Drug addiction is a significant public health issue in Arizona, affecting individuals, families, and communities across the state. Arizona has experienced challenges with various substances, particularly opioids and methamphetamine, leading to a strong focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery services. ### **ARIZONA DRUG ADDICTION: COMMON DRUGS, LAWS, AND SUPPORT** **I. Common Drugs Abused in Arizona** While drug use patterns can shift, historically and currently, some of the most commonly abused drugs in Arizona include: - **Methamphetamine:** This stimulant remains a primary threat. It's readily available, often smuggled from Mexico, and associated with significant rates of abuse and related violence. - **Opioids (including Fentanyl and Heroin):** Arizona, like many states, has been heavily impacted by the opioid crisis. While efforts to curb prescription opioid abuse have shown some effect, the rise of illicit fentanyl (often mixed into other drugs or sold as counterfeit pills) has led to a dramatic increase in overdose deaths. Mexican black tar heroin is also prevalent. - **Cocaine:** Both powdered and crack cocaine are commonly abused stimulants in the state. - **Marijuana:** Despite being legalized for recreational use in Arizona, marijuana remains one of the most widely used substances, and misuse can still lead to dependence and negative consequences. - **Prescription Drugs:** Misuse of prescription medications, particularly benzodiazepines and stimulants, continues to be a concern. **II. Arizona Laws Related to Drug Addiction and Treatment** Arizona has a range of laws addressing drug offenses and, increasingly, incorporating treatment and harm reduction strategies. - **Criminalization of Drug Offenses (A.R.S. Title 13, Chapter 34):** Arizona has strict laws regarding the possession, use, production, sale, and transportation of illegal drugs (narcotics, dangerous drugs, marijuana, prescription-only drugs without a valid prescription). Penalties vary based on the type and quantity of the drug, prior offenses, and the specific offense, ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies with significant prison time. - **Proposition 200 (1996) and Proposition 207 (2020):** - **Prop 200:** Established a system that often mandates drug treatment rather than incarceration for first and second-time non-violent drug possession offenses, aiming to divert individuals from prison into treatment. - **Prop 207:** Legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. It also allowed for the **expungement** of certain past marijuana-related arrests and convictions, a significant step in criminal justice reform for drug offenses. - **Drug Courts (A.R.S. § 13-901.02, et al.):** Arizona's judicial system operates drug courts as an alternative to traditional incarceration for eligible offenders with substance use disorders. These voluntary programs involve intensive supervision, regular drug testing, and mandated treatment and counseling. Successful completion can lead to reduced charges or dismissal of charges, promoting recovery over punishment. - **Mandatory Treatment Laws (Involuntary Treatment - A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 5):** Under specific circumstances, Arizona law allows for court-ordered involuntary evaluation and treatment for individuals with a mental disorder (which can include severe substance use disorder) who are deemed a danger to themselves or others, persistently or acutely disabled, or gravely disabled and unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment. - **Good Samaritan Laws (Overdose Prevention - A.R.S. § 36-2266, § 36-2267):** Arizona provides limited immunity from prosecution for drug possession or paraphernalia for individuals who call for medical assistance in good faith during an overdose. This encourages people to seek help without fear of arrest. - **Naloxone Access (A.R.S. § 36-2263):** Allows for wider access to naloxone (Narcan), an opioid overdose reversal medication, to individuals at risk of opioid overdose, their family members, and first responders. Pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a patient-specific prescription. **III. Resources for Drug Addiction Help and Support in Arizona** Arizona offers a wide array of services for prevention, treatment, and recovery. 1. **Helplines & Referral Services:** - **Arizona Addiction Hotline:** **1-866-210-1303** (24/7 support and referrals) - **SAMHSA's National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):** **1-800-662-HELP (4357)**. Confidential, free, 24/7 information and treatment referral service. - **Arizona Opioid Assistance and Referral (OAR) Line:** **1-888-688-4222** (Free, confidential services for opioid use disorder, information, and referrals to medical professionals). - **2-1-1 Arizona:** Dial **2-1-1** (within AZ) or **1-877-211-8661** (from anywhere). Comprehensive information and referral service for various health and human services, including substance abuse treatment. - **988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:** **Call or text 988**. While focused on crisis, it also provides support for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use issues, as these are often co-occurring. 2. **Treatment Locators:** - **FindTreatment.gov:** A confidential and anonymous online resource from SAMHSA to locate treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders in the U.S. You can search by location, type of treatment, and payment options. [https://findtreatment.gov/](https://findtreatment.gov/) - **AHCCCS Behavioral Health Service Locator:** For those with Arizona's Medicaid (AHCCCS), this can help find in-network providers for behavioral health services. - **Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC):** Provides resources to find Community Health Centers across the state that offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and other substance use services. [https://aachc.org/oudresources/](https://aachc.org/oudresources/) 3. **Types of Treatment Available:** - **Detoxification (Detox):** Medically supervised withdrawal from drugs, often the first step. - **Inpatient/Residential Treatment:** Structured programs where individuals live at a facility for intensive therapy, counseling, and medical support. - **Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP):** Intensive day treatment where clients return home at night. - **Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP):** Structured therapy sessions multiple times a week, allowing clients to live at home. - **Outpatient Programs:** Less intensive, with regular therapy sessions. - **Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT):** Combines medication (e.g., buprenorphine, naltrexone, methadone) with counseling and behavioral therapies, especially effective for opioid and alcohol use disorders. - **Dual Diagnosis Treatment:** Many facilities specialize in treating co-occurring mental health disorders alongside substance addiction. 4. **Peer Support and Self-Help Groups:** - **Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):** [https://www.aa.org/](https://www.aa.org/) (Search for local Arizona meetings) - **Narcotics Anonymous (NA):** [https://www.na.org/](https://www.na.org/) (Search for local Arizona meetings) - **SMART Recovery:** [https://www.smartrecovery.org/](https://www.smartrecovery.org/) (Science-based, self-empowering approach) - **Celebrate Recovery:** [https://www.celebraterecovery.com/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.celebrate-recovery.com/) (Christian 12-step program) - **Al-Anon and Nar-Anon:** Support groups for family members and friends affected by someone else's addiction. 5. **State and Local Initiatives:** - **Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF):** Engaged in substance abuse prevention efforts, especially for youth, and oversees programs like the Arizona Substance Abuse Partnership. [https://goyff.az.gov/](https://goyff.az.gov/) - **Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS):** Involved in public health strategies, including opioid overdose prevention and surveillance. [https://www.azdhs.gov/](https://www.azdhs.gov/) - **Sonoran Prevention Works:** Focuses on harm reduction, offering overdose prevention training, naloxone access, and syringe services programs. [https://sonoranpreventionworks.org/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://sonoranpreventionworks.org/) - **Local County Health Departments:** (e.g., Maricopa County, Pima County) often provide local resources, crisis hotlines, and specific programs. **Finding the Right Help:** - **Consider your budget and insurance:** Many facilities accept various insurance plans (including AHCCCS/Medicaid). Some offer sliding scale fees or free services. - **Assess your needs:** The best treatment path depends on the severity of the addiction, any co-occurring mental health issues, and personal preferences. - **Don't hesitate to reach out:** Taking the first step can be the hardest, but there are many compassionate professionals and supportive communities in Arizona ready to help. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction in Arizona, please utilize these resources. Recovery is possible. Here are resources for **Arizona** specifically for drug addiction and substance use treatment: ### **1. Arizona Substance Use and Addiction Services** - **Purpose**: Offers a comprehensive directory of substance use and addiction treatment centers, resources, and services throughout Arizona. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 364-4585 (Substance Use Services) - **Website**: [www.azdhs.gov](https://www.azdhs.gov) - **Services**: - Arizona's Department of Health Services provides statewide addiction prevention, intervention, and treatment services. They offer a resource directory to help individuals find local services, including detox, outpatient, inpatient, and residential programs. --- ### **2. Arizona Addiction Recovery Center (AARC)** - **Purpose**: Provides comprehensive addiction treatment and recovery services, including residential, outpatient, and detox services. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (877) 781-2227 - **Website**: [www.arizonaaddictioncenter.com](https://www.arizonaaddictioncenter.com) - **Services**: - AARC offers personalized addiction treatment plans, detox programs, outpatient services, aftercare, and a variety of holistic therapies to support recovery for individuals dealing with drug addiction. --- ### **3. SAMHSA’s National Helpline** - **Purpose**: A confidential, free, 24/7 helpline for individuals dealing with substance use issues, providing referrals to local treatment centers in Arizona. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) - **Website**: [www.samhsa.gov](https://www.samhsa.gov) - **Services**: - SAMHSA provides a nationwide helpline that connects individuals with addiction treatment resources, counseling services, and recovery programs available throughout Arizona. --- ### **4. The Recovery Village (Arizona)** - **Purpose**: Offers residential and outpatient addiction treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (480) 374-2699 - **Website**: [www.therecoveryvillage.com](https://www.therecoveryvillage.com) - **Services**: - The Recovery Village provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment options, detox programs, and specialized care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. --- ### **5. Community Bridges** - **Purpose**: Provides a full range of addiction treatment services, including detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient care. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (480) 800-1500 - **Website**: [www.communitybridgesaz.org](https://www.communitybridgesaz.org) - **Services**: - Community Bridges offers a variety of substance use treatment services for individuals of all ages, including residential programs, outpatient therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). --- ### **6. Phoenix Rescue Mission** - **Purpose**: Offers recovery services for individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, and other related issues. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 233-3000 - **Website**: [www.phoenixrescuemission.org](https://www.phoenixrescuemission.org) - **Services**: - Phoenix Rescue Mission provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation, emergency shelter, job training, and other recovery services for those battling addiction, including long-term recovery programs. --- ### **7. Cottonwood Tucson** - **Purpose**: A comprehensive treatment center for individuals dealing with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and co-occurring mental health issues. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (800) 877-4520 - **Website**: [www.cottonwooddetucson.com](https://www.cottonwooddetucson.com) - **Services**: - Cottonwood Tucson offers inpatient and outpatient services, including medical detox, therapy, family support, and aftercare programs to help individuals transition from addiction recovery into a stable life. --- ### **8. Hope House** - **Purpose**: A long-term recovery program for men and women overcoming drug and alcohol addiction, with a focus on community-based treatment and support. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 271-8555 - **Website**: [www.hopehouseaz.org](http://www.hopehouseaz.org) - **Services**: - Hope House offers residential treatment, support groups, case management, and education programs for people in recovery. They provide a safe, supportive environment for long-term recovery. --- ### **9. Mirasol Recovery** - **Purpose**: A treatment center for addiction and mental health issues, providing a variety of services including outpatient and inpatient programs. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (888) 574-2476 - **Website**: [www.mirasolrecovery.com](https://www.mirasolrecovery.com) - **Services**: - Mirasol Recovery offers customized addiction treatment programs, including detox, therapy, and aftercare planning. They provide specialized programs for those dealing with co-occurring disorders. --- ### **10. The Salvation Army – Adult Rehabilitation Centers** - **Purpose**: Offers recovery services for individuals dealing with addiction, including residential rehabilitation and a 12-step program. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 275-3311 - **Website**: [www.salvationarmyphoenix.org](https://www.salvationarmyphoenix.org) - **Services**: - The Salvation Army provides residential treatment, counseling, and work therapy for individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Their program includes spiritual support and life skills development. --- ### **11. Narconon Arizona** - **Purpose**: Provides drug rehabilitation using a drug-free holistic approach, emphasizing detox and education. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (928) 855-2124 - **Website**: [www.narconon.org](https://www.narconon.org) - **Services**: - Narconon offers a non-12-step, drug-free rehabilitation program that includes detox, educational courses, and life skills training to support long-term recovery from drug addiction. --- ### **12. Partnership for a Drug-Free America** - **Purpose**: A national resource that helps individuals in Arizona find addiction treatment centers, resources, and support for drug use and recovery. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-DRUG-FREE (1-800-378-4373) - **Website**: [www.drugfree.org](https://www.drugfree.org) - **Services**: - The Partnership provides resources, information, and a national database of treatment facilities, helping individuals in Arizona find local addiction treatment options and support groups. --- These resources are dedicated to helping individuals in Arizona who are struggling with drug addiction by providing access to a variety of treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient services, detox programs, and long-term recovery assistance.