California Drug Rehabs

California Addiction Treatment

Drug use in California is showing a steady increase in the number of people abusing drugs and alcohol with the numbers doubling over the last two years. For this reason, California features many treatment options to help individuals recover and have control of their lives. According to statistics, marijuana, stimulants, as well as alcohol abuse, take top positions for addiction treatment in this state. There are approximately 2,000 licensed addiction treatment facilities across California.

To acknowledge that substance abuse in California is becoming a problem, laws and regulations are enforced for people to follow. With the passage of SB 823 in September 2018, addiction treatment facilities should adopt the minimum standard of care as detailed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine(ASAM). In the same year, the California Department of Health Care Services received the State Opioid Response Grant. This seeks to improve access to addiction treatment, boost prevention efforts, as well as educate people with the aim of reducing the number of deaths from an opioid overdose.

According to CHCF.org:

• Alcohol abuse rates are higher as compared to other substance abuse disorders. With 6% of the state’s residence walking in for alcohol addiction treatment as opposed to 3% who walk in for illicit drug addiction problems.
• Addiction treatment for substance abuse is common among young adults between the ages of 18-25.
• Between the years 2006 and 2017, heroin-related emergency department visits tripled in number.

California addiction treatment services are managed through community-based providers. These are contracted by the County Mental Health Departments or by private institutions or persons. Despite their differences, they provide primary care providers, mental health, medical help, as well as substance abuse treatment. They will customize the program to help address the specific concerns from one individual to another.

California Drug Courts

Drug abuse has a link to criminal behavior. With the increase in drug abuse, the rate of drug-related cases also increased. The focus on addressing substance abuse led to the birth of drug courts. These are special court programs that are specific to non-violent drug offenders who want to overcome their addiction. The key objective for creating these courts is to help reduce drug use as well as cut crimes related to drug abuse. Persons caught are pushed to receiving the necessary help with the assumption that they will be able to make better decisions when they are sober.

These courts will provide substance abuse therapy as opposed to a jail term for the offenders. The therapy process will take a minimum of a year. During rehab, they will monitor the individuals closely and randomly test them for drug use. They are also required to report to court regularly so that the judge can review their progress.

In the event that the law-offender does not meet the requirements as provided by the courts, that person will be sentenced to the regular justice system. This means that they will no longer enjoy the therapy and counseling programs.

In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment (SAT) Program

Substance abusers tend to break the law very often. This state has the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This in-prison treatment program is suited for individuals who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. The program will treat inmates from substance abuse and reduce the chances of the individuals continuing a life of crime. Considering that inmates come with different needs, this program offers three recovery levels.

Outpatient therapy

This level lasts for three months and the individual should make an appearance at least three times a week.

Intensive outpatient care

This level lasts for five months and the individual should attend the sessions five times a week.

Modified Therapeutic Community (MTC)

This program is designed for addict offenders who have shown co-occurring mental disorders. This level will last six months with the individual attending it five times a week.

California Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law

The Good Samaritan law was created in the year 2013 with the objective of attempting to reduce the number of overdose cases in the state. Due to this law, if you witness a drug overdose, you need to call for help. Initially, many did not report such cases with the fear that law enforcers may arrest them.

However, this law does not protect those who possess drugs in large quantities or for those selling drugs. Only those who have small amounts of drugs receive a get out of jail free card. The ideology is to help save someone from dying because of an overdose.

California Overdose Treatment Act

According to the California Overdose Treatment Act, healthcare providers can distribute naloxone for the treatment of opioid overdose. This drug has the ability to reverse or block the effects of opioids. You can control an overdose from opioid drugs such as heroin, oxycodone, and morphine by using naloxone as an antidote.

This act seeks to protect healthcare providers from civil or criminal liability when they prescribe, dispense or oversee the distribution of naloxone to remedy an opioid overdose or as part of standard medical practice. In addition, you can also distribute the drug despite being non-medical personnel to an individual but only under a professional’s standing orders. Therefore, the doctor and the non-medical personnel as listed are protected from liability under the Overdose Treatment Act.

Drug overdose is a very common problem in California showing a significant increase. This is the reason the drug Naloxone is also covered under Medicare.

California addiction treatment is diverse with the aim of meeting the specific needs and preferences of the addict. With more than 2,000 licensed centers, rehabs offer several treatment options depending on the drug you are abusing, how long you have been abusing it, as well as depending on the effects you are showing.

The state of California has provided specific laws such as the Overdose Treatment Act and the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act to provide individuals with access to treatment options. The presence of Drug Courts also plays a major role in regulating drug-related crimes in the state. Treatment programs are showing a higher number of men seeking treatment as compared to females.