Detox Centers in Cathedral City, CA

Cathedral City, CA, is part of Riverside County and has the second largest population of the 9 cities in the Coachella Valley.¹ Like many other cities and counties across the country, Cathedral City and Riverside County are dealing with a significant increase in fentanyl-related deaths.² Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and around 50 times stronger than heroin.²

According to county statistics, there has been an 800% increase in fentanyl-related deaths in Riverside County since 2016.² To help combat this increase, DAP Health, a community healthcare organization, launched a harm reduction program in the county.³ The program will include education about overdose prevention and the distribution of fentanyl test strips and Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose.³

Riverside County is also cracking down on the people who sell fentanyl. In February 2021, the county charged a man with second-degree murder who was accused of selling fentanyl-laced drugs to a person who overdosed and died.⁴

Statistics from the Riverside County EMS paint a clearer picture of what is happening with opioid addiction in Cathedral City. In January 2022, Cathedral City had 6 suspected opioid overdoses.⁵ Two of them were fatal.⁵

Additional data showed the percentage of adults in Cathedral City who reported binge drinking at least once over 30 days had gone up slightly from 2018 to 2019 to 16.2%.⁶ This number is about a percentage point better than the county overall.⁶

A substance use disorder can include an addiction to alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs, and even nicotine. Thankfully, it can be treated successfully. Cathedral City rehab centers can help people start the recovery process.

California is home to a significant number of treatment facilities. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), there are more than 1,500 centers in the state.⁷ When broken down by location, 37 of those facilities are in and around Cathedral City.⁸

Where patients choose to seek treatment can be very important to their recovery. Patients who have supportive family and friends nearby may seek treatment near their homes. However, others may look for treatment farther away to put distance between them and the people who supported their addiction.

The following treatment options are available to patients who live in and around Cathedral City⁸:

• 19 facilities offer drug detox, which is often the first step in the recovery process.
• 20 outpatient centers for patients who have a strong outside support system.
• 3 hospital inpatient facilities offer continuous, monitored care.
• 9 facilities with transitional housing for those patients who need more time to safely live on their own.
• 21 residential treatment centers where people can focus solely on their recovery.
• 21 facilities that treat a dual diagnosis, which addresses both substance use and mental illness.

Addiction comes in many forms. Finding the right treatment option to address a patient’s individual needs is essential to a successful recovery. A rehab facility will work with a patient to determine the right course of treatment to achieve and maintain sobriety.

Research shows that support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are effective in helping people manage their substance use disorder.⁹ Regularly attending meetings can reduce a person’s social isolation. It also provides a safe environment to share stories and challenges as well as hear about successes.

The AA Central Intergroup Office of the Desert holds meetings in Cathedral City at the following locations¹⁰:

• 6855 Ramon Rd.
• Perez Plaza, 34116 Date Palm Dr.
• 68703 Perez Rd.

There is one NA meeting located within Cathedral City and several others held less than 10 miles away.¹¹ They are located at¹¹:

• Church of Palm Springs, 330055 Cathedral Canyon, Cathedral City
• Christ of the Desert, 73-441 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert
• Portola Community Center, 45480 Portola Ave. Palm Desert
• Alano Club, 463 West Dominguez Rd., Palm Springs

AA and NA meetings often give attendees a sense of structure and community that can benefit the recovery process.

Sources:

1. County of Riverside. (n.d.). Cities in Riverside County.
2. County of Riverside. (2021, July 1). Riverside County committee to combat fentanyl abuse.
3. Sasic, E. (2022, January 19). DAP Health to roll out harm reduction program, second one available in Riverside County.
4. The Office of the District Attorney, County of Riverside. (2021, February 22). DA Hestrin announces murder charge filed against alleged drug dealer who sold fentanyl-laced drugs to victim.
5. Riverside County EMS Agency. EMS suspected overdose data.
6. SHAPE Riverside County. Community dashboard.
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). National survey of substance abuse treatment services.
8. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
9. Donovan, D et al. (2013). 12-Step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview. Social Work in Public Health, 28(0), 313-332.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous Central Intergroup Office of the Desert. (n.d). Cathedral City meetings.
11. Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). NA meeting search.