Alaska Drug Rehab and Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment Centers and Programs
Alaska has long struggled with alcohol abuse among its citizens. The state ranked 6th in the nation for binge drinking in 2007, 8th for heavy drinking. Today that problem has been coupled with drug abuse. Alaska’s location apart from the lower 48 states does not prevent it being both a transshipment point for drug smugglers and a consumer of what comes across its borders. Alaska ranks among the 10 highest states with regard to the following:
The widespread Alaska perception of marijuana as a low-risk substance perhaps contributes to the trends reported by Alaska drug and alcohol treatment centers and surveys of Alaska teens. Over half of all Alaska high school seniors have tried marijuana. Over 8% have used cocaine. With drug dealers targeting younger and younger children in an attempt to expand their markets, parents should take special note that the Drug Enforcement Agency reports that these substances are widely available everywhere in Alaska.
Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse
State of Alaska Profile of Drug Indicators
September 2008
Alaska is aggressive in trying to help its citizens receive drug and alcohol treatment as needed. Grant-funded state programs provide drug and alcohol rehabilitative services to over 20,000 Alaskans every year. There were, as of 2006, 70 drug and alcohol treatment centers in Alaska, of which 39 were private nonprofit, 5 were private for-profit, and the rest were operated by various tribal or state agencies. Alaska is fortunate in having 10 rehabilitation centers that offer services in Native American languages.
However, despite these efforts, only about 70% of people who received treatment for substance abuse in Alaska in 2006 indicated satisfaction with the services received through public programs. Only two facilities and 21 doctors were certified for buprenorphine treatment for opiate addictions, which means that people seeking treatment for heroine addiction or for many types of prescription opiates like Vicodin or Oxycontin may have to seek outside their local area for relief. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Alaska are somewhat limited to the larger communities. Families should not, however, hesitate to look farther afield as required, nor limit themselves to local outpatient care if one of the 26 treatment facilities in Alaska that offer residential programs seems to be a better fit for the particular problem at hand. Very often, inpatient care of this type is required, not only to adequately treat an addict’s physical problems, but also to help facilitate a total separation from the old lifestyle in order to begin anew.
With the continuing proliferation of various drug threats throughout the state, families who once considered themselves immune to the very thought of ever needing the services of a drug and alcohol treatment center are finding themselves struggling to choose the right program. Over 80% of all Alaska drug and alcohol treatment facilities receive public funding of some sort, which means families are not limited just to facilities run by the state, or the local detox center. Chances of a positive outcome will be greatly enhanced by taking the time to choose with care, and holding out for a facility that offers a mind-body-spirit approach to the problem.
Alaska has long struggled with alcohol abuse among its citizens. The state ranked 6th in the nation for binge drinking in 2007, 8th for heavy drinking. Today that problem has been coupled with drug abuse. Alaska’s location apart from the lower 48 states does not prevent it being both a transshipment point for drug smugglers and a consumer of what comes across its borders. Alaska ranks among the 10 highest states with regard to the following:
The widespread Alaska perception of marijuana as a low-risk substance perhaps contributes to the trends reported by Alaska drug and alcohol treatment centers and surveys of Alaska teens. Over half of all Alaska high school seniors have tried marijuana. Over 8% have used cocaine. With drug dealers targeting younger and younger children in an attempt to expand their markets, parents should take special note that the Drug Enforcement Agency reports that these substances are widely available everywhere in Alaska.
Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse
State of Alaska Profile of Drug Indicators
September 2008
Alaska is aggressive in trying to help its citizens receive drug and alcohol treatment as needed. Grant-funded state programs provide drug and alcohol rehabilitative services to over 20,000 Alaskans every year. There were, as of 2006, 70 drug and alcohol treatment centers in Alaska, of which 39 were private nonprofit, 5 were private for-profit, and the rest were operated by various tribal or state agencies. Alaska is fortunate in having 10 rehabilitation centers that offer services in Native American languages.
However, despite these efforts, only about 70% of people who received treatment for substance abuse in Alaska in 2006 indicated satisfaction with the services received through public programs. Only two facilities and 21 doctors were certified for buprenorphine treatment for opiate addictions, which means that people seeking treatment for heroine addiction or for many types of prescription opiates like Vicodin or Oxycontin may have to seek outside their local area for relief. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Alaska are somewhat limited to the larger communities. Families should not, however, hesitate to look farther afield as required, nor limit themselves to local outpatient care if one of the 26 treatment facilities in Alaska that offer residential programs seems to be a better fit for the particular problem at hand. Very often, inpatient care of this type is required, not only to adequately treat an addict’s physical problems, but also to help facilitate a total separation from the old lifestyle in order to begin anew.
With the continuing proliferation of various drug threats throughout the state, families who once considered themselves immune to the very thought of ever needing the services of a drug and alcohol treatment center are finding themselves struggling to choose the right program. Over 80% of all Alaska drug and alcohol treatment facilities receive public funding of some sort, which means families are not limited just to facilities run by the state, or the local detox center. Chances of a positive outcome will be greatly enhanced by taking the time to choose with care, and holding out for a facility that offers a mind-body-spirit approach to the problem.
