Drug and Alcohol Addiction In Hayward, California
Hayward, California, is the 6th largest city in the East Bay area with a population of roughly 150,000 people. Known as the “Heart of the Bay,” Hayward is located in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont Metropolitan Statistical Area and has become a bustling center of commerce, manufacturing, and trade. Despite its economic success, the city has unfortunately seen an increase in alcohol and drug related issues in recent years, specifically concerning Opioids. In 2016, an estimated 5.6% of people ages 12 years and older (79,816 people) misused Opioids in Alameda County, where Hayward resides. Additionally, 1% (14,254 people) had an Opioid dependency.
For those seeking addiction treatment in the area, the city of Hayward offers multiple rehabilitation resources that can help. These resources include: inpatient and outpatient programs, crisis intervention, counseling, and 12-step programs. Beyond the city, the state of California has over 25 drug and alcohol rehab centers throughout if traveling for care is a feasible option.
The Opioid Crisis In Hayward
In Alameda County, Opioid prescriptions were written at a rate of 536 prescriptions per 1,000 residents in 2015, which is equal to roughly 1 prescription for every 2 residents. While Alameda County Opioid abuse rates may not be as dramatic or high as the national level, Opioid use in the county exceeds that of other Californian counties and continues to be a great concern for the area. Hayward has the second highest rate of Opioid-related emergency department visits out of all the cities in Alameda County, and is second only to Oakland.
We’re seeing it in the field, we’re seeing people come in the emergency room, we’re seeing people in the hospital and we’re seeing people in the morgue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70% of Opioid misuse cases involved medications taken from a friend or relative. In an effort to reduce prescription medication abuse, the MEDS Coalition enacted the Alameda County Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance to help prevent misuse by older adults, reduce access to medication for young people, prevent theft of medication, and stop medication from entering waterways and harming the environment. Hayward has 2 separate drop off locations for extra or unused Opioids for residents, including the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Site – Hayward and Ted’s Drugs.
A 2015 CDC study found that misuse of prescription Opioid Painkillers, such as Vicodin and OxyContin, is the strongest risk factor for future Heroin use. In Alameda County, 3 out of 4 new Heroin users report having abused prescription Painkillers first. Alameda County has a higher rate of HIV/AIDS crude cases than the state of California, with 447 cases between the years of 2013-2015. This may partly be attributed to the increase in Heroin use in the area, as shared needles increase the risk of contracting the disease, as do the risky behaviors that Heroin produces within users.
Substance Abuse Statistics For Hayward
$9.6
Million
The estimated cost of opioid-related hospitalization in Alameda County in 2014 was $9.6 million.
16.1
Percent
16.1% of the adult Hayward population engaged in binge drinking in the last 30 days.
258
People
258 people died from opioid-related overdose in Alameda County from 2009-2014.
Youth Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance among America’s youth, and Hayward is no different. On average, 21% of Alameda County high school students started drinking alcohol before the age of 11 and 58% began drinking between the ages of 11 and 15. Alcohol and drug abuse plays a role in the majority of the negative issues facing the young Alameda County population, including:
- Crime
- Contraction of STDs
- Abuse and neglect
- Violence
- Domestic violence
- Teen pregnancy
- Motor-vehicle accidents
- Depression
Almost 2/3 of high schoolers and 1/3 of middle schoolers reported using alcohol in the past 30 days. The 2018 Behavioral Health Care Services Countywide Youth Survey reported that the top 2 reported consequences of alcohol use in Alameda County were violence and unwanted/unprotected sex. Additionally, the survey showed that 35% of all high school and middle school respondents have either driven after drinking or have ridden in a car with a driver who had been drinking in their lifetime. Correlatively, Hayward was in the top ten for DUI Arrests in Alameda County, with 197 arrests in 2015.
Break free from addiction.
You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.
Addiction Treatment In Hayward
Attending a detox or rehabilitation facility where medical professionals can monitor your mental and physical recovery increases your chances of attaining lifelong sobriety. If you’re ready to start you recovery today, don’t hesitate; contact a treatment provider to learn about your options.
