Substance Abuse Stats for the City of Santa Cruz, California
Drug and alcohol statistics for Santa Cruz, California, indicate a growing problem with overdoses. Among some key facts are these for the city and for the county:
- In 2018, 17 people died in the city from methamphetamine overdoses. In the first half of 2019, another 22 people died from these overdoses.
- In 2017, 19 people died from opioid overdoses in the county. Opioids such as heroin and prescription drugs are a leading cause of overdoses in the area.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient Treatment: Also known as residential treatment, a person will receive 24-hour care in a drug-free facility. They also receive constant support through individual and group therapy, treatments, and medication support.
Outpatient Treatment: Though individuals can go home at night, most spend up to 8 hours a day, 6 days a week receiving care in treatment initially. Most people then move on to less frequent traditional outpatient care.
Outpatient treatment tends to continue for several months until no longer needed.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The length of rehab depends on a person’s needs. The average in Santa Crus is 90 days, though some programs are as short as 60 days and others as long as six months. Each person receives care that’s designed for their needs. Health, including both physical and mental, plays a role in how long they receive this care.
Rehab should never be rushed. Doing so puts a person at risk for overdose and relapse.
What to Expect at Rehab
During rehab, a person at the best drug and alcohol treatment centers in Santa Cruz will receive a full assessment and a customized treatment plan. That plan may include:
- Medications to stop cravings and minimize other withdrawal symptoms
- Therapy, including individual and group therapy, through a variety of treatment programs
- Mental health support for those with depression, anxiety, or other concerns
- Holistic care to work on improving your body and spirit
- Family support and therapy
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Detox is beneficial for those in active addiction. That means you are still using or still experiencing cravings. It helps to stop the dependence that often leads to the inability to stop using on your own. Most people need detox if:
- They continue to use drugs or alcohol
- Cannot stop using
- Have used drugs for a long time
- Have other health problems or mental health concerns
- Their therapist recommends it as a first step in receiving care
How Long is Detox?
Detox is an individual process, one that occurs based on your body’s ability to metabolize and remove the drugs from your system. This can take 3 days for some people, but as long as 21 for others. The length can be longer for those who:
- Have a slow metabolism
- Have used a high-risk drug
- Have other health ailments such as organ failure
Your doctors will move you to residential care once you gain stability after detox treatment when it’s needed.