Help Me Find a Drug Rehab Center

California

The state of California is faced with many alcohol and drug problems, including widespread substance abuse among youth and young adults in the state. It is easily understandable why this would be, seeing as California is one of the most populated regions in the country and is also in a prime drug trafficking location making illegal drugs and diverted pharmaceuticals easy to come by. Because of the devastating effects of substance abuse in the state, everything must be done to help residents understand the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, how it can be prevented, and how to get help for it. Drug rehab programs in California are available to help anyone at any stage of abuse and addiction, so no one should feel hopeless if they do find themselves needing help and they are unable to help themselves.

Substance abuse can start very early for some California residents, and it is important that parents are aware of this fact and are vigilant about any warning signs so they can guard their children against the perils of drug and alcohol abuse. For example, over 6% of 7th graders, 19% of 9th graders and 33% of 11th graders in California are either classified as a high risk alcohol user, meaning their alcohol use will very likely turn excessive, or they are in fact using alcohol excessively. Reported lifetime use of alcohol nearly triples among California youth from 7th grade to 11th grade, and a nearly five-fold increase in binge drinking occurs as the grades increase. So alcohol use is a serious problem in the state among youth, a drug in itself which is known to be a gateway drug to other dangerous substances of abuse. As a result, overall substance abuse is widespread among California youth in all grades and age groups, and by their sophomore year in high school over two-thirds of students have used some sort of drug at some point in their life. This is a generally worsening condition, and rates of substance abuse among California use have been on the rise for over a decade. The drug problem also includes the problem of non-medical use of prescription pain killers, with a whopping 35% of 11th graders in California reporting such abuse.

California adults also abuse alcohol and drugs at very high rates. Binge drinking is a particular problem in the state, with California adults have a significantly higher rate of binge drinking than their national counterparts. The consequences of alcohol abuse in the state are very evident with the 8 year average of alcohol related deaths being over two-times greater than the national average. In terms of illicit drug abuse among California adults methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and cocaine are the primary drugs of abuse in the state, and in that order.

The problem of substance abuse in California is not going to go away on its own. It will take a very concerted and vigilant effort to get individuals into effective treatment programs to get the help they need. There are no lack of such programs in the state, include highly effective and proven residential and inpatient drug rehab programs. Private programs which offer an extensive stay are often covered by insurance and have statistically shown to be the most effective treatment option available in the state.