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  • Beneficiary Rights

    How to File A Grievance?
    A grievance is an issue regarding the care or services you received that you are unhappy about.

    Grievance and Satisfaction Line

    To provide feedback about your experience at one of our specialty Behavioral Health clinics and, or with one of our contracted community based providers, please call the Quality Improvement Line at 925-957-5131 or Email BHSQualityAssurance@cchealth.org.

    To file a written complaint/grievance, please download the consumer grievance review request form below or you can obtain a form at any County location providing specialty behavior health services.



  • Recovery Events



  • My Recovery Resources


    Access to Behavioral Health Services

    The 24-hour Behavioral Health Access Line is an easy-to-use resource for mental health and substance use services. Call toll-free 1-888-678-7277 for:

    • New COVID-19 Tele-Health Video Appointments - Client Instructions Using Zoom
    • Questions about mental health services and supportive recovery resources for substance use disorders.
    • Assistance finding services.
    • Insurance questions and referrals to low-cost and sliding scale services if uninsured.
    • Be prepared to answer questions on your needs and provide your Medi-Cal or other insurance information.
    • Language interpretation services are available. Call during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) weekdays for quickest service.
    • For Presumptive Transfers for foster and probation youth from other counties to Contra Costa, please contact AB1299@cchealth.org or call the Access Line 1-888-678-7277 for after-hours coverage and urgent matters.

    Other 24-hour lines:

    • Crisis and Suicide
      Hotline: 1-800-833-2900
      211.org: dial 211
      Free national hotline for referrals to social services
      Psychiatric Urgent & Emergency Care

    George & Cynthia Miller Wellness Center - Behavioral Health
    25 Allen St., Martinez, CA 94553
    925-313-7940
    Short-notice/same-day behavioral health appointments
    Psychiatric Emergency Services
    2500 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553
    925-646-2800

    Service Directory

    Substance Use Disorders – Urgent Conditions

    Such as Methadone, Medication Assisted Treatment and Withdrawal Management/Detox Services there is no need to call the Access Line. You can access the services by going directly into the program.

    Food

    Legal Aid

    CLEAN SLATE
    The Clean Slate Program is dedicated to helping our clients clear their prior records in order to overcome the barrier to employment, housing, education and public benefits that a prior record can present. Our attorneys and advocates can provide the following types of assistance for those with prior arrests, convictions or juvenile adjudications in Contra Costa County:

    • Dismissal of Conviction (Expungement)
    • Proposition 47 & Proposition 64 Relief
    • Reduction of Felony to Misdemeanor
    • Certificate of Rehabilitation
    • Juvenile Record Sealing
    • Drug Diversion Record Sealing
    • Legal advice regarding voting rights and jury service rights post-conviction

    To start the process of having your records cleared you must complete a form posted at cocopublicdefenders.org. If you would like an update on your application or petition, please email the Public Defender's at CleanSlate@pd.cccounty.us.


    Transportation

    Health

    CONTACT PUBLIC HEALTH
    597 Center Avenue, Suite 200
    Martinez, California 94553
    925-313-6771
    800-287-0200 (toll free)
    925-313-6798 fax

    NEEDLE EXCHANGE SITES are available in East and West County. This one-for-one syringe exchange programs allows injection drug users to receive sterile syringes, condoms and harm reduction information.

    Times and locations are:

    • Bay Point:
      Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
      2586 Willow Pass Road
    • Richmond:
      Mondays 4pm-6pm
      Iron Triangle (McDonald and 4th)
      Directly across the street from the 4th street Market by Nevin Community Center
      598 Nevin Ave but on the McDonald side.

    The HIV/AIDS & STD Program – Testing and information

    Is dedicated to fostering the development, implementation, and coordination of programs to:

    • Reduce the transmission of HIV and STDs.
    • Provide comprehensive services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
    • Enhance community awareness of HIV/AIDS to increase understanding and compassionate response.

    HIV/AIDS

    We are committed to providing services for PLWHA in our community while reducing stigma of HIV/AIDS.

    Education, Testing, and Prevention Services

    Education and prevention services, including:

    • Free condoms and lube
    • HIV and Hepatitis C testing services
    • PrEP Navigation


  • Opioid Safety

    Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, which in combination with counseling provide a comprehensive solid approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. All medications used in MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet your needs.

    Research shows that when medication and Behavioral Health Therapy are combined, we can successfully treat these disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. MAT is also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.

    MAT is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication operates to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance used.


    MAT Medications

    The most commonly known medication for Opioid Disorders is Methadone. However, the FDA has approved several different medications to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders MAT medications relieve the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body. Medications used for MAT are evidence-based treatment options and do not just substitute one drug for another. If you are interested to explore your options, ask your counselor who can coordinate your care with your primary care doctor, or you can also ask your doctor for more information.


    Alcohol Use Disorder Medications – Ask your Counselor or your Doctor!

    Acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are the most common medications used to treat alcohol use disorder. They do not provide a cure for the disorder, but are most effective in people who participate in a MAT program. All medications are covered by Medi-Cal and available through your primary care doctor and Managed Health Plan.

    • Acamprosate - is for people in recovery, who are no longer drinking alcohol and want to avoid drinking. It works to prevent people from drinking alcohol, but it does not prevent withdrawal symptoms after people drink alcohol. The use of acamprosate typically begins on the fifth day of abstinence, reaching full effectiveness in five to eight days. It is offered in tablet form and taken three times a day, preferably at the same time every day. The medication may have some side effects.
    • Disulfiram - treats chronic alcoholism and is most effective in people who have already gone through detoxification or are in the initial stage of abstinence. Offered in a tablet form and taken once a day, disulfiram should never be taken while intoxicated and it should not be taken for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol. Unpleasant side effects (nausea, headache, vomiting, chest pains, difficulty breathing) can occur as soon as ten minutes after drinking even a small amount of alcohol and can last for an hour or more.
    • Naltrexone - blocks the euphoric effects and feelings of intoxication and allows people with alcohol use disorders to reduce alcohol use and to remain motivated to continue to take the medication, stay in treatment, and avoid relapses.

    Opioid Dependency Medications

    Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are used to treat opioid use disorders to short-acting opioids such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. These MAT medications are safe to use for months, years, or even a lifetime. As with any medication, consult your doctor before discontinuing use.

    Learn more about MAT for opioid use disorders.

    What is fentanyl?

    Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user's knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in their most recent provisional data indicate that approximately 81,230 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12-months ending in May 2020.

    Moreover, the CDC issued a new Health Alert October 26, 2015 to the public regarding important new developments in the evolving opioid overdose epidemic, which increasingly involves illicitly manufactured fentanyl and an array of potent fentanyl analogs (i.e., compounds that are chemically related to fentanyl) and an increase in unintentional overdose fatalities involving fentanyl in multiple states, primarily driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The CDC issued a first update on August 25, 2016 about the sharp increase in the availability of counterfeit pills containing varying amounts of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, the continued increase of overdose deaths involving fentanyl across a growing number of states, and the widening array of fentanyl analogs being mixed with heroin or sold as heroin, in particular the growing number of deaths involving the ultra-high potency fentanyl analog known as carfentanil.

    • California Department of Public Health - Synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths are increasing
    • Synthetic opioid-related Fact Sheet
    • Where to Obtain Narcan in Contra Costa at NO cost to you?

    Unused Medication Disposal

    Safe Drug Disposal

    Leftover and other unwanted medications can get into the hands of minors which may lead to accidental poisonings or intentional misuse. Unwanted medications sometimes they are improperly disposed of in the trash or down the toilet. This can cause environmental problems in the soil and water systems. In order to take a proactive approach in facilitating the proper disposal of unwanted medication, Contra Costa County passed 418-16 for Safe Drug Disposal in 2016.

    • Drop-off Kiosks
      Drop-off kiosks are another option for the public to dispose of unwanted medications. Drop-off Kiosks are typically secured self-service receptacles, located inside a host facility, and are accessible during the normal business hours of the host facility. Host facilities usually include law enforcement buildings, pharmacies, and hospitals but could also be in additional locations.
    • Mail-back Services
      Free Mail-Back services are available to county residents who are disabled, homebound, or when at least 3 drug kiosks have not been established in each supervisorial district in Contra Costa County.
    • Drug Take-Back Events
      Take back events are advertised locally and held at temporary locations based on days and hours of operation that are selected by the program coordinating the event.

    Preventing Overdoses

    Opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency attention. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose is essential to saving lives.

    What Is Naloxone? Narcan

    Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist—that is- it binds to opioid receptors and it can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.

    Naloxone is a temporary treatment and its effects do not last long. Is important to obtain medical help as soon as possible after administering/receiving naloxone.

    The medication can be given by intranasal spray (into the nose), intramuscular (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intravenous injection.

    Naloxone is also known as NARCAN, with the appropriate training NARCAN in spray form can be used by anyone. In California, we have a Good Samaritan Law, it means that we can all help each other and SAVE a Life

    SIGNS OF OPIOID OVERDOSE:

    • Person does not wake or respond to touch or voice
    • Breathing is not normal, very slow, or has stopped
    • Pin-point sized pupils
    • Bluish lips and nose

    How to Use Naloxone


  • COVID Safety



  • Recovery Residences