Alhambra Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Detox & Treatment Resources
Alhambra is a city with a population of approximately 84,780 residents. The city is located to the west of Los Angeles and south of Pasadena. The city’s history dates back to 1871 when the first house was built within the current city limits. Alhambra was one of the first cities in California to receive piped water, a factor that led to its growth. This was helped by the completion of rail links to the East, which brought an influx of settlers. In 1903, Alhambra was incorporated as a city. Thanks to the area’s long history, Alhambra has a notable Hispanic population.
Situated between LA and Pasadena, Alhambra has seen more than its fair share of drug and alcohol misuse. Drug busts are regular in the area, and the Los Angeles sheriff’s department issued a Narcan nasal spray to deputies so they can respond more effectively in cases of opioid overdose. But these arrests are simply a symptom of a larger problem: younger people are experimenting with drugs and alcohol for a multitude of reasons.
Statistics show that although many young adults started experimenting with alcohol and marijuana, a significant percentage of millennials — those born between 1983 and 2002 — are also using pain killers, tranquillizers and psychotherapeutics. Heroin use is also increasing. A major concern is that the side effects of stronger drugs like pain killers, heroin and Fentanyl are severe, and addiction is more likely to lead to severe health problems.
Nevertheless, help is available and alcohol and drug dependence can be treated. There are numerous resources available for those who want to stop drinking or using drugs, including self-help support groups as well as addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers.
Finding Help in Alhambra
Alhambra, California Alcohol Rehab Centers and Drug Centers
There are a number of drug rehab centers that offer different treatment options. These vary from support groups to outpatient treatment to residential treatments, and it’s possible to find a treatment facility that’s well suited for every need.
Inpatient drug rehabs are generally recognized as the most effective long-term solution for rehabilitation of patients suffering from alcohol and drug dependence. The underlying reason is that in a secure residential treatment, it’s virtually impossible for patients to obtain drugs and alcohol during their period of greatest vulnerability. Additionally, patients follow an intense program of therapy where they learn crucial life skills as well as receive counselling to help them to better understand addiction.
An alternative solution is one of partial hospitalization in which patients sleep at home or in some other form of accommodation near the facility. This type of treatment is recommended when patients can find or have stable and secure accommodations. The focus of the Alhambra drug rehab program remains on teaching lifestyle changes that do not depend on the stimulation of alcohol or drugs. As with residential treatment, patients are counseled to understand why they misused drugs or alcohol, and taught coping mechanisms.
An outpatient drug rehab differs from partial hospitalization in that it is less structured. A key constraint is that patients need to have safe and secure accommodations where there is no access to drugs or alcohol. These drug and alcohol treatment centers allow patients to continue to work and fulfill their family responsibilities, and therapy may be arranged outside of working hours. Patients are expected to participate in a minimum number of hours of individual and group therapy.
When considering a drug rehab program, it’s essential to consider the extent of the addiction and the ability or otherwise of the patient to refrain from using drugs or alcohol. If the addiction is all-consuming or life threatening, then a residential program is usually best. The duration of the program should also be adjusted to the type of addiction. For example, it takes patients who are dependent upon meth much longer to get over the effects of the drug than someone who is dependent upon cocaine. Another consideration is the cost, although many insurance programs will cover the cost of a drug and alcohol rehab center.
Detox Centers
The first step for a patient is detoxification. As the name indicates, this process is the elimination of all traces of drugs and alcohol from the patient’s body. Detoxification takes from three to seven days depending upon the type and degree of substance dependence. Once the drug detox program is complete, patients are no longer physically dependent on the substance they were misusing. Detoxification is usually unpleasant, especially if attempted without medical help. In medically supervised detoxification, patients receive medication that eases the unpleasant symptoms of drugs and alcohol, and their conditions are closely monitored in case of unexpected complications.
Recovery Meetings Near You
Regular attendance at recovery meetings is strongly recommended for those who are recovering from a substance dependence. Recovery meetings are open to anyone with a dependence upon drugs or alcohol. It is recognized that once someone develops an addiction, they will always be susceptible to relapse if they start using substances again. This is why alcoholics often refer to themselves as being “in recovery” and never claim to be cured.
Alcoholics Anonymous was the first recovery, or support group, formed. At that time, in the mid-1930s, alcoholism was common and the founders of AA realized that they needed mutual support to fight their alcoholism. The reason for the word “anonymous” is to acknowledge that members are totally anonymous. This prevents outsiders identifying them and helps them retain their dignity. AA follows a 12-step program towards sobriety and sponsors are appointed to help recovering alcoholics stay sober.
AA
5391 Poplar Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90032
AA
325 S Pine St.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
AA
1424 Fremont Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Narcotics Anonymous was formed in 1953 to fulfil the same need as AA, but for those dependent upon drugs. Initially it took a while to get going because most forms of drug misuse were illegal, but because NA maintained the same traditions as AA of total anonymity, NA grew. Although not affiliated to each other, NA adapted, with permission, the 12-step program. The success of the NA 12-step program is illustrated by the number of NA weekly meetings that take place in virtually every city and town.
Grace Brethren Church
920 Fremont Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Church of Our Savior
535 West Roses Rd.
San Gabriel, CA 91775
City of Angels Medical Center – Ingleside Hospital
7500 East Hellman Ave.
Rosemead, CA 91770
SMART Recovery stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The organization was founded in 1994 and is open to anyone suffering from any form of addiction or addictive behavior. SMART Recovery differs from the other organizations in that it makes use of facilitators to help run their meetings. SMART offers participants the choice of weekly face-to-face meetings, online meetings and chat rooms. The guiding philosophy behind SMART Recovery is that of scientifically proven, psychological methods as well as the legal use of appropriate addiction medication.
Greater Bethel Cathedral
4831 South Gramercy Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90062
Union Station HS
412 South Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phoenix House
11600 Eldridge Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 91342
Families and loved ones of those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol face numerous challenges. Firstly, there is a degree of abuse they may face from their partners, and secondly, their perceived inability to do anything about the addiction. Consequently, these families need help almost as much as their loved ones who are misusing drugs or alcohol. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are two sister organizations that provide help and support for families of those suffering from substance dependence. The two organizations have their own versions of the 12-step program, and through their weekly meetings, families and friends learn coping skills as well as how to confront their loved ones over their substance dependence.
Al-Anon
First Baptist Church
101 S. Atlantic Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 98801
Nar-Anon
Serenity Seekers
535 West Roses Rd.
San Gabriel, CA 91775
As part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, Alhambra is close to a number of rehabilitation facilities where those struggling with substance abuse can find help.