Drug and Alcohol Statistics in Watsonville, CA
Santa Cruz County, including Watsonville, suffers from higher proportions of drug overdoses than the state at large. In 2021, there were 14.8 deaths per 100,000 residents involving opioid overdose. Additional drug and alcohol statistics concerning Watsonville include:
Watsonville suffered 6.07 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021—less than the county average.
People aged 30–39 accounted for the age group with the highest overdose death rates in Santa Cruz County in 2021.
There were 111 emergency room visits concerning opioid overdose in Santa Cruz County in 2021.
Over 100,000 opioid prescriptions were written for Santa Cruz County residents in 2021.
In 2020, 18.3% of adults in Santa Cruz County engaged in binge drinking, which is higher than the nationwide 15.5%.
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.
Resources
- HEALTH, Santa Cruz County. (2015). Illicit drug use.
- California Department of Public Health. (2022). California overdose surveillance dashboard: Santa Cruz County dashboard.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health. (2022). PLACES Data.