Palm Desert is located only a few miles from Palm Springs and just over 100 miles from the bustling city of Los Angeles. With a population of just under 50,000 fulltime residents, Palm Desert is a mecca for city dwellers looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway, complete with culture and recreation. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?

Drug Abuse in Palm Desert

Every community has its share of drug abuse, misuse and addiction, however. Palm Desert is no different, with an article published on a local news outlet, My Desert, highlighting the fact that a local private school will begin mandatory drug testing of its students prior to admissions in the next school year.

According to the most recent statistics released by Monitoring the Future, an annual survey of students in public and private schools nationwide conducted by the University of Michigan, 8 percent of high school seniors reported using MDMA or Ecstasy, nearly 5 percent reported using cocaine, and more than 12 percent have used methamphetamine. A full 50 percent of high school seniors admitted to being drunk at least once in their lifetimes.

It doesn’t really matter where you live, drugs are readily available, according to the DEA, and addiction is of great concern. Of course, if you suspect that someone you love in Palm Desert has a drug addiction, getting help as quickly as possible can mean the difference between health and a life of drug abuse.

There are several types of treatment for drug addiction. For instance:

• Hospital inpatient:  generally located in a hospital setting with few home-like comforts
• Residential inpatient: residences dedicated to treating patients in a home-like setting with a focus on recovery and overall comfort
• Outpatient: basic treatment and follow-up care on an individual basis or in groups
• Intensive outpatient:  intensive treatment, daily or several times each week, involving evidence-based therapies for addiction
• Private therapist: talk therapy on a one-on-one basis with a counselor on a set schedule

Before you choose the right kind of treatment for you or your family member, you may want to consider the differences between programs. Each individual is unique, and the most effective treatment program will address all the person’s needs as directly as possible.

Outpatient Treatment Centers for Addiction

Participating in an outpatient treatment program means that the recovering addict resides on their own, outside of the facility grounds, during treatment. This option works for those who have commitments they can’t leave, such as school or work, or if they have children for whom there is no available care. When you participate in an outpatient treatment plan, you may be required to submit to random drug testing to ensure sobriety during treatment.

You can still participate in many types of therapies, including group therapy, individual cognitive behavioral therapy or alternative therapies that focus on holistic treatment. The drawback to outpatient treatment is the availability for continued drug abuse. In some cases, seeking inpatient treatment is the best way to completely safeguard against early relapse.

Inpatient Treatment Affords Unique Opportunities

A residential treatment program, like the one offered here at Axis, provides for day-to-day needs for each resident. This allows the resident to concentrate completely on his or her recovery and focus all their attention on getting well. With evidence-based treatments, including 12-step recovery programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, and holistic alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage and herbal therapy, Axis creates an atmosphere of health and whole-self wellness for each individual.

While in a residential treatment center, you can expect to spend some of your time learning about your disease and how to change your thinking and behaviors for the very best chance at maintaining your sobriety once you return to your home in Palm Desert. This might include nutritional counseling, drug abuse education and spiritual counseling to help you gain the wisdom your unique experiences have brought to you.

Here at Axis, we have a dedicated staff that can help you find the peace you deserve through sobriety. Call us today to discover the many ways we can be of assistance to you and your family.