Top California Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Centers

California teens and adults have higher rates of illicit drug use compared to national averages. The state has taken steps to prevent drug abuse and expand access to treatment. For example, it launched the California Tobacco Control Program in 1989. Rates of cigarette smoking decreased by 51% from 1988 to 2014, and the state now has the second-lowest adult smoking prevalence rate in the country.⁶ Recently, the state passed a law to curb opioid overprescribing and broadened reimbursement for treatment services for Medicaid recipients.

The state legalized marijuana for personal use in 2016.⁷ It remains to be seen if this will affect rates of use in CA.

To help prevent prescription opioid addiction, the state passed Senate Bill 482, which went into effect in 2017. The law requires doctors to check a database of a patient’s prescription history before prescribing opioids.⁹ In 2015, the state expanded substance abuse treatment services to people on Medi-Cal, including inpatient care, case management, recovery services, and added medication.¹⁰

California has 1,004 outpatient programs, 521 residential programs, and 30 hospital inpatient programs. 142 facilities offer opioid treatment programs. 85% accept cash or self-payment, 51% accept private health insurance, 19% accept Medicare, 29% accept Medicaid, and 63% offer a sliding scale fee.⁴

Addiction by the Numbers

• California teens have low rates of cigarette smoking. Seventy-two percent of high school students in the state report never trying cigarettes, compared to 68% nationwide.³
• Teens also have lower rates of alcohol use than U.S. averages. 15% report binge drinking in the past month compared to 18% nationwide, and 29% report having at least 1 drink on at least 1 day during the past month, compared to 33% nationwide.³
• Rates of past-year alcohol dependence and abuse and illicit drug dependence and abuse among Californians age 12 and older have consistently been above national averages since 2010-2011. However, these rates have declined over the past few years.⁵
• About 4,500 Californians died from drug overdose in 2014, up by 1,500, or 50%, from 2002. More than twice as many Californians die of drug overdoses than are murdered.²
• Stimulants, marijuana, and heroin were the most commonly cited reasons for drug treatment admissions in the state from 1992-2012.⁸
• The number of people receiving methadone in the state increased from 29,874 in 2009 to 30,872 in 2013. The number of people receiving buprenorphine increased from 1,392 in 2009 to 2,154 in 2013.¹

How Much Does Rehab Cost?

Once you have found a treatment program, you will need to figure out how you are going to cover the cost of rehab. There are a number of factors that will influence the cost of rehab, including location, length of stay, type of treatment (inpatient, outpatient, hospital-based, etc.), and amenities offered.

Let’s verify your coverage for treatment at an American Addiction Centers location. Your information is always confidential.

In general, inpatient programs cost more than outpatient programs because they provide around-the-clock care. However, a high price tag doesn’t guarantee high quality and you should spend time researching the facility before making a decision.

If you find a program that is out of your financial reach, you can ask if the program offers sliding scales. Some will work with you to negotiate prices and payment plans so you can pay in installments rather than one lump sum.

Substance Abuse Treatment Options

Don’t wait until your substance abuse or addiction spirals out of control to get the help you need. The sooner you seek help, the better. The consequences of continued alcohol or drug abuse are severe and can lead to overdose, incarceration, financial problems, violence, or destroying your personal relationships.

When you enter treatment, you will first be given a physical exam and your doctor will create a treatment plan for you. Depending on your situation, your treatment might start with detox, followed by a period of inpatient or outpatient treatment. If your addiction is more severe, it may be recommended that you stay in treatment for a longer period of time so that you have enough time to stabilize and adequately focus on your recovery.

During the first days or weeks of rehab, you might experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, headaches, nausea, or trouble sleeping. In many cases, these can be managed through a combination of medication and therapy.

Local Resources for Recovering Addicts

• Licensed residential facilities and/or certified alcohol and drug programs: A list of programs by county with contact information and services, provided by the California Department of Health Care Services.
• Medi-Cal: Information on Medi-Cal, a public health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.
• California Youth Crisis Line: A 24/7, 365 hotline for youth and families in crisis.