In 2020, 8% of Californians (roughly 2.7 million people) reported having a substance use disorder (SUD). Another 18% of adults in California reported excessive drinking, including binge drinking or heavy drinking within the past month. This is just 0.4% over the U.S. national average.1
There are more alcohol-related deaths in California than anywhere else in the U.S. However, underage drinking is very low in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 308,831 years of total potential life lost to alcohol among Californians.1
Excessive drinking demographics look like this in California:1
While excessive drinking is not always a sign of an addiction to alcohol, it can become a significant risk factor for AUD.
In 2021, about 12.7% of adults reported using prescription drugs nonmedically—including pain relievers, stimulants, and sedatives—or illicit drugs, excluding cannabis. This is 0.7% above the national average.2
Here are a few more statistics related to nonmedical drug use among adults in California:2
In 2019, roughly 146,000 people aged 12 and over were admitted to California rehab facilities.3 About 33,000 of those admissions were due to alcohol-related addiction, while the remaining admissions were due to various nonmedical substance uses.3
Here is a breakdown of non-alcohol related rehab admissions in 2019:3
The cost of alcohol and drug rehab in California can depend on various factors, including:
Typically, inpatient or residential California rehab cost significantly more than outpatient rehab because you also pay to reside at the facility. Rehab facilities that are classified as “executive” or provide luxury amenities to patients are costlier.
However, treatment costs should not prevent your access to care. California offers several free and low-cost rehab options that provide sliding-scale fees based on your current financial standing. If you have health insurance, whether it is private or public, several facilities will accept your insurance and provide at least partial coverage, depending on your provider or plan.
California adults who previously avoided rehabilitation care due to cost decreased 28% from 11.9% to 8.6% between 2019 and 2020.2
Circa 2019, there were over 1,700 rehab facilities across the state of California. These facilities accept several payment methods.4 Of those facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:4
Regardless of which California treatment program you decide is best for you, ask about financing or alternative payment options. Most facilities are able and willing to assist you, no matter your financial situation.
California is home to several specialized treatment centers. Here are a few of the most popular centers for alcohol and drug rehab in California.
The Hills Treatment Center, a four-acre property located in the rolling hills of Los Angeles, provides progressive addiction treatment and recovery methods. Professionals at The Hills tailor treatment to fit each person’s specific needs. They offer a variety of specialized services, including:
Founded in 2014, Revive Recovery and Detox Services is a residential treatment center located in Fairfax, Los Angeles. It offers services to aid detox and rehabilitation from drugs or alcohol. This facility provides a variety of specialized programs for men, women, young adults, and LGBTQ+ clients. Their services include:
Bel Air is a residential treatment facility offering several luxury amenities, including a meditation room, yoga studio, music room, and art activities. Residents have immediate access to scenic views and surrounding hiking trails for exercise and outdoor activities. Accredited by both the Joint Commission and CARF, Bel Air offers a variety of rehab programs, including:
Foundations San Francisco is a Joint Commission-accredited facility offering dual diagnosis intensive outpatient treatment in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Their part-time program provides quality addiction treatment services and any co-occurring mental health concerns. Foundations also offer a variety of client amenities, including:
For over 60 years, Ohlhoff has provided addiction treatment in Northern California. This facility offers all levels of care, including nonmedical detox services, short– and long-term residential, intensive outpatient programming, and more. Ohlhoff accepts most major private insurance plans that can be verified with one of their program assistants. Ohloff’s addiction treatment programs include:
At Real Hope Recovery (RHR), patients experience a combination of addiction treatment and intensive therapy. This facility provides a small, intimate environment that enables individualized care and recovery. Real Hope Recovery offers several levels of care, including:
Douglas Young BPSR Center is a Bio-Psychosocial Rehabilitation program of Community Research Foundation. It offers psychosocial rehabilitation services for adults 18 and older diagnosed with serious mental illness and individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Their levels of care include:
Most people are not sure what to expect when they start alcohol and drug rehab. The process can often seem overwhelming and a bit daunting. However, seeking help is the most vital decision you can make for yourself or your loved one. In the time leading up to your treatment, it is completely normal to feel anxious or uneasy, but rest assured you are not alone. To give you a little peace of mind, here are a few things you can expect out of drug rehab in California.
If your alcohol or drug rehab is a designated inpatient program, you will reside at the facility for the duration of your treatment, which could last anywhere from 30 to 90 days, if not longer, on an as-needed basis.
Upon arrival, the first thing you will be asked to do is complete intake paperwork, and your personal belongings will be searched for prohibited items like drugs, alcohol, weapons, etc. Then, a treatment expert will conduct your first assessment to evaluate your personal history, including:
After your assessment, a specialist will create an individualized treatment plan to best serve your specific needs. While every California rehab facility offers different programs and treatment methods, your initial plan will probably look like this:
Depending on your chosen facility, your treatment plan also may include experimental or holistic activities like creative arts or yoga.
Outpatient programs allow you to live at home and continue your daily work/activities while attending regular therapy sessions at a facility. Depending on where you receive outpatient treatment, your sessions can vary in frequency and length. Standard outpatient includes a few hours of care per week and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) providing several hours of therapy per day.
If you opt for outpatient treatment, California has several flexible options you can investigate. There are a variety of outpatient options offered in California, ranging in levels of intensity:
Many people who select outpatient programs also supplement their treatment with other forms of peer support. Groups included in this category are step-by-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
By definition, a person with a dual diagnosis has both a mental health disorder and an alcohol or drug use disorder.5 These conditions are often co-occurring. About half of people who have a mental health disorder will also have a substance abuse disorder at some point in their lives.5 Fortunately, many facilities in California offer dual diagnosis treatment, including most of the centers we have already listed above.
Location and travel have frequently been cited as major obstacles to receiving alcohol or drug rehabilitation. Many people still do not have the option or the ability to obtain in-person treatment.
Fortunately, virtual and telehealth services are helping to provide access to treatment regardless of your location. These forms of virtual treatment vary in program type but may include methods such as group therapy, individual counseling, and doctor’s appointments. Make sure to check with your insurance to see if virtual care is covered under your plan before choosing this option.
Telehealth and virtual addiction treatment are now available from many sites, including:
According to California Labor Code Section 1025-1028, employers with 25 or more employees are required to provide accommodation to employees who voluntarily elect to attend alcohol or drug rehab. These accommodations may include anything from unpaid time off or permission to use sick leave or vacation time. Employees who want to attend addiction treatment may be able to request time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
Proposition 36, also known as the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000, is a criminal sentencing initiative passed in California in November 2000. Prop 36 states that eligible nonviolent drug offenders may serve their time in a drug treatment program instead of in jail or prison.6
California’s substance use disorder services have been expanded under Senate Bill 110 to include contingency management (CM)—an incentivized treatment program—as a benefit covered by Medi-Cal.7 Patients who exhibit substance-free behavior, like drug-free urine tests, are rewarded with vouchers or gift cards as part of a CM program. The most common use of CM is to treat addictions to methamphetamine and cocaine, but it also is helpful for recovery from alcohol use disorders.8
The California Senate Bill 349 officially passed as of April 2022. It created the California Ethical Treatment for Persons with Substance Use Disorder Act to protect SUD treatment clients and their families. This bill calls for all individuals and families of individuals receiving addiction care to be treated with dignity, honesty, and respect. It requires treatment providers doing business in the state to adopt a client bill of rights for persons receiving treatment for substance use disorder, as specified, and to make the bill of rights available to all clients and prospective clients.9
In 2013, California became the tenth state to institute a 911 Good Samaritan overdose fatality prevention law.10 This law provides limited protection from arrests, charges, or prosecution for people who seek emergency medical care or someone experiencing a drug overdose.
Many people engaging in drug or alcohol users who find themselves witnessing a potential overdose often resist calling for help for fear of legal repercussions. Fortunately, the Good Samaritan law prioritizes the safety of those who need serious medical attention over the punishment for illegal substance use. That being said, if you believe someone has overdosed, please do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.
Addiction treatment is a unique and personal experience for everyone. What works best for someone else may not be the best option for you. You must take plenty of time to evaluate the correct rehab facility for you or someone close to you. Here are a few things to consider:
Finding the right center for drug or alcohol rehab in California is an extremely important decision, but it should not be a difficult one, necessarily. Do not be discouraged, however, if the multitude of options state-wide becomes overwhelming.
It is our mission to connect you with the facilities and resources that can best aid your specific recovery. Our team of treatment specialists can help you narrow down your options to find the perfect fit. Call (800) 662-HELP (4357) today to get started.
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