Expert Insights
Last year, Buffalo broke its own record of fatal overdose numbers. A staggering 283 overdose deaths were accounted for, making it clear that the city is desperate for more treatment centers and local recovery assets. But something that many cities run into is Not In My Back Yard or NIMBY. People don’t mind the idea of drug rehabs coming to the city, but when those facilities are located close to their own homes, they often protest and start petitions to prevent local clinics from operating. That’s exactly what new outpatient treatment clinics are running into in Buffalo, which means we have do do a better job of educating the public and making them understand their neighborhoods will remain safe.
~ Natalie Baker
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Buffalo?
The factors that contribute to your care costs vary depending on the type and severity of your addiction, as well as your location, what type of insurance you have, and what type of treatment you’re looking for.
How Does Buffalo Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and alcohol have caused an increasing amount of damage across the state of New York and the city of Buffalo. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use disorder and addiction, getting professional treatment could be the difference between life and death.
No matter your needs and preferences, you can find a program that’s right for you at one of the more than 40 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Buffalo.1
Among the different substances misused in Buffalo, opiates, prescribed and street-purchased, top the charts for damage caused in hospital admissions and overdoses.1 Here are some key notes about substance abuse in Erie County, the seat of Buffalo, NY:2,3,4,5
In 2019, Erie County ranked among the highest number of hospital discharges due to opioid use.
The rate of opioid overdoses (other than heroin), is higher in Erie county than rates across the state in 2020.
Between 2015 to 2017, the rate of overdose deaths caused by fentanyl tripled in counties outside of NYC.
Cocaine overdose rates across the state skyrocketed from 2015 to 2019, totaling 1,320.
If you’re one of the countless people around the county impacted by substance abuse, look for Buffalo drug rehabs to help you find your way to recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Buffalo, New York
Various bills and laws have been created to help battle the problems that substance use causes the community of Buffalo:
Opioid Courts: The first in the nation, Buffalo created their Opioid Court program in 2017 to help save lives. This program offers day-of-arrest intervention that can help put people into opioid addiction treatment instead of jail. This is a pre-plea, voluntary program that involves daily judicial supervision, medical detox, and wrap-around services, which could be transferred into a stay in rehab, or to engage in recovery support services while pursuing deposition.15
Alternatives to Incarceration Programs: Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) is an overarching series of pretrial services and policies, and programs to give people a chance to seek therapy instead of facing sentencing. There are 165 such programs across the state and in Buffalo.16
Good Samaritan Overdose Law: If you’re in the presence of or experiencing an overdose, you can reach out to emergency services without fear of jail time if you have drugs or paraphernalia.# This law has limits, but it’s designed to encourage people to save a life by calling 911, even if they are using or sharing illegal drugs.17
Resources
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- New York State Department of Health. (2021). Opioid Annual Data Report.
- New York State Department of Health. (April, 2022). County Opioid Quarterly Report.
- New York State Department of Health. (January, 2022). Opioid Prevention Program: Data to Action Overdose Deaths Involving Methamphetamine With and Without Fentanyl in New York State, Outside of New York City, 2016-2020.
- New York State Department of Health. (February, 2019). Opioid Prevention Program: Data to Action: Fentanyl-related deaths in New York State outside of New York City, 2015-2017.
- New York State Department of Health. (July, 2021). Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine With and Without Opioids in New York State, 2010-2019.
- 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). Methadone.
- New York State Department of Health. (April, 2021). New York State Guidance for Accessing Buprenorphine through Telemedicine.
- 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.
- New York State Unified Court System. (2022). Opioid Courts.
- New York State Department of Criminal Justice. (2022). Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Programs
- New York State Department of Health. (2022). 911 Good Samaritan Law.