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Sunny San Diego: Cursed By Location
San Diego, California--world famous for its amazing weather, tourist attractions, and miles and miles of white sandy beaches—is also well-known for its natural deep-water harbor and longstanding association with the United States Navy. People that visit this beautiful southern California city are usually impressed with how pristine and devoid of litter the beaches are; San Diego residents do not appreciate trash cluttering up their lovely landscape. But as wonderful as the family attractions and friendly residents are, San Diego is facing a huge drug trafficking problem, and it mainly stems from its location.
While blessed with incredible weather, when it comes to drug trafficking, San Diego could not have a worse location. The city's proximity to the US/Mexico border (only 15 miles away) makes it a thoroughfare for smuggling drugs into the United States to be sold, and this presents some unique challenges for authorities. In march of 2020, federal agents seized over 30 million dollars in illegal drugs from a cross border tunnel running underneath San Diego, and according to the San Diego Tunnel Task Force, the seizure included 1,300 pounds of cocaine, 86 pounds of methamphetamine, 17 pounds of heroin, 3,000 pounds of marijuana and more than two pounds of fentanyl! And, where they discovered the drugs was no simple rabbit hole. The cross-border passage was so sophisticated that it had ventilation, lighting and an underground rail system. Drug money is bigger than most normal people can imagine and the Mexican gangs that traffic these substances will do anything to keep business flowing.
These highly publicized drug seizures seem to do little to discourage Mexican drug traffickers, and the drugs being sold on the street in San Diego County are constantly changing. Reports have surfaced that Mexican cartels are now adding the powerful painkiller fentanyl to heroin, and because fentanyl is more than 40 times more powerful, the overdose numbers are shooting up. So if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, reach out and get help today. Given the influx of Mexican drugs, you never know exactly what may be in the substances you've acquired. The only way to stay safe is to stay clean.
Drug and Alcohol Recovery Facility Settings and Modalities
A number of addictive substances are readily available within the San Diego area, like: cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and meth.
The motives that people start abusing addictive substances differs. Often, what those who get dependent on alcohol and drugs have in common is an inability to overcome their dependence upon these addictive substances without proper treatment.
For these individuals, San Diego provides several various programs so clients can search out one in a suitable environment such as: outpatient substance abuse counseling, short term drug and alcohol rehab centers, inpatient drug addiction treatment, inpatient detoxification programs, long term drug rehab facilities.
These treatment centers utilize a variety of approaches, ranging from long-established methods to recently developed methods, to deliver individuals with a successful evidence-based path to lasting recovery. These methods may include: couple/family therapy, contingency management/motivational incentive, individual psychotherapy, behavior modification, relapse prevention, dual diagnosis drug rehab.
Special Programs for Substance Abuse Treatment
Since drug and alcohol abuse impacts each individual in a different way, nearby programs provide unique resources including seniors or older adults, persons with eating disorders, clients referred from the court/judicial system, social skills development, veterans, programs for the hearing impaired to help match a client's recovery to their individual needs.
Individuals having to face substance abuse can get instruction in picking the correct program for their needs by reaching out to any of the area's treatment programs.
Addiction Treatment Program Payment Options
Payment should not be a hurdle to recovery for individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. That is the reason local programs provide multiple payment alternatives, such as private pay, private health insurance, medicaid, medicare, payment assistance, state welfare or child and family services funds, county or local government funds, to aid clients' distinct financial situation.
Individuals who need drug and alcohol rehabilitation can find a center, rehab, approach, and payment method within the San Diego area that will help them to beat their alcohol and drug abuse and return to the life they want to live.
Commonly Asked Questions about Addiction and Treatment
Is substance abuse recovery a life long process?
Substance abuse recovery is often described as a lifelong process. This is due to the chronic nature of addiction, which is a brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Like other chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease, addiction often requires long-term or repeated care to manage symptoms and prevent relapse.
Here are key reasons why recovery is often a lifelong process:
- Changes in Brain Function: Substance use can cause long-lasting changes in the brain that persist even after the substance is no longer used. These changes can lead to cravings or triggers for drug use, which can potentially lead to relapse.
- Behavioral Changes: Substance use often involves habits and behaviors that become deeply ingrained over time. Changing these behaviors and developing new, healthier habits can take time and ongoing effort.
- Coping Mechanisms: Many individuals use substances as a way to cope with stress, trauma, or other underlying issues. Recovery often involves learning new coping mechanisms and addressing these underlying issues, which can be a long-term process.
- Support Systems: Recovery often involves building or rebuilding supportive relationships and social networks, which can take time.
- Maintenance of Physical and Mental Health: Substance use can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues. Managing these conditions and maintaining overall health can be an ongoing part of recovery.
- Relapse Prevention: Relapse rates for substance use disorders are similar to those of other chronic illnesses. Ongoing care, support, and strategies for managing cravings and triggers can help prevent relapse over the long term.
What is smart recovery?
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a global community of mutual-support groups that provide a structured, scientifically grounded program to help people manage their recovery from any type of addictive behavior, including substance abuse and behavioral addictions.
SMART Recovery's approach is different from other recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, which are based on the 12-step model. Instead of focusing on the concept of "powerlessness" over addiction, SMART Recovery emphasizes self-empowerment and self-reliance. It promotes the ability of individuals to change their own thoughts and behaviors to overcome addiction.
The SMART Recovery program is based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. It is designed around a 4-point program:
- Building and maintaining motivation: This helps individuals to build their motivation to change and avoid relapsing.
- Coping with urges: This gives individuals the skills to deal with urges or cravings as they arise.
- Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors: This is about developing healthy thoughts, emotions, and actions in place of the destructive ones that can lead to addictive behaviors.
- Living a balanced life: This involves individuals identifying what they truly value in life and building their lives around those values, leading to satisfaction and fulfillment beyond their addiction.
SMART Recovery meetings, both in-person and online, are facilitated by trained volunteers and are free to attend, though donations are appreciated. The program also offers a variety of tools and techniques for self-empowerment and self-directed change, available in various formats such as handbooks, worksheets, and online resources.
How long do drug withdrawal symptoms last?
The duration of drug withdrawal symptoms can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of substance used, the duration of use, the degree of dependence, individual metabolism and health status, and whether one quits cold turkey or with medical assistance.
Generally, withdrawal symptoms can be divided into acute and post-acute phases:
Acute Withdrawal: This is the initial phase of withdrawal, where physical symptoms are typically the most severe. Depending on the substance, acute withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours to a few days after the last use and can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. For example, alcohol withdrawal symptoms often start within 8 hours of the last drink and can last up to a few days or weeks, while opioid withdrawal symptoms usually start within 12-30 hours of the last dose and can last approximately a week.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): Some individuals may experience a second phase of withdrawal known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. PAWS refers to a group of symptoms that occur after the acute withdrawal phase, predominantly psychological, such as anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, and sleep disturbances. PAWS can last from a few weeks to a year or more after the cessation of substance use.
It's important to remember that withdrawal can be dangerous and even life-threatening in some cases, especially when it comes to substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines. Therefore, withdrawal should always be done under medical supervision. The support and treatment offered by medical professionals during detoxification can also help to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and make the process safer and more comfortable.
