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Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Maryland

Maryland has one of the worst drug epidemics in the country. Since 1999, its death rate has been continuously higher than the national average. In 2017, the year President Trump declared an opioid epidemic, 2,282 persons in the state died as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. This figure covers everything from car accidents to overdoses.

Residents of Maryland have sought treatment for an addiction to one or more of the following substances:

• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Marijuana
• Opioids
• Prescription drugs

Each of these poses a risk to Maryland’s communities, but heroin is deemed the most dangerous. The ancient seaport of Baltimore serves as an international gateway for drug trafficking, which adds significantly to the state’s drug problems.

From 2012 to 2013, heroin addiction rehab admissions increased by over 20%, outpacing all other admissions in the state.

Another major issue for Maryland residents is the presence of synthetic cathinone and cannabimimetics, sometimes known as bath salts or mixed in the herbal compounds known as Spice. These synthetic “designer drugs” have grown in popularity among Maryland’s youth.

Many teenagers and young adults dabble with bath salts and Spice before becoming addicted to more harmful narcotics.

Maryland Drug and Alcohol Addiction Statistics

In a given year, almost 950,000 Maryland citizens – 15.83 percent of the state population – use illegal substances, and 272,000 persons – 4.5 percent of the state population – abuse alcohol. As a result, between 2008 and 2017, drugs and alcohol were the cause of 13.54 percent of all deaths in Maryland, nearly a full percentage point higher than the national average for drug- and alcohol-related deaths during the same time period.

Among Maryland’s three most populous cities, Baltimore-Columbia had the greatest rate of drug and alcohol-related deaths during that time period, at 15.88 percent, while Germantown-Silver Spring had the lowest percentage, at 8.12 percent. This guide was developed to assist the many Maryland citizens who are suffering from substance abuse addiction in locating inexpensive treatment that will put them on the road to recovery. It is also meant to educate the general population in Maryland about the hazards of substance usage.

If you require assistance in locating an alcohol rehab Maryland, or drug rehab centers in MD, you can rely on our recovery representatives to assist you in locating suitable low-cost, high-quality therapy as soon as possible.

Maryland Opioid Crisis

Illicit and prescription opioids have become a rising concern for rehab centers in Maryland and around the country, particularly in the last decade. Since the late 1990s, when the number of prescriptions for opioids began to rise, thousands of men, women, and even children have died as a result of an overdose.

Moreover, despite its small size, Maryland had a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths during a five-year period. In 2011, there were 731 deaths, and the tally has only risen since then. In 2016, there were 2,074 opioid overdose deaths, a 283 percent increase. Pharmacists and rehab doctors have responded to the situation by prescribing fewer opioids and providing more rehab programs to treat cases of abuse and addiction.

Increase in Overdoses

Since 2010, the number of drug and alcohol-related overdoses in Maryland has grown year after year. In 2015, a total of 1,259 persons died as a result of drug overdoses in the state. The figure represented a 21% rise over the previous year’s total of 1,041 deaths. The incidence of drug-related deaths has nearly doubled since 2010.

Features of Maryland Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers

Detox Programs

The first step in treating addiction is detoxification. According to SAMHSA, Maryland has over 90 distinct detox options. Medical and clinical detox centers are the most prevalent drug and alcohol detox programs. Although most programs offer detox on-site, there are various private and clinical institutions throughout the state.

Short-Term Inpatient Programs

Short-term residential drug recovery usually lasts no more than 28 days. Unfortunately, the state only has 40 of these institutions. Services are available for both men and women, and some are administered through VA healthcare. The greatest thing to explore is residential treatment.

Long-Term Drug Rehab

Fortunately, drug rehabs in Maryland offer more long-term facilities than short-term ones. According to the SAMHSA, there are more than 60 long-term care institutions. Treatment centers, halfway houses, and programs for men and women, teens, and adults are all options. A longer recuperation period is preferable in such cases.

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab

In most non-residential drug rehab Maryland facilities, outpatient substance abuse therapy is the preferred type of rehabilitation. There are nearly 300 outpatient services available, according to SAMHSA. These options include outpatient intensive care, outpatient detox, normal outpatient care, and outpatient day therapy or partial hospitalization.

12 Steps Addiction Meetings in Maryland

The 12-step approach was developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for persons recovering from alcohol addiction, and today there are many additional 12-step groups for different addictions and disorders — Narcotics Anonymous (NA) being just one example. 

Basics of 12 Steps Meetings

Here are some fundamentals of 12 step meetings:

Ongoing Recovery:

The support system is used by participants to move through a set of 12 steps that guide them through the process of keeping sobriety. Meetings are intended to be encouraging and supporting rather than adversarial or aggressive. No matter your income or resources, you can get support for alcohol addiction in Maryland through local AA meetings.

Low-Cost:

While donations are frequently appreciated, the program is free to join and attend for any drug user (alcoholic or otherwise).

Accessible:

Meetings take place in public places like churches, community centers, and schools. Alcoholics Anonymous, the most popular 12 step group, has a wide variety of meeting times and places — it has approximately 68,000 meetings and 1.4 million members.

Spiritual Approach:

While 12 step programs appeal to a “higher power” to aid in the recovery process, participants are allowed to define that higher power in whatever way they see fit.

Sober Living Homes:

Sober living houses (also known as recovery residences) are group homes that assist recovering addicts in transitioning from treatment institutions to independent living while maintaining their sobriety. These houses can be quite useful for people who may not have a supportive and stable environment to reside in after leaving a rehabilitation facility.

Residents at sober living homes can stay for a few months to several years if they follow house rules and avoid relapse, as these facilities often have a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy. Residents are also expected to get done house chores, join appropriate peer support groups, and contribute equally to the rent.

Substance Abuse and Rehab for At-Risk Groups

Veteran Substance Abuse Treatment

Veterans confront particular problems that put them at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) than the general population. The primary cause of this elevated risk is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but other circumstances such as unemployment, homelessness, and chronic pain can also play a role.

Furthermore, those with drug use disorders, especially veterans, are more prone to get PTSD, therefore the problem is cyclical.

According to the National Center for PTSD at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly one in every three veterans seeking treatment for a substance use problem also has a PTSD diagnosis as of early 2019. Similarly, one in every four soldiers who have been diagnosed with PTSD also has a substance use disorder.

From recent studies, up to one in every ten veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who attend a VA health care institution has a diagnosable substance use disorder.

There is, however, hope for veterans suffering from a substance use disorder, since they have access to extra options for treatment of a SUD or co-occurring SUD and PTSD, and VA benefits frequently pay the cost of this therapy. Follow these steps to get help with substance abuse treatment from the VA healthcare system:

Enroll:

If you haven’t already enlisted, you can find out if you’re qualified for VA health care and then fill out an application. You can also look into the Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This program is accessible in VA medical centers and outpatient clinics around the United States and offers a variety of treatment choices for veterans addicted to drugs and alcohol, including rehabilitation, detoxification, and psychiatric care. Keep in mind that in order to be eligible for the program, you must already be enrolled in the VA healthcare system.

Discover:

By phoning ahead or taking a trip to your local VA medical institution, you can find out if it offers substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and what forms the offerings take. If you don’t know where the nearest VA medical center is, you can conduct a complete search of VA facilities across the United States by clicking here.

Find Treatment:

Veterans in Maryland can contact their local VA medical center to learn more about drug abuse treatment options, including the possibility of a VA-based substance use disorder (SUD) program in their state.

They can also find information on drug misuse treatment services on the Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs website and the section of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website detailing Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans (MCV).

Treatment is offered in Maryland for veterans suffering from a substance use disorder. As of 2017, 80 substance addiction treatment clinics in Maryland catered particularly to veterans, accounting for 20.7 percent of all treatment centers.

Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents

Between 2017 and 2018, 7% of teenagers aged 12-17 in Maryland reported using marijuana in the previous month, far exceeding the national average of 6.6 percent. In terms of alcohol consumption, 9.6 percent of teenagers aged 12-17 in Maryland had done so in the previous month, which is somewhat higher than the national average of 9.4 percent.

Additionally, in 2017, 1.7 percent of people admitted to a substance abuse treatment facility in Maryland were between the ages of 12 and 17. Some treatment institutions offer adolescent-specific treatment programs to meet the problems that kids experience in overcoming substance addiction. 

Additional Resources for Parents and Teachers

The Maryland Department of Behavioral Health Administration’s (BHA) Office of Child and Adolescent Substance Use Services created a substance misuse prevention toolkit to educate and enlighten adolescents, their families, and the local community. The BHA website also contains information about overdose prevention in Maryland.

Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment

Substance misuse and mental health problems frequently coexist – the formal phrase is “co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.” According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 45.6 percent of people with a substance use disorder had a mental health issue in 2017, while 18.3 percent of persons with a mental health disorder had a substance use disorder.

In 2017, 35.9% of adolescents with a substance use disorder also had a major depressive episode, and 10.7% of adolescents with a major depressive episode also had a substance use disorder.

How Much Does Rehab Cost in Maryland?

The cost of rehabilitation varies depending on a variety of criteria, including:

• Length of stay – this is frequently chosen by a treatment professional’s recommendation and is based on the severity of the addiction and the presence of any co-occurring disorders.

• Treatment services – Similarly, the services provided are tailored to your specific requirements.

• Amenities – Luxury facilities with resort-style amenities will raise the cost of therapy.

• Program type – Because of the 24-hour care and accommodations provided, inpatient programs are often more expensive than outpatient programs.

How to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Maryland

The cost of therapy in Maryland varies depending on criteria such as program type, duration of stay, and, most importantly, whether or not the individual has health insurance coverage. Those who do not have health insurance may have difficulties seeking assistance, but there are still possibilities.

According to SAMHSA:

• In Maryland, over 320 substance abuse treatment programs accept Medicaid.
• Approximately 250 drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers accept private health insurance.
• There are 342 programs in the state that allow cash payment, often known as self-payment.
• In Maryland, there are 133 programs that accept sliding scale payments.

Paying for Treatment with Medicaid in Maryland

Medicaid can enable people to receive assistance when they would otherwise be unable to do so. In order to be eligible for Medicaid in Maryland, citizens must meet certain conditions, including demonstrating financial hardship. While not every treatment center in the state accepts Medicaid, when it does, Medicaid usually covers the entire cost. Over 1.5 million Maryland people were registered in some type of Medicaid assistance as of 2021.

Using Private Insurance to pay for Drug Rehab in Maryland

Private insurance policies are accessible to anyone who can afford a monthly premium, among other requirements. Private treatment facilities frequently accept these policies, although Medicaid is normally only recognized in state-funded treatment programs. Unfortunately, those programs frequently have significant waiting lists, whereas privately run clinics do not.

However, because private insurance can be relatively expensive, many citizens are unable to obtain coverage. As a result, many people are caught between being eligible for Medicaid and purchasing private health insurance. The state’s expanded Medicaid program, Maryland Health Connection, has helped to close the uninsured gap. This health insurance exchange marketplace subsidizes the cost of premiums, allowing residents to obtain and purchase private health insurance coverage.

Maryland Health Connection provides access to the following insurers:

• Kaiser Permanente

• CareFirst

• UnitedHealthcare

 Paying for Treatment when Uninsured

When someone needs substance abuse treatment, there is no time to spare in trying to get them on an insurance policy. That process can take weeks, and many insurers will not cover addiction treatment for the first year of continuous coverage. As a result, many people find themselves in situations where their only alternative is to pay for therapy in cash.

Fortunately, many facilities recognize this and are eager to collaborate with clients to get them the assistance they require. Some programs include sliding scale or delayed payment alternatives, making their services more affordable. You can reach out to one of the treatment specialists at Addicted.org or contact the center directly for further information on how to pay for treatment.

Maryland Drug Use Laws

Every year, Maryland courts witness a stunning amount of drug-related offenses. However, the fact that these breaches are common does not make the sanctions any less severe. Aside from the legal ramifications, drug misuse might jeopardize one’s educational or employment possibilities.

Maryland, like the majority of states in the United States, has cracked down on illicit drug misuse crimes by enacting harsh and punishing sanctions. The severity of Maryland’s punishment is determined by the type of substance and the amount involved.

Maryland categorizes controlled dangerous substances (CDS) into five different schedules. Schedule I and II medications are regarded as the most harmful, whilst schedules III through V are regarded as less dangerous.

Although Maryland officials have attempted to develop treatment options for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders, the law still requires sentencing for some drug-related offenses. The maximum penalty for CDS possession is typically four years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

If you’re caught possessing a CDS with the purpose to distribute it, you might face up to 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Certain circumstances, such as the location of the incident or the number of prior offenses, might also influence an offender’s sentence.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Maryland

Marijuana Possession

Possession of marijuana for personal use is a crime in Maryland. To some extent, the state has decriminalized marijuana possession. Those caught with less than 10 grams will not risk jail time but will be charged with a civil infraction with a potential punishment of $100.

The penalties are harsher if the offender is caught with anything between 10 grams and 50 pounds. Sentencing might include up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Marijuana possession with the intent to distribute is prosecuted separately in Maryland. Violators are charged as felons immediately, with a possible term of 40 years and a heavy fine of up to $1 million.

Qualifying Conditions for Maryland MMJ

The Maryland Medicinal Cannabis Commission began releasing license pre-approvals for medical marijuana growers and dispensaries in August 2016. In 2017, around 16 counties in Maryland, as well as the city of Baltimore, will enable legal access to medical marijuana.

In Maryland, qualifying illnesses for medicinal marijuana include:

• Chronic pain
• Cachexia
• Seizures
• Nausea
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms

There will be certain restrictions on access to medical marijuana. Patients will only be able to obtain a 30-day supply, and no edible forms of marijuana will be allowed. Plant cultivation at home will likewise be prohibited by state legislation.