Descanso, CA Detox and Rehab Centers

Descanso is a small unincorporated community in San Diego County, California that has a population of just under 1,500.¹ Because the community has a relatively small population and is not part of any municipal government, data specific to Descanso is extremely limited. However, looking at data for San Diego County can provide a rough indication of the impact of drug use and addiction on Descanso and its surrounding areas.

The San Diego County Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (PDATF) reports that in 2019, there were 8.2 unintentional prescription-caused deaths per 100,000 residents.² There were also 4.5 deaths caused by fentanyl per 100,000 residents.² In the same report, the PDATF shared data from the Department of the Medical Examiner indicating that there were 645 total accidental deaths caused by alcohol, medication, or illicit drugs in 2019.²

These deaths represent only a small portion of the impact of drug use on communities like Descanso within San Diego County. For example, emergency medical services and the sheriff’s department used naloxone (an antidote to an opioid overdose) a total of over 2,500 times in 2019.² San Diego County has declared illegal fentanyl a public health emergency as of June 2022.³

Medical detox, inpatient rehab, and residential rehabilitation are all forms of treatment for substance addiction. In medical detox, patients receive medical supervision and support to manage withdrawal while drugs leave their bodies.⁴ In rehab programs, patients’ time is structured for a variety of therapies, psychiatric/medical visits, and educational training.

While there are no detox or rehab treatment facilities located within the unincorporated community of Descanso, there are at least 11 state-licensed treatment centers within 25 miles.⁴ The closest facilities to Descanso include Genesis Recovery, Inc. (Lakeside, CA), San Diego Freedom Ranch (Campo, CA), and Kumeyaay Wellness Center (Boulevard, CA).⁵

In addition, there is 1 detox center 20 miles away in El Cajon, California and 7 hospital inpatient facilities within 50 miles of Descanso. If you or a loved one is in need of intensive outpatient treatment, there are 18 treatment centers that offer this form of treatment within a 50-mile radius of Descanso, California. ⁴

Support groups are collectives of people with similar experiences who offer encouragement and strength to each other. Many addiction-related support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), are 12-Step programs.⁵

Local AA and NA chapters are here to help anyone dealing with addiction to find community and feel less alone. As the names suggest, maintaining member anonymity is of the utmost importance to these organizations.

One of the opportunities closest to Descanso to attend AA and NA meetings is the Poway Alano Club, with 2 locations in Poway, CA.⁶

Sources:

1. US Census Bureau. (n.d.). Descanso CDP, California.
2. San Diego County Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force. (2020). 2020 report card.
3. Kucher, K. (2022, June 28). ‘One pill can kill’: Board of supervisors declares illegal fentanyl a public health emergency. San Diego Tribune.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov. Descanso.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, July 2). 12-Step Interventions and Mutual Support Programs for Substance Use Disorders: An Overview. 
6. Poway Alano Club. (n.d.). Meeting schedule & notes.