Burlington

As Vermont’s largest city, Burlington is situated along the shores of Lake Champlain, 45 miles south of the Canadian border. It’s home to institutions of higher learning, such as Burlington College and the University of Vermont, along with notable industry leaders like General Electric and Vermont Teddy Bear Company. With a thriving retail industry, Burlington is known for its Church Street Marketplace, which hosts a number of festivals each year.

Burlington’s waterfront has played an important role in the city’s history. During the 1800s, Burlington boasted the third-largest lumber port in the United States. Later, it became a major hub for shipping petroleum and jet fuel. Near the end of the 20th century, the waterfront underwent significant revitalization and now includes 40 acres of urban reserve that is being maintained for future generations.

There are plenty of reasons to enjoy living and working in Burlington. Even so, the city has had its share of drug problems in recent years. As reported in the Keene Sentinel in 2019, Vermont is an attractive location for drug traffickers from out of state who set up shop in “source cities” such as Burlington.

The city’s prominence in the illegal drug trade means that a good number of Burlington residents struggle with substance use disorders. The following information will help you better understand just how widespread this issue is.

Marijuana Use Statistics

Marijuana continues to be a popular drug among Burlington residents and Vermonters in general. The Vermont Department of Health reports that the rate of marijuana use among those ages 12 and older was the highest in the United States. In fact, it is nearly twice that of the national rate.

Marijuana use is common even among pregnant women. Around 10% of expectant mothers report having used the drug during their most recent pregnancy. Approximately 17% claimed they had used weed in the month prior to conceiving.

High school students are more likely to use marijuana as they reach higher grades. Students identifying as LGBT are also more prone to use than heterosexuals are. Vermont high schoolers are often unconcerned with the risks associated with their drug use. Approximately 15% claim they have driven while using marijuana during the past month. Over 20% say they have ridden with someone who was under the influence of weed.

Alcohol Use Statistics

According to USA Today, Burlington and South Burlington have the dubious honor of being the drunkest cities in Vermont. The fact that Burlington is also a college town may have something to do with this. Other states such as Alabama and Indiana also have college towns that are the drunkest cities in their state.

Among Burlington residents who imbibe, 21.9% are binge or heavy drinkers. This is among the top 10% in the nation. In comparison, 19.6% of all Vermonters are considered heavy or binge drinkers. This makes Vermont the 12th highest in the nation for binge and heavy drinkers. In addition, alcohol-related driving deaths stand at 31% in Burlington.

Burlington’s waterfront and downtown area boast a vibrant nightlife that may encourage people to overindulge. An alcohol use disorder should be taken seriously and could require treatment from a professional rehab facility such as ours.

Cocaine Use Statistics

In 2017, the Vermont Department of Health published information from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That data revealed that Vermont is consistently one of the top five states in the nation when it comes to cocaine use among those ages 18-25. Indeed, another study from the NSDUH reveals that 10% of Vermonters in the 18-25 age bracket reported using cocaine within the past year.

Those with a cocaine use disorder often misuse other substances such as heroin or methamphetamine. From 2012-2016, the number of people who claimed their cocaine use was secondary to that of another drug increased by 45%.

Opioid Use Statistics

As noted in the Burlington Free Press, Vermont has long had a higher percentage of individuals facing opioid addiction than the national average. The publication pointed out that an estimated 15,000-20,000 Vermonters had a dependency on opioids in 2017. This amounted to between 3% and 4% of all adults.

The number of Vermonters using opioids continues to be very high despite the known risks. Information from the Department of Health shows that 79.18% of those ages 18-25 perceive a “great risk” from using heroin only once or twice. Still, hundreds of Burlington residents will continue to try the drug each year. Many will require professional assistance from a rehab facility such as Green Mountain Treatment Center.

Reaction From Burlington Mayor

In 2016, Burlington mayor Miro Weinberger described opioid addiction as a public health crisis with a law enforcement component. He reiterated that individuals struggling with an opioid addiction should have access to treatment without delay. With its full range of programs, Green Mountain Treatment Center is well qualified to treat a variety of substance use disorders.

Overdose Statistics

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 127 Vermonters died from a drug overdose in 2018. Of those, 68 were attributed to heroin, and 27 were due to prescription opioids. The number of deaths from synthetic opioids continues to increase as well.

Opioid deaths in Vermont are on the rise despite the fact that doctors are writing fewer prescriptions. Doctors in the Green Mountain State wrote 42.4 prescriptions per 100 residents – a rate that is among the lowest in the country. It’s also considerably lower than the national average, which is 51.4 prescriptions per 100 people.

We’ve already talked about how cocaine is often a secondary drug to other substances. It seems that cocaine use plays a role in opioid-related deaths as well. Information from the Vermont Department of Health reveals that cocaine was also present in 43% of all opioid deaths in 2019. This was an increase from 36% in 2018.

Who Is Most Vulnerable?

Anyone can potentially become an overdose victim. However, it seems that certain segments of the population are more vulnerable than others. Vermont’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System reveals that white males ages 30-39 are the most likely to overdose on opioids.

When to Seek Treatment

When should you seek treatment for yourself or a loved one? Here are a few signs that might indicate it is time to visit Green Mountain Treatment Center:

• Your previous efforts have been unsuccessful, or you have fallen off the wagon.
• All of your activities seem to center on using or obtaining drugs.
• You have faced significant financial, legal, or relationship challenges because of your substance use.
• Getting your next fix is all you can think about.
• Using drugs is a priority despite known health risks.
• You have gone to great lengths to cover up your drug use and are horrified at the thought of being found out.

Do you relate to any of the above items? If so, you are not alone. Many good people throughout Burlington struggle with substance use disorders and need help getting clean again. Don’t feel embarrassed when assistance is only a phone call away.

Benefits of Treatment

What are the benefits of attending a professional treatment program such as ours? One of the biggest involves support. Many of our clients simply do not have the support they need to quit taking drugs. They may also have friends or family members who imbibe, in which case they face constant temptation to continue using themselves.

Some people go through a vicious cycle of quitting and then starting to use again. These individuals are unprepared to deal with difficult circumstances and may begin taking illicit substances whenever a life stressor occurs. For them, learning how to deal with triggers is paramount and something they only discover after enrolling in our program.

Quitting drugs is difficult enough without the everyday stress involved with work and raising a family. A residential treatment program allows people to eliminate these worries and focus solely on getting well.

Recent changes to the law mean that most insurance plans now cover all or part of addiction recovery. Here at Green Mountain Treatment Center, we accept most major insurance plans and would be happy to help you determine coverage amounts.

About Our Facility

Our serene drug rehab facility sits among the rolling hills of Effingham, New Hampshire, and is approximately 150 miles from Burlington. For many of our clients, that’s far enough to escape the problems that contributed to their dependency. At the same time, it’s close enough to still maintain support from family and friends.

At Green Mountain Treatment Center, you’ll be nestled in a secluded area with a commanding view of the nearby White Mountains. While taking in lots of fresh mountain air and sunshine, you’ll learn new ways of coping with everyday stressors. Our goal is to help you realize that living a happy, drug-free life is indeed possible, regardless of your circumstances.

Our Programs

One thing we have learned over the years is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” recovery plan. As such, we use a targeted approach that includes proven methods and clinical modalities. Through evidence-based clinical therapies, individuals learn to identify the cause of their drug use as well as how to avoid triggers.

Holistic therapies go hand in hand with clinical treatment. Through programs such as fitness and exercise therapy, meditation, and experiential adventure therapy, our clients learn to heal both the mind and body. In turn, they are better able to manage stress so that they are no longer tempted to use illicit substances.

A few of the programs you or a loved one may encounter while at Green Mountain Treatment Center include:

• Anger management therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Depression treatment
• Grief and loss treatment
• PTSD treatment
• Trauma treatment

On-Site Medical Detox

All of our programs begin with medical detox. Through medical detoxification, illicit substances leave your body in a safe, controlled manner. Accordingly, we can help you better manage your withdrawal symptoms and avoid the debilitating (and potentially fatal) side effects that often ensue.

Each person is allowed to detox at his or her own pace. We’ve found that it is important not to rush the process. Rather, it is something that should be completed as naturally as possible. Our clients generally take anywhere from three to 14 days to fully detox. At that time, you will be physically and mentally able to take on the challenges that lie ahead.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Drug and alcohol treatment is not something you go through for only a few weeks and then can forget about. Instead, it involves a complete change in lifestyle. Many of our past clients will tell you that recovery is something they will struggle with for the rest of their lives.

Through a variety of aftercare and 12-step programs, we aim to help you maintain your newfound sobriety indefinitely. We also incorporate various aspects of the 12-step program into our numerous treatment offerings. Consequently, you will be well positioned to make the transition once you leave our facility.

Just because you have been discharged does not mean that we are no longer here for you. If you find yourself being tempted months or even years down the road, please reach out to us. Our team of addiction specialists is always happy to help point you in the right direction.

Here When You Need Us

Mayor Weinberger has stressed the importance of getting people into treatment as soon as they are “ready to embrace recovery.” He claims that treatment without delay can save lives and emphasizes the need to get people into rehab the same day whenever possible.

If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait any longer. Take the next step right now and contact Green Mountain Treatment Center. Allow us to help you get your life back on track again.