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Drug Rehabilitation California: Achieving Recovery in The Golden State

Drug Rehabilitation California Achieving Recovery in The Golden State
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Statistics of Drug Addiction in California

Drug use in the state of California has been steadily on the rise, along with the rest of the country, with an alarming rise in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused an even higher rise in drug abuse numbers, due to the stress and uncertainty, loss, and fear that swept the nation. The good news for those affected by drug addiction is that California residents can access plenty of options for drug rehabilitation. From safe detox programs to inpatient and outpatient rehab plans, a customizable treatment program can help you quit abusing alcohol and drugs and regain your true sense of self and your health and mental wellness.

Nearly 8% of the people living in the state of California can be said to have a substance use disorder, abusing one or more substances to the point of physical dependence and addiction, but only 10% of those people are receiving treatment. Most of these people are 18-25, and may not have the knowledge or support system available to them to get the help they need.

Drug Rehabilitation California

The most abused substances in California are prescription drugs, benzodiazepines, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, and meth. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2021, 6.4% of the population of California had an alcohol use disorder, 3.3% had an addiction to illicit drugs, and 0.6% were addicted to prescription pain medications (opioids like Oxycontin, morphine, fentanyl, or hydrocodone, for example), with 5.2% of people aged 18 to 29 misusing prescription drugs casually or chronically. According to the California Health Care Foundation, over 4700 deaths occurred in the state due to prescription drug abuse in 2016, a statistic that has continued to rise over the past seven years.

Overdose deaths in California due to fentanyl have risen from 3% of overdose deaths in 2013, to 51% in 2020, a staggering rate as the production and integration of fentanyl into any and all types of street drugs has intensified over the years. Another cause of death due to opioids was misusing them along with alcohol or benzodiazepine drugs, causing respiratory failure.

Some further interesting points regarding the importance of centers for drug rehabilitation in California include:

  • Alcohol is the number one abused substance in the entire country, with 1 in 12 American adults currently abusing alcohol, and over half of Americans over the age of 12 have consumed alcohol in the past month.
  • Affluent men (earning $75,000 or higher per year) are the demographic most likely to binge drink alcohol
  • Cocaine dependence and addiction have been one of the main issues seen during rehab admissions, totaling 4% of all admissions in San Diego, and 6.8% in Los Angeles County
  • 0.4% of all Californians are currently struggling with heroin addiction
  • ER visits for issues related to methamphetamine abuse rose by 600% in San Francisco between 2011 and 2016.

These statistics are all important indicators that anybody can become addicted to drugs and alcohol. It is not a moral failing, nor is it an issue that can be easily solved by just “putting your drink down” or “trying really hard”. A person with a substance use disorder requires safe and effective treatments, in a tailored program that will address their unique needs. Holistic treatment in a comprehensive, holistic program that treats each person as an individual, not “an addict”, with structure, support, and a variety of treatments and therapies will give each patient the best possible chance of regaining their physical, spiritual, and mental health, and taking back control over their lives.

15 Signs of Drug Addiction

It may not always be easy to admit that you have developed an addiction. In fact, nobody starts drinking or using drugs thinking they want to become an addict. It usually starts out with casual use, due to curiosity, boredom, or wanting to fit in with a social group, and then the brain’s chemistry changes, and it becomes a complex labyrinth of cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and new behaviors that become a substance use disorder.

Nobody is immune to addiction. Depending on the substance you are using, addiction can sometimes occur in just a few uses. It is different for everybody, without one single root cause, and can involve underlying pain and trauma, genetics, the environment in which you grew up, behavioral issues, mental illness, and other facets.

Drugs also affect the brain itself. Each drug has its own unique effects on brain chemistry, making changes to the reward centers of the brain after entering the bloodstream. This causes a flood of feel-good neurotransmitters (like dopamine) which give the user pleasant, euphoric sensations. At first, people who use drugs do so because they feel good, but after a while, they begin to feel like they need the drug. The brain becomes accustomed to the chemicals being in the blood and slows its own production of these neurotransmitters along with other changes. This causes withdrawal symptoms to occur if the drugs are not used consistently. Drug use stimulates the reward system repeatedly until habits form, behaviors change, and drug addiction is solidified.

Some of the signs of drug addiction that should not be ignored include:

  • Developing a tolerance over time, means you need to take more of the substance to feel its effects
  • Drinking or using drugs in secret, hiding your use from loved ones and friends
  • Avoiding loved ones and friends, and/or spending more time with other drug users
  • Spending a lot of time thinking about the drug, where you are going to get it, and when you can next use it
  • Feeling off, sick, strange, or feeling unable to get through the day without drinking or using drugs
  • Spending all your money on drugs and alcohol, even if you haven’t paid your bills yet
  • Borrowing or stealing money to pay for drugs, or taking other people’s medications
  • Missing class or calling in sick to work because of a hangover or because you are high or drunk
  • Continuing to take prescription medications when you no longer need them
  • Using prescription medications in ways not prescribed by a doctor, like crushing and snorting pills or taking more at one time than was prescribed
  • “Doctor shopping” in the case of prescription drugs, so you can get more than one prescription
  • Losing interest in your hobbies and regular activities in favor of drug use
  • Having difficulty doing everyday tasks like taking care of your hygiene or cleaning the house due to being high, or being hungover
  • Continuing substance abuse even when it negatively affects your work, friendships, relationships, and health
  • Being unable to stop using the drug even when you really want to, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back

Common drug withdrawal symptoms may include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Body aches and pain, headaches, muscle cramps, and joint pain
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Anxiety and irritability
  • Appetite and sleep changes (either insomnia or sleeping too much)
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating uncontrollably
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium tremens (in the case of alcohol use disorder)
  • Depression with or without suicidal thoughts
  • Serious drug cravings that can feel impossible to ignore

If you have noticed these signs and symptoms of drug addiction in yourself or a loved one, all hope is not lost. Addiction is a treatable disease that requires a comprehensive care program, with integrated therapies to heal the mind, body, and spirit together, within a program that addresses social, practical, and psychological needs, as well as provides relapse prevention skills and case management services during drug rehabilitation. California treatment plans will also often include spiritual practices and alternative therapies like yoga or meditation to help patients rebuild their body-mind connection.

Recovery is a process that lasts a lifetime.

What Types of Drug Rehabilitation are Available in California?

There are a variety of types of drug rehabilitation California residents can take advantage of, including:

  • Detoxification programs – a detox program is the first step down the long road to recovery, taking place in the first few weeks after you use the substance for the final time. Medical detox programs are the safest type of detox program, ensuring you have 24-hour medical care and helpful prescription medications to keep you safe as your body removes harmful chemicals from your system and your brain chemistry rebalances itself
  • Inpatient rehab – this is a residential program, recommended to almost all patients for at least 30 days, as it provides a completely sober and safe environment in which you can begin healing your body, mind, and spirit after detox. You will live inside the facility day and night, with structured days planned out for you that is filled with therapy, groups, treatments, education, and other programming. Each type of treatment is designed to help you regain control over your health and your life, so you can return home with healthy habits, relapse-prevention skills, and a new outlook on life
  • Intensive outpatient program – this is a popular type of outpatient rehab, where you live at home or in a sober living residence, and travel to a rehab center several times a week for individual and group therapy, medical care, and other treatments. The IOP is often the next step after inpatient rehab, but for people who cannot “check-in” to a rehab center, it is an option that allows them to continue going to work and looking after family members while getting help with addiction.
  • Partial hospitalization program – the PHP is usually a short-term day program, usually lasting less than a month, as a transitional phase between detox or inpatient rehab and an IOP. Patients spend around 6 hours a day, 5 to 7 days a week, in group therapy, individual therapy, medical appointments, psychiatry appointments, and other treatment programs like nutrition and exercise programs and relapse prevention programs to help with the move back home after inpatient treatment
  • Customizable outpatient and aftercare treatments – depending on how you feel after you’ve been through inpatient rehab, a PHP, and/or an IOP, you may wish to continue therapy, go to support groups, and have regular medical care with prescription refills as needed. A customized outpatient program will keep you connected to all the support and care you need as you move forward in your life as a sober individual

7 Things to Consider When Choosing a Drug Rehabilitation Center

Some of the most important questions to ask yourself when you are looking at entering rehab include:

  1. Are they accredited, with licensed staff? Drug rehab takes all shapes and forms, but it is important to note that not all programs are created equal. Unfortunately, some establishments have been created to make a profit off of people who need their help and will promise a full recovery through a series of non-medical, unregulated “wellness” treatments.
  2. Do they offer the levels of care you need? Everybody has their own unique needs when it comes to drug rehabilitation. California residents can choose from inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs, and more. You will, of course, have professional guidance in determining what will be best for your health, but you will also want to think about whether you would be better off spending 30+ days inside a completely sober and supportive environment, or if an outpatient treatment plan will work better for your lifestyle. Many people will start in residential treatment, and then slowly transition back to their normal lives over a period of weeks or months.
  3. What types of treatments suit your needs, and does the center offer them? Do you need strong mental health treatments? Some facilities include dual diagnosis programs with psychiatric medications and intensive therapies dedicated to treating mental health issues alongside addiction. Are you interested in spirituality and holistic practices? There are some rehab programs that combine evidence-based therapies with alternative practices, giving you the best of both worlds.
  4. Do they offer medical detox? A medical detox program is the safest and most comfortable way to quit drugs and alcohol. It provides medical care and oversight day and night, along with prescription medications as needed to ensure you don’t suffer dangerous or painful withdrawal symptoms. Longer-term medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs are also offered in many centers, providing those with addictions to benzodiazepine drugs and opioids a longer-term maintenance and tapering-off schedule.
  5. Does the treatment center accept your health insurance? Your health insurance will cover some or all of your addiction treatment, depending on your insurance plan, what types of treatment you are receiving, and whether the facility you go to is in-network. Each insurance company has its own unique guidelines for what it will and will not cover, so it is a good idea to verify insurance coverage before committing.
  6. Do you want to travel for rehab, or stay close to home? Some people prefer to travel to a new location to go to inpatient rehab, as it can provide the feeling of a fresh start, and can get you away from the same old routines, friends, and other triggering locales. Celebrities, executives, and people who live in smaller communities may also travel for rehab to protect their privacy. Others may prefer to stay close to home because knowing that their friends and family are nearby can motivate them to work hard in the program.
  7. What happens once you finish inpatient rehab? In a residential rehab center, you move in for an average of 30 to 90 days, living in a safe, structured, supportive environment. But what happens after you are done? You will want to find a treatment center that helps you stay connected with support, therapy, medical care, and sober peers, so you are not suddenly left on your own once rehab is over. A fully supported transition back into your normal life will often include outpatient programs and support groups like 12-step or SMART recovery. Does the facility help you stay connected?

Recovery is a process that lasts a lifetime.

California Residents Can Achieve Recovery with Drug Rehabilitation at Magnolia

Magnolia is a licensed inpatient medical detox and rehab center in California, providing inclusive, caring treatment to anybody who needs it. From 24-hour medical detox to 30- to 90 days of inpatient rehab, you will be comfortable, safe, and cared for when you stay with us.

Some of the amenities, treatments, and programs you can expect at Magnolia include:

  • Private or semi-private rooms in a welcoming and safe environment
  • A swimming pool for leisure and fitness activities
  • Medical detox and medication management services
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs
  • Health-related educational programs
  • Family dynamics therapy
  • Pain management services
  • Group therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Therapeutic counseling
  • Nutrition and exercise programs
  • Art therapy and music therapy
  • Holistic practices like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga
  • Relapse prevention programs
  • Outings for recreational purposes, and outings to recovery-based meetings in the community
  • Aftercare planning services
  • Connections with our active alumni group and aftercare treatment once your program is complete

We take care to provide an inclusive environment, with accessible facilities, LGBTQ+-inclusive programs, family-focused treatments, and dual diagnosis programs for people who have co-occurring mental health issues. We will work hard to get to know you and meet your unique needs, and through evidence-based treatments that have been proven effective, we will provide you with the care that will help heal your physical, psychological, spiritual, and emotional health. Our aim is to provide a judgment-free healing environment for all.

If you are ready to take action and begin working towards a happier and healthier you, free from the chains of drug and alcohol addiction, please call our experts now at (818) 431-2224. We are available 24 hours a day to take your call.

  • As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.
    — Mahatma Gandhi

Magnolia Recovery… A Special Place to Learn and Heal

(818) 431-2224
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. Before making any decisions on your physical or mental health, please consult your doctor. The staff at Magnolia Recovery Center will work with our patients on a custom diagnosis and care plan. Specific medical advice will be provided to our patients while in our care.