Hanover is a historic borough nestled in a corner of York County, Pennsylvania. York County is close in proximity to the Maryland border, making it a quick commute to Baltimore and attractions such as Inner Harbor and Camden Yards. Hanover and York County are also a quick drive to Pennsylvania's scenic Amish country.
Hanover itself is an industrial type of area, home to large, nationally known factories such as Utz. Beneath its rustic, blue-collar laid-back appeal, however, is a growing substance misuse problem. Heroin misuse has grown exponentially in recent years and is quickly becoming a big problem for Hanover and this stretch of Pennsylvania farmland.
It was reported by the official government website of York County that drug overdoses are killing more people than traffic accidents, as of 2014. Many of these drug overdoses are due to opiates, namely heroin. The York County District Attorney's office has decided to distribute naloxone to help those who have overdosed.
In York County, PA, there were 123 drug-related deaths in 2016, quite a jump from 2015 numbers. A total of 116 of those deaths were opiate-related, and more specifically, 76 were due to heroin.
Because of the increase in drug misuse, there are now many more treatment options than ever before for those struggling. The administration of naloxone in York County saved 232 lives in 2016, but you can stop the patterns of addiction long before it gets to the point of a potential overdose. There is help for every type of drug and alcohol addiction. Heroin and opiates aren't the only problems in Hanover. If you're struggling with cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamine, marijuana or any other drug or substance, there is hope. Your story is ongoing; you simply have to be the author of the next chapter, seeking some type of treatment or help. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to recover or seek treatment; different Hanover drug rehab options work for different people.
Residential treatment programs are also sometimes called inpatient programs. However, they don't often resemble a hospital setting (although some do). Typically, a residential program occurs at a facility expressly designed for the treatment of alcohol and drug misuse. You may have outside activities such as tennis, volleyball, hiking and even swimming. You'll attend 12-step meetings, group therapy and perhaps "fun" therapies such as art and music. Typically, you'll stay for an agreed-upon period, such as 30, 60 or 90 days.
Partial hospitalization programs offer many of the same benefits as inpatient rehabilitation, but you return every day to your home. The programs can be intensive. You may go to the program five days a week for four to five hours per day, but you are still able to work or spend time with family. This type of alcohol or drug rehab in Hanover, PA is definitely an asset for those who cannot leave a job or school, or have family commitments. PHPs often offer evening hours as well, so potentially one could work during the day. You'll attend group therapies and be encouraged to attend outside meetings on your own time. There is also typically psychiatric staff that works with the program to ensure you get medications you need, especially if you are dually diagnosed.
Outpatient programs are less intensive than partial hospitalization programs, but include some of the same activities. You will most likely attend individual and group therapies one or two days per week, and may have a prescriber on staff should you need medication. You often enter outpatient after discharge from an inpatient treatment, so you can continue on the road to recovery. However, for some, outpatient drug rehab in Hanover, PA is their only treatment. Your individualized plan is up to you and your needs.
There is no set path for recovery, and that's part of why there are so many options for treatment. You may find that you need more intensive help than an outpatient program can provide, or you may find outpatient is just what you need to turn your life around. If you're heavily addicted to alcohol or opiates, it is often a good idea to attend a detox center first, to ensure you can safely go to treatment after withdrawal symptoms have passed.
Detox centers help patients safely detoxify from drugs (usually opiates) and/or alcohol. Detoxing from alcohol or opiates can be dangerous, especially if you've been using or drinking for a long time. A detox stay is typically three to seven days, depending on the expected severity of the withdrawal. You may receive medication to help you through the side effects of withdrawal. Many inpatient residential treatment centers have a detox clinic in the facility, so you don't have relocate after a stay in a Hanover drug detox or Hanover alcohol detox center.
Many have found attendance at 12-step meetings to be an integral part of Hanover alcohol rehab. There are never any dues or fees, and it's a good idea simply to attend a meeting or two to see if it's right for you. There are many different types of recovery meetings. Many have roots in the traditions of the 12 steps, while SMART Recovery relies on psychotherapy principles instead. There are meetings for people of all types in and around Hanover.
In the early part of the 20th century, there were very few ways for an alcoholic to recover; in fact, the outlook was bleak. At this time, sanitariums were full of desperate alcoholics who simply needed help. Doctors were unsure of how to treat them. Two men, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob, formed Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s, based on the spiritual principles of the 12 steps as well as the notion that two people (or a group) can help each other recover from alcohol addiction. Today, AA is worldwide, and has been an important part of many success stories. Visit one of these local meetings as part of your alcohol treatment in Hanover.
By the 1950s, it was realized that alcohol was not the only drug or substance that had the tendency to destroy. Drug misusers in need of recovery had no meetings to attend for their specific problems. In the wake of this, Narcotics Anonymous was born. Based on the same 12 steps and spiritual principles, NA, like AA, believes that addicts can recover better together, boosting each other up on the way to recovery.
Recovery meetings based on the 12 steps are by far the most popular and utilized. While they're a great tool for many drug misusers and alcoholics that once felt hopeless, they're not the only type of meeting available. An alternative to the 12-step approach is SMART Recovery. SMART, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, relies more on CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) principles as opposed to spiritual principles. CBT has a tendency to focus on replacing bad habits with good habits, and bad thoughts with good ones, over a period of time.
The disease of addiction damages the misuser, but it also damages the family unit. As a result, many spouses, children and other family members have struggled with their own feelings over having a loved one who's suffering from addiction. Lois Wilson, the wife of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson, founded Al-Anon specifically for the wives of alcoholics. Since inception, Al-Anon and its sister group Nar-Anon have grown into a worldwide network of people helping people. Well beyond just wives of alcoholics, these groups help struggling children and teenagers, siblings and even friends of the misuser.
While there are plenty of alcohol or drug rehab centers in Hanover, PA, you may want to visit a neighboring city for treatment, to seek out new recovery meetings or for therapy.