Drug Rehab Centers in Los Angeles, CA
Drugs in Los Angeles The City of Angels is nothing close to heavenly when it comes to drug addiction is Los Angeles. From prescription drugs to illegal street drugs, addicts run amuck in this Southern California city. In 2014, experts say about 32,826 Los Angeleans checked into local drug abuse treatment programs that year alone. Of that group, 88% had heroin addictions, 30.1% were hooked on crystal meth, 17.5% were marijuana addicts and 16% were alcoholics. Crack cocaine addiction and prescription drug addicts are also very common in L.A.
L.A. has been battling the crystal meth addiction epidemic since back in the mid-1990s. Still, meth usage trends have continued to rise. The Poison Control System attributes the drug with the city’s high rehab admission rates, emergency room non-fatal cases and dirty drug tests. Demographically, the usage divide is more racial than anything, with Los Angeles Hispanics being 61% of the city’s meth addicts.
Heroin addiction in the City of Angels has returned to epidemic status in recent years. In fact, its L.A.’s 4th most popular illegal drug, causing rehab admissions and Los Angeles County Coroner toe tag rates to go through the roof. The drug is most popular among 26 and older white men. In 2012, heroin overdoses and related deaths in L.A. spiked with a 60% increase.
Check out other drug rehab centers nearby
Beverly Hills, CA Santa Monica, CA Long Beach, CA Anaheim, CA Huntington, CA Temecula, CA San Diego, CA Riverside, CA
Los Angeles Drug Addiction Treatment
In 1996, the Compassionate Use Act was signed, allowing for the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Soon, this led to the current California state laws regarding the legalization of cannabis for recreational use. Experts suggest legalization will lead to an increase in cannabis addicts. Those opposed to legalization are concerned that very little money was invested in marijuana addiction treatment programs for those who need it.
Cocaine addiction in powder form has decreased substantially over the last couple of decades in Los Angeles, since the invention of crack cocaine. This illicit street drug is extremely cheap, when compared to its powder form. The crack cocaine epidemic in L.A. started during the early 1980s. Since then, it’s been responsible for thousands and thousands of deaths and broken homes. In the City of Angels, crack cocaine addicts are disproportionately found in Brown and Black communities.
During the first half of 2013, prescription opiates and opioids accounted for about 3.3% of the city’s treatment admissions. Three commonly used by prescription drug addicts in Los Angeles include codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone. Sedatives, tranquilizers and benzodiazepines are also popular among LA’s pill poppers.
There are various types of drug treatment programs in Los Angeles. Individual, family and group therapy concentrate on deep, underlying conditions and issues leading to the drug addiction. Recovery-oriented challenge therapy focuses on group engagement, which may include challenges, courses, activities and games to build skills. 12 step programs focus on completing the dozen steps within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Alcoholics Anonymous book. This program consists of peer support groups and regular group meetings.