California Drug Treatment Programs

California's goal for Substance Abuse Prevention is to develop and maintain a comprehensive, statewide prevention system that reduces alcohol and other drug related problems in order to improve the health, safety and economic conditions for all California residents.

The impact of drug and alcohol addiction doesn't just affect the individuals suffering with addiction and dependency, it affects the whole community. Drugs like marijuana, methamphetamines, heroin, and cocaine are smuggled into California from Mexico which adds to the drug situation throughout California. Drug education and prevention is crucial concerning the risks, dangers and crime associated with drug trafficking, drug abuse and prescription drug misuse.

The availability of cocaine is high throughout the state of California. There are other areas of California where cocaine is easily found; in San Francisco and certain areas of northern California cocaine is also easily obtained. Los Angeles is one of the nation's biggest cocaine transshipment and distribution centers.

Cocaine is a very powerful illegal stimulant that causes serious health problems when used. Another form of cocaine that's highly abused is crack cocaine. Crack cocaine is processed from cocaine for the purpose of inhaling the toxic vapors when smoking it. This form of cocaine is also referred to as rock crystal. When the rock crystal is heated it makes a crackle sound which is where it gets its name from.

Cocaine is abused by many people because it creates an intense feeling of euphoria when used as well as increased energy and the user feels sharp and alert. Smoking crack cocaine is preferred by many users but because of the short lived high, use needs to be repeated. Unfortunately cocaine is highly addictive and causes very serious health problems when used.

Heroin is a problem because this drug is widely available with high purity levels. Because it's so pure young people especially new users snort heroin and according to specialists they ingest high amounts and become addicted much faster.

Heroin is an opiate that's made from morphine. Users inject heroin, snort it, or smoke it for the purpose of getting high. Individuals that use heroin can form tolerance to this drug easily and in a short period of time need to increase the amount they use in order to experience the same effects. Heroin addiction is very widespread throughout California and the United States and comes with serious health risks.

In California as well as most states, marijuana is the most available and abused illegal drug by people of all ages. Marijuana is smuggled in from Mexico in vast low grade quantities. The high grade marijuana which is much more potent is smuggled into California from Canada. The Canadian potent marijuana is referred to as BC bud. Throughout California potent marijuana is produced in domestic indoor hydroponic gardens as well.

Most marijuana users prefer to smoke it by rolling it into a 'joint' or 'nail' or smoking it through a pipe although there are people who smoke marijuana through a water pipe called a 'bong'. It's not uncommon for some marijuana users to mix it in different foods, drinks or brew it similar to tea.

Meth is the biggest drug threat in California. The production and distribution of high quality methamphetamines in California is controlled by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations. There is another secondary drug trafficking group that is responsible for some of the meth production and distribution which consists of Caucasians for the most part. This secondary group operates much less sophisticated small labs.

Clandestine meth labs are usually found in less populated rural areas, remote desert locations and forested areas in northern California. The amount of seized meth labs in California has decreased but there has been an increase in meth labs south of the border in Mexico.

Meth is an addictive central nervous system stimulant that's structured in a similar way to amphetamines. Methamphetamines are abused for the purpose of getting high by many people and as a result, many people have formed dependency and are in need of treatment. In order to experience the intense high meth produces, the individual either smokes, snorts, or injects it. There are many serious health problems associated with methamphetamine abuse.

The use of Ecstasy (MDMA) is showing signs of decrease in use throughout California; ecstasy was once viewed as the most popular club drug among teens and young adults. It's still consistently available in certain areas though. The decrease is partially due to law enforcement cracking down on the individuals that promote raves in the county area of San Diego and putting a stop to these all night parties. Part of the selling and distribution of ecstasy took place during raves which made a big difference once they were unable to hold their events.

The misuse of prescription drugs is increasing throughout California for non-medical reasons and is a definite cause for concern. Unfortunately the misuse of prescription drugs comes with many serious health risks and medical problems. When prescription drugs are taken in high doses as well as repeated misuse, tolerance and dependency are inevitable.

Prescription pain killers, CNS depressants used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, and stimulants for the treatment of ADHD are commonly abused not only in California but throughout the nation. Many young people and young adults misuse prescription drugs for the purpose of getting high and have developed dependency to them. Health risks and dangers associated with prescription drug abuse are very serious and sometimes life threatening.

Around 5.8 million adults in California are binge drinkers; this is about 21 percent of all adults. The definition of binge drinking would be 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women taking place on the same occasion at least once during the past month. There are over 2.2 million Californians who meet the criteria for alcohol dependence or abuse.

Combining illegal drugs, prescription drugs or over the counter medications is extremely dangerous and isn't taken serious enough. Sometimes mixing alcohol and other substances is done unintentionally, older adults sometimes without thinking combine alcohol with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and this comes with serious health risks. If a person has more than 3 drinks a day and mixes them with acetaminophen they risk liver damage.

Mixing antidepressants with alcohol is very serious because it causes depression to become worse. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Elavil, and Prozac should never be combined with any alcoholic beverage no matter what it is. It's very important not to mix sedatives like Valium with alcohol, this combination can be lethal.