Londonderry

Located just south of Manchester, Londonderry is a charming community with a farming heritage. There are still several apple orchards in town that attract pickers every fall. The strong local economy has also brought in many businesses and led to a population boom in the ’80s and ’90s. Londonderry’s population was estimated at 26,126 in 2017.

However, lurking below the surface of an otherwise serene suburb, there’s the unfortunate toxicity of alcohol addiction and drug abuse. New Hampshire in particular has been ravaged by the country’s opioid epidemic. The populations of Concord, Manchester, and Londonderry are at the highest risk.

The Statistics of Substance Use Disorder in Londonderry and New Hampshire

In Londonderry alone, a heroin epidemic has rattled the otherwise quiet countryside. Local officials claim that the past decade has seen cases of abuse multiply exponentially; there has been a 300% increase in fatal heroin overdoses between 2014 and 2016, and the numbers have only continued to creep up from there. Because Londonderry is located along the I-93 corridor between the state’s two largest cities of Manchester and Nashua, it has become the center of a drug-trafficking route. The working-class town has seen hundreds of deaths in what many are calling a “community in crisis.” The Londonderry Fire Department has gone from seeing one or two heroin overdoses a year to having one per working shift.

Far from limited to Londonderry, drug and alcohol addiction has clearly become an epidemic in New Hampshire. In 2018, more than 3,300 people were admitted to drug addiction and treatment centers, according to the New Hampshire Drug Monitoring Initiative. Over 5,500 had to be hospitalized in emergency cases of opioid overdose. Out of all the New England states, New Hampshire is perhaps the hardest hit state regarding opioid abuse. The Granite State averages 500 lethal opioid overdoses each year. From these 500 victims, roughly 25% identified as female and 75% identified as male. Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest city, held the record for most opioid deaths in the state.

The Granite State also suffers from a fentanyl addiction problem. More than 50% of all lethal cases have been traced back to this synthetic opioid. This takes into account both people who use fentanyl in combination with other drugs (such as alcohol or cocaine) as well as those who overdose on fentanyl alone.

Alcohol dependency is an increasing problem in New Hampshire as well. Across the United States, roughly 15 million people battle alcoholism. Unfortunately for New Hampshire, the state has recorded a many classic signs. For example, addicts tend to develop a resistance to whatever substance is impacting their brain. As their pattern of behavior continues unchecked, they typically indulge in their substance of choice in larger quantities in an attempt to chase their original feelings of escape or euphoria. This creates a negative feedback loop of addiction where the victim spirals downward into a critical state of mental and physical health.

In addition to the chance of death via overdose, alcohol and drug addicts run the high risk of experiencing:

• Heart disease and angina
• Liver failure
• Worsening paranoia
• Chronic depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Intractable brain damage

It’s critical to note that many substance use disorder situations run in parallel with other negative conditions. For instance, a chronic drug user may have started down this path attempting to deal with crippling anxiety. Seeking to self-medicate, the victim resorts to drugs as a form of coping and escape. Veterans returning from foreign conflicts are a highly vulnerable group due to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other traumas as well.

Symptoms and Signs of a Substance Addiction

Otherwise healthy social relationships begin to crumble under the stress of working around or with an addiction. A victim in need of their next drug fix or alcoholic drink will often sever ties with family. Even long-term friendships are not safe from such an addiction; frequently, victims will withdraw into themselves and their personalities will change. They’ll develop symptoms of depression and refuse to partake in events or activities they once enjoyed.

Unfortunately, addicts tend to gravitate around a new social circle of “friends” who may not have their best interests in mind. Frequently, this group will center around a common form of substance addiction in which they’ll partake together. They’ll feed off the energy and cravings of one another, often reinforcing the addict’s mental and emotional dependence on drugs.

As the addiction takes hold, further problems will emerge. In particular, finances can get hit pretty hard. Generally, the majority of a victim’s savings will eventually be allocated to the pursuit of the substance of choice. Sometimes, an addict will still be able to attend work, such as in the example of a “functioning alcoholic.” However, it will be at a decreased capacity and functionality.

As work dries up, unemployment and even homelessness become real concerns. When bills go unpaid, the inevitable occurs once the victim winds up on the streets, frequently selling all they have to scrape together money for drugs or alcohol. During this time, an addict might even weigh the merits of committing crimes to support their once “manageable habit.”

When to Look for Help

If you or anyone you know is going through any stage of a substance use disorder, seeking help today is the first step in taking back control. Attempting to face such a serious condition on your own, however, can seem like an impossible task. The side effects of drug withdrawal can pose a significant danger to the victim, not to mention any underlying medical conditions that must be properly assessed. Without professional aid during a critical moment, an addict can easily slip back into the same behavior patterns that led to addiction in the first place.

Substance Rehabilitation Programs

There are different types of recovery programs for different types of substance use disorders. These are typically divided into inpatient, where the patient lives in a fixed location, and outpatient, where the individual lives at home.

A non-residential treatment program could provide a rehab routine while the patient continues day-to-day living and work activities. They would live on their own and travel to the rehab center as scheduled to participate in the treatment program. There could be as many as four to five meetings each week. As the patient recovers, the number of required visits is generally lowered. However, it’s important to note that outpatient programs have their risks. They have a higher tendency toward relapse and are therefore not suitable universally for all addicts. Those with family and a stable job are more likely to be successful with an outpatient program.

Residential-based programs involve receiving treatment while living at a rehab center or equivalent facility. Many sufferers of addiction require this level of care due to the unstable nature of their behavior or the advanced stage of their addiction. Generally, the victim will take time off from work and other activities. Even though this seems like a much larger commitment on the surface, in reality this is what’s required for many substance users to stay sober. The chances for relapse are much lower than outpatient programs, and the lengths of treatment can vary between one and three months.

No matter the type of treatment program, an addict will have to go through detoxification. This is the process through which the substance is purged from the body. Depending on the substance and how addicted the patient is, detox can take anywhere from three to seven days. Because individuals with a substance dependency often face major withdrawal symptoms, it’s generally best to opt for a medically assisted detox program.

Reaching Out to Green Mountain Treatment Center

Regardless of the substance or stage of addiction, the specialists at Green Mountain Treatment Center have the expertise and know-how to get you started on the right path. When you reach out to our rehabilitation center in New Hampshire, you’ll be taking the first steps toward remaking your life.

Individualized Attention at Green Mountain Treatment Center

Green Mountain Treatment Center is a live-in rehabilitation center that gives care based around a 12-step methodology. This is an adult-oriented facility that can cater to custom needs. Each program is separated by gender, and the facility understands that sometimes a treatment cohort is needed for the best chance at a full recovery. Supplementary to the 12-step approach to recovery, Green Mountain Treatment Center uses science-backed therapies and clinical treatments in every resident’s road map. Every program is designed with the individual in mind and their unique circumstances that led them to where they are and how to make them whole again.

Also on the grounds is a subacute detoxification facility. This facility is operated by a cadre of licensed medical personnel who have received specialized detox training in substance use and treatment protocols.

Located in Effingham, New Hampshire, Green Mountain Treatment Center is nestled among the White Mountain region. This picturesque landscape is perfect for anyone determined to recover from their addictions and take back their life. For those in Londonderry, GMTC is just 85 miles to the north.

Holistic and Traditional Care

As part of our treatment programs, we like to focus on the whole person rather than just the symptoms of the disease. Holistic routines such as meditation, yoga, mind-body therapies, and more are incorporated into several different routines. Physical exercise is encouraged as this has shown to help reduce relapses in unsociable and addictive behavior. Furthermore, our staff utilizes aftercare and prevention techniques.

Lasting results are more than moments of temporary soberness. Equipping the resident with the tools required to make the proper judgments and life decisions after going home is paramount. There are several aspects of these programs that are meant to involve family or significant others in the process of recovery. After all, the emotional connection between humans who care for one another creates a powerful shield against negativity.

The Significance of Starting the Healing Process

Although undoubtedly difficult, making the choice to acquire treatment for drug addiction will be life-changing. Indeed, at the core of this choice is determining what option makes the most sense for each individual. Therefore, when seeking to recover from addiction and open a path to a new tomorrow, be sure to select a facility and treatment program that you are the most comfortable with and that has a record of success to match. Call today to learn more about Green Mountain Treatment Center.