Participating in an inpatient or outpatient drug or alcohol rehab program is only the first step in your recovery. Long-term recovery management is a crucial phase to maintain sobriety after you complete the initial treatment for addiction. This ongoing recovery phase focuses on building a strong foundation that helps you navigate life’s challenges and maintain the progress you made during the formal rehab program. A Rhode Island drug addiction hotline can help you find programs that offer long-term recovery management to ensure lasting success.

The National Drug Helpline is a toll-free number hotline number that you can call free of charge at 1-844-289-0879. Operators are available around the clock to give you instant access to updated information about addiction treatment in Rhode Island. All calls to the helpline are answered by trained professionals who can help you find local resources and offer guidance in a private, safe, and non-judgmental space.

Call 1-844-289-0789 today to discuss any concerns and get answers to your questions about substance abuse and addiction. We guarantee complete privacy and confidentiality for yourself or a loved one. One phone call is all it takes to start a new life. Find drug and alcohol treatment facilities in Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, and other communities in Rhode Island.

RHODE ISLAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY YOUTH IN RHODE ISLAND

The Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021 showed the following findings among 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the state: [1]

ALCOHOL USE

  • Percentage of students who had their first alcoholic drink before age 13 years: 11.9%
  • Percentage of students who currently drank alcohol: 17.2%
  • Percentage of students who were currently engaged in binge drinking on at least 1 day in the past 30 days: 8.2%
  • Percentage of students who go the alcohol they drank by someone giving it to them: 45.9%

MARIJUANA USE

  • Percentage of students who ever used marijuana: 26.2%
  • Percentage of students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years: 4.8%
  • Percentage of students who used currently used marijuana in the past 30 days: 15.5%
  • Percentage of students who ever used synthetic marijuana (spice, K2, black mamba, fake weed): 5.1%

PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION MISUSE

  • Percentage of students who ever took prescription pain medications such as codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, or Percocet without a doctor’s prescription or differently than prescribed: 8.0%

EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

  • Percentage of students who ever used cocaine: 2.2%
  • Percentage of students who ever used heroin (smack, junk, China White): 1.7%
  • Percentage of students who ever used ecstasy: 2.6%

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN RHODE ISLAND

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports the following with regards to substance use in Rhode Island: [2]

YOUTH AGED 12-17 YEARS

  • Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9.3% of adolescents in 2017-2019 compared to 11.7% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average decreased from 7.9% in 2002-2004 to 6.8% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month alcohol use was reported by 10.1% of youth in 2017-2019 compared to 20.9% in 2002-2004. The US national average also showed a downward trend from 17.6% in 2002-2004 to 9.4% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month illicit drug use was reported by 10.8% of Rhode Island teens aged 12-17 years in 2017-2019 compared to 14.2% in 2015-2017. The US national average was stable at 8.2% during this time.
  • Past-year initiation of substances (first lifetime use) was reported by youth as follows during 2017-2019: Alcohol 9.6% (US average 9.3%), marijuana 6.8% (US average 5.2%), and cigarettes 2.5% (US average 2.3%).

Marijuana, alcohol, and illicit drug use among adolescents in Rhode Island have all shown positive trends with decreased usage in 2019 compared to 2002. However, the numbers for marijuana, alcohol, and illicit drug use in the state are all higher than the US national average.

YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18-25 YEARS

The data for young adults aged 18-25 years in Rhode Island is as follows:

  • Past-year marijuana use was reported by 45.8% of young adults in Rhode Island in 2017-2019 compared to 47.1% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average increased from 28.7% in 2002-2004 to 35.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder was reported in 7.0% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Rhode Island in 2017-2019, compared to 10.6% in 2002-2004. The US national average changed from 6.0% in 2002-2004 to 5.6% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year opioid use disorder was reported in 0.9% of young adults in Rhode Island in 2017-2019 compared to 1.2% in 2015-2017. The US national average changed from 1.3% in 2015-2017 to 1.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder was reported in 9.3% of Rhode Island residents aged 18-25 years in 2017-2019 compared to 10.2% in 2015-2017. The US national average was around 7.2% to 7.5% during this time period.
  • Past-month binge alcohol use was reported by 46.7% of young adults in 2017-2019 compared to 45.4% in 2015-2017. The US national average in 2017-2019 was 35.4%. Therefore, binge alcohol use by young adults in Rhode Island is considerably higher compared to the country as a whole.
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder among young adults aged 18-25 was reported in 14.4% of Rhode Island residents in 2017-2019, compared to 25.1% in 2002-2004. The US national average for 2017-2019 was 9.8%. Rhode Island therefore has a higher percentage of young adults battling alcohol use disorder compared to the US average for all states.
  • Past-year substance use disorder was reported in 19.9% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Rhode Island in 2017-2019 compared to 18.2% in 2015-2017. The national average has hovered between 15.1% and 14.7% during this time.

RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER

The Behavioral Health Barometer also found the following for 2017-2019 in Rhode Island residents aged 12 years and older:

  • Past-year tobacco use: 26.1% (US average 26.8%)
  • Past-year marijuana use: 22.7% (US average 16.2%)
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder: 2.1% (US average 1.6%)
  • Past-year heroin use: 0.23% (US average 0.30%)
  • Past-year prescription painkiller misuse: 3.5% (US average 3.7%)
  • Past-year opioid use disorder: 0.6% (US average 0.7%)
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder: 3.1% (US average 2.9%)
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder: 6.5% (US average 5.3%)
  • Past-year substance use disorder: 8.7% (US average 7.4%)
  • Number of people enrolled in substance use treatment (single day counts for 2019): 8,609
  • Number of people enrolled in opioid treatment programs (single day counts for 2019): 4,222
  • Problems among people enrolled in treatment: 65.7% drug problem only, 11.0% alcohol problem only, 23.3% both drug and alcohol problems
A psychologist with a note pad sitting across from a colored man on a sofa during a therapy session in an office.

WHAT ARE SOME LONG-TERM RECOVERY MANAEMENT STRATEGIES?

Long-term recovery management following formal drug or alcohol addiction treatment usually involves a combination of strategies such as:

Ongoing Therapy

Attending ongoing therapy sessions, including individual counseling and group therapy, is critical for maintaining sobriety and staying clean. Regular sessions with a therapist who specializes in addiction recovery provide you with a safe space to discuss your struggles and identify triggers. Therapy also helps you address underlying emotional issues that led to substance abuse in the first place. You develop healthier coping mechanisms and build resilience. Remember, therapy is not a sign of failure but rather a tool for sustained recovery.

Support Groups

Being part of a support group can give you a sense of belonging that can prove vital for sustained recovery. Joining a group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) gives you access to a network of individuals who have faced and overcome similar challenges. Sharing your experiences, listening to other people’s stories, and receiving encouragement motivates you and reminds you that you are not alone in this journey.

Lifestyle Changes

An important strategy for long-term recovery is making positive lifestyle changes. This is key to staying clean and maintaining your sobriety. Lifestyle changes include avoiding situations, places, and people that could trigger cravings. In addition, you are encouraged to adopt a healthier mindset, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. The goal is to enhance your overall wellbeing with simple changes. Hobbies and interests are also important to fill the void left by previous unhealthy habits.

Mindfulness and Stress Management

Mindfulness techniques and stress management equip you to handle life’s ups and downs without relying on substances. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, help you stay in the present moment and manage your urges and cravings. Stress is a known trigger for relapse, and mindfulness teaches you healthy ways to cope with stress.

Building a Supportive Network

A vital factor in ongoing recovery is surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family members. It is important to communicate frankly with loved ones about your challenges so that they can give you the encouragement you need. Also, you should educate your friends about your triggers so they can help you in avoiding potential pitfalls. A strong support network serves as an extra layer of accountability and security during long-term recovery.

Regular Check-Ins and Reflection

Relapses are common during recovery from substance abuse. It is important to check-in with yourself from time to time, assess your progress, and identify areas of vulnerability, in order to stay clean and sober. Take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and evaluate possible challenges. Celebrate your victories – no matter how small. It can be useful to keep a journal to track your emotions, triggers, and growth over time. This helps in spotting patterns so you can make necessary adjustments.

The National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 can help you find addiction treatment programs in Rhode Island that offer long-term recovery management. Remember, addiction recovery is a lifelong process and setbacks can happen. What’s important is to approach these setbacks with self-compassion and not take them as a sign of failure. Reach out to us for help and achieve the ultimate goal of a healthy, fulfilling life.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021. Available online. Accessed on August 30, 2023.
  2. SAMHSA. Behavioral Health Barometer Rhode Island. Available online. Accessed on August 30, 2023.

Last updated: August 30, 2023