La Mesa, CA Detox and Rehab Centers

La Mesa, California is a small city in San Diego County with a population of about 57,000. Nicknamed the “Jewel of the Hills,” La Mesa is known as one of the top 10 suburbs in San Diego County. Like many cities and towns in San Diego County, substance abuse has significantly affected the La Mesa community. Specific statistics on addiction and drug use in La Mesa may be challenging to find, but many news articles and police reports show how substance abuse has affected the community.

In 2019, a La Mesa neighborhood was negatively impacted by two suspected drug houses.¹ Residents complained of an increase in drug-related crimes, people passed out on the street, and multiple home invasions were reported. There were also multiple arrests and drug busts in La Mesa involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in 2022.²

Fentanyl overdoses continue to wreak havoc in many places in the United States, especially in San Diego County. In 2022, a 17-year-old girl was found dead after a suspected fentanyl overdose.³ the presence of fentanyl in this area has grown so concerning that San Diego County has been referred to as “an epicenter for fentanyl trafficking into the United States.”³

Many options for detox and rehab are available throughout California. Within 5 miles, there are 19 treatment facilities near La Mesa.⁴ Parent Care Family Recovery Center offers a variety of addiction treatment options, such as day treatment programs, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, medication-assisted therapy, co-occurring disorder treatment, and different behavioral therapies. They offer a wide array of special programs for adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, and people who’ve experienced trauma.⁴

The Bridges of San Diego is a world-class drug and alcohol treatment facility in La Mesa, providing a top-notch intensive outpatient program. Along with common addiction treatments, they have a variety of programs for special populations, such as chronic relapses, families, and people convicted of drug offenses. Federal military insurance, IHS/Tribal/Urban (ITU) funds, private health insurance, and cash or self-payment are all accepted by The Bridges of San Diego.⁵

Drug and alcohol support groups can be very beneficial to those on the journey to recovery. They provide a space to connect with others struggling with addiction to share experiences and offer support and encouragement. Popular support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer thousands of regular meetings nationwide.

In La Mesa, dozens of in-person and online options are available for AA and NA weekly meetings. Battery Chargers, D.D.G.T.M. The Other Meeting, and East County Young People’s Rules 62 offer AA meetings at various locations on Sundays.⁶ Daily Reflection offers both online and in-person meetings every day but Sunday at 8360 Lemon Ave. Other meetings include Tuesday Nite Live at 4210 Massachusetts Ave on Tuesdays, Men’s Daily Reprieve online on Fridays, and Women’s Joy of Living at 8360 Lemon Ave. on Saturdays.⁶

Options for NA meetings are also available in La Mesa. The Central Congregational Church on 8360 Lemon Ave. offers NA meetings Sundays and Fridays at 7:30 pm. The United Church of Christ on 5940 Kelton Ave also offers a meeting at 6:30 pm on Thursdays.⁷

Sometimes you can feel alone on the journey to recovery. Seeking support in AA or NA in La Mesa is a great way to build connections with like-minded people and help each other along the way.

Sources:

1. ABC 10 News. (2019). La Mesa neighborhood pleads for help against suspected ‘drug houses’.
2. The San Diego Union-Tribune. (2022). Month-long operation nets 18-year-old suspect with cache of guns, drugs.
3. The San Diego Union-Tribune. (2022). Body found in La Mesa identified as that of 17-year-old girl; fentanyl suspected in death.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Find Treatment.gov. Search results.
5. The Bridges of San Diego. (2022). Home.
6. Alcoholics Anonymous San Diego. (2022). AA San Diego.
7. Narcotics Anonymous. (2022).  Narcotics Anonymous meeting search results.