While Palm Springs, California is a beautiful city surrounded by picturesque mountainous and desert landscapes, like other cities around the world, drug and alcohol abuse in Riverside County is very much present.
Palm Springs, California is a desert city located in Riverside County, within the Coachella Valley. The perfect blend of mid-century and modern, the city’s laid-back vibe and year-round sunny, warm, and dry climate, have enticed people to lay down their roots. The permanent year-round population is about 45,000 people.
Situated at the base of Southern California’s Santa Rosa Mountain, the Little San Bernardino Mountains to the north, and the San Jacinto Mountains to the west, Palm Springs is comprised of nine cities: Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho, Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella. The city is located approximately 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 140 miles northeast of San Diego.
Palm Springs Drug Abuse Statistics – You’re not alone in this struggle
Located in Southern California, Palm Springs in Riverside County is not far in distance from the United States and Mexican border. Due to this, this area has become a drug-trafficking hub for drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to smuggle drugs such as meth, cocaine, and marijuana into the state or other parts of the country.
According to the National Institutes of Health, one in 10 Americans who are age 12 and older, have substance abuse or dependence issues. Especially in Palm Springs, various reports have revealed high rates of drug addiction and alcoholism in the area, which have reached epidemic heights. Due to the high number of substance abuse-related incidences in Palm Springs, the demand for treatment has increased.
In 2015, nearly 200 people ages 25-29 died in California from overdose-related deaths. This number reflects this notion above, that there has continued to be a significant increase in the misuse of substances such as alcohol, opioids, and other drugs. If you’re suffering from drug or alcohol misuse, don’t hesitate to get help.
The Most Common Drugs Abused in Palm Springs
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth)
The most commonly abused substances in Palm Springs are alcohol, marijuana, meth, heroin, and cocaine. In 2011, results from a National Drug Threat Survey, concluded that the LA County HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) had reported crystal meth as being one of the major drug problems in the area, which raised crime rates drastically.
This was proven in 2014 when a drug bust confiscated 250 pounds of crystal meth in three homes in Riverside County, which was believed to be smuggled through Mexico.
In 2008, methamphetamine was the number one substance abused in Riverside County, resulting in 47 percent of people being admitted into a rehab facility to receive treatment for substance abuse and dependency.
Marijuana
Another drug commonly abused in Palm Springs is marijuana. Since late 2016, medicinal marijuana has been deemed legal in the state of California. In 2008, the drug became the second most popular drug abused, resulting in 20 percent of people being admitted to rehab for addiction treatment.
Alcohol
Alcoholism is not as prevalent as drug addiction in Palm Springs, CA. However, the National Health Institute states (NIH), that in the United States, it is the third leading preventable cause of death, killing an estimated 88,000 people every year.
Binge drinking is defined as heavy drinking in a short amount of time, which can cause major complications, such as liver damage, heart problems, and other physical and mental issues. Coma and death can also occur. For a man, binge drinking is considered five or more drinks and for a woman, it is considered four or more drinks in two hours.
In 2012 in Riverside County, approximately 10 percent of women and 24 percent of men were said to engage in binge drinking. Binge drinking and this heavy pattern of drinking causes people to become dependent on alcohol, and create mental, physical, and criminal problems. Behaviors that one wouldn’t consider usually acting upon occurring during these bouts of excessive drinking.
In addition, alcohol as a depressant alters one’s perceptions, lowers inhibitions, impairs coordination, and delays reaction time. This makes it extremely dangerous to operate a car while under the influence. In the same year of 2012, there were about 1,360 fatalities and injuries from motor vehicle crashes due to alcohol-related incidences.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facilities
There are various drug and alcohol rehab facilities in Palm Springs, CA, and the surrounding areas, all of which help people with different levels of addiction, and cater to their unique needs. Types of treatments used to manage substance use disorders (SUD) include:
- Inpatient/ Residential rehab
- Outpatient rehab
- Detoxification
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Aftercare
- Sober Living
In addition to the main treatment programs themselves, there is a broad range of methods used in our comprehensive plans tailored to fit everyone’s specific needs. These rehabilitation methods include:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma Counseling
- Relapse Prevention
If substance dependency has turned into a problem, and it affects you or a loved one’s ability to function, there are people just like you who are going through struggles with addiction, there is help out there! Know that you are not alone in your fight for sobriety.
Palm Springs Recovery Meetings Near Me
There are many meetings people can attend to help maintain sobriety. Below is a list of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings within Palm Springs, CA, and the surrounding areas.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
Sunny Dunes Fifth Tradition Group
Address:
4711 E. Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Alano Club
Address:
463 W. Dominguez Rd.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
AA Attitude Adjustment
Address:
559 S. Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
Alano Club
Address:
463 W. Dominguez Rd.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Saint Theresa Catholic Church
Address:
2800 East Ramon Road
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Community Center
Address:
1301 North Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, California 92262
Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Palm Springs
Addiction is considered a behavioral disease of compulsion. This means that whether a person is dependent on alcohol or drugs, such as prescription medications (opioids), cocaine, heroin, or behaviors like gambling, addiction changes the chemistry of one’s brain, which affect how the mind functions. A person with substance abuse simply cannot control their addictive behaviors, and instead, it controls them.
Truth is, addiction is a cycle and more of a deep-rooted issue, that can take up to months even years to combat. While that might be a hard pill to swallow and sound extremely scary, there is room for hope and recovery.
By entering into a rehabilitation program designed and tailored to effectively identify treat elements of addiction and mental illness, a person can receive various types of treatment to also learn beneficial resources such as life and coping skills that can help truly make a difference in one’s addiction recovery journey.
A typical rehab program lasts for three months (90 days), but, it also is based on whether someone is in residential or outpatient rehab. The time spent in a rehab center depends on various factors including the severity of one’s addiction, medical history, one’s needs, etc.
The difference between life and death is entering into an inpatient or outpatient facility in Palm Springs. While both types of rehabs are different, they both have one goal in mind, to help people with addiction to alcohol and drugs recover and maintain long-term sobriety.
Inpatient Rehab
In Palm Springs, CA, inpatient rehab also known as residential treatment, is for people who have more severe cases of drug and alcohol addiction. Individuals live at the facility and receive 24-7 monitoring and treatment.
The process begins usually with medical-assisted detox, which stabilizes the patient and removes the toxic substances from one’s body, and safely monitors them during withdrawal, where the body reacts to this unconventional removal of substances, and as a result, unwanted symptoms such as nausea, chills, diarrhea, etc., follow.
As a patient, a comprehensive treatment plan will be created by clinicians, addiction specialists, and other medical professionals with a comprehensive plan and regimen, tailored to each individual. Each person is different, and therefore, treatments will vary based on certain factors related to one’s substance abuse. This includes:
- Physical and Mental Health
- Types of Substances used
- Gender
- Family History
- Medical Needs
- Potential of Relapse
A high-quality continuum of care helps those with substance abuse is given when a patient advances from a treatment program into more individualized treatment. Coping and life skills are taught to help people be able to overcome any obstacles before and after treatment ends.
Patients who have more complex addiction issues may require more time in treatment to address mental health issues, sober living skills, relapse prevention, and other concerns.
Core components of residential treatment include:
- Assessment/Evaluation
- Group and Individual Therapy
- Mental Health Services for co-occurring disorders
- 12-Step Program
- Wellness activities and Nutrition Counseling
- Holistic Therapy
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient treatment is different from inpatient rehab because it usually occurs after inpatient treatment, and for those who need to continue their addiction recovery and sobriety.
During outpatient rehab, people also attend treatment for a designated amount of time but do not live at the facility, and return home afterward. The main point of inpatient rehab is to treat the patient while allowing them to maintain some sort of independence. Outpatient treatment programming in Palm Springs, CA, include:
Day Treatment
Also known as a partial hospitalization program (PHP), day treatment at an outpatient facility is ideal for candidates who need structure, but not as intense as inpatient rehab. Day treatment provides very beneficial resources and tools for patients, as they are receiving extra support and guidance, more than a standard outpatient program.
This entails 24-7 relapse prevention support, independence and more free time to focus on sobriety, and participation in meetings and involvement with the community.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is the next stage of care for patients who are transitioning from inpatient care to outpatient. This program makes it easier for people to transition and helps to avoid the high probability of relapse.
Getting Help in Palm Springs: How to Choose the Right Facility
In Palm Springs, CA, there are a variety of substance abuse treatment programs that help people recover from the dangerous cycle of addiction. There are various things to take into account when looking for the right facility. The number one reason why people avoid asking for help is due to financial struggles.
Finding the right facility to treat and accommodate one’s unique needs is often a major challenge. While something may work for one person, that doesn’t mean it will work for another. Everyone’s circumstances with the battle of addiction are different. Treatments will vary. However, you and your loved ones no longer have to struggle.
This is an important decision that requires extensive research, in order to make an informed choice. The NIDA believes that the best facilities, such as Ken Seeley Rehab here in Palm Springs, have treatment programs, which are tailored to meet the needs, addition, and any other underlying illnesses, such as a mental illness that can be a major contributing factor.
Mental Health Services in Palm Springs
Having both a mental illness and substance abuse is called dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. Unfortunately, there’s still a gap between those needing treatment and those actually receiving them. According to a report by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), in the state of California, out of 1,175,000 people living with serious mental illnesses, about 34 percent received treatment.
At Ken Seeley Rehab and other treatment facilities in Palm Springs, co-occurring disorders and addiction are treated simultaneously.
As mental illness is often overlooked and left undiagnosed, to avoid an individual’s substance abuse from worsening, medical professionals are taking better approaches to diagnose people more accurately during the detoxification process.
After treating substance abuse and mental illness, both conditions can be managed more efficiently with methods of therapy and medication management.
Life With Addiction Doesn’t Have to Remain A Reality
If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse in Palm Springs, California and the surrounding areas, contact Ken Seeley Rehab’s team of addiction specialists by calling us today Help is one step away, and know you do not have to deal with addiction any longer!
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml
https://www.drug-rehabs.org/California-Palm_Springs-drug-rehab-treatment.htm