Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in San Clemente, California
Thanks to monitoring by local and federal agencies, we can see that:1,3
341.38 out of 1,000 residents in the county in 2021 were prescribed opiate medication, 16% less than in 2019.
Buprenorphine used to treat substance use disorder (SUD) was prescribed 23% more often in 2022 than in 2019.
African Americans and Caucasians in San Clemente have the highest death rates, with 22.9 and 25.8 dying per 100,000 residents, respectively.
While there is a large Hispanic population in San Clemente, most drug and alcohol overdoses are seen by Caucasian and African American residents.
The county reported 744 opioid-related deaths in 2021.
The crude mortality rate for synthetic drug overdoses in the county rose 174% from 2019 to 2021.
Levels of Care for Substance Misuse
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 and comfortably 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 to 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 Misuse 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 misuse 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 people in the U.S.
Local Information: Visiting San Clemente, California
Seated on the San Clemente state beach, you can quickly get to town via the 5 highway or by plane. You’ll find this thriving town is full of things to do:
- The nearest airport to San Clemente is the John Wayne Airport, 25 miles away, and the nearest international airports are the Los Angeles International Airport and the San Diego International Airport.
- If you need a ride into town from the airport, call one of the many airport shuttles and car services or a taxi. You can also take the OCTA bus service throughout Orange County.
- There are 20 primary schools in San Clemente, 14 health centers and hospitals, and six post offices and shipping centers, all in addition to a wide variety of places to work.
- Aside from the beaches, piers, and local coastal trails, you can visit popular sites like the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens or spend the day shopping at The Outlets in San Clemente.
- It’s easy to get to know your neighbor in San Clemente, where the city hosts a wealth of special events all year, such as weekly Sunsets with Santa at the San Clemente Municipal Pier in December.
- People that enjoy being active might appreciate San Clemente’s various outdoor amenities, including the Municipal Golf Course, the group camping site, and the six public parks.
California Alcohol and Drug Laws
California law includes the following policies related to substance misuse: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
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). CDC Wonder Tool.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. (2022). Treatment Locator Tool.
- California Department of Public Health. (2022). CA Overdose Dashboard.
