Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Carlsbad
Recent reports revealed the following about drug and alcohol use in San Diego County, as well as overdoses and treatment admissions:1,3,4
Close to 19% of residents reported marijuana use in the past year between 2016 to 2018.
Nearly 53% reported alcohol use in the past month between 2016 to 2018.
Less than 1% reported heroin use in the past year between 2016 to 2018.
Nearly 400 residents were admitted to the hospital for opioid overdose in 2020.
Almost 4% reported cocaine use in the past year between 2016 to 2018.
About 1,200 people visited the emergency department in 2020 because of opioid overdose.
More than 500 people died from opioid overdose in 2020.
Levels of Substance Abuse Care
Multiple levels of care exist for addiction treatment. Some California residents require all levels of care during their journey to recovery, while others receive only the less intensive options.
Medical Detox
Detox is the process of removing drugs or alcohol from your system, safely and comfortably, in a supervised medical setting. Many people choose a medical detox program to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. This is often the first step in the treatment process, completed before transitioning into formal treatment services.
Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Inpatient or residential treatment involves living at a rehab facility to receive 24/7 care. A combination of treatment interventions is provided, including individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, and medication.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs): PHPs allow California residents to live at home while attending treatment at a hospital. They often receive many of the same treatment as inpatient care, but can return home during non-treatment hours.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): A step down from a PHP, IOPs allow California residents to attend counseling several days each week, while spending the rest of their time at home, working, or fulfilling other obligations.
Standard Outpatient: As the least intensive treatment option, standard outpatient care is appropriate for California residents who are highly motivated and have a strong support system. It involves just one or two hours of treatment per week.
Relapse Prevention
Aftercare, or relapse prevention, provides ongoing support after a rehab program is complete. Aftercare may include 12-step groups, non-12-step groups like SMART Recovery, ongoing therapy, sober living homes, and more.
Financing Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Carlsbad
Rehab costs don’t have to hinder you from receiving the care you need. Carlsbad, California, has several free and low-cost funding options for people with low income or limited financial resources. Consider the following funding options if you have no health insurance coverage and cannot afford to pay out of pocket for substance use treatment.
State-funded treatment centers: These treatment centers receive state and federal funding to deliver low-cost and free rehab for residents who can’t pay for their services. You can expect to choose from numerous rehabs in Carlsbad. San Diego County delivers state-funded rehab through contracts, county-operated programs, and fee-for-service providers. State-funded rehab services include residential treatment, withdrawal management, post-treatment recovery services, expanded case management, and medicated assisted treatment services.5
Grant-funded rehabs: Some drug and alcohol rehabs in Carlsbad are funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration with grants. This enables rehabs to provide low-cost and free addiction treatment. You can expect affordable treatment if you seek care from a grant-funded rehab.
Rehab scholarships: Some rehab centers in Carlsbad offer rehab scholarships that cover part or all of the treatment costs. You can contact the program and apply for a scholarship. However, the facility may have stipulations, such as revoking the scholarship if you leave the program prematurely. You should ask the program about the requirements of the rehab scholarship before applying.
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Here is a list of free drug rehab options in Carlsbad and San Diego County:
- San Diego Rescue Mission Haven of Hope
- VA San Diego Healthcare System
- San Diego County Teen Challenge
Private Insurance, Medicare, and Medi-Cal
You can expect many of the rehabs in Carlsbad and San Diego County to accept private group and individual insurance coverage from Kaiser Permanente, United Health, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many others. You can significantly reduce the total cost of drug and alcohol misuse treatment in Carlsbad by using private insurance. The reduction will depend on the type of insurance and your plan. You can call the number on the back of your insurance card to find out how much of your rehab cost is covered by insurance.
Medicare and Medicaid Can Cover Treatment
Similarly, Medicare and Medicaid may cover some or all of your rehab costs. Medicare is government-funded health insurance that provides insurance coverage for people over 65. You are eligible for Medicare three months before you turn 65; however, you may qualify for Medicare earlier if you have ALS, disability, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).6 You can expect coverage for the following treatments with Medicare:7
- Alcohol misuse screenings
- Opioid use disorder treatment services
- Telehealth
- Inpatient treatment
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Alcohol misuse screenings
- Outpatient rehab
- Partial hospitalization
On the other hand, Medicaid is a federal and state government-funded health insurance that provides coverage for people with low income and limited financial resources. Eligibility for Medi-Cal, the California version of Medicaid, is based on income and family size. Medi-Cal covers certain addiction treatments, including substance use prevention, treatment, intervention, and recovery services across the lifespan of San Diego County residents.8
The following rehab facilities in Carlsbad and San Diego County accept Medicare and Medi-Cal:
- San Diego Teen Challenge
- Southeast Mental health Clinic
- North Central Mental Health Center
Additional Carlsbad Payment Options
Private Insurance
Every insurance provider in the U.S. is required by law to provide at least some coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. California residents should contact their provider to confirm specific coverage provided by their carrier, including applicable copays.
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Funded by federal and state taxes, this program pays for medical services for children and adults who have limited income. To qualify for Medi-Cal, California residents must meet income requirements and be one of the following: pregnant, responsible for a child under 21 years old, blind, disabled or a disabled family member, or 65 years or older.
California Medicare
California Medicare is a government program providing coverage to residents who are over the age of 65 or who have end-stage renal disease. California residents can use Medicare to cover the cost of rehab and other addiction treatment services; however, not all rehabs accept Medicare insurance.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs charge what California residents can afford, based on their income. To qualify, residents typically need to provide proof of income and assets.
TRICARE in California
California TRICARE (West Region) is a government program that provides health insurance for military personnel, veterans, and their dependents. TRICARE coverage includes addiction treatment services, such as rehab and medication-assisted treatment.
State-Funded and Free Rehab in Carlsbad, CA
For California residents who can’t afford treatment, state-funded and free rehab services may be available. These programs use government funding to pay for the treatment. To qualify, residents may be required to provide proof of income.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs offer income-based fees, meaning they charge only what a Florida resident can reasonably afford to pay. To qualify for a sliding scale rehab in Florida, residents typically are required to show proof of income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehab programs funded by the Indian Health Service provide free addiction treatment to Alaskan Natives and Indigenous people in the U.S.
California Alcohol and Drug Laws
California laws include the following policies regarding substance abuse:1,2,3,4,5
California Employee Protections for Drug or Alcohol Rehab: California’s labor code requires employers with 25 or more employees to provide accommodation to staff who voluntarily choose to attend alcohol or drug rehab. This may include unpaid time off or use of sick or vacation time. Employees who wish to request time off for addiction treatment may be able to request it under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act.
Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act: This act provides treatment opportunities for individuals who are convicted of non-violent crimes. Eligible offenders may serve their time in drug treatment rather than in prison.
California Government Prevention and Care Services: Senate Bill 110 expanded these services to include contingency management (an incentivized treatment program) as a benefit covered under Medi-Cal. Patients who demonstrate substance-free behavior, such as drug-free urine tests, are rewarded with vouchers or gift cards.
California Ethical Treatment for Persons with Substance Use Disorder Act: This protects drug addiction treatment clients by requiring treatment providers to adopt a client bill of rights, to ensure all individuals receiving addiction care are treated with dignity, honesty, and respect.
California’s Good Samaritan Law: This law encourages California residents to call 9-1-1 if an overdose is suspected. It protects individuals who seek emergency medical care for overdose from legal repercussions for possession of a controlled substance/drug paraphernalia or providing alcohol to minors.
Local Information: Carlsbad, CA
Numerous travel options make it easy to travel to and within Carlsbad, California. Carlsbad is a Southern California city famous for its beautiful beaches, scenic trails, lagoons, rolling hills, canyons, and Legoland California.9 This is a great location if you are an outdoorsy person who wants to maintain an active lifestyle during rehab by hiking, surfing, and other water sports.
Transportation
Traveling to and from Carlsbad is not too much of a hassle because you can fly from one of two airports, San Diego International Airport and McClellan-Palomar Airport. Additionally, the city of Carlsbad has a great public transport system that includes bus, train, and shuttle services. You can also use the Pacific Surfliner to travel from San Diego to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and all the way to San Luis Obispo.
Most neighborhoods in Carlsbad are walkable, making it easy for you to walk when you run errands. Carlsbad and San Diego County have many hotels, some with budget-friendly prices. Whether you’re looking for a five-star resort, a quaint boutique hotel, or an Airbnb, you can be sure to find a place that makes your stay in Carlsbad a great experience.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). 2016–2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Substate Region Estimates for California.
- County of Santa Clara. (2022). Good Samaritan laws.
- California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. (n.d.). San Diego County Dashboard.
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. (2020). 2019 Annual Report of the California DUI. Management Information System.
- San Diego County.gov. (n.d.). About Behavioral Health Services.
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Getting started with Medicare.
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health & substance use disorder services.
- San Diego County.gov. (n.d.). Substance Use Disorder Services.
- City of Carlsbad California. (n.d.). About Carlsbad.