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Alcohol Rehab Centers in San Jose, California

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Alcohol rehab in San Jose means rehabbing in the heart of Silicon Valley. With about one million residents, the city of San Jose is the third most populous city in California.1 San Jose is the county seat of Santa Clara County and lies at the core of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan area, a highly cosmopolitan region with close to 2 million in the southern San Francisco Bay Area.2 Rehab treatment describes intensive, supervised program interventions aimed at helping people struggling with alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is a chronic condition, and the goal of rehab is to have the person stop using alcohol while learning tools to enable them to live sober, alcohol-free lives.3

The San Jose region offers a wide choice of alcohol rehab facilities. Some offer luxury amenities such as swimming pools, spas, and massage therapy. Others provide affordable or free rehabs that accept Medi-Cal insurance or are funded by the government. Many AUD rehab facilities accept payment from major insurance companies if a policy offers rehab coverage. All facilities also accept self-payment. Some rehab facilities offer private options for financing the cost of rehab through third-party lenders or sliding-scale payment options linked to ability-to-pay.

The Need for Alcohol Rehab in San Jose

The Santa Clara County Office of Behavioral Services’ data points to the magnitude of alcohol use in the San Jose region and the need for rehab services:4

  • 82% of the population aged 18 and older have consumed alcoholic beverages.
  • 55% of the population consumed alcoholic beverages within the past 30 days.
  • 17% of high school students and 4% of middle school students admitted to consuming alcohol within the past 30 days.
  • Alcohol is the primary substance misused by adults aged 50 and over in Santa Clara County. For those younger than 50, the primary substance used was marijuana.

Additionally, alcohol was misused in Santa Clara County more widely than in California statewide. About 21% of people living in the county who obtained rehab under California’s Medi-Cal program reported seeking rehab for alcohol versus only 11.2% statewide.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder, or alcohol addiction, involves compulsive and uncontrollable drinking despite negative consequences on a person’s life. There are several signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder.

Compulsive Alcohol Consumption

Prolonged alcohol consumption leads to reduced production of certain neurotransmitter chemicals manufactured in the brain that regulate behavior, mood, and metabolism.5 The neurotransmitters impacted are dopamine, serotonin, y-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate amino acid.6 Because of these neurological changes in the brain, a person may become dependent on alcohol, meaning they need to drink in order to stave off withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to compulsive alcohol consumption as well as intensive cravings and obsessive thoughts about alcohol.

Behavioral and Mood Changes

The effect alcohol has on neurotransmitter chemicals can cause changes in your behavior, including anxiety and panic attacks, paranoia, and depression. Alcohol consumption can also cause aggressive and belligerent behavior and lead someone to isolate from families, friends, and workmates.7

Damage to Bodily Organs

Alcohol use can damage your bodily organs, particularly the brain, liver, and heart. It can also lead to the onset of certain types of cancers. A 2018 study concluded that alcohol use raises the risk of early mortality among heavy drinkers.8

Lost Productivity

Alcohol addiction often causes people to miss work and school, resulting in lost wages and income and missed personal goals.9

What to Expect During Alcohol Rehab in San Jose

The rehab process can seem confusing. Different rehab facilities conduct their operations differently depending on philosophical approaches to recovery. Best practices developed from evidence-based studies provide guidelines for alcohol rehab programs.

Typically, you can expect:

  • An intake assessment that guides your treatment planning
  • Medical detox, if necessary
  • Individual therapy, group counseling, and family therapy
  • Peer support
  • Addiction treatment medications, if applicable

There are many types and levels of treatment as well, such as inpatient, outpatient, dual diagnosis, holistic rehab, LGBTQ+, luxury and executive, free rehabs, and telehealth.

Assessment

Assessment involves determining the degree to which an individual has an AUD and is the first step in rehab. Typically, rehab center staff will administer a biopsychosocial evaluation to a patient. Information gathered during an assessment includes:

  • A patient’s current and history of alcohol and substance use
  • Information about a patient’s prior history of rehab for alcohol use
  • Alcohol or substance use in the patient’s family
  • Questions about the patient’s mental and physical health

The National Institute on Drug Abuse website presents an instrument used for assessing AUD. Rehab professionals use the assessment to create an individualized rehab plan tailored to your needs. The plan aims to provide you with the highest likelihood of successful rehab and recovery.

Alcohol Detox Services

Suddenly stopping alcohol consumption after long periods of heavy drinking can lead to withdrawal. Individual metabolism, the volume of alcohol consumption, and the length of time of alcohol misuse determine the type and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.7

Alcohol withdrawal can be severe and even life-threatening for particularly heavy drinkers. Withdrawal symptoms include:10

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shakes or tremors
  • Sweating
  • Fever
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Delirium
  • Hallucinations
  • Agitation
  • Muscle pain
  • Sleep disturbances

During your assessment, the treatment provider will evaluate your withdrawal risk, as well as any previous withdrawal experiences, including past seizures. They will use this information to determine if you need medical detox prior to beginning your formal alcohol abuse treatment. Medical detox includes a set of interventions, including withdrawal medications, designed to keep you safe and comfortable while you withdraw from alcohol. The goal is to purge the body of alcohol, leaving you in a stable, substance-free state. Alcohol detox may last for up to four or five days.

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Outpatient rehab involves spending part of a day attending therapy sessions in group and individual settings. You will learn about feelings and situations that trigger alcohol use and skills you can learn to manage these triggers and maintain sobriety. During outpatient rehab, you will reside at home, allowing you to work and be with your family. Outpatient rehab ranges in intensiveness from just a few hours of care per week to several hours of therapy per day for partial hospitalization programs (PHPs).11

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Inpatient rehab requires that you reside at a rehab facility, usually for between 30 and 90 days, although stays may be longer if needed. Inpatient rehab is generally recommended for people with more advanced stages of alcohol addiction as determined during the assessment.12 Longer stays in residential rehab are typically associated with better outcomes. While in an inpatient alcohol rehab, you will have a highly structured day including services such as:

  • Individual therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy
  • Group counseling, such as interpersonal process groups
  • Family therapy
  • Peer support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings or SMART Recovery
  • Alcohol addiction treatment medications, such as naltrexone
  • Treatment for any co-occurring mental health disorders
  • Aftercare planning
  • Drug education classes

Some programs may also offer you holistic or experiential activities, such as creative arts therapy, equine therapy, acupuncture, meditation, and yoga classes. Ultimately, your rehab plan will depend on your program’s rehab philosophy and approach to recovery.

Online Addiction Care (Telehealth)

If you do not have easy access to in-person rehab facilities or are otherwise unable to commit to outpatient rehab sessions or inpatient residential care, you can choose to receive rehab services online through telehealth. Telehealth rehab requires you to have access to high-speed internet for video calls with your treatment providers. As with outpatient or inpatient rehab, telehealth rehab involves group counseling, family therapy, and doctor’s appointments. Some insurance plans cover telehealth rehab, while others may not so make sure to check with your provider.

Dual Diagnosis Care

People with alcohol addiction often experience co-occurring mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder, antisocial personality disorder, major depressive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When someone has co-occurring disorders they would benefit from attending a dual diagnosis treatment program that specializes in addressing the unique challenges associated with having alcohol use disorder and a mental health disorder. Rehab programs for dual diagnosis often involve teams of physicians, psychiatrists, substance use counselors, mental health specialists, and psychologists working together to foster the best outcomes attainable for a patient.

Medications Involved in Alcohol Detox and Rehab

Alcohol addiction treatment and medical detox typically involve the administration of medications. For detox, these withdrawal medications are used in the short-term to reduce withdrawal symptoms and mitigate risks and potential medical emergencies. During alcohol rehab in San Jose, medications are used over an extended period of time to reduce alcohol cravings and prevent relapse.14

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are the gold standard of care for alcohol withdrawal since they have a similar mechanism of action to alcohol and as such, can mitigate symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Commonly used benzodiazepines are Ativan (lorazepam), chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, Librium, Valium, and Xanax.

Adrenergic and Antiadrenergic Agents

Medications, such as clonidine and propranolol, are used as adjunctive treatment for alcohol withdrawal to treat rapid heart rate, sweating, and high pulse rate.

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsant medications may be used to treat or prevent seizures in people who have a high risk of withdrawal seizures.

Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) stabilize the neurotransmitter serotonin, affecting feelings of well-being. SSRI medications you may be prescribed during alcohol addiction treatment if a patient has co-occurring depression or anxiety. Common examples include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Acamprosate

Used after detox to treat alcohol addiction, acamprosate can reduce symptoms of protracted withdrawal, such as mood and sleep disturbances, which can trigger a relapse.

Antabuse (Disulfiram)

Used to prevent relapse in people post-detox, Antabuse causes an unpleasant reaction in someone who drinks alcohol, such as flushing or rapid heart rate. The knowledge that the person will experience unwanted symptoms is thought to deter drinking.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone binds with the body’s opioid receptors to block a sense of pleasure from alcohol consumption. The aim is to help patients maintain sobriety and not succumb to alcohol cravings.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in San Jose

Whether you are attending outpatient treatment and want to supplement your treatment with AA meetings or have completed rehab and want to attend AA as a form of aftercare, peer support can be beneficial for sustained recovery.

You can find AA meetings in the San Jose region through our meeting directory.

The Cost of Alcohol Rehab in San Jose

The cost of rehab varies according to several factors:

  • Whether you receive rehab on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Inpatient rehab is always more costly than outpatient rehab because the former involves costs for room and board.
  • The availability of swimming pools, tennis courts, spas, and massage therapists costs substantially more than facilities not offering these amenities.
  • The duration of a rehab program strongly impacts its cost. Whether rehab is provided on an outpatient or inpatient basis, the longer you are in rehab, the more costly rehab care will be.
  • Whether or not you have insurance coverage

The National Help Hotline provides the following figures for estimating the cost of alcohol rehab:15

  • Medical detox costs from $250 to $800 per day
  • Intensive outpatient rehab can be anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000
  • Outpatient rehab typically ranges between $1,400 and $10,000
  • Residential addiction rehab is the most expensive, from $5,000 to $80,000 or more

Expenses for traveling to and from the facility can impact rehab costs. Facilities distant from major population centers often cost more than those closer to city centers. Rehab facilities in Santa Clara County are close to San Jose’s city center because the county is not especially large in physical size.

Options for Paying for Alcohol Rehab in San Jose

Most people in San Jose and Santa Clara County should be able to find affordable rehab that suits their needs. Some guidelines for making decisions about you can pay for rehab are:

  • Health insurance will help keep out-of-pocket rehab costs down. Some facilities accept payment from several insurance carriers, while others are more limited to just one. All health insurance policies offered through the federal Affordable Care Act are required to provide coverage for AUD rehab. Many health insurance policies include deductibles and co-pays, which the policy holder must pay out-of-pocket. Contact your health insurer to understand which facilities and types of rehab care your health insurance policy will cover and what costs you may pay yourself.16 Healthcare.gov offers a directory of health insurance plans offered under the ACA.
  • Sliding scale payment options refer to healthcare costs that depend on a patient’s income and make rehab more affordable. AUD centers may offer a sliding scale payment option for low-income individuals who cannot pay the cost of care themselves. Sliding scale options reduce costs based on your ability to pay. Make sure you contact treatment centers you consider and understand what sliding scale options might be available.
  • Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid insurance, available to low-income people. Depending on your income, you might obtain AUD treatment at no out-of-pocket expense if you qualify for Medi-Cal and do not have private health insurance.
  • Free rehabs in San Jose are typically funded by the state and federal government and provide rehab at little to no cost. Typically, you have to prove your lack of ability to pay in order to be admitted.

Always check on what government assistance may be available before checking into a rehab facility. People who can’t find affordable AUD rehab in the San Jose region might consider seeking rehab services outside of the immediate San Jose area.

Popular Alcohol Rehab Centers in San Jose

Kaiser San Jose Addiction Medicine and Recovery Services

Affiliated with the Kaiser family of health care services, this facility is located north of downtown San Jose with excellent public transportation access. It offers detox, outpatient, and inpatient rehab, including rehab for co-occurring disorders. Kaiser center accepts payment from Medi-Cal.

New Life Recovery Center

New Life Recovery broadcasts itself as a more affordable choice for rehab and has partnered with American Healthcare Lending to offer patients private financing options. New Life Recovery provides both outpatient and inpatient AUD rehab. The facility accepts most types of insurance from major insurers and coverage afforded by Medi-Cal.

Momentum for Health

Momentum for Health is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health services in Santa Clara County. It offers inpatient and outpatient rehab from several locations in the San Jose area through its Addiction Rehab Services unit. A particular focus lies in AUD rehab for the elderly.

Alcohol Use and Rehab Laws in San Jose

Most laws regulating AUD rehab in San Jose are made at the state level, although local officials may have a role in enforcing these laws.

The California Ethical Rehab for Persons with Substance Use Disorder Act

Rehab is available to all Santa Clara County residents regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.17 The Ethical Rehab Act further outlines requirements for all California rehabs, including individualized rehab plans, dual diagnosis care, evidence-based practices, and credentialed and qualified rehab staff.18 The Act requires that you be treated with respect and dignity during rehab. The federal Americans generally cover you with the Disabilities Act if you are diagnosed with AUD.

California Family Rights Act

Under this law, employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for alcohol-related disabilities. The length of leave permitted may be extended beyond 12 weeks under the reasonable accommodations clauses of California and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.19

California Employee Protections for Addiction Rehab

California employers with 25 or more employees must accommodate employees who voluntarily attend rehab programs for AUD.20 Accommodations can vary and may include vacation time, permission to use sick leave, or unpaid time off with job protection. Employees may also receive time off through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

The cost of drug regimens involved in maintaining abstinence from alcohol, such as the cost of drug-free urine tests, is covered under Medi-Cal.21 Rehab for People Convicted of Non-Violent Crimes allows those convicted of non-violent crimes to choose between incarceration and probation with rehab services.23

How to Choose the Best Alcohol Rehab in San Jose

When choosing a rehab program in San Jose, you should consider many different factors.

Cost and Affordability

You will want to consider your financial situation and what you can reasonably afford before comparing alcohol rehabs in San Jose. Luxury rehab programs, which offer upscale amenities like gourmet meals and massage therapy, are going to cost much more than standard inpatient programs. Meanwhile, outpatient programs will be more affordable than inpatient since you don’t have to pay room and board.

Insurance Accepted

If you have a health insurance policy covering rehab, seek rehab at a facility that accepts the insurance. You can learn this information by browsing the treatment facility’s website or by calling their admissions center.

Treatment Philosophy

Every rehab has a different philosophy or treatment approach. Holistic rehabs integrate alternative and complementary therapies, such as yoga and meditation, into treatment programs whereas faith-based rehabs include religious practices during rehab. Make sure you find an alcohol rehab in San Jose that aligns with your desires and values.

Treatment Rules and Policies

Every treatment program has different rules and policies, though all of them forbid alcohol, drugs, weapons, and other dangerous items to be brought to rehab. However, visitor policies may vary. If you want to be able to see loved ones during your treatment process, make sure you find a rehab that allows visitors.

Features and Amenities

You’ll want to consider program features and amenities when comparing rehabs. Some may have private rooms while others require that you share a room with someone else. Some other amenities may include swimming pools, weight rooms, yoga rooms, hiking trails, gourmet meals, massage therapy, and spa treatments.

Demographic-Specific Care

Some people with alcohol use disorder may benefit from choosing a rehab that is designed for specific groups such as men, women, veterans, teens, and LGBTQ+ individuals. These rehabs have experience in treating the unique needs of specific populations, such as PTSD in veterans, homophobic and transphobia for queer and trans people, stigma of addiction for men, domestic violence for women, and beyond.

Should You Travel to San Jose for Rehab?

Here are some reasons you might decide to seek alcohol addiction treatment in San Jose:

  • You have family or friends who live in the San Jose area who can provide support.
  • Your insurance covers rehab in San Jose.
  • You prefer being near the heart of America’s technology industry in Silicon Valley.
  • You prefer the climate of Northern California
  • You live in a state or city that doesn’t offer the type of rehab available in San Jose.
  • You’d like a change of scenery away from everyday stressors and triggers.

Choosing the right rehab program is a critical decision. Finding an affordable alcohol rehab that meets an individual’s needs and preferences should not be too difficult in San Jose, given the wide choice in program offerings. Individuals uncertain of how to seek the best rehab program for themselves can obtain assistance by calling us at 800-948-8417 Question iconWho Answers? . Someone is available 24/7 to help.

  1. United States Census Bureau (2021, July 1). Quick Facts: San Jose. Washington D.C.
  2. Statista. (2022) Population of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area in the United States from 2010 to 2020.
  3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (n.d.) A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians: Chapter 5—Specialized Substance Abuse Rehab Programs, Bookshelf ID: NBK64815
  4. Santa Clara County. (2017). Substance Abuse Assessment. Behavioral Health Services Substance Abuse Department.
  5. Surgeongeneralgov. (2022). The Many Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Misuse. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  6. Banerjee, N. (2014). Neurotransmitters In Alcoholism: A Review of Neurobiological And Genetic Studies. Indian Journal of Human Genetics, 20(1): 20–31.
  7. Cleveland Clinic. (2022) Alcohol Use Disorder.
  8. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Facts and Statistics.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022) Alcohol Use and Your Health.
  10. Raistrick, D. (2000). Management of alcohol detoxification. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 6(5), 348-355.
  11. National Institute on Drug Abuse (n.d.) Type of Rehab Programs: A Research-based Guide.
  12. Hassan, A. M. (2022). Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder Co-Occurring With Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: Diagnostic and Rehab Initiation Recommendations. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 79(1), 17ac11999.
  13. National Center for Biotechnology Information (n.d.) A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians: Chapter 5—Specialized Substance Abuse Rehab Programs.
  14. Winslow, B.T., Onysko, M., and Hebert, M. (2016). Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder. American Family Physician, 93(6), 457-465.
  15. National Drug Helpline. (2021). What Are The Costs Of Alcohol And Drug Addiction Rehab?
  16. Amanda, J. A., Andrews, C. M., Grogran, C. M., D’Aunno, T., Humphreys, K. N., Pollack, H. A., and Friedmann, P. D. (2017). The Affordable Care Act Transformation of Substance Use Disorder Treatment. American Journal of Public Health, 107(1), 31–32.
  17. Behavioral Health Services. (2022). Substance Abuse Resources and Information. County of Santa Clara, CA.
  18. California Legislative Information. SB-349 California Ethical Rehab for Persons with Substance Use Disorder Act. (2021-2022)
  19. Gusman, K. (2019). Is Alcoholism Considered a Disability? California Employers Association.
  20. California Legislative Information (2022). Chapter 3.7. Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation [1025 – 1028]
  21. California Legislative Information. Substance Use Disorder Services: Contingency Management Services. (2021-2022)
  22. Center for Substance Abuse Rehab. (2005). Substance Abuse Rehab for Adults in the Criminal Justice System. Rehab Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 44. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4056. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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