Assessment of Substance Abuse Programs in California and the Effectiveness of 12-Step Programs- A Social Work Perspective
Substance abuse and addiction have become serious issues in healthcare systems all around the world. They have an impact on many facets of human life, including drug abuse problems, and are progressively becoming recognized as chronic diseases. To reduce and prevent drug misuse and addiction, healthcare systems are increasingly beginning to detect, manage, and treat these health issues. Approximately 8 percent of the California population is said to suffer from substance use disorders as a result of drug misuse and addiction, yet only 10% of those afflicted receive any kind of treatment, revealing a gap in healthcare systems in addressing the problem (O’Brien et al. 2019).
Drug abuse and addiction, the incidence of substance use disorders, mortality rates, usage of emergency departments, treatment of diseases, and spending on drug misuse and addiction programs are all investigated to address the issue. In California, alcohol misuse and addiction are more common than other kinds of substance abuse and addiction. Alcohol addiction and dependency have been recorded in 6% of the Californian population, while other illegal substance abuse has been reported in 3% of the population (Tinghino et al. 2021). Substance abuse and addiction are most common among young adults, with rates roughly twice as high as the state average. Alcohol and other drug usage frequently begin in adolescence; according to studies, approximately half of California adolescents had tried alcohol by the 11th grade. As a result, the state is making considerable efforts to develop programs to extend and strengthen substance use and addiction treatment in healthcare settings.
Orange County rehab & detox is one program that addresses the issue, partnering with other organizations across the world as well as medical and drug addiction professionals. In response to the high incidence of drug misuse in California, the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council created a support group called ‘Drug Use is Life Abuse.’ The goal of the group is to impact the whole population and how society views drug misuse and addiction. Individuals can also use sober coaching programs to get the information and assistance they need to create a healthy lifestyle once they’ve recovered.
In California, there are a variety of rehabilitation alternatives available to addicts who want to stop abusing drugs. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs in California are offered in many settings to assist people in becoming clean and resuming their lives. California owns some of the most well-respected drug misuse and addiction treatment clinics, with specialized programs and cutting-edge therapies. Mental Health Substance Use Disorder Treatments is a branch of the California Department of Health Care Services that oversees substance addiction services across the state (Crowley et al. 2017).
State-funded rehabilitation is also offered to those who qualify, including state-funded health insurance for individuals with low money and resources. California’s Medicaid program covers both inpatient and outpatient substance addiction treatment at the healthcare institutions addressing the issue. In addition, the state of California has a drug court program for nonviolent drug offenders who require help overcoming addiction and misuse. By giving essential assistance to addicted criminals, the courts hope to minimize both drug use and related criminality. They offer intense substance abuse treatment rather than jail time, and the programs usually last a year. Individuals are constantly watched and subjected to random drug tests, and they must appear in court regularly to have their progress evaluated by a judge.
The 12-step approach is a 12-step process developed and used by Alcoholics Anonymous to help people overcome dependencies and compulsive behaviors. The model’s rationale is that people may assist one another in achieving and maintaining sobriety from substance misuse. However, healing can only happen if those with addictions surrender to a higher force. It is a widely used paradigm that outlines twelve key steps for controlling and treating addiction. Other addiction programs have found success with the approach, which adjusts the stages to fit their goals and patients’ requirements. The steps have been modified in different programs to suit the specific needs of patients, and with consistency and repeated procedures, they promote the well-being of the patients.
References
O’Brien, P., Crable, E., Fullerton, C., & Hughey, L. (2019). Best practices and barriers to engaging people with substance use disorders in treatment. The US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
Tinghino, B., Lugoboni, F., Amatulli, A., Biasin, C., Bramani Araldi, M., Cantiero, D., … & Nizzoli, U. (2021). The FODRAT study (FOOD addiction, Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco): First data on food addiction prevalence among patients with addiction to drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity, 26(2), 449-455.
Crowley, R., Kirschner, N., Dunn, A. S., & Bornstein, S. S. (2017). Health and public policy to facilitate effective prevention and treatment of substance use disorders involving illicit and prescription drugs: An American College of Physicians position paper. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 733-736.
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Question 
Examine the community where you live or attend school, and assess what substance abuse and addiction programs exist. What are they called, and where are they located?
Assessment of Substance Abuse Programs in California and the Effectiveness of 12-Step Programs- A Social Work Perspective
Every now and then, the media run exposés on 12-step programs. Research the social work literature to discover how effective 12-step programs are