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Every year, around 946,000 Tennesseans – 13.98% of the state’s population – abuse illegal drugs, while another 269,000 – 3.97% – abuse alcohol. As a result, drugs and alcohol were responsible for 10.67% of all deaths in Tennessee between 2008 and 2017. Clearly, the need for Tennessee alcohol and drug rehab centers is significant, and only growing greater.
While this is a significant number, it is more than two percentage points lower than the national average for drug- and alcohol-related deaths, which is 12.71 percent. Nashville, the state capital, had the greatest rate of drug- and alcohol-related deaths (11.99%), followed by Knoxville (11.64%). At 7.99 percent, Memphis had the lowest rate of such deaths.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tennessee’s substance use rates are generally slightly lower than the national average, with marijuana use among minors remaining relatively steady at around 6% from 2012 to 2015.
Despite this, heroin use is on the rise, and according to the most recent data, approximately 5% of residents have misused prescription drugs. For more than 70% of people who report non-medical use of prescription pharmaceuticals, prescription medications are obtained through acquaintances or family members.
Prescription drug addiction results in overdose deaths, increased hospital charges and emergency department visits, the placement of children in state care, and an increase in the number of people sentenced for drug offenses. Other than heroin, opioids were the most commonly treated substances of abuse in the state in 2015, with 4,236 people seeking professional care for their addictions.
It appears that mental illness and despair are common, especially among teenagers, and that many are going untreated in the state. As a whole, Tennessee alcohol and drug rehab centers have much improvement to make in outreach and assistance for at-risk youth populations in the state, and that this should be a focus for policymakers and resources in the near term.
The availability of opioid prescription medicines is one of the key causes of their widespread addiction. Many people receive the medications from those to whom the prescription has been written. Others obtain them through robbing friends or family members or from a dealer.
Some people may believe that getting high on prescription pharmaceuticals is safer because they were recommended by a doctor. However, this is frequently a deadly error, especially with the rise in counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl causing record numbers of overdoses nationwide.
Alongside these substantially increased addiction rates, Tennessee alcohol and drug rehab centers have recognized the need for assistance and are expanding services accordingly. In 2014, however, approximately 6.5 percent of people aged 18 to 25 required but did not receive treatment for a drug addiction.
In Tennessee, there are two categories of drug possession offenses: simple possession and possession with intent. It is a crime to possess a firearm without a permit. You may be obliged to attend a drug education class in addition to paying fines and doing jail time. Possession with intent, on the other hand, is viewed more seriously and can result in a felony charge.
Possession of narcotics entails more than just keeping the stuff in one’s pocket. Possession is defined as finding narcotics in one’s home or car. Even if the content is not yours, you may face consequences.
Substance charges are based on a variety of variables, including the type of substance discovered, the amount discovered, and the offender’s prior criminal history. Each drug class is divided into seven schedules based on its risk for addiction and perceived medical usefulness. In a medical setting, Schedule I drugs are the most dependence-causing and dangerous and have the lowest perceived value. These narcotics are frequently penalized by the most severe punishments. The medications in Schedule VI and VII have the lowest perceived level of dependence and the greatest therapeutic utility.
Marijuana is classified as a schedule VI restricted drug in Tennessee. Despite the fact that marijuana possession is treated differently than other drug offenses, the penalties are severe. Possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. In the state, simple possession is punishable by mandatory fines. First-time violators are subject to a $250 minimum fine; further offenses are subject to a $500 minimum fine.
Possession with intent entails a significantly harsher penalty. If convicted of possession with intent, admitted violators face a $200,000 fine and up to 60 years in jail.
The use of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive oil produced from the cannabis plant, is permitted under Tennessee’s medicinal marijuana statute. CBD cannot include more than 0.6 percent THC, according to state legislation. CBD is only permitted for the treatment of life-threatening or terminal illnesses.
Many Tennesseans know someone who has succumbed to addiction or has lost a loved one to it. This is why Tennessee lawmakers, harm reduction activists, and local residents have joined forces to raise awareness of the statewide pandemic.
In 2014, Tennessee established a 911 Good Samaritan Act to protect anyone seeking medical attention for a drug overdose. Anyone who sees or is a victim of an opioid-related overdose can call 911 without fear of being charged or arrested for drug abuse. This law solely protects first-time overdose victims.
In addition, the bill makes naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, legal. Naloxone, on the other hand, must be given correctly in order to be effective. The law creates training programs to teach family members and friends of someone at risk of an opioid overdose, as well as first responders, how to use naloxone and potentially save a life.
Several Tennessee officials have initiated investigations into the events that led to the state’s opioid epidemic. As it turns out, some people are being given excessive doses of medications to cure their diseases. Clients’ access to prescriptions and refills has been restricted as a result of restrictions imposed by physicians and pharmacists.
In addition to addressing these ongoing challenges, Tennessee developed the prescription drug take-back box program. The boxes, which look like mailboxes and are situated throughout the state, offer a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals and prescriptions.
Prescription drug take-back boxes keep prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals out of the hands of people who are at risk of becoming addicted to them, such as children and teens. They also keep opioids out of the black market.
When it comes to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment programs, there are two main options: those funded by the state or public funds, which are open to everyone and could be free or low-cost for qualifying individuals; and private institutions, which may offer more comprehensive care and amenities and are typically considered fee-for-service programs. Private treatment programs may be able to assist in bridging the treatment gap. Among the many therapy options and programs available are the following:
Substance abuse prevention and education services may be provided by community efforts, private groups, and government-supported programs in an effort to educate families and individuals about problematic drug and alcohol use while simultaneously preventing problematic use.
The Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TSAM) is an organization of physicians dedicated to improving addiction treatment in Tennessee as well as educating the general public and treatment professionals about the condition. The Prevention Alliance of Tennessee is a community-based organization dedicated to public education and the prevention of substance abuse.
Crisis management services are designed to help those in need of immediate assistance get what they need while avoiding a devastating consequence. Tennessee has a statewide crisis hotline for citizens who are facing a mental health crisis. Seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.
Individuals in Tennessee with a primary diagnosis of alcohol or drug misuse may be referred for crisis detoxification through the Medically Monitored Withdrawal Management Services (MMW MS) if they do not have other financial resources to pay for treatment. Detoxification is the process of removing drugs or alcohol from the body in a safe and effective manner.
To address withdrawal symptoms, drugs, and medical supervision may be used. Furthermore, Tennessee has twelve clinics that give drugs to treat opioid addiction, withdrawal, and cravings on an outpatient basis via state-licensed opioid treatment programs.
Outpatient services may include medication, therapy, counseling, and support, and they may be more or less regimented, depending on the individual’s requirements. Intensive outpatient treatment may aid someone suffering from a serious or long-term addiction by scheduling sessions, meetings, education, and life skills training courses throughout the day, with the participant returning home only to sleep. Residential and partial hospitalization treatment may be more complete because clients stay full-time in the institution for days or weeks, depending on their needs and circumstances.
Transitional programs and halfway houses serve as a stepping stone to reintegration into society. Individuals frequently live with peers who are dealing with similar issues, attend meetings and sessions as part of a recovery program, and live in a house with strict regulations that must be obeyed. Transitional housing may be funded through the state’s Addictions Recovery Program, which also offers case management, relapse prevention training, and drug testing, among other services to help people avoid relapse and maximize their recovery.
Evidence-based treatments such as cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy are used in addiction treatment programs to help you recognize and change detrimental thinking patterns, feelings, and behaviors. Furthermore, caring addiction treatment professionals will teach you appropriate coping mechanisms for dealing with cravings, triggers, and stress.
Professionals will work with you to discover the programs that are the best fit for your specific circumstances during the admissions process.
Detoxification programs might help you manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Tennessee has 60 distinct detoxification alternatives. Inpatient and outpatient treatments are available as treatment alternatives. Medical and clinical detoxification are the most commonly employed methods of drug and alcohol detoxification.
Tennessee has a multitude of short-term substance abuse treatment choices. In the state, there are 49 programs. Because of the programs’ accessibility, short-term care is a realistic choice in the state. Long-term programs, on the other hand, are typically preferred, particularly for people suffering from serious substance abuse problems.
Long-term programs outnumber short-term ones in Tennessee. There are 53 long-term residential programs listed in the SAMHSA directory. Long-term programs are those that last three to six months or longer. The comprehensive treatment approach includes detox, therapy, counseling, and aftercare support.
Outpatient drug addiction therapy is often more accessible than residential treatment. There are 265 outpatient care providers in Tennessee. Routine outpatient programs, intensive outpatient therapy, day treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient detox are all examples of outpatient care. Because there is no obligation to live at the facility, outpatient treatment is a popular option.
Individuals and families may benefit from programs tailored to their specific needs or circumstances, such as gender, age, religion or spiritual affiliation, familial status, or criminal record. Tennessee’s public programs include the following:
Women’s recovery programs in Tennessee offer intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment, pregnant women’s residential housing, parenting skills training, transportation, trauma support, intervention services, case management, and recovery services to women over the age of 17 who have dependent children, are pregnant, or are attempting to reclaim custody of their children. An alternative to AA, exclusively for females, named Women for Sobriety, also operates meetings in Tennessee that are open to all seeking assistance with alcohol or addiction.
Pregnant women who abuse substances can get help from the Tennessee MHSAS, which provides specialized substance abuse treatment such as acute detox, residential housing, outpatient therapy, and rehabilitation services.
Adolescent substance abuse and mental health treatment: Adolescents aged 13 to 17 may be eligible for treatment through the state’s Adolescent Services program, which may include residential, outpatient, or day therapy for substance addiction and mental health. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 24 living in Maury or Madison counties may be eligible for the comprehensive and family-centered substance addiction program, which offers a variety of services, including mental health assistance, to qualifying individuals and families.
Children whose caregivers are substance abusers may benefit from the programs listed below: TIPS is a program for children under the age of 18 who have a parent or other caregiver who suffers from substance misuse and/or addiction and are in danger of being removed from their home. This program is intended to give people of this group information, counseling, prevention, crisis intervention, and skills training in the Tennessee counties of Warren, Bedford, Coffee, Marshall, Cannon, Davidson, and Rutherford.
Individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses who have a substance addiction problem may be able to avoid jail time by enrolling in a treatment facility under the Tennessee Recovery Court Program. Furthermore, Tennessee has a number of state-approved DUI schools for anyone convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Individuals who attend these universities may be eligible for a driver’s license reissue.
The state and privately funded programs collaborate with the state’s Division of Substance Abuse Assistance to create a Faith-Based Recovery Network that offers spirituality, fellowship, and recovery support to underprivileged individuals and families.
These types of programs may be offered by privately sponsored drug misuse programs in addition to other treatment options, including holistic and nontraditional therapies, that may be effective throughout recovery.
Financial considerations, on the other hand, should not prevent you or a loved one from obtaining therapy. Although the expense of rehab varies greatly from program to program, financial considerations should not keep you from obtaining treatment. When it comes to working out an acceptable payment plan, the vast majority of Tennessee treatment providers are eager to work with consumers and their insurance carriers.
You may also be eligible for sliding scale rates or a plan with lower monthly payments rather than a huge lump sum owed at the start of the term. Reach out to Rehabs Of Armerica now to learn more about different routes of paying for treatment, and how to lower ‘out-of-pockets’ costs whenever possible!
Addiction counseling is covered by the majority of major insurance companies. Individuals seeking any form of Tennessee alcohol and drug rehab centers can instantly verify their insurance coverage and learn if the treatment center of their choice is covered by their insurance provider, quickly and confidentially, simply by calling Rehabs Of Armerica.
While it may appear that paying for alcohol and drug addiction treatment in Tennessee without insurance is impossible, the prevalence and scope of substance abuse in Tennessee and across the country have made addiction treatment more accessible and affordable for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Individuals who meet certain criteria may be eligible for grants, scholarships, or other forms of financial aid.
To make payment easier to manage, many addiction treatment facilities provide customized payment methods. Individuals with fixed incomes may be eligible for a sliding scale.
In Tennessee, there are several ways to pay for alcohol and drug rehab. In addition to state-funded treatment alternatives and therapy covered by Medicaid or private insurance, Tennessee provides free and low-cost rehab facilities for people who do not have insurance or the financial capacity to pay for treatment. Clients who are battling with substance misuse can also utilize the SAMHSA treatment directory to find treatment choices.
Free drug treatment can range from intense inpatient rehabilitation to basic outpatient medical maintenance, depending on the practitioner and the source of funding.
While state-funded programs are more likely to provide a wide range of treatment alternatives, they may not have access to cutting-edge therapeutic technologies or treatment center facilities that private programs do. Regardless of the availability of more traditional or basic rehabilitation settings, many state programs continue to provide good therapy and comprehensive post-treatment care.
Many of these treatment center alternatives require clients to apply for and be admitted to programs based on specific qualifications. The major requirement for receiving free therapy is typically a documented inability to pay. Additional requirements may include residency in the state where therapy is administered, particular social variables such as pregnancy or veteran status, or affiliation with the religious group that provides faith-based rehabilitation.
A large number of state-run rehabilitation centers serve priority populations. The following are deemed to be the top priority for state-funded treatment:
Middle Tennessee Alcoholics Anonymous – Find AA meetings in Nashville and the surrounding areas.
Tennessee Narcotics Anonymous – Locate NA meetings in your area.
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Tennessee – Discover assistance for mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention.
Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment in Tennessee – Learn about and seek teen addiction treatment in Tennessee.
Tennessee 2-1-1 – Get help with a wide range of difficulties, including legal assistance, jobs, food, and transportation.
Each person suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction has specific requirements and circumstances. A variety of factors, including the type, length, and frequency of substance use, may also influence the severity of the withdrawal syndrome, as all of these factors contribute to the disease’s severity.
The majority of treatment facilities in Tennessee and across the country begin with detox, after which the addict is stabilized by therapy. The length and intensity of treatment required, as well as the rate at which an individual can progress, determine what follows next.
Treatment must be tailored to the needs of the individual and revised on a regular basis to account for changes, such as when a person makes progress toward recovery or relapses. Treatment can be successful even if it is not first voluntary.
During the intake phase and initial examination, admission staff should discuss and gather information about a person’s history of substance misuse and treatment expectations in order to assist them or their loved ones in making an informed decision. Following admission, a client might negotiate what they can bring to treatment, as each facility has different packing list limits.
What is the most successful treatment plan for one person may not be the best treatment strategy for another person. This is what distinguishes the greatest Tennessee alcohol and drug rehab treatment clinics: they are dedicated to offering holistic therapy and individualized aftercare that supports a drug-free life.
Couples therapy is one of the services provided by several treatment institutions in and around Tennessee. Tennessee is a popular treatment place due to its tranquil beaches and good environment, and the 2017 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment:
There are alcohol and drug detox centers in Tennessee as well as near out-of-state areas, ensuring that anyone battling addiction can easily access detoxification therapies in their preferred region.
The availability of care is regarded as a vital component of effective therapy. Therapy should be available and accessible right away, allowing clients to enter and start therapy as soon as they are ready. Furthermore, detoxification is a key first stage of rehabilitation, and it is strongly advised that it be carried out in a safe, controlled environment.
Choosing Tennessee alcohol and drug rehab centers is sometimes driven by necessity rather than personal desire. The cost, duration, intensity, and other characteristics all influence the choice of an option. Individuals seeking therapy and their families frequently do not have the time to properly consider their alternatives, which is why it is critical to rapidly identify the best and perhaps nearest facilities.
Looking for top-rated treatment clinics in Tennessee with the greatest ratings and testimonies is one method to narrow down your selections. Top-rated facilities have the highest success rates as well as the necessary accreditations, licenses, certificates, and other resources to provide effective addiction treatment, medical and mental health care, and a sufficient standard of post-treatment care geared at relapse prevention.
Certain Tennessee rehab facilities stand out and attract prospective clients because they provide a wide range of services and amenities geared at improving treatment and boosting comfort.
If you are suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, seeking treatment from a professional rehab center will help you safely navigate the journey from detox to developing the skills needed to sustain your recovery for the rest of your life. Fortunately, the state of Tennessee provides a wide range of recovery choices. No matter what your situation, the team at Rehabs Of Armerica is ready and waiting to help you find the best treatment options so you can start living and enjoying life again.
Edward lives and works in South Florida and has been a part of its recovery community for many years. With a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts, he works to help Find Addiction Rehabs as both a writer and marketer. Edward loves to share his passion for the field through writing about addiction topics, effective treatment for addiction, and behavioral health as a whole. Alongside personal experience, Edward has deep connections to the mental health treatment industry, having worked as a medical office manager for a psychiatric consortium for many years.
