
Carlsbad, California, is a city in northern coastal San Diego County with a median age of 42 years old.1 People older than 35 are more likely to receive prescriptions for drugs like painkillers and sedatives, which puts them at greater risk of addiction to these medications.
San Diego County residents as a whole are increasingly abusing prescription drugs. According to data from 2011, 56% of drug overdose deaths involved prescription drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and diazepam.2 Although public health and law enforcement officials have tried to reduce the harm caused by prescription narcotics and sedatives, overdose deaths continue to increase.
In 2016, prescription drug–related deaths rose slightly from the year before, although many prevention and education programs had been put in place in San Diego County. In fact, painkiller abuse among high school students rose despite drug education programs offered in schools. The rise occurred after overdose rates had fallen for three years, between 2012 and 2014.3
For every 1 drug overdose death in Carlsbad and the greater San Diego area, there are 32 emergency room admissions for misuse or abuse of drugs and 10 admissions to treatment programs.2 Those who have an addiction to prescription drugs need increased access to evidence-based detox and rehabilitation.
If you or someone you know lives in Carlsbad and has a substance use disorder, they need professional treatment as soon as possible to ensure the best outcomes. Refer to our directory for treatment options.











First Step Sober Living was the ideal residency for me when I got out of treatment. The house manager was a great role model and mentor to me and my other housemates during my stay. The criteria I looked for in a sober living house was a comfortable, stress free zone with a strong sense of community where I had support and didn\'t have to keep my guard up. I wanted to trust my housemates and not have to worry about if they were going to rip me off or anything... where I could just focus on ME and staying sober. I found that, along with a few lifelong friends while I was a resident. Highly recommend
West Coast is unlike any other rehab I have been at. The treatment team truly care about their patients wellbeing. I got a personalized treatment plan and was able to chose what type of recovery works for me. I loved their layout of daily programming. Yoga, Mindfulness, group therapy, one on one therapy, Sound healing, and Acupuncture are just a few! Being on the beach is a huge plus! If you are able to go to West Coast I strongly recommend it. Ive been sober for eight months now and have worked through many things I was unable to let go of throughout life thanks to West Coast.