Detox Centers in Whitewater, CA

Whitewater, CA, is a census-designated area in Riverside County, just a few miles between North Palm Springs and Cabazon. This small town is home to less than 1,000 residents, but its close location to major cities in the county makes it stand out on its own.¹

According to local news reports, Riverside residents feel the impact of rising fentanyl overdoses.² There were 686 overdose deaths in 2020, with 40% of those fentanyl-related.² By the first half of 2021, fentanyl-related overdoses accounted for 158 deaths.² Local police warn about the dangers of synthetic fentanyl, a drug often distributed illegally and combined with other drugs such as heroin, MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine to produce a more intense high and bring prices down.²

For Whitewater, California, a 2019 survey said the number of adults who binge drank in the last 30 days was lower than the average in Riverside County, just below 15%.³ However, the rate of annual opioid prescription in 2020 was 499 per 1,000 residents, significantly higher than the rest of the county and the state.³ And at least 4.5% of patients in Whitewater in quarter two of 2021 had an opioid prescription. Similarly, a 2019 survey said about 22.5% of adults had been diagnosed with depression, while 18.9% reported poor mental health symptoms for more than 14 days.³ Around 1 in every 4 individuals with serious mental illness also has a substance use disorder.⁴

In Whitewater, CA, a 2017-2018 survey said about 22.4% of adults have difficulty obtaining care, and almost 18% of residents in 2019 didn’t have health insurance.³ There are at least 33 facilities within 25 miles of Whitewater, CA, providing various treatment services, including:⁵

• Detox
• Outpatient
• Hospital inpatient
• Residential
• Transitional housing
• Dual diagnosis
• Telemedicine

Whitewater residents struggling with alcohol abuse or drug addiction can find a wealth of alternatives in nearby cities. Most facilities are in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, and Banning, CA.⁵

Drug and alcohol support groups to assist recovery from substance abuse disorders can be highly beneficial.⁶ Studies suggest that peer support groups show much promise in maintaining sobriety and recovery when included in addiction treatment.⁶ The most well-known self-help groups are those associated with organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), both follow a 12-Step model.⁷ It’s important to know that while these groups are not a substitute for formal treatment, they can be a great source of encouragement for patients in rehab and after.⁷

There are 4 local resources close to Whitewater, CA, to find AA meetings.⁸ The closest one is the Central Intergroup Office of the Desert in Cathedral City. Contact the center for meetings times and availability; the group meets both in-person and online.⁸

Whitewater residents looking for NA meetings in their area can use the group’s website to find the closest one to their location.⁹ There are over 47 meeting locations around Whitewater, CA, with the closest ones in the Palm Springs area. Check the website for the latest times and places as the groups meet both in-person and online.⁹

Furthermore, local centers, churches, and schools might also host AA or NA meetings. Reach out to these facilities for better assistance.

Sources:

1. Yoonserk, P., & Mike S., (2021, August 12). How many people live in Riverside County after the 2020 Census count?
2. Ema S. (2021, July 20). Fentanyl overdoses, deaths are up in Riverside County. Many don’t know they’ve taken it.
3. Strategic Health Alliance Pursuing Equity. (n.d.).  Riverside indicators: zip code: 92282.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 13). Part 1: The connection between substance use disorders and mental illness.
5. FindTreatment.gov. Results.
6. Tracy, K., & Wallace, S. P. (2016). Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 7, 143–154.
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, October 1). Step by step guides to finding treatment for drug use disorders.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous. Find AA near you (North America).
9. Narcotics Anonymous. Narcotics Anonymous meeting search results.