Southern California Drug Rehabs

In 2016, a report released by DrugAbuse.gov showed that more than 2,000 deaths in California were related to opioid overdose. This number is equivalent to almost 5 deaths for every 100,000 people. Though the number of opioid overdose deaths is actually lower than the national rate of 13 deaths for every 100,000 persons, synthetic opioid and heroin-related deaths have dramatically increased from 362 to almost 600 and from 146 to almost 400 deaths, respectively.

In the past, California used to issue almost 60 opioid prescriptions for every 100 individuals, or equivalent to 21 million prescriptions per year. Last year, the total average rate of opioid prescriptions in the entire United States is 79 and since then, the number of opioid prescriptions has continuously decreased. In California, the decrease was recorded at 13% from 2013 to 2015 or roughly 50 prescriptions for every 100 people. This data was collected and published by the IMS Health in 2016.

California’s problem with drugs is nasty according to an article published in the New York Times. If you walk down the streets, you would see people using syringes or simply shooting up in plain sight. The “over-visibility” of these people high on drugs is one of the major reasons why local government authorities pushed for the establishment of supervised injection sites. It was only this year that the 3-year pilot program for the establishment and launch of these supervised injection siteswas approved. Now, the intravenous drug users can come to the center to shoot up with a medical professional as a watcher.

The ratio behind this legislation is to clean the streets, lessen the incidences of a drug overdose, reduce spreading of diseases from improper disposal of the syringes and other drug paraphernalia, and to slowly bring these addicted individuals to rehab. This effort of the local government is complementary in increasing the number of Southern California drug rehabilitation centers and treatment programs.

Drug Rehabilitation in Southern California

As we know, drug and alcohol addiction is dangerous and if continuously abused for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to serious diseases and even death. To mitigate or to stop the damages and ill effects of substance use disorder, it is ideal to start treatment now. Rehabs in California offer hundreds of treatment programs and recovery options that can help individuals address the adverse physical, psychological, mental, and overall effects of addiction. Also, California drug rehab offers treatment programs that include the patients’ families to help them understand the patient and to also help them heal from the ill effects of substance use disorder. Overall, Southern California rehabs can help patients and their respective families reclaim their lives and put it back on track.

Aside from mentioned above, alcohol, marijuana, and stimulants are the substances that the majority of people in California abuse, hence, most addiction centers in California offer treatment programs to help patients addicted to these substances cope with their addiction and improve their overall chance at recovery. For every type of substance use disorder, California addiction treatment facilities have unique treatment programs.

Traveling to another state—such as a rehab center in New Mexico—can be very beneficial for the patient.

Why Choose Recovery Centers and Drug Rehab in Southern CA?

Since there is an increasing rate in drug overdose cases all over California, more people are rushing to make the choice of turning their lives around and seek professional help as soon as possible. Even their national and local authorities have the strong political will to help its people get rid of the drug problem.

As a matter of fact, more than 200,000 Californians have already enrolled themselves to drug rehab in CA and get treatment from a southern California drug treatment center.

If you want to travel all the way to California to get help from drug addiction treatment centers in California, you are free to do so, but you have to take note that you also have to consider closely whether or not what you need is there. In treating addiction, not only the rehab center location must be considered. Other more important things like the type of addiction treatment best for your condition, your preferences in terms of therapies and treatment programs must also be clear for you so that you can maximize your treatment and recovery chances.

Rehab California Admissions

Marijuana, heroin, and amphetamines top the list of the most abused drugs in southern California. As of now, there are thousands of rehab admissions for these drugs. Also, opioid addiction admission has also increased dramatically this year. In 2013, a total of almost 200,000 substance use disorder cases were reported. The top drugs on the list are as follows:

• Amphetamines — 30%
• Heroin — 20%
• Marijuana — 18%
• Alcohol — 11%
• Alcohol and a second drug — 10%
• Opioids — 5%

Government Prevention and Care Services

Services related to substance use disorder in the California area are being handled by the Mental Health Substance Use Disorder Services (MHSUDS) division of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) of California. As such, they work to decrease, if not, eradicate the incidences of alcohol and drug abuse among the citizens of California. Their goal is to provide recovery programs and preventive measure to all areas of the state. If your desired type of treatment is not available in Southern California, consider seeking out the details of a rehab in Arizona.

Some of their services include the following:

• Emergency psychotherapy and counseling sessions
• Assessment of substance use disorder addiction
• Detoxification
• Hospitalization
• Outpatient services
• Aftercare and recovery programs

For qualified residents subscribed to Medicaid, state-funded rehabs are available. In accredited treatment facilities, outpatient and inpatient treatments are provided and covered by the state’s Medicaid program.

Drug Courts in Southern California

For non-violent drug offenders in California, they have a specific court called drug courts which aim to reduce incidences of drug abuse and the crimes resulting from it. Through these courts, offenders who are addicted to drugs and other substances are offered rehab and treatment they need.

In lieu of jail time, these non-violent offenders brought to the drugs court are given intensive therapies and treatment sessions to help them with their substance use disorder problem. While under intensive treatment, these people are also being closely monitored and are being randomly tested for drugs. A judge will review the person’s progress and if he fails to uphold the requirements set by the court, he can be removed instantaneously and be brought to be sentenced in a regular court.

California’s In-Prison Substance Use Disorder Treatment (SAT) System

This kind of program is actually offered to offenders who have a history of alcohol or substance use disorder. This is being offered and regulated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The participants of this program who continue to commit substance-related offenses will be handed over to the ML-SAT program to receive more rigorous care. The latter program aims to provide three levels of recovery to each inmate. The kind and intensity of care are dependent on the needs of the inmate.

The purpose of the in-prison SAT program is to lessen the instances of reoffending, or an individual’s continuous commission of a criminal offense despite having served his sentence. This is done by teaching these inmates how to stay away from addictive substances after they are released.

A Glimpse of the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law

This law took effect January 1, 2013. The ratio behind the creation of the said law is to reduce the number of drug overdose cases in Southern California. The Good Samaritan law encourages any individual who encountered or witnessed a case of a drug overdose to immediately call and seek assistance from a healthcare professional. Such law provides protection to these witnesses from arrest or any drug-related cases filed against them. The law is only applicable to low-level violations though. A classic example of these low-violation cases is possession of small drug quantities. Anybody who encounters these cases can simply call 911 free of fear and from criminal charges.

California’s Overdose Treatment Act

This law allows all healthcare providers to distribute the drug Naloxone to address or save someone from opioid overdose. Naloxone is the most potent antidote to oxycodone, morphine, or heroin overdose.

The California Overdose Treatment Act does not impute criminal liability to any healthcare provider giving out Naloxone in cases of opioid overdose. In fact, the act makes Naloxone a standard medical practice for treating opioid overdose. Non-medical personnel following the doctors’ orders are also protected from criminal prosecution by this law. If there is more information you’re interested in feel free to check out our resources page to find the answers to all the questions you have.