The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is working on a plan to create thousands of mental health treatment “slots” by 2030. This is in response to a gap in care that the county is dealing with when it comes to drug treatment and mental health. The five-year plan would expand access to services across the board.

Dubbed the Substance Use Disorder Optimal Care Pathways, the plan calls for doubling residential treatment capacity. That would mean going from today’s 4,978 slots to 8,851 slots in five years. They also would increase outpatient treatment capacity from 9,332 slots to 18,390 slots and expand housing resources linked to behavioral healthcare from 2,627 slots to 5,033 slots.

According to board Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer’s office, a slot is “an episode of care,” such as access to a patient bed, a group therapy session or an appointment with a clinician who can administer medication-assisted treatment or psych medication.

According to a statement from Lawson-Remer and Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, the county “has already made major strides” in improving substance use disorder services by adding more than 5,100 treatment slots since 2021.

Does This Improve Access to Treatment?

For inpatient programs, there will need to be a slot for each patient every day for 28 to 30 days. Programs like these will provide structure, intensive therapy throughout the day as well as medication management. Treatment programs for drugs focus on preparing people for continued recovery.

Treatment is complex depending on what addiction a person is battling. If there are withdrawal symptoms involved, a medical detox may be needed. People also typically need comprehensive evaluations to assess their medical history, mental health status, and substance use patterns to help create an appropriate treatment plan.

Many people, especially those addicted to opioids, choose a medically supervised detox process to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. There, they can get both therapy and help managing physically uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. 

Will “Therapy Slots” for Treatment Work?

Individual therapy is a key component of treatment. One-on-one sessions and group sessions are important parts of addiction treatment. These sessions help people in recovery identify triggers, develop coping strategies, and address underlying emotional or psychological concerns. Group therapy helps people share experiences, learn from peers, and build a sense of community. Topics in group sessions often include relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and stress management.

Family therapy may also be incorporated to help repair relationships and establish a stronger support system. Since addiction and mental health issues often impact loved ones, involving family members benefit from healing through therapy.

All of this therapy, however, would have a treatment slot per appointment. It’s not clear if they will then “limit” how many appointments a client can use, or how inpatient slots will be counted when it comes to therapy.

Short-term residential treatment is ideal for people who need a structured environment to stabilize and receive intensive support. Additional beds are always needed for indigent people. While these programs provide a strong foundation, long-term success depends on continued therapy, aftercare, and a reliable support system. There will also need to be “credits” for these appointments and Medication-Assisted Treatment appointments, as well. 

Getting Help for Addiction 

If you or somebody you love is struggling with substance use, we’re here to help you navigate your treatment options in the San Diego area. It doesn’t matter what your background is or what drugs you use, there’s help available for you. Give us a call at 1-800-425-1564 to learn more.