their needs change. The plan lists how many AA or NA meetings to attend each week, check-ins with sober coaches and individual counseling appointments with addictions counselors to help you stay on track with sobriety.
Choosing the right Lancaster, PA drug rehab to begin treatment is a significant life step, and should be undertaken carefully. Take the time to compare each program. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as its duration, what services are included and how it was developed.
Lancaster Drug & Alcohol Detox Centers
For certain drugs, the first part of recovery starts with detoxification. Also known as medically assisted withdrawal, this is the process of removing all the toxins from your body. While this isn’t necessary for all substances, such as hallucinogens and short-term alcohol misuse, it is highly recommended for safe withdrawal from opioids, heavy drinking and prescription sedatives. The withdrawal symptoms from these drugs are painful and can be dangerous.
In fact, it’s those very symptoms (muscle aches, restlessness, watery eyes, runny nose, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting) that scare many people away from seeking treatment. But when detoxing in a drug or alcohol detox facility, patients have a full medical staff checking their vital signs and symptoms day and night, who can administer medications that can reduce the severity of withdrawal. This is proven to increase a patient’s chances of a successful recovery. The detoxification process is different for each patient, but can take up to a week to complete.
Detox is one of the hardest parts of treatment. However, once you get through it, you can begin the next step. Most patients continue their programs in a different part of the facility. There are a few locations in Lancaster that offer detoxification.
Recovery Meetings Near You in Lancaster
Recovering from drug and alcohol misuse doesn’t stop after a Lancaster drug rehab center discharge. Even if your path takes you through full hospitalization, partial hospitalization and an outpatient program, continuing with regular Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery meetings will help strengthen your resolve to stay sober. These sessions are free and occur regularly every day in and around Lancaster. Here is a brief guide to what the meetings offer and where they are in your area.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
Since 1939, the faith-based fellowship has been helping men and women who want to stop drinking alcohol. It uses a 12-step program that includes accepting that you are powerless over your addiction and need help to overcome it. Another important step in the program is seeking forgiveness from the loved ones you have hurt either directly or indirectly from drinking too much. Meetings can be open to the public (which means anyone with or without a drinking problem can attend), or can be closed gatherings that are only open to those who want to stop drinking.
Noon Easy Does It Group-521 Club
2400 Butter Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Beginners Group, First Reformed Church
40 E Orange St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
We Agnostics Group-Lancaster General Hospital
555 N Duke St., Rm. 3
Lancaster, PA 17602
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous is a separate organization that’s like AA, but for people who want to end their dependence on drugs. Although the group’s name is “Narcotics” Anonymous, the program doesn’t focus on one particular drug. Instead, they direct all their energy on sobriety of all types. Along with open and closed meetings, different locations may offer groups with other restrictions such as beginners, men or women only, children welcome, smoking or non-smoking and varieties on the 12-step format.
Saint Edward’s Episcopal Church
2453 Harrisburg Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Hempfield United Methodist Church
3050 Marietta Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Shaarai Shomayini Temple
75 East James St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
SMART Recovery Meetings
Addiction professionals understand that AA and NA are great programs, but that they don’t work for everyone. SMART Recovery meetings offer an effective alternative to traditional Lancaster alcohol rehab programs that uses science rather than spirituality to guide your sobriety. SMART, or Self-Management and Recovery Training, uses a four-point program to direct members away from substance misuse. It encourages them to build and maintain their own motivation to manage their thoughts and behaviors and cope with urges.
The RASE Project
131 East Orange St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
RASE Project
18 South George St.
York, PA 17401
Lebanon VAMC, Berks Clinic
2762 Century Blvd.
Reading, PA 19610
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Meetings
You are not alone. Those are the words the loved ones of addicts need to hear. The words and actions of someone struggling with alcohol and drug dependence hurt everyone around them. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are free, non-profit organizations that can help you. These groups sponsor meetings like AA and NA that are anonymous and only open to friends and family members of addicts, regardless of if they attend a Lancaster drug rehab program or not. If you aren’t comfortable with a face-to-face gathering or can’t get to a physical meeting, virtual meetings are available on message boards, email relays, social media groups and through Skype.
Al-Anon
Lancaster YWCA
110 N Lime St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
Nar-Anon
United Methodist Church
29 East Walnut St.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602
Congratulations on taking the first step towards ending your dependence on alcohol and drugs. Seeking help for addiction isn’t easy. When searching for a treatment facility that meets your needs, expand your search to cities near Lancaster. The city offers a great number of resources to treat addiction, but this is a decision that will decide your future. Reviewing all the rehab centers available to you increases your chances of success. Another possibility is a national network of treatment centers with locations across the U.S. These facilities can offer comprehensive, effective substance misuse programs staffed with caring professionals to help you recover from your drug misuse disorder.