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Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.
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An October 2016 report released by the San Diego County Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force showed that prescription drug abuse remains high in the county.
The county’s annual Prescription Drug Abuse Report Card showed that there were 248 unintentional deaths caused by prescription drugs in 2015, four more than there were in 2014. Approximately 7.7 out of every 100,000 San Diego County residents died from prescription drug abuse in 2015.
Alfredo Aguirre, director of the San Diego County Behavioral Health Services department, says these results show that current prevention efforts by the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force must increase in order to combat the reach of this epidemic.
“We started this campaign to bring down those numbers, and we still need to work harder,” Aguirre told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
In addition to examining overdose deaths in San Diego County, the task force studied youth drug abuse, crime and substance abuse trends.
Prescription drug abuse among local 11th graders increased from 13 percent in 2014 to 14 percent in 2015, according to the report.
Crime in San Diego is also inextricably linked to prescription drug abuse. Among adults arrested in San Diego County, 43 percent reported misuse of prescription drugs.
Visits to local emergency rooms related to prescription drugs increased 20 percent from 2013 to 2014. In 2015, 52 percent of prescription drug overdose deaths in San Diego County involved other substances.
Heroin Problem Also on the Rise
Heroin treatment admissions have risen every year in San Diego County since 2011 — the first year that the report was published.
In 2015, there were 15,177 adult drug treatment admissions in San Diego public facilities. Of those admissions, 28.6 percent were for heroin.
The report showed that heroin now ties methamphetamine for the top reason for admission to drug treatment in San Diego County.
There were 90 heroin-related deaths in San Diego County last year — down from 105 in 2014. However, the percentage of all overdose deaths involving heroin rose to 17.8 percent from 17 percent in 2014.
The majority of treatment experts and government officials agree that the rise of prescription opioids has contributed to the heroin abuse epidemic sweeping the nation.
“Prescription drug abuse continues to fuel the heroin problem in the region,” said Aguirre.
Many Americans develop a substance use disorder involving opioids, which are often obtained through legal prescriptions. After the opioid prescription runs out, individuals often turn to heroin as a cheaper and more accessible option to satisfy their opioid craving.
According to a study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis and Nova Southeastern University, survey results showed 75 percent of nearly 3,000 heroin users were introduced to opioids through prescription drugs.
Prevention Efforts
The report also presented a set of actions needed to combat the spread of prescription drug abuse in San Diego County. The four-point plan promoted proper prescription drug disposal to decrease access to prescription drugs.
“Don’t let your medicine cabinets be a point of access for young people and others looking for prescriptions to get high,” the report said.
The plan also called for doctors to support safe prescribing practices and to use a medication agreement for patients who need controlled substances for three months or more.
Other actions include increasing awareness of the opioid overdose antidote naloxone and encouraging those with substance use disorders to find the necessary drug addiction treatment.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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Álvarez, J. (2016, October 20). Prescription Drug Deaths Level Off in San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.countynewscenter.com/prescription-drug-deaths-level-off-in-san-diego/
Cicero, T. et al. (2014, June 1). The changing face of heroin use in the United States: a retrospective analysis of the past 50 years. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24871348
McAllister, T. (2016, October 20). Report: 248 Prescription Drug Deaths in San Diego County Last Year. Retrieved from http://timesofsandiego.com/life/2016/10/20/248-prescription-drug-deaths-in-san-diego-county-during-2015-report-finds/
San Diego Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force. (2016, October). 2016 Rx Report Card. Retrieved from http://media.wix.com/ugd/aa9d62_0c7f08a31367475aa6fa5d3700592641.pdf
Sisson, P. (2016, October 20). Prescription-drug abuse still high in San Diego County. Retrieved from http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/health/sd-me-prescription-abuse-20161020-story.html
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