Statistics support that the number of drug users throughout the United States continues to grow. While millions of Americans suffer from chronic illness, there have been few alternatives over the years to this growing problem. Opioid pain medications have been the sole medication prescribed by doctors to treat problems such as fibromyalgia, reflex sympathetic disorder, and other chronic related illnesses that have no cure. However, opioids and other drugs cause severe substance use disorders in California that need to be addressed. Learn more about the scope of drug use in California.
California Drug Rehab Statistics
California, with its 37,253,956 residents, is the most populous state in the union. The larger a population, the more significant the statistics will be relating to issues such as addiction. There are two major cities in California at the forefront of this issue–Los Angeles and San Francisco– but around eight percent of the state as a whole is struggling with the physical and mental consequences associated with drug abuse and addiction. Only ten percent of those people receive treatment.
Most Commonly Abused Substances In California
There are a variety of illicit and prescription drugs that are abused for recreational purposes in California. The most common illicit drugs come from drug trafficking over the border and by sea. In the United States, marijuana is the most coming illegal drug. Since marijuana’s recreational legalization in California in 2016, the most easily accessible illegal drug is heroin.
California’s Drug Rehab History And Rankings
Because of California’s proximity to Mexico, there is a high availability of drugs that are trafficked into the country. Prescription and illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine and heroin, are trafficked by transnational criminal organizations like the Mexican cartels. California has addressed the substance abuse problem in the state, and alongside the CDC, it has rolled out a comprehensive approach to help combat the issue facing the Golden State.
These New Measures Include:
- Safe prescribing practices. Doctors have long been prescribing opioids liberally, and that has been said to contribute to the growing problem. According to NIDA, prescription opioid abuse is a risk factor for heroin addiction.
- Access to treatment. Centers, such as California Highlands Addiction Treatment, are on the front lines of the California substance abuse treatment initiative being rolled out.
- Naloxone distribution. Naloxone, better known as Narcan, has been distributed to paramedics and first responders throughout the country to help combat drug overdoses. This life-saving medicine is now carried by first responders. It works by completely reversing an opioid’s effects, bringing someone out of an overdose instantly.
- Public education campaign. California has begun delving into public education campaigns by raising awareness about this epidemic ravaging the state.
- Data-Informed/driven interventions. The state has planned on keeping better statistics regarding this matter to help follow in the influx of drug abuse.
Quick Treatment Facts
Substance abuse treatment is a method of approaching substance use disorders to address and treat every aspect of an individual’s addiction. This includes the physical and mental aspects of substance abuse to dig to the root of the problem.
Effective drug rehab programs will use evidence-based treatment with a proven track record of effectiveness and success. This must be backed by addiction research and the science community.
When necessary, addiction treatment may offer medication management, allowing the client to transition back to sobriety more comfortably.
