Expert Insights
In 2020 alone, Kent County had over 70 alcohol-related car crashes and 23 recorded drug-related motor fatalities. Throughout the state, tens of thousands of people are arrested each year for alcohol-related driving. Maybe it’s time for a change? Residents over 21 who are caught driving with a BAC between .08 and .17 face up to a $500 fine, 93 days in jail, 360 hours of community service, and 180 days license suspension. Based on the crash and death statistics, this clearly isn’t enough of a deterrent. Policy makers need to up the stakes, to send a clear message that Grand Rapids does not tolerate drunk driving.
~ Kerry Nenn
Cost of Drug Rehab in Grand Rapids
How much you will need to pay for services depends greatly on your financial situation, what type of health insurance you have, the severity of your addiction, and where you hope to attend treatment. Some people look to crowdfunding or ask their families for assistance paying for care, though that option might not work for everyone.
If you need help paying, there are several options. One way is to seek out addiction treatment centers that offer financial assistance. This can come in several forms, such as a sliding-fee scale to offer lower prices to those with less income or scholarships to cover all or part of the cost of treatment. Some centers also offer payment plans, where the cost is separated into monthly payments, though these may be facilitated by third-party lenders and may have high fees or interest rates.
Grand Rapids Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
Grand Rapids is in Michigan’s Kent County. The Center for Disease Control keeps a database that tells us the number of alcohol and drug-related deaths in any locality, such as in Kent County. According to recent data:1,2
In 2018, Kent County had the second-highest rate of alcohol-related deaths at 14.2 per 100,000.
Unintentional drug overdose rates in the county rose by 48% between 2018 and 2020.
Kent County had the third-highest number of alcohol-related car crashes in 2020 (over 700).
In 2020, the county placed second for drug-related motor fatalities, with 23 recorded.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Michigan
There are various bills and laws passed in the state of Michigan to help fight the damage done by drug and alcohol addiction.
Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law: In Michigan, like most states, people that report a drug overdose are protected to some degree from prosecution if they’re also using illicit substances or in possession of drugs or paraphernalia.12 This is designed to move the focus from protecting one’s freedom to saving the life of someone in danger during an overdose.
Opiate Prescription and MAT Regulation Laws: Several bills have been passed in recent years to combat prescription misuse across Michigan. The various opiate regulation bills limit the number of opiates a physician can prescribe, require prescribers to be certified for MAT if they provide it, and require substance use service education to be provided to people who experience an overdose, among other laws.12
Paid Sick Leave Law: In Michigan, employees of most companies with over 50 people accrue paid sick leave at a rate of one hour per 35 hours worked.13 Employers may limit sick leave to 40 hours per year accrued and one hour per week, though they don’t have to. This leave time can be used for a medical necessity such as pursuing substance use treatment.
If you or someone you love needs substance addiction treatment, reach out to us anytime at
800-681-1058
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. We have compassionate, experienced counselors ready to help you verify your insurance, figure out your needs, and find accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Grand Rapids.
Resources
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). CDCWonder.
- Michigan State Police. (July 1, 2021). Michigan Annual Drunk Driving Report.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Eligibility.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. (2022). Treatment Locator.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); (2006). Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Medication-Assisted Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Methadone.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Buprenorphine.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Naltrexone.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Antabuse.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Acamprosate.
- State of Michigan. (2022). Laws and Regulations.
- Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunities. (2018). Paid Medical Leave Act Poster.
