Expert Insights
I recently heard about the Huntington Beach Mobile Crisis team and I think it’s just the kind of innovation we need to address the mental health crisis in the area. Teaming counselors with officers to respond to crisis calls is a great way to support people struggling with mental health problems like addiction. So often these issues co-occur but when the police respond it becomes an issue of criminal justice and can delay — or even prevent — mental health treatment. This way, people in crisis can get the support they need and it frees up law enforcement to tackle more serious crimes. I read they handled over 2,000 calls in their first year of operation which shows that there is most definitely a long-term need for the team.
~ Olivia Pennelle
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Huntington Beach?
The cost of addiction care can vary significantly. The type of program you choose will determine what your out-of-pocket costs are. Some factors that affect cost include:
Whether the program is an inpatient or outpatient program
If the facility offers special amenities
How long you will be in treatment
Whether the facility is part of your insurance plan’s network
The location of the facility
Residential rehab, or inpatient, has higher costs. You will be receiving medical care, as well as counseling for your addiction during treatment. In addition, you will live in the facility full time during the program.
Your expenses will include housing and meals. If you select a luxury facility or program with extra amenities, the costs will be even higher.
How Does Huntington Beach Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Huntington Beach is a California city southeast of Los Angeles that’s home to over 200,000 residents.1 While it’s known for surf beaches, such as Huntington City Beach, it’s also home to a growing opioid crisis.
From 2017 to 2021, the rate of death due to opioid overdose nearly tripled.2 If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or substance use disorder, there are over 360 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Huntington Beach and the surrounding area.3
In 2020, about 18% of adults in California reported excessive drinking, which includes episodes of binge drinking or heavy drinking in the previous month.1 In 2021, 12% of adults in California reported using drugs (excluding cannabis) for non-medical reasons.2
In 2020 nearly 24% of adults between 18 and 44 engaged in excessive drinking.
Men were more likely to engage in excessive drinking, with numbers at 22%.
White people had the highest rates of excessive drinking, followed by Hispanic and Black people.
People who make $75,000/year or more are most likely to report excessive drinking
Californians are more likely to use illicit drugs than misuse prescription medications.
College graduates reported more drug use than people with less educational attainment.
15% of men reported using drugs, compared to 10% of women.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Huntington Beach, CA
Marijuana is legal in California, both for medical and recreational purposes. Production and sale of cannabis products are strictly regulated and require proper licensing. Other drugs are illegal, but penalties for possessions can be flexible.
California law prioritizes getting people care, even if they have a criminal record. Under California’s Proposition 36, non-violent offenders who have substance abuse disorders can get a sentence of probation with addiction treatment instead of jail time.7
California has expanded Medi-Cal coverage to include contingency management and incentivized treatment program.8 This therapy method includes rewarding patients with vouchers or gift cards for desired behavior, such as passing drug tests.
Thanks to California Senate Bill 349, California Ethical Treatment for Persons with Substance Use Disorder Act, there are robust protections for substance abuse recovery patients and their families.9
Facilities must meet minimum standards for providing evidence-based treatment. Staff must have relevant qualifications, and facilities must be capable of treating co-occurring disorders. All facilities must have a patient’s bill of rights that patients and their loved ones can easily access.
California’s Good Samaritan law encourages anyone who witnesses an overdose to call 911 for emergency care.10 If you assist someone experiencing an overdose, police cannot arrest you for drug possession.
Resources
- Huntington Beach, California Population 2020 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). (n.d.). Worldpopulationreview.com.
- Opioid Overdose & Death in Orange County | Orange County California – Health Care Agency. (n.d.). Www.ochealthinfo.com.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Non-Medical Drug Use – Past Year In California.
- America’s Health Rankings. (2020). Excessive Drinking In California.
- California Department of Health Care Services. (2022). Behavioral Health Services.
- Medicare.gov. (2022). Inpatient hospital care.
- Medicare.gov. (2022). Mental health care (outpatient).
- NAMI. (2022). Acamprosate (Campral).
- California Legislative Analysts Office. (2000). Proposition 36.
- California Legislative Information. (2021). Bill Text.
- California Legislative Information. (2022). Bill Text.
- California Legislative Information. (2013). Bill Text.
