Drug Rehabs in Mesa, AZ

Drug Rehabs in Mesa, AZ

Located less than twenty miles from Phoenix, one of the Southwest’s major drug hubs, Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona. Its proximity to Phoenix, the US-Mexico border, and the interstate highway system have resulted in a seemingly endless flow of illicit substances into the suburban city. Opioid abuse in particular has affected Mesa with hundreds of opioid overdoses reported in the area annually. Mesa’s young adult and elderly populations have suffered especially.

Opioid Crisis in the Suburbs

[Opioid overdose] is out in the suburbs. It’s out in areas where you probably wouldn’t imagine. It doesn’t discriminate.

Starting in 2003, increasing numbers of adolescents (a majority of which are male), aged 14 to 25, started dying from opioid overdose—most often a cocktail of prescription painkillers, Adderall, and methadone. More recently, the state’s elderly population has displayed higher rates of opioid use disorder. In 2015, 17% of those over the age of 55 who were admitted to hospitals were reported to be abusing opioids. According to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, the “adult prescription drug misuse in Arizona is alarmingly high.”

By mid-2018, the Arizona Department of Health reported more than 3,200 suspected opioid overdose cases statewide; 400 of them resulted in death.

Authorities have also witnessed the far-reaching effects of prescription opioid abuse lead to a concurrent rise in heroin abuse. As prescription opioid painkillers become harder to obtain due to Arizona’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, many opioid-dependent individuals turn to heroin due to its cheaper price and greater availability.

Alongside heroin, Mesa has also seen an increase in carfentanil use (a drug 10,000 times more potent than morphine). Carfentanil poses a major threat not only to those abusing it, but also to first responders, who may contract fatal doses through touching or inhaling as little as 7 grains of the drug.

Drug Houses and Methamphetamine in Mesa

While the vast majority of overdose deaths in Mesa are linked to opioids, the DEA has stated that methamphetamines represent the biggest menace to Arizona cities. In suburban landscapes like Mesa, this danger manifests itself in a network of drug houses and labs. In one year, the Mesa Police Department located and dismantled approximately 3 laboratories per month.

Situated in single- and multi-family residences, vehicles, and storage sheds, these trafficking locations bring toxic chemicals, explosions, fires, and increases in violent criminal activity to the neighborhoods they invade. These clandestine labs have become such a problem for the city of Mesa that law enforcement has created a hotline number and phone app for reporting this kind of drug activity.

Treatment in Mesa

Mesa’s Maricopa County is home to a variety of treatment facilities, with a range of amenities and rehabilitation therapies. For residents wishing to stay close to home, finding a center to begin healing and maintain a close proximity to family and other responsibilities won’t be an issue. Those seeking recovery have inpatient and outpatient treatment options, as well as faith-based, clinical, and 12-step treatment programs.

However, some individuals have greater success in recovery when they travel outside of their city or state for therapy. Going through the treatment process away from everyday stressors and triggers, being able to focus fully on healing, and making connections with rehabilitation staff and peers can improve the recovery experience.

Making a decision regarding treatment centers can be a difficult process. To speak with someone who can help you make the right decision, contact a dedicated treatment specialist today.