Detox Centers in Potrero, California

Potrero is a small town in southeastern San Diego County located along the California-Mexico border. The town’s closest neighbor is across the border in Tecate, Mexico.

In 2021, Potrero had a drug overdose death rate of 74.35 per 100,000 residents, making it the 5th highest in the county.¹ Potrero also had a drug-related overdose emergency department visit rate of 50.24 per 100,000 residents.¹

Border officials along San Diego County are seizing increasing amounts of fentanyl crossing the border in and around Potrero. Between October 2021 and June 2022, law enforcement in the area seized 5,091 pounds of fentanyl, which is 60% of the amount of fentanyl seized around the entire U.S.² The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office reports that fentanyl-related overdose deaths have increased by 2,375% between 2016 and 2021.²

Looking at alcohol misuse in San Diego County, 20% of adults reported heavy or binge drinking in 2019.³ Also, between 2016 and 2020, 27% of car crash fatalities in the county involved alcohol.³

Fortunately, receiving drug or alcohol addiction treatment at a facility near Potrero can provide people with the tools they need to achieve and maintain their sobriety.

There are more than 1,700 addiction treatment centers across California.⁴ Seven of those rehab facilities are within 25 miles of Potrero.⁵ The following treatment types are available in and around Potrero, CA:⁵

• 6 interim care facilities that provide care when there isn’t immediate admission to another facility
• 2 detox facilities that provide medically-supervised withdrawal from substances
• 1 hospital inpatient facility that provides non-stop medical care in a hospital environment
• 3 rehabs that offer programming for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• 4 inpatient or residential centers where people stay and receive treatment
• 3 outpatient centers that provide more flexibility for those who want to continue their daily routine while receiving treatment

Outpatient treatment is typically considered less intensive than an inpatient program. There are several levels of outpatient care, starting with a partial hospitalization program (PHP), which is the most involved. An intensive outpatient program is a step down from a PHP, followed by standard outpatient treatment.

An addiction support group can be utilized as a supplement to a rehab program or as part of a person’s aftercare plan once they have completed an addiction treatment program. It should not be considered a substitute for professional addiction treatment. Members of a support group can provide advice, offer suggestions, and help each other regain confidence as they continue their recovery journey.

The best-known addiction support groups are typically 12-Step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (AA). These groups provide support and resources to their members and help them establish a routine.

The closest AA meeting to Potrero is in Campo, which is about 9 miles away.⁶ Meetings are held Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at 31464 CA-94.⁶ There is also an NA meeting in Campo at Freedom Ranch, 1777 Buckman Springs Rd., Wednesdays at 6 p.m.⁷

Meetings usually last between 60 and 90 minutes and can either be in a “closed” or “open” format. Open meetings are open to anyone interested in the program, which can include people who are not in addiction treatment. Closed meetings are for members only.

Sources:

1. California Department of Public Health. (n.d.). California overdose surveillance dashboard.
2. United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of California. (2022, August 11). Fentanyl seizures at border continue to spike, making San Diego a national epicenter for fentanyl trafficking; U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritizes prosecutions and prevention programs.
3. University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. (2022). County health rankings – San Diego.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). National survey of substance abuse treatment services.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov. Results.
6. Alcoholics Anonymous. San Diego. (n.d.). Campo meetings.
7. San Diego Imperial Counties Region of Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). Campo meetings