Monterey Park, California, is an appealing suburb attached to the major city of Los Angeles, but the area still struggles with drug and alcohol abuse. One of the most abused drugs in Los Angeles County is methamphetamine.
According to one Los Angeles County public health survey, meth was the number one drug in connection with substance abuse treatment admissions—29% overall, an increase from 25.3% in 2015. Among reports of drug seizures through the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), meth made up 41.1% of reports in 2016 compared to 38.7% in 2015. After some small decreases over a few years, the rate between 2015 and 2016 increased again. Most people who abused meth in 2016 were reportedly between the ages of 26 and 44.
Meth was also reported in 4.5% of calls to LA County poison control centers, which was a slight decrease from 4.8% in 2015. However, methamphetamine related overdoses increased slightly, with the Los Angeles County medical examiner reporting 28.3% of toxicology cases involving meth compared to 27.7% in 2015.1
Meth is an extremely harmful stimulant drug. One of the most dangerous meth abuse behaviors is called tweaking—when a person goes on a meth binge and does not eat or sleep for 3 to 15 days. Tweaking can lead to overdose, psychosis, heart failure, and other severe problems that may turn into chronic issues if the person survives.2
If you or a loved one are struggling with methamphetamine abuse or any form of substance abuse, reach out for help now. Call our helpline to speak with a recovery advisor about your options.
[1]. National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS). Los Angeles County Sentinel Community Site (SCS) Drug Use Patterns and Trends, 2017.
[2]. Center for Substance Abuse Research. Methamphetamine.
The staff at Invigorate Behavioral Health, were exceptional in guiding me through my darkest times and teaching me the principles of sobriety. They are truly the best.
My first treatment center and I absolutely loved it. The staff really cares about and caters to your needs. The houses were immaculate and very welcoming. All of admin and the counselors made sure that you were comfortable and well taken care of. The house managers I had were very good then I went to work for them myself. I could not ask for a better treatment center as a client. I honestly believe had it not been for them caring for me so much as a client that I would not be almost 19 months clean still. I would recommend Able To Change to anyone who really wants to get and stay clean and have a staff that really cares for you
Not knowing what to expect is often the most unsettling aspect of entering a drug treatment program. How long does the program last? How will I know I'm getting better? What happens after I've completed the program? These questions can be answered by a treatment center representative before you even decide whether a particular program is right for you. Knowing what to expect can help to relieve a lot of the anxiety you may be feeling as you consider your options.
*Average Ages of First Encounters With Drugs
In 2010, an estimated 3 million people reported trying drugs for the first time, according to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental health treatment Administration. The average ages and drug types used were as follows:
Men and women often contend with different types of issues in their everyday life. Women, in particular, may have past or present wounds caused by sexual abuse or domestic violence. Ultimately, these are the issues that may be fueling a person's need to use drugs as a coping mechanism. Some drug treatment programs may address these issues in more detail than others, so it's important to look for the programs that work with your particular life issues. For additional information on addiction, please feel free to contact us. We can help you find the right program in or around Monterey Park.