Palm Desert is a beautiful city located in Riverside County, California. With a population of approximately 52,000 people, the city is located about 120 miles east of Los Angeles and 120 miles northeast of San Diego. Palm Desert is located in the Coachella Valley, famous for its Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. 

The area boasts many wintertime resort cities, including Palm Springs, which attract people from around the country looking to get away from winter weather. Despite the dazzling array of options for outdoor activities, cultural events, world-class shopping, and fine dining, Palm Desert still suffers from the same addiction and mental health issues that take place across the United States. 

In 2019, a study showed that almost 15% of California adults reported that they had been diagnosed with a depressive order, including depression, minor depression, major depression, or dysthymia. Within several communities in the Coachella Valley, approximately one-third or more of adults have at least one mental health disorder.  In the Coachella Valley, the rate of suicides is higher than both the state and national rates, with about 19.4 occurrences per 100,000 people.  

It may be easy to see this area of California mostly through the lens of how scenic it is and the more carefree lifestyles so many seem to lead. Unfortunately, many people in and around Palm Desert need mental health care services for things like depression, as well as substance use disorder treatment. 

Palm Desert Addiction Statistics

Despite its beauty and small town feel, Palm Desert still feels the effects of the national addiction crisis. The legalization of marijuana has seen it climb in popularity in almost every corner of the state, and incidences of marijuana use disorder are continuing to rise. Alcohol is another widely used substance. However, opioid use continues to rise in the area. Proximity to the border and the relatively inexpensive cost to produce and transport, heroin is cheap and easy for users to find.

Alcohol addiction continues to affect millions of individuals everyday, and alcohol-related deaths continue to rise. Opioid-related overdoses and deaths are on the rise nationally and in Riverside County. This crisis highlights the need for comprehensive action to help people overcome addiction.

• According to the California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, in 2018 there were over 2400 overdose deaths – 6% in Riverside County alone. 
• In 2020, due in large part to fentanyl, overdose deaths rose to 686 for the year.
• There were 279 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2020.
• In 2021, the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities continues to rise. Over 1240 people have died as the result of a DUI
• In 2017, there were 232 amphetamine-related deaths in the region

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy approved by the FDA. TMS is used to treat mental health diagnoses, improve cognitive ability, and more, and does not require downtime after treatment sessions. 

Benefits of TMS Therapy

TMS therapy targets specific areas in the brain that are either under or over-performing. By stimulating these areas, depression and other mental health symptoms are minimized significantly. For individuals struggling with a dual diagnosis, TMS can help manage the symptoms that may have been a contributing factor for addiction.

Ketamine Therapy in Palm Desert

Ketamine is an innovative therapy that provides relief for a number of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Originally used as an anesthetic, it is highly effective in the treatment of mood disorders and other mental illnesses, and also assists with pain management.  

When certain neurons in the brain are overexcited it can result in depression and anxiety. Ketamine works on the NMBA receptors in the brain, blocking the receptor signals while creating new pathways. This process can significantly aid in the healing of mental health disorders.

Benefits of Ketamine Therapy

One of the primary benefits of ketamine is its efficacy in the treatment of mental health disorders and chronic pain. Because most people notice an improvement in their symptoms as soon as after the first treatment, ketamine provides relief that may have long eluded people who are living with mental illness. 

Furthermore, ketamine offers a decreased need for narcotics. For individuals living with chronic pain, ketamine provides a fantastic alternative to traditional narcotic treatments. For those who are struggling with addiction, ketamine can help them get on the road to recovery.

Psychiatry in Palm Desert

Psychiatry provides people with a supportive, neutral professional who can help them talk through their past and evaluate their current living situation. Clients can begin to understand what contributed to their addiction and become more motivated to stay sober and learn to manage mental health symptoms. Many programs offer appointments either in person or via telehealth virtual sessions.

Benefits of Psychiatry

For those struggling with substance abuse disorders, it is paramount to address any underlying mental health concerns in order to lay the groundwork for lasting recovery. Psychiatrists are able to assess and treat not just the substance use, but help individuals dig down and get to the root causes of addiction.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used treatments. During CBT people learn to identify moods, thoughts, and other triggers that make them want to use. By identifying and understanding these triggers, individuals are able to avoid them or use effective coping strategies when presented with an unavoidable trigger.