Drug and Alcohol Statistics in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz collects a lot of data on how drugs and alcohol impact its residents’ lives. The latest surveys show that 2.3% or 5,547 residents have a substance use disorder. In addition:
18.8% of adults binge drink
30.9% of driving deaths involved alcohol
For every 1,000 Santa Cruz County residents, there are:3
50.5 prescriptions for buprenorphine per 1000 residents
325.5 prescriptions for opioids per 1000 residents
Emergency departments at local hospitals treat drug and alcohol overdoses daily. For every 100,000 Santa Cruz County residents, there are:3
110 overdoses of any drug
6.6 overdoses of heroin
21.9 overdoses on opioids other than heroin
An unfortunate fact is that most people with a substance use disorder are not getting treatment despite free and low-cost drug rehab availability in Santa Cruz. There are options for inpatient or outpatient detox, peer recovery, therapy, and more from an accredited facility.
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 family member of someone who is disabled, 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.
Resources
- California Department of Health. 2021. California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard Santa Cruz County.
- Santa Cruz County. 2021. California Opioid Use Disorder and Treatment Need 2019.
- DataShare Santa Cruz County. 2022. Community Well-Being Dashboards.
