Drug and Alcohol Misuse Statistics in Pico Rivera, CA
Substance abuse data compiled by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the CDC highlights the following statistics for the Pico Rivera area:1,3,4
Los Angeles County saw a 21% increase in alcohol-induced fatalities from 2017 to 2020.
From 2019 to 2020, methamphetamine-related deaths increased by 77% in LA County, and fentanyl-related deaths rose by 136%.
In 2020, Service Planning Area 7, to which Pico Rivera belongs, recorded 4,338 admissions to publicly funded addiction treatment programs.
64% of individuals admitted to publicly funded treatment in SPA 7 in 2020 identified as male, and nearly 78% identified as Latinx.
In 2020, Service Planning Area 7, to which Pico Rivera belongs, recorded 4,338 admissions to publicly funded addiction treatment programs.
Levels of Care for Substance Abuse
Multiple levels of care exist for alcohol and drug rehab in California. Some 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 safely removing drugs or alcohol from your system while 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 recovery process, completed before transitioning into formal inpatient addiction treatment services.
Inpatient Care
An inpatient or residential setting involves living at an accredited rehab facility 24/7 to receive treatment for addiction. A combination of evidence-based interventions are provided, including individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, and medication administration.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
PHPs are a type of outpatient treatment in California that often involve many of the same therapies and methods of inpatient care. The difference being that you only visit the drug rehab during scheduled session times, then you can return home.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
A step down from PHPs, IOPs are a type of outpatient treatment in California allowing you to attend onsite sessions for several hours a day, multiple days each week, while spending the rest of your time at home, working, or fulfilling other obligations.
Standard Outpatient
As the least intensive setting, 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.
How to Pay for Substance Abuse Treatment in California
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. In California, residents should contact their insurance provider to confirm specific coverage with 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 Payment Options
Sliding scale payment plans only charge California residents what they 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 (MAT).
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehab programs funded by the Indian Health Service provide free addiction treatment to California Natives and Indigenous peoples in the U.S.
Traveling to and Within Pico Rivera, CA
Before you travel to Pico Rivera for treatment or come to the city to visit a loved one in rehab, it’s smart to familiarize yourself with the area. These tips can help you plan your trip:
- Your best option for flights into the area is Long Beach Airport, a 25-minute drive south of Pico Rivera. You can also fly into the much larger Los Angeles International Airport, about 40 minutes east of the city by car.
- Interstates 5, 105, 605, and 710 are easily accessible from Pico Rivera, as are State Routes 60 and 72.
- Pico Rivera is home to several affordable, two- and three-star hotels and motels, as well as a few higher-end accommodations. Nearby Downey, Commerce, and Whittier also have dozens of lodging options at several price points.
- You’ll need some form of vehicle transportation to get around most of Pico Rivera, as the majority of the city isn’t highly walkable.
- Pico Rivera’s Dial-a-Ride program offers free, curb-to-curb pick-ups and drop-offs for elderly persons and those living with disabilities. The city’s Dial-a-Cab service also provides low-fare transportation throughout the city.
- Taxi services, Lyft, and Uber are all available in the Pico Rivera area, all with relatively short wait times.
- The city is home to several public parks, including Pio Pico State Historic Park, Rivera Park, Smith Park, and Pico Park. If you enjoy hiking, Sycamore Canyon Trailhead and Whittier Narrows Recreation Area are both located just outside the city limits.
- Local attractions include the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, the Pico Rivera Historical Museum, Whittier Art Gallery, the Discovery Cube, Cerritos Sculpture Garden, and much more. Pico Rivera is just 11 miles from Los Angeles, so you’ll have no shortage of options if you’re looking for something fun to do.
California Alcohol and Drug Laws
California law includes the following policies related to 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 bill protects residents undergoing addiction treatment by requiring alcohol and drug rehabs in California to adopt a client bill of rights that seeks to ensure every client is 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.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. CDC Wonder Online Database. (2021). Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020 Results, Deaths occurring through 2020.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. (2021, July). Update Data Report: Accidental Drug Overdose deaths in Los Angeles county During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. (2021, August). Annual Overview: Patients in Publicly Funded Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs in Los Angeles County 2019-2020 Fiscal Year.
