San Diego's close proximity with the Mexican border has made the city a haven for traffickers who bring in drugs from Mexico. Drug availability in the community has caused chronic drug abusers and drug-related crime. Drug rehabilitation centers aim to counter this harmful trend by converting addicts to healthy people.
Significance
Drug cartels cause drug-related crimes in the city of San Diego's neighborhoods. Several members of a drug cartel were arrested on July 23, 2010, charged with robbery, drug trafficking and money laundering, according to a Department of Justice press release. U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy said drug traffickers would not be allowed to live and spread-drug related violence in the city. Drug rehabilitation centers are therefore key to social reform in San Diego, reforming lives of San Diego's citizens who suffer from drug addiction and crime.
Types of Programs
Detoxification, usually the first phase, cleanses the patient's body with medication. Short-term residential care is usually three to six weeks long and carried out in an inpatient facility such as a hospital. Long-term residential care is between six to 12 months and caters to the patient's specific needs. Outpatient programs include treatment during the day, usually for patients who have a social support network. Individualized or group counseling programs may also be recommended, depending on the patient's diagnosis.
Benefits
Chronic drug abuse is a curable disease. Drug addiction not only causes physical disorders in the abuser, but also brings about psychological, social, behavioral and mental issues. The health benefits gained from drug rehabilitation programs account for both mental and physical well-being. Rehabilitation aims to rebuild a person inside out. The patient not only detoxifies his body but also regains self-accountability and self-esteem, upon graduating from the program.
San Diego
The House of Metamorphosis includes community-based therapeutic services focused on condition, function and character rehabilitation. Programs are residential, offering individual and group counseling, psychiatric evaluation and community re-entry training, among other services.
Home Stretch offers residential treatment, including drug testing, disease identification, recovery process and relapse prevention. The program's rates include treatment groups, individual sessions, bedding and utilities.
Cost
The bill you will pay depends on your initial diagnosis, programs purchased, the number of visits provided, program duration and other factors. The average cost of an outpatient methadone program (methadone is a staple drug used for detoxification) can be around $1,500 and that of an outpatient non-methadone treatment can be around $7,500. Inpatient or residential treatment can cost anywhere from $1,700 to $7,000 a month depending on the program.
Considerations
Drug rehabilitation centers are also businesses in the health service industry. Make sure your institution meets the minimum standard requirements. According to the University of San Diego, a proper drug rehabilitation program must either be qualified to receive funds from a government program or receive payments from a government-licensed insurance company. Alternatively, it must either be officially approved by a government agency or by a state-licensed hospital or medical doctor.
References
- Federal Bureau of Investigation San Diego: Department of Justice Press Release
- San Diego County: County of San Diego Medical Examiner 2009 Statistics
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment
- U.S. Department of Labor: Substance Abuse Basics: Treatment: What are the Costs of Treatment
- University of San Diego: Standards for a Qualified Drug Rehabilitation Program
