Addressing Substance Abuse in Silicon Valley

SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 26, 2018 - PRLog -- Silicon Valley has become one of the wealthiest areas of the country, but it is not very different than the rest of the U.S. when it comes to drug abuse.

"Much of the country has been hijacked by the opioid epidemic [but] Santa Clara County remains higher in methamphetamine and alcohol admissions," said Mary Crocker Cook, a drug therapist, and coordinator at the San Jose City College.

"For many years now, the majority of people admitted to treatment centers are polysubstance addicted."

Addiction treatment providers in Santa Clara County are now uniting with other officials to end drug abuse.

"We have a strong criminal justice reform effort in our area — with attempts to address the homelessness, unemployment, and family disruption that is created by an addicted lifestyle," Cook said.

"We are operating with an integrated behavioral health system, with increased attempts to engage clients for treatment through the primary care physician or mental health system."

She said that most addiction treatment programs in Silicon Valley include assessments and interventions.

"The county's system is entirely evidence-based with treatment drawn from the SAMHSA evidence-based treatment list. I'm very impressed with motivational interviewing – a 'meet the client where they are' philosophy in treatment. Client engagement is an art and can't necessarily be quantified."

Cook started her career as a rehab counselor in the 80s and watched the addiction treatment industry in San Jose and Santa Clara County transform.

"When I started we didn't treat co-occurring disorders," she said. "Clients had to give up their psych medications to stay in treatment or a sober living home, and you had to be sober 72 hours to be admitted to a sober living home. Treatment is far more individualized, psychiatric medications and craving management are integrated into treatment, and now we have so many different levels of care."

https://www.drugaddictionnow.com/2018/02/20/substance-abu...