New Hampshire Drug Rehab Resources

Drug Laws in New Hampshire

“Possession of a controlled drug” is the most common drug charge in New Hampshire, along with “possession with intent to distribute or sell controlled drugs.”  Except for the possession of small amounts of marijuana, these are considered felony charges.

Types of Drug Charges

As in the rest of the country, the prescription drug craze is sweeping through New Hampshire. With this, the authorities have cracked down on people who possess or sell these drugs. However, the drug epidemic has become so serious in NH that law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges are taking a hard line on individuals who are suspected of possession or accused of drug crimes.

In New Hampshire, a drug arrest can cause serious consequences. Of course, this depends on the situation surrounding your case. Even if you are caught with a small amount of drugs in your possession, you may face jail time and fines. And if you’re caught with a large amount of drugs, you can face much harsher trafficking charges. 

Simply stated, law enforcement is on the lookout for drug suspects, prosecutors are standing by to bring charges, and judges are ready to “throw the book at you.” Keep this in mind if you are in possession of drugs in New Hampshire.

What Are Opioids?

The term “opioids” refers to certain illegal drugs, such as heroin, and prescription medications used to relieve pain. Opioids are highly addictive. In fact, in New Hampshire and all across the U.S., there is an opioid crisis. Therefore New Hampshire residents that suffer from opioid addiction need to attend New Hampshire drug rehab. Opioids that are often a part of the opioid crisis include:

• Heroin
• Street fentanyl
• Other illicit opioids
• Misuse of prescription drugs

Consequences of Opioid Addiction

There are many consequences that comes with suffering from an opioid addiction, including:

• Overdose deaths
• Neglect of loved ones
• Self-neglect
• Homelessness
• Health effects
• HIV
• Hepatitis C
• Liver damage
• Heart problems

Response to the Opioid Crisis in New Hampshire

Responding to the opioid crisis, the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) has worked to develop and advance contracts with a range of substance abuse providers across the state. This is to help ensure a path to critical prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Since January 2016, DHHS has promoted this initiative and the governor and Executive Council have approved about $24 million in contracts for substance misuse, prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

Preventing Overdose

You can help someone who is risking an opioid overdose. If you use opioids or have family members or friends who do, you should have naloxone (Narcan) nearby and know how to use it. Here’s what to do:

• If you think someone has overdosed, call 911 first.
• Administer naloxone after calling 911. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. This can save the life of someone who uses, heroin, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids, including prescription opioid medication.
• Naloxone is harmless if the person has not overdosed on opioids.

Overdose Symptoms

• The person is unresponsive and can’t wake up
• Body is limp
• Blue/dark purple appearance
• Slow or stopped breathing
• Slow or stopped pulse
• Snore-like gurgling sound
• Pinpoint pupils

In 2020 in NH, the age group with the highest number of Narcan administrations by the EMS was 30-39. This represented 31.2% of all incidents that year. Also in 2020, Strafford County had the highest number of Narcan incidents with 15.44 per 10,000 people. And Coos County was the only county to have an increase in EMS Narcan use.

Live Free New Hampshire Drug Rehab

Live Free Recovery Services has two locations in the state to offer you or your loved one a recovery program designed to specifically address your needs. We don’t believe you can address individual goals with a “one-size fits most” service. That’s why we provide a number of treatment programs, therapy, counseling, and aftercare services, along with the following:

Treatment Programs at Our Rehab Centers in NH

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

A PHP is the highest level of outpatient care. People in a PHP have the best of outpatient and residential programs. If you enter a partial hospitalization program, also called a day program, you will spend all day, nearly every day at the treatment facility.

You do not live in the facility though as you would in a residential program. However, you will receive intensive and structured treatment for the full days that you spend at the treatment center. All counseling and therapy services provided for residential care are provided for PHP. 

Partial hospitalization programs are less expensive than residential programs in several ways, including the fact that:

• You may return home each evening
• PHPs make it easier to find care for other family members
• PHPs are less expensive than residential programs
• Insurance companies are more likely to cover expenses for a PHP

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

In an intensive outpatient program, you’ll attend the rehab center 3 or 4 days a week for about 4 hours per day. It’s less intensive than a PHP but has a higher level of care than a regular outpatient program.

IOPs are good for people who have a mild to moderate addiction of a shorter duration. Your initial evaluation will determine whether IOP is a good starting point for you. Many people use the IOP rehab option as a step down from PHP treatment. The longer you continue in some level of treatment, the better your chances of lifelong recovery.

Outpatient Program (OP)

OPs are not recommended for people who have a severe addiction that has interfered with their lives and/or careers. However, if you have completed a more intensive program and have a stable home environment, an outpatient program may be right for you. The flexibility of hours and attendance at OPs make them perfect for continuing treatment or for a person who has a low drug or alcohol dependence. 

Sober Living

People in sober living homes have the chance to adjust to living drug-free lives without the close supervision or structure that other rehab programs have. In a sober living program, you may attend an outpatient program at the rehab if you don’t have a stable home environment, making this a de facto lower intensity residential program. 

Residents in sober living may continue to receive their medication-assisted treatments that were established in outpatient treatment. Sober living residents will also continue to meet with counselors to ensure that their recovery is still on track. Frequently, attendance at 12-step meetings or other support groups is required at sober living facilities. And because New Hampshire has many beautiful outdoor areas, there are also often recreational activities offered at sober living homes in NH such as hiking, skiing, and camping.

Start Your Journey and Live Free

You can live a fulfilling life free of the struggle of drug or alcohol addiction. You can be free of the shame, embarrassment, and guilt. We know that the stigma of addiction is real, but you need to take the first step to get better. We’ll take it from there. Make the first move and contact us today to receive New Hampshire drug rehab.