Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Cathedral City, CA
Like many areas of California, Cathedral City and Riverside County have recently seen a drastic uptick in opioid use and related harms among local residents. Data compiled by the CDC, the California Department of Public Health, and Riverside County highlights the following substance misuse statistics:1, 3, 4, 5
In 2021, roughly 61% of Riverside County’s 805 overdose deaths involved opioid drugs.
Riverside County hospitals saw 1,240 patients for opioid overdoses and hospitalized 292 patients for opioid-related complications in 2021.
Roughly 16% of Cathedral City adult residents say they binge drink regularly.
Levels of Care for Substance Abuse
Multiple levels of care exist for alcohol and drug rehab in California. Some residents require all levels of care during their journey to recovery, while others receive only the less intensive options.
Medical Detox
Detox is the process of safely and comfortably removing drugs or alcohol from your system while in a supervised medical setting. Many people choose a medical detox program to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. This is often the first step in the recovery process, completed before transitioning into formal inpatient addiction treatment services.
Inpatient Care
An inpatient or residential setting involves living at an accredited rehab facility 24/7 to receive treatment for addiction. A combination of evidence-based interventions are provided, including individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, and medication administration.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
PHPs are a type of outpatient treatment in California that often involve many of the same therapies and methods of inpatient care. The difference being that you only visit the drug rehab during scheduled session times, then you can return home.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
A step down from PHPs, IOPs are a type of outpatient treatment in California allowing you to attend onsite sessions for several hours a day, multiple days each week, while spending the rest of your time at home, working, or fulfilling other obligations.
Standard Outpatient
As the least intensive setting, standard outpatient care is appropriate for California residents who are highly motivated and have a strong support system. It involves just one or two hours of treatment per week.
Relapse Prevention
Aftercare, or relapse prevention, provides ongoing support after a rehab program is complete. Aftercare may include 12-step groups, non-12-step groups like SMART Recovery, ongoing therapy, sober living homes, and more.
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.
Traveling to and Within Cathedral City, CA
Are you planning a visit to a loved one in an alcohol or drug rehab in Cathedral City? Or are you thinking about traveling to the area to enroll in a local treatment program? Either way, here’s some information you should know to guide your trip planning:
- Palm Spring International Airport sits roughly five miles northwest of Cathedral City and is reachable by car in about 10-20 minutes, depending on the traffic.
- A couple of major transit routes are easily accessible from Cathedral City, including State Route 111, which passes directly through town. Interstate 10 is also located about six miles east of downtown.
- Cathedral City isn’t highly walkable or bikeable (and in the scorching summer, you wouldn’t want to attempt either). You’ll likely need a vehicle or public transportation to get around efficiently.
- Sunlight Transit Agency serves Cathedral City and operates three fixed SunBus routes that can take you throughout the area. Six more bus routes can also take you into neighboring Coachella Valley cities.
- Within Cathedral City, you’ll find a few national-chain and non-branded hotels and motels, but you’ll have several more lodging options in nearby Palm Springs or Rancho Mirage.
- Must-see local attractions include the Museum of Ancient Wonders, Cathedral City’s downtown arts and entertainment district, Cathedral Canyon, and Moorten Botanical Garden. The area is also home to several gorgeous golf courses that are open year-round.
California Alcohol and Drug Laws
California law includes the following policies related to substance abuse:1,2,3,4,5
California Employee Protections for Drug or Alcohol Rehab: California’s labor code requires employers with 25 or more employees to provide accommodation to staff who voluntarily choose to attend alcohol or drug rehab. This may include unpaid time off or use of sick or vacation time. Employees who wish to request time off for addiction treatment may be able to request it under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act.
Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act: This act provides treatment opportunities for individuals who are convicted of non-violent crimes. Eligible offenders may serve their time in drug treatment rather than in prison.
California Government Prevention and Care Services: Senate Bill 110 expanded these services to include contingency management (an incentivized treatment program) as a benefit covered under Medi-Cal. Patients who demonstrate substance-free behavior, such as drug-free urine tests, are rewarded with vouchers or gift cards.
California Ethical Treatment for Persons with Substance Use Disorder Act: This bill protects residents undergoing addiction treatment by requiring alcohol and drug rehabs in California to adopt a client bill of rights that seeks to ensure every client is are treated with dignity, honesty, and respect.
California’s Good Samaritan Law: This law encourages California residents to call 9-1-1 if an overdose is suspected. It protects individuals who seek emergency medical care for overdose from legal repercussions for possession of a controlled substance/drug paraphernalia or providing alcohol to minors.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. CDC Wonder Online Database. (2021). Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020 Results, Deaths occurring through 2020.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- California Department of Public Health. (n.d.). California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, Riverside County Dashboard.
- Riverside County. (n.d.). Riverside County, CA – Overdose Dashboard.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, Place Data 2022 Release.