Palm Springs is a quaint town located 100 miles away from Los Angeles in the desert of Riverside County. This desert resort city is approximately 94 square miles in size, making it the largest city in the county by land area. According to the most recent census, an estimated 44,552 people live in the town full-time. However, when the weather cools in the winter, the population triples due to retirees and tourists who flock south to avoid the cold up north. In the summertime, it’s an almost inhospitable environment outside, with daytime highs in August averaging 107 degrees, but that’s forgotten with the beautiful winter and various activities offered.
Palm Springs is well-known for its mid-city modern architecture, design elements, cultural scene, and other recreational activities. Whether you live in the city or you’re visiting, there’s no shortage of things to do and see. Tens of thousands of people flock to the area every year for the famous Coachella music festival that’s hosted in the Palm Desert and stay at one of its many hotels or eat at its restaurants. Palm Springs can be genuinely labeled as a winter wonderland with its endless sunshine and perfect weather. However, despite all that’s right with this desert town, there’s an issue lurking threatening the safety of visitors and full-time residents alike.
Palm Springs, like the rest of the country, is battling a drug overdose crisis. A few weeks ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released preliminary statistics about the overdose crisis and how it affected the United States. The organization anticipated a high volume of deaths due to the ongoing global pandemic but had no idea it would be this bad. The figures were staggering, with an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States from April 2020 to April 2021, which is unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. It’s an increase of 28.5 percent from the year prior.
As you might have expected, opioids led the way, and deaths increased to 78,056 caused by opioids, up substantially from 56,064 recorded a year earlier. Fentanyl was the primary driver of opioid overdose deaths, but the CDC also reported a significant increase in psychostimulant overdose deaths attributed to methamphetamine. Cocaine deaths also rose, along with natural and sem-synthetic opioids, including prescription narcotics. The rise across all categories shows the need for drug rehab in areas like Palm Springs, but it also showed us the damage of being removed from society through strict lockdowns. As the world gets back on track, hopefully, these are figures that will drop below these disheartening numbers.
As picturesque a city as Palm Springs, it has not been spared by drug overdose deaths. With the potential benzodiazepine crisis, the current opioid crisis, and the rise of methamphetamine abuse, it doesn’t help that the city is so close to the border with Mexico, where federal border agents have uncovered record amounts of drugs. Fortunately, drug rehab in Palm Springs is among the best in the country.
Below we’ll look at the statistics in the region and what you can do to overcome your affliction.
Drug Addiction in Palm Springs
The most regularly abused drugs in Riverside County are opioids. According to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, an
estimated 5,502 people died from an opioid-related overdose in Riverside County during 2020, with 3,946 of those related to fentanyl. A staggering 15,664 emergency department visits stemmed from opioid overdoses, with a total of 14,867,236 prescriptions written for these powerful narcotics.
Palm Springs in Riverside County has a rate of opioid overdose deaths much higher than Los Angeles County, despite being a fraction of the size. However, another serious public health concern in the area is methamphetamine. In 2017, Palm Springs witnessed 232 amphetamine-related deaths. One of the reasons? The price of methamphetamine a few years ago was $6,000, whereas today, it’s $1,000. With such low prices and a flood of high-quality products coming across the border, it’s hard not to see the connection.
As the numbers continue to rise, the need for help is at an all-time high. While seeking addiction treatment may not be your first choice, keep in mind, it can save your life. Not only that, it can restore it to its former glory before you become reliant upon these drugs for normalcy. If you’re interested in getting help but need to know more, continue reading to see how drug addiction is treated in Palm Springs.
California Highlands Vistas Drug Rehab in Palm Springs
If you’re on the fence about getting the treatment you not only need but deserve, you should read below on the drug rehab process at California Highlands Vistas. If you’ve been using drugs to avoid the withdrawal symptoms or feel normal, it’s time to get help before it’s too late. With a significant influx of drugs being laced with fentanyl, you never know if you’re going to be exposed and suffer a fatal overdose. The time to stop is now.
Detox
If you’ve become addicted to benzodiazepines, the need for detox is extremely high. Although opioid drugs are nearly impossible to overcome alone, they don’t offer the same severe symptoms you can expect from benzodiazepines, which can be deadly. No matter the drug, the most important step you can take is to check yourself into medical detox. You’ll meet with clinicians who thoroughly assess your state and determine the best course of action during your time here. Treatment must be tailored around your needs to be effective, so they’ll look for mental illness and other drugs of abuse. You’ll spend a week or more at this stage of the process and be given medication to treat the more severe symptoms. Detox can be the difference between relapse and getting over the hurdle, as many people give in to their symptoms.
Inpatient/Residential
Despite its importance, detox is not merely enough to achieve long-term sobriety. Don’t be fooled by how you feel after a couple of days of sobriety. Once you enter back into society, you’ll be met with the same triggers and won’t have developed tools to fight those urges. You’re very likely to relapse without going through some form of treatment. In some cases, inpatient treatment will be the best choice to learn more about their addiction and ways to prevent relapse.
Aftercare
While the above are extremely necessary, the journey has only begun once you enter back into society. At this point, you’ll need to make changes in your life and pick new friends. Fortunately, California Highlands Vistas can put you in touch with fellow alumni and 12-step programs that will safeguard your sobriety. We know that none of this is easy, but your life will thrive compared to when you were actively abusing drugs.
Drug Rehab in Palm Springs FAQs
If going through the process has convinced you to get help and ditch the drugs for a better life, we know you have some questions. Below, we’ll answer some more common questions you might have. However, some may require you to contact our intake coordinators for clearer answers.
How long is rehab?
The length of rehab is dependent on a few factors – is this your first time? How long were you abusing drugs? What type of drugs were you using? The intake coordinators will make this determination after your initial assessment. However, a person can expect to spend around 30 to 90 days in treatment. Again, this could vary from one person to the next, but these are general timelines. In severe cases, a person could live on-site for several months before taking the leap back into society.
Does California Highlands Vistas provide transportation?
If this is a barrier to getting help, we want to remove it. Yes, we’ll provide transportation to and from the airport and to off-site appointments. However, it must be set up prior to arrival. You will be expected to cover the costs.
How much does drug rehab cost?
The cost of treatment varies greatly based on factors like having insurance, how long you’ll need to stay, and if you’re battling mental illness. We cannot provide a clear figure. Please contact our staff for more information.
Do I have to travel?
Whether you’re local to Palm Springs or live in surrounding counties, you’ll be required to travel.
What insurance carriers does California Highlands Vistas take?
We accept all major insurance carriers. We’re in-network with several, helping to get you the treatment you need. To see if you’re covered, please contact our staff.
