Escondido, CA Detox and Rehab Centers

Escondido, California is part of inland San Diego County and is 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 30 miles northeast of the city of San Diego. Like cities across the United States, Escondido struggles with substance misuse, addiction, and drug-related crime. In 2019, 14 people in Escondido died from an opioid-related overdose, and 17 people were hospitalized.¹

Escondido police have been working hard to get various substances off the streets. In May 2022, they arrested an Escondido man and seized almost 36 grams of methamphetamine, 235 fentanyl pills, and powdered fentanyl.² The man had been arrested several times previously on gun and drug charges.²

In November 2021, Escondido officers got a tip about a person selling drugs.³ A subsequent search turned up hydrocodone pills, fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and ecstasy pills.³ The Escondido man was arrested for possession of narcotics for sale.³

Driving under the influence has also led to tragedy in Escondido. A woman was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for driving while intoxicated in a 2020 crash that killed 4 people, including 2 children.⁴ Police said the woman was on probation from a drug DUI conviction when she got high and drove again.⁴

Looking at alcohol misuse in the city, in 2019, 48 people in Escondido died from an alcohol-related disorder.¹

Fortunately, residents can get help for any type of substance use disorder at an Escondido drug or alcohol rehab. Depending on the person’s specific treatment needs, they can choose from an inpatient or outpatient facility.

Escondido has 19 drug and alcohol rehabs within a 10-mile radius.⁵ Across the state of California, there are over 1,700 treatment centers available.⁶ The following options are located in and around Escondido:⁵

• 2 hospital inpatient facilities with around-the-clock care
• 15 rehabs that treat people who have a dual diagnosis of substance use and mental health disorders
• 7 inpatient or residential centers that require patients to live at the facility full-time during treatment
• 13 outpatient centers with flexible addiction treatment scheduling
• 7 detox facilities with supervised withdrawal from drugs or alcohol
• 3 transitional housing facilities for people who need a place to stay after rehab ends

Transitional housing is also referred to as a halfway house or sober living home. These places provide a structured environment for people who are not yet ready to live on their own once they’ve completed inpatient treatment.

After completing drug or alcohol rehab, many people are encouraged to join an addiction-specific support group to help maintain their recovery. Regular attendance at these meetings can help people in creating a new daily routine and it facilitates interaction with people who understand the struggles of addiction.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one type of support group. The Alano Club of Escondido, 1690 E. Valley Pkwy., has more than 2 dozen AA meetings available Monday through Sunday.⁷ First Congregational, 1800 N. Broadway, also holds meetings Monday through Sunday at 7 a.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m.⁷

One support group targeted at drug addiction is Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Some of the Escondido NA meetings are held at the Alano Club Sundays at 7 p.m., First Congregational on Mondays at 5:45 p.m. and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut St., on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays at noon.⁸

Support groups, such as AA or NA, can be a safe space away from outside triggers. Members also get a chance to learn and practice healthier coping skills.

Sources:

1. County of San Diego – Health and Human Services Agency. (2022). North Inland region – 2019 community profiles.
2. City of Escondido Police. (2022, May 11). Felon with ghost gun and drugs arrested 10 times since 2020.
3. City of Escondido Police. (2021, November 22). Subjects arrested in tent with drugs and firearms.
4. Candelieri, D. (2022, June 30). Escondido woman sentenced in 2020 crash that killed 4 pedestrians.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov. Escondido.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). National survey of substance abuse treatment services.
7. North County San Diego Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). Escondido meetings.
8. Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). NA meeting search.