Drug abuse in Vermont

Vermont has a population of 645,570 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 155,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 24.01% of the population. 147,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 196,000 in the past year. The report also found that 26,000 Vermont residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 6,000 had abused meth, and 26,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 8,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Vermont totaled 26,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in Vermont

Alcohol misuse was also reported in Vermont with 343,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 158,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 242,000 people.

Drug overdose deaths in Vermont

In 2021, Vermont saw a total of 222 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Vermont at 34.4 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 138 or 21.4 per 100,000 people.

Substance use disorder and treatment in Vermont

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Vermont and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 137,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 82,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 17,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 59 people in Vermont needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 82,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 128,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in Vermont?

Rehab centers in Vermont offer treatment services like inpatient treatment, behavioral therapy,  detoxification, and residential treatment to help improve your health and beat addiction.

You can also get specialized treatment depending on your addiction. Vermont has centers that offer specialized alcohol addiction treatment and opioid addiction treatment for their patients. 

Here are rehab centers in Vermont that offer the services mentioned above.

Alcohol addiction treatment centers in Vermont

  • Sana at Stowe

  • BAART Behavioural Health Services

  • Burlington Lakeside Clinic

  • Clara Martin Center 

  • Counseling Service of Addison county

Opioid addiction treatment centers in Vermont

  • Howard Center

  • West Ridge Center

  • Healthcare and Rehabilitation services

  • Brattleboro Retreat 

  • University of Vermont Medical Ctr

Vermont rehab centers that offer adolescent addiction treatment

  • Serenity  House

  • Brattleboro Retreat

  • Lund Family Center

  • Central Vermont

  • Clara Martin Center

  • Howard Center

Vermont rehab centers that offer addiction treatment services for seniors

  • Rutland Mental Health Services

  • University of Vermont Medical Ctr

  • Howard Center

  • BAART Behavioral Health Services 

  • Central Vermont 

  • Clara Martin Center

How do I pay for rehab in Vermont?

The amount you pay for rehab treatment depends on your location, whether or not you have insurance, and the length of your treatment at the facility.

Most rehab centers in Vermont accept self-pay and insurance to cover the cost of addiction treatment. If you can't pay for the entire treatment in cash, it would help if you had private or public health insurance to help cover the rehab costs.

Public health insurance like Medicare helps to reduce the amount of money you have to pay to access effective treatment for your addiction. Some Vermont rehab facilities accept payment in installments, especially for those who intend to get long-term care.

Government assistance for rehab in Vermont

The Vermont Department of Health has a Division of Substance Abuse (DSU) that oversees the area's prevention, intervention, and treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. They work with national, state, and community organizations to make programs and ensure the people of Vermont access the treatment they need. 

The Vermont Department of  Health has a VT Helplink that offers free and confidential alcohol and drug support and referral service to meet your specific needs. You will speak to a trained and caring professional who will help you find the proper recovery for your addiction.