Substance Abuse Stats in San Diego, CA
Meth, heroin, and prescription opioids have caused problems in San Diego since 2014. Prescription painkiller abuse in San Diego is on par with the national average at 5%.
More than half of California 11th-graders have used alcohol, a common gateway drug. Another 40% have used cannabis.
Other substance abuse stats in San Diego include:
- 27% of people on a drug abuse monitoring program reported using prescription opioids before heroin in 2014
- 8% of people living in California had substance abuse disorder in 2018
- 90% of people with substance abuse disorder in California didn’t get treatment in 2018
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
You don’t have to be part of the 90% of Californians who skip treatment! Outpatient and inpatient rehab are solid options that can help you take your life back.
- Outpatient rehab is the best choice for patients who have already finished inpatient. It’s also a good choice if you’re stable enough to handle your own care. If you work full-time or have children, outpatient can be appealing.
- Inpatient rehab is the right choice for most patients. It’s normal to need some added stability in the early days of treatment. Inpatient removes you from the stresses of everyday life so you can focus on getting better.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Substance abuse treatment commonly lasts anywhere from 30 days to 12 months. Your outcome is better the longer you stay in treatment.
While 30- and 60-day rehabs are common, 90-day rehabs are the shortest length that’s proven to work.
Shorter rehabs put you at a higher risk of relapse. It takes time to relearn how to live without drugs. Ending treatment prematurely takes that time away from you!
If you’re using medication-assisted treatment (such as Suboxone), then 12 months is the shortest recommended treatment length.
What to Expect at Rehab
At rehab, you should expect lots of busy days without much downtime. You’ll work to keep your mind on recovery and off drugs.
A typical day in rehab might include:
- Activities such as journaling, art, yoga, or music.
- Check-In with your care provider so you can ask questions about your care.
- Cognitive therapy to help you learn new coping strategies.
- Group therapy in the form of a support group or 12-Step group.
Of course, no two rehab plans are the same! Your substance abuse history is unique and so is your care plan. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that’s your own.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
You need to go to detox if you are dependent on any drug.
Most rehab centers aren’t set up for withdrawal. Withdrawal is a physically intense phase that includes:
- Agitation
- Cravings
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
The withdrawal comes on after you stop using a drug. It can last hours or days and it’s the most common reason to relapse.
Medical centers that offer a detox program can help you through this part. Symptom management keeps you comfortable through even the hardest parts.
It’s especially important to go to detox if you’re recovering from benzos or alcohol.
How Long is Detox?
It’s hard to predict detox length exactly, but your care provider can make a good guess based on:
- The drugs that you use, including amounts and how often.
- Whether you use multiple drugs at once, which can complicate detox.
- Your metabolism, which depends on your age, weight, height, lifestyle, diet, and genetics.
- Your health, including liver health.
Detox can last a few days to a few weeks and it’s different for everyone. Medical detox centers offer detox programs anywhere from three days to 21 days or more. If you’re not sure what detox program is right for you, ask your care provider.