San Jose, CA – Drug, Alcohol, and Treatment Resources

The Opioid Epidemic in the City and Santa Clara County

California has always had an opioid crisis with almost 2,000 people dying of causes related to the drug in 2016 alone. In the same year, Santa Clara County received more than six drug-related deaths for every 100,000 residents, which was 50% higher than in 2015.

Over the last several years, though, opioid overdoses have become a significant problem. It is documented that the number of deaths due to overdoses has skyrocketed to over 100% in the county. Here are more numbers to ponder on:

• From 2011 to 2016, heroin poisonings increased by 126%.
• In 2011, 19 cases of heroin poisonings were recorded and another 43 cases in 2015.
• More than ten people died in 2015 because of fentanyl-related reasons.
• In the more recent years, particularly in 2018, 27 opioid-related deaths were documented, and 15 of which were because of illegal drugs.
• In 2017, 70 people died from an opioid overdose.
• According to statistics, 26 to 27 is the age range for fentanyl overdoses.

In the country, about 72,000 people died from a drug overdose, and the highest increase is among those that consumed fentanyl and its knockoffs.

It does seem like a persistent problem in San Jose and the surrounding areas. Adults are not the only issue because users get younger and younger. Teen substance abuse is a significant difficulty in San Jose. Almost 50% of young people have already smoked marijuana at least once in the last 30 days. These individuals are still high school juniors and seniors.

Statistics also showed that almost 10% of high school juniors had experience in abusing cocaine at least once throughout their lifetime. About 13% of these high school juniors had used a prescription drug for illegal purposes other than as a treatment.

Alcohol Abuse in San Jose

Alcoholic beverages are easily accessible in San Jose. It is a controversial issue not only in the city but in the whole county. More than 80% of Santa Clara County residents who were at least 18 years old were reported to consume alcohol throughout their lifetime. Of this percentage, about 67% of them have had a drink in the last 30 days.

Excessive alcohol use is prevalent among all age groups in the city. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has defined binge drinking as having at least four drinks at a time or eight per week for women. As for men, this drinking problem takes at least four drinks in one session or seven drinks per week. Seeking help from a dedicated alcohol addiction treatment program can provide the necessary support and guidance for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse in San Jose. 

About 25% of the US population has met the binge drinking threshold set by the NIH in the past 30 days. Meanwhile, San Jose has more than 15% of its population that admitted to having consumed as much alcohol as stated.

How Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centers in San Jose Can Help

If you or a loved one has abused any substance or alcohol, a treatment or rehabilitation center in San Jose can help. These drug and alcohol rehab centers provide admits with the understanding and care they require. It is crucial that they get the help they need during this time.

Medical care facilities in San Jose are well-staffed with professionals, including counselors. They also have substance addiction specialists who have experience in dealing with individuals who have the same problems. It does not matter what type of substance you are addicted to and how you have misused them. They know how to assist you in your way to recovery.

Often, there are various stages of treatment. Whichever stage you may be at, you are guaranteed to have the guidance and support you need. You have the choice of a treatment program that you believe works for you. These programs may be offered at a rehab center, or you can have a care team that will create a treatment plan based on your preferences and requirements.

Some of the top options for treatment include:

Residential Treatment Programs

You can go for an inpatient drug rehabilitation center, which will give you an extremely personalized therapy. It often includes intense care and attention with programs that combine different treatments.

Some programs use a one-on-one technique in counseling. Some sessions have group therapies, which are also essential. You can get the support system that you may require during the treatment. Both options require you to stay at a facility for some time.

Some therapies that you will have to participate in are meditation, music or arts, healthy meal preparation, and building social skills. Exercises are also a regular part of the program. You will work with counselors and specialists that will try to help you understand the underlying causes of the addiction. At the end of the program, you should be able to deal with the issues, so you get the best results for the long term.

Partial Hospitalization Treatments

Unlike inpatient facilities, you will not need to stay at a care facility 24/7 with partial hospitalization programs. However, you can still get the treatment you need for your substance abuse disorder. The goal is to address extreme behaviors to modify them during the therapy in San Jose.

It is essential that you stick to your schedules, which should be maintained daily for several hours. The advantage of this option is that you can go home and sleep in your bed. You also choose your support system, which can be your family and friends.

Outpatient Therapies

Some people do not want to commit themselves to a strict care schedule, which involves partial hospitalization and residential treatment programs. An outpatient drug or alcohol rehab is also typical in San Jose, just like the inpatient facilities in the city.

The programs in outpatient therapy are less intense. Often, you will have to manage the causes or triggers that lead to substance misuse as they arise. Recovery meetings and counseling services are provided for this type of therapy. For individuals seeking flexibility and a less intensive approach to recovery, outpatient alcohol treatment in the San Jose area offers valuable support, combining counseling and recovery meetings to help manage substance misuse effectively. 

Finding Treatment Facilities in San Jose, CA

Drug and alcohol detox centers are everywhere in the city. Some cater to a specific group of people, such as business owners and executives. You can also find treatment facilities that are specifically for men or women. However, most facilities accept all kinds of individuals and genders. It is essential to choose where you know you feel comfortable.

The process of rehabilitation and detoxification can be a scary prospect for many people. You do not need to go through it alone. Professionals are around to support you in every step of the way. San Jose has drug and alcohol detox centers with medically trained experts. This way, they can monitor your vital organs and brain as you go through the cleansing procedure.

Participating in Recovery Meetings

These meetings are for those who are trying to recover and those who have overcome their drug abuse disorder successfully. If you enjoy sobriety and its benefits, a recovery meeting is also helpful. You can meet new people whom you can also serve as an inspiration to.

Some Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings take place in San Jose, including:

• Meeting at Newport Avenue in San Jose headed by the Willow Glen United Methodist Church
• Trinity Presbyterian Church AA meetings located at Union Avenue
• At Quimby Road, you can find meetings for alcoholics through a group called Vida Nueva GI Forum

Meanwhile, there are also Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings that you can participate in. These gatherings give you a warm welcome and support critical for your situation. Some NA meetings in San Jose are through the following:

• Alano Club at Fair Avenue
• Almaden United Methodist Church at Blossom Hill Road
• American Indian Education Center at Story Road, Suite 30 in San Jose

Aside from NA and AA meetings, you may also opt for a SMART Recovery Meeting. It differs from the other two since it is more on recovery rather than support. It has a program with tools and training focusing on how to face drug or alcohol abuse based on scientific data. You can join groups, such as Kaiser San Jose at Hospital Parkway or Mission Oaks Hospital in Los Gatos Almaden Road.