Merced, CA Substance Abuse & Mental Health Treatment Resources

The city of Merced is located in the center of California, in the San Joaquin Valley. It’s about midway between Yosemite National Park and the Pacific Ocean and is home to just over 83,000 residents. The area possesses multiple wildlife reserves and wetlands. Merced is touted to have a thriving agricultural industry, as well as a vibrant arts and civic culture. Unfortunately, the city also has a gloomy side – the dark cloud of drug and alcohol addiction. Merced, like other American cities, suffers from a high level of substance abuse and drug and alcohol addiction. In fact, substance abuse is considered to be a major problem in Merced County, as reported in the county’s annual health assessment. Additionally, the county has rates of cirrhosis and liver disease that are higher than the state and national averages. However, those who suffer with drug or alcohol addiction in Merced can take heart in the fact that addiction is a treatable disease and ongoing recovery is possible.

Sometimes finding the right treatment center requires that you look outside of your local area. It may be a preference to travel for rehab, or you may not be able to find the type of facility you want in your city. Finding the right fit for you is crucial to the success of your treatment and to long-lasting recovery. If you are considering attending a treatment facility that is out of town or state, you may find that you benefit in the following ways:

• Ability to focus solely on treatment: Being away from your hometown for treatment can help eliminate the distractions of being close to home. That leaves you free to focus completely on your recovery.
• More likely to complete treatment: It can be easy to quit treatment (which usually leads to relapse) when you are close to home. Being in another city or state makes it more likely that you will complete treatment.
• Added privacy: Some people have a concern about privacy or the need to protect their reputation within the community where they live. Taking a leave of absence and traveling for rehab is ideal if you are in that situation.

Just as each person who enters rehab is unique, so are the facilities that treat them. As a result, choosing the right one for you may seem a bit overwhelming. When you’re making your decision, consider the following factors:

• Outpatient or inpatient – If you are able to go to inpatient treatment, that is the best option. However, if that’s not possible, you can attend outpatient treatment that allows you to continue to work or go to school. 
• Treatment options – Choose a program that will treat your addiction as well as any other co-occurring disorders you have. 
• Location – Consider whether it’s an option for you to travel for rehab. That will open up your choices and provide you with the greatest chance of finding an ideal facility and program for you. 
• Length of program – There are short-term and long-term addiction treatment programs. While this factor may have to be decided by what your healthcare insurance will cover, it’s important to keep in mind that, in many cases, the longer program, the more successful the recovery. 

Cost and payment options – Some addiction treatment centers are more expensive than others, but that doesn’t mean that they are better than lower priced facilities. Consider what you can afford, what your insurance covers, and how you’ll be expected to pay.

Typically, people who attend drug and alcohol rehab pay for it with the help of their medical insurance company’s behavioral health benefits. Insurance in California is required to cover at least a portion of substance abuse treatment. How much your insurance will cover, either all or part, depends on your particular insurance plan. You can find out by calling your insurance provider and asking about your behavioral health benefits.
Some treatment facilities in Hanford will work with you to establish a payment plan that allows you to pay out-of-pocket costs over time. This will help you if your insurance only covers part of the cost or you are paying for treatment yourself.

There are various ways that people pay for drug rehab in Merced, California. Some of your options include private medical insurance, private pay (you pay for treatment out-of-pocket), military insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, state welfare, and more. If you have medical insurance of any kind, start by checking to see what your behavioral health coverage will pay for. If you are unsure about how to do this or what your coverage means, the treatment facility you choose can help you by doing a benefits check with your insurance provider.

If you don’t have insurance coverage that pays for drug and alcohol treatment (partially or completely), don’t despair. You still have some options. Talk with the admissions representative at the treatment center you’ve chosen to see if there is a payment plan they can offer you. Then you can make monthly payments for the treatment you receive when you complete the program.

You can also see if you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare in California. Nearly all drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers will accept these to pay for your program. Another option is reaching out to your family and friends to see if they can help you financially. Chances are, they want you to go to treatment just as much (or more) as you do.

The important thing to remember is that whatever you have to do to get to treatment, it will be worth it. You may be saving your own life.