Find Drug & Alcohol Detox Centers in Santa Cruz, CA

Nearby Cities

Los Angeles San Diego San Jose Ventura San Francisco Fresno

Detox Centers in Santa Cruz

15 Results

Name	Address	Detox Service Setting	Levels Of Care
Janus Community Clinic	1000A Emeline Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060	Detox Service Setting Outpatient DetoxMAT	Levels Of Care Outpatient
Janus of Santa Cruz	200 7th Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatientAftercare+2
New Life Community Services	707 Fair Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060	Detox Service Setting MATOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care OutpatientInpatientAftercare
Elevate Addiction Services	262 Gaffey Road Watsonville, CA 95076	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatientAftercare+2
Second Chance Sobriety Homes	2874 La Jolla Ave San Jose, CA 95124	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatient
The Camp Recovery Campbell IOP Treatment	256 East Hamilton Avenue Campbell, CA 95008	Detox Service Setting Outpatient Detox	Levels Of Care OutpatientAftercareDual Diagnosis
Silicon Valley Recovery	1189 Curtner Ave San Jose, CA 95125	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatient
San Jose VA Clinic	5855 Silver Creek Valley Place San Jose, CA 95138	Detox Service Setting Outpatient DetoxMAT	Levels Of Care PHPOutpatientAftercare+1
San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital	455 Silicon Valley Boulevard San Jose, CA 95138	Detox Service Setting Inpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientIntensive OutpatientOutpatient
VA Palo Alto Health Care System – Monterey CBOC	201 9th Street Marina, CA 93933	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient DetoxMAT	Levels Of Care InpatientPHPOutpatient+2
New Life Recovery Centers Inc	782 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95126	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient DetoxMAT	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatientSober Living+5
New Life Recovery Centers	782 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95126	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatientAftercare+3
Genesis Residential Center	1152 Sonoma Avenue Seaside, CA 93955	Detox Service Setting Inpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientAftercareDual Diagnosis
Alexian Health Clinic~Medication Assisted Treatment	2101 Alexian Drive San Jose, CA 95116	Detox Service Setting Outpatient DetoxMAT	Levels Of Care Outpatient
Elevate Addiction Services San Jose	2880 Zanker Rd San Jose, CA 95134	Detox Service Setting Inpatient DetoxOutpatient Detox	Levels Of Care InpatientOutpatient

Drug & Alcohol Detox in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz County has been dealing with one of the most acute fentanyl crises in California, and local agencies have responded with meaningful structural changes.

In February 2024, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office opened a Sobering Center, operated in partnership with Janus of Santa Cruz, diverting people picked up for public intoxication from jail to a low-barrier entry point for SUD treatment and mental health services.

That same year, the county’s Syringe Services Program was renamed the Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program (SUOPP). In 2025, the Board of Supervisors voted to shift it to a needs-based model, allowing people to receive as many clean syringes as needed without a one-for-one exchange requirement.

The county’s geography, spanning urban Santa Cruz to rural communities like Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond, also means that transportation access and facility location matter more here than in denser metro areas.

Drug and alcohol detox programs in Santa Cruz operate within a framework shaped by two primary regulatory bodies.

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) licenses and certifies all residential and outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities statewide through its Licensing and Certification Division.

At the local level, Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services administers the county’s Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS), which contracts with providers to deliver a full continuum of publicly funded SUD care, from withdrawal management through residential treatment and outpatient services.

Methadone programs are additionally certified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under its Narcotic Treatment Program standards.

Find The Perfect Detox Center For You

Filter treatment centers in Santa Cruz by level of care offered to find the best detox program for you or a loved one.

Paying for Detox in Santa Cruz

The cost of detox in Santa Cruz varies widely depending on level of care, length of stay and whether a person uses insurance, public funding or pays out of pocket.

California’s mental health parity laws and the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act require that insurers treat substance use disorder benefits on the same level as medical and surgical coverage.

Furthermore, knowing how much detox costs before entering treatment can reduce financial stress and help families plan for continued care after discharge.

How Much Does Detox Cost in Santa Cruz?

Detox costs in Santa Cruz generally align with California state averages, which vary by the medical complexity of withdrawal, length of stay, setting and whether medications are prescribed.

As well, people with opioid or alcohol dependence typically require more intensive medical management, which affects overall cost.

$5,000 to $20,000

Medical Detox

$15,000 to $45,000

Inpatient Rehab

$1,000 to $5,000

Outpatient Rehab

$300 to $700

Methadone Treatment

Does Private Insurance Cover Detox in Santa Cruz?

Private insurers operating in California must comply with both the Affordable Care Act and California’s SB 855 (effective 2021), which strengthened mental health and SUD parity requirements for state-regulated health plans. The California Department of Insurance and the Department of Managed Health Care jointly oversee compliance.

Residents can verify in-network providers and coverage details through Covered California or directly with their insurer.

The most commonly carried private insurance plans in Santa Cruz County include:

Medicare and Medicaid in Santa Cruz

Medicare

Yes. Santa Cruz County is an opt-in Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) county. This means Medi-Cal beneficiaries can access a full SUD treatment continuum, including medically managed withdrawal, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs and MAT, which are all covered without premiums or cost-sharing for most enrollees.

Medicaid

As of May 2024, 1,818 county residents were actively enrolled in DMC-ODS services across five contracted providers (DHCS, 2024).

People who do not qualify for Medi-Cal can apply at Covered California or contact the County Behavioral Health Services Agency directly.

Other Ways to Pay for Detox Treatment

Janus of Santa Cruz, the county’s primary SUD treatment provider, accepts Medi-Cal and offers a sliding scale fee for cash-paying patients across its detox, residential and MAT programs. The county’s Recovery Wave program also provides publicly funded services.

For veterans, TRICARE West Region covers SUD treatment at in-network facilities in Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz, California Regulations and Accreditation for Detox

California DHCS Licensing and Certification Division:

Issues and renews licenses for all residential and outpatient SUD treatment facilities statewide. DHCS also conducts periodic compliance audits of the county’s DMC-ODS contract.

Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services:

Manages the local DMC-ODS delivery system, contracts with providers, monitors service quality and submits corrective action plans to DHCS when compliance findings are issued.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):

Federally certifies narcotic treatment programs (NTPs) that dispense methadone, including Janus of Santa Cruz’s two clinic locations.

Key MAT Medications and Regulatory Status in Santa Cruz

Medication-assisted treatment is available in Santa Cruz County through both public and private providers.

Janus of Santa Cruz, the county’s primary SUD treatment provider, operates MAT clinics in Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency also runs a MAT program through its Recovery Wave service network.

In 2024, Santa Cruz County received a $786,375 state grant through California’s MAT Access Points Project to expand mobile delivery of medications for opioid use disorder and increase clinic staffing capacity (State Opioid Response Partners, 2024).

All three FDA-approved medications are available locally:

Buprenorphine (Suboxone):

Prescribed for opioid use disorder; available at Janus clinics and through primary care prescribers countywide

Methadone:

Dispensed daily at SAMHSA-certified Janus clinic locations in Santa Cruz (1000A Emeline Ave.) and Watsonville (284 Pennsylvania Drive); Medi-Cal accepted, sliding scale for cash-pay patients

Naltrexone (Vivitrol):

Injectable extended-release formulation available for both opioid and alcohol use disorder at Janus and through the county program

Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction in Santa Cruz

Harm reduction services in Santa Cruz County have expanded significantly following the county’s severe fentanyl crisis. Given that 50% of pills seized by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office have tested positive for fentanyl (Lookout Santa Cruz, 2023), local providers treat naloxone distribution as an urgent public health priority alongside treatment referrals.

As a result, people who use drugs can access clean supplies, overdose reversal medications and fentanyl test strips through multiple channels.

Resources focused on fentanyl and opioid risks can also help people understand what withdrawal management for synthetic opioids typically involves.

Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program (SUOPP)

santacruzhealth.org

Needs-based syringe distribution Naloxone (Narcan) kits Fentanyl test strips Mobile outreach across Santa Cruz County Xylazine (tranq) safety information

The county’s SUOPP is operated by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. Following a Board of Supervisors vote in 2025, the program shifted to a needs-based distribution model, aligning with California Department of Public Health recommendations.

The program also includes mobile shifts that reach people who cannot access fixed clinic locations.

Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County (HRC)

hrcofscc.org

Mobile syringe services Home delivery of supplies by appointment Naloxone distribution Safe-use supplies for people who smoke drugs

The HRC is a community-based nonprofit whose mobile program was reauthorized by the California Department of Public Health in December 2024 after a court-ordered suspension.

It focuses on low-barrier, non-judgmental outreach and distributes supplies at people’s locations rather than requiring clinic visits.

Janus of Santa Cruz

janussc.org

Naloxone distribution Overdose education Bridge buprenorphine prescriptions at the point of overdose Full SUD treatment continuum Detox and residential care

Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services personnel carry naloxone and offer buprenorphine to patients following overdose reversals in the field, with Janus providing clinical follow-up for those who want to start treatment immediately.

Central Coast Overdose Prevention (CCODP)

ccodp.org

Regional coalition coordination across Santa Cruz Provider collaboration and public health data sharing Community education on overdose prevention

CCODP connects community members, nonprofits and treatment providers working on overdose prevention across the tri-county region.

It offers a resource for people looking to understand the broader regional response to the fentanyl crisis.

Detox Statistics in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz County continues to grapple with one of the highest overdose death rates in California, driven primarily by synthetic opioids. The following statistics reflect the scale of the local crisis and recent public health response.

2,560% Increase in Fentanyl Deaths Since 2019:

In 2019, Santa Cruz County recorded just 5 fentanyl-related overdose deaths. By 2023, that figure had risen to 133, a 2,560% increase over four years.

38 Fentanyl Deaths Recorded Through July 2024:

Preliminary data from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office showed 38 fentanyl-related deaths through July 2024, suggesting a potential decline from the 2023 peak, though health officials cautioned the data remains incomplete pending toxicology.

$786,375 in State MAT Expansion Funding:

Santa Cruz County received $786,375 through the California State Opioid Response MAT Access Points Project in 2024 to expand mobile medication delivery for opioid use disorder and increase clinic capacity.

FAQs About Detox in Santa Cruz, CA

Does Medi-Cal pay for detox in Santa Cruz County?

Yes. Santa Cruz County participates in California’s Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS), which means Medi-Cal covers the full SUD treatment continuum for eligible residents. This includes medically managed withdrawal (detox), residential treatment, outpatient services and medication-assisted treatment.

In fact, most Medi-Cal enrollees pay no premiums, copayments or deductibles for these services. Residents can apply for Medi-Cal through the county or at Covered California.

What free or low-cost detox options exist in Santa Cruz?

The county’s primary safety-net provider is Janus of Santa Cruz, which accepts Medi-Cal and offers a sliding-scale fee schedule for people paying out of pocket.

The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency also administers publicly funded SUD services through its Recovery Wave program, including outpatient counseling, MAT and residential treatment.

Eligibility is based on residency and financial need rather than insurance status.

What is the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS)?

The DMC-ODS is a California Medicaid waiver program that gives counties control over how SUD treatment services are designed and delivered for Medi-Cal members.

Santa Cruz County opted into the system, which means residents have access to a broader range of covered services than in non-participating counties, including residential treatment and medically managed withdrawal that would otherwise require prior authorization or may not be covered at all.

Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services manages the local delivery system and contracts with approved providers.

Is medication-assisted treatment available in Santa Cruz?

Yes. Janus of Santa Cruz operates CARF-accredited MAT clinics in both Santa Cruz and Watsonville, providing methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Vivitrol). The county Health Services Agency also offers MAT through its Recovery Wave program.

Both methadone and buprenorphine are covered by Medi-Cal with no prior authorization required.

For people starting inpatient detox for opioids, MAT is typically initiated during or immediately following the medically managed withdrawal phase to reduce relapse risk during the high-vulnerability period after discharge.

What substances are most commonly involved in overdose deaths in Santa Cruz?

Fentanyl is by far the primary driver. The county recorded 133 fentanyl-related deaths in 2023, and local law enforcement reported that 50% of pills seized and tested by the Sheriff’s Office contained fentanyl.

Furthermore, polysubstance use involving fentanyl and methamphetamine has also been documented in county toxicology reports. In fact, the first local death involving xylazine (also called “tranq”), a veterinary sedative increasingly found in the illicit drug supply, was confirmed in Santa Cruz County in July 2023, signaling an emerging risk for people who use opioids locally.

What should I do if someone is overdosing in Santa Cruz?

Call 911 immediately. If naloxone is available, administer it while waiting for emergency services.

Naloxone is available without a prescription at most pharmacies in California, and free naloxone kits are distributed by the county’s Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program (SUOPP) and the Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County.

California’s Drug Overdose Prevention Law (Health and Safety Code Section 1799.102) provides legal protection to bystanders who call for emergency assistance at an overdose scene in good faith.

Get Help Today!

If you or a loved one is in need of help, call today. Pick up the phone and get the help you need.

800-483-2193

Confidential. Available 24 Hours

Browse Detox Centers

Capitola Scotts Valley Watsonville Los Gatos Saratoga Campbell Morgan Hill Marina Cupertino Pacific Grove

Acton Agoura Hills Agua Dulce Alameda Aliso Viejo Alpine Altadena Alturas Anaheim Anaheim Hills Angels Camp Antioch Arcadia Arcata Arroyo Grande Artesia Atascadero Azusa Bakersfield Bangor Banning Bell Bellflower Berkeley Beverly Hills Bishop Bloomington Burbank Burlingame Burney Calabasas Calexico Calistoga Camarillo Camp Pendleton Campbell Canoga Park Capitola Carlsbad Carmichael Castro Valley Cathedral City Ceres Chatsworth Chico Chino Hills Chula Vista Citrus Heights Claremont Clearlake Clovis Colton Compton Concord Copperopolis Corona Corona Del Mar Costa Mesa Covina Culver City Cupertino Dana Point Danville Davis Del Mar Delano Desert Hot Springs Downey Dublin East Palo Alto El Cajon El Centro El Monte Elk Grove Encinitas Encino Escondido Eureka Fair Oaks Fairfield Fallbrook Firebaugh Folsom Fontana Forest Knolls Fountain Valley Fremont French Camp Fresno Fullerton Galt Garberville Garden Grove Gardena Glen Ellen Glendale Glendora Gorman Granada Hills Grass Valley Grover Beach Harbor City Hawaiian Gardens Hawthorne Hayward Hemet Herald Hesperia Hollister Huntington Beach Indian Wells Indio Inglewood Ione Irvine Jamestown La Habra La Jolla La Mesa La Mirada La Puente Lafayette Laguna Beach Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Lake Arrowhead Lake Elsinore Lake Forest Lake Hughes Lakeside Lakewood Lamont Lancaster Lawndale Lemon Grove Lincoln Livermore Lodi Loma Linda Lompoc Long Beach Loomis Los Alamitos Los Angeles Los Gatos Lucerne Valley Lynwood Madera Malibu Mammoth Lakes Manhattan Beach Manteca Marina Martinez Marysville Mather Menifee Menlo Park Merced Middletown Mission Viejo Modesta Modesto Monterey Moorpark Moreno Valley Morgan Hill Murrieta Napa National City Newbury Park Newhall Newport Beach Norco North Hollywood Northridge Norwalk Novato Oakhurst Oakland Oceanside Ojai Ontario Orange Orangevale Orland Oroville Oxnard Pacific Grove Pacoima Palm Desert Palm Springs Palmdale Palo Alto Panorama City Pasadena Perris Petaluma Pico Rivera Piru Pittsburg Placerville Pleasanton Pomona Port Hueneme Porterville Poway Ramona Rancho Cordova Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Mirage Redding Redlands Redondo Beach Redwood City Reseda Rialto Richmond Riverside Rocklin Rosemead Roseville Sacramento Saint Helena Salinas San Bernardino San Bruno San Clemente San Diego San Fernando San Francisco San Jacinto San Jose San Juan Capistrano San Leandro San Luis Obispo San Marcos San Mateo San Rafael San Ramon Santa Ana Santa Barbara Santa Clarita Santa Fe Springs Santa Maria Santa Monica Santa Paula Santa Rosa Santa Ynez Santee Saratoga Saugus Sausalito Scotts Valley Seaside Sebastopol Sepulveda Sherman Oaks Sherwood Forest Sierra Madre Simi Valley Sonora South El Monte South Gate South Lake Tahoe Spring Valley Stanton Stockton Studio City Sun Valley Sunnyvale Sylmar Tarzana Temecula Thousand Oaks Topanga Torrance Tracy Tujunga Tulare Tuolumne Tustin Ukiah Union City Upland Vallejo Valley Village Van Nuys Venice Ventura Victorville Villa Park Visalia Vista Walnut Creek Watsonville West Covina West Hills West Hollywood West Sacramento Westlake Village Westminster Whittier Wilmington Winnetka Woodland Woodland Hills