Key Takeaways
- Fountain and Security-Widefield have experienced rapid increases in methamphetamine-related arrests and emergency department visits.
- Local resources are limited; most treatment coordination occurs through Colorado Springs providers.
- Health First Colorado and sliding-scale programs make treatment accessible for most residents.
- Geographic proximity to Colorado Springs (15-20 miles) makes day treatment programs feasible.
- Out-of-state residential treatment provides escape from established using networks in the region.
Substance Use Challenges in Fountain and Security-Widefield
Fountain and Security-Widefield, residential and rural communities located south of Colorado Springs along I-25 and Highway 85-87, face distinct substance use challenges driven largely by methamphetamine distribution networks. These communities, historically with lower rates of addiction treatment infrastructure, have seen explosive growth in stimulant-related arrests, emergency department visits, and overdose deaths over the past decade.
The geographic position of Fountain and Security-Widefield along major drug trafficking corridors makes these communities vulnerable to methamphetamine market penetration. Additionally, economic pressures, aging manufacturing infrastructure, and limited recreational and social outlets contribute to substance use as a coping mechanism.
Unlike Colorado Springs, which offers multiple treatment options, Fountain and Security-Widefield residents must travel to Colorado Springs for most treatment services. Understanding treatment pathways and how to navigate geographic barriers is critical for residents seeking help.
Methamphetamine use carries unique health risks including dental deterioration, skin infections, and cardiovascular damage. If you are using methamphetamine and want help, call (949) 280-8360 at Trust SoCal for treatment options.
Methamphetamine and Stimulant Use in South El Paso County
Methamphetamine has become the dominant substance of concern in Fountain and Security-Widefield. El Paso County law enforcement reports that methamphetamine-related arrests increased by over 50 percent between 2020 and 2023. Emergency departments throughout the region document increasing methamphetamine-related visits for cardiac events, psychiatric crises, and abscesses.
- Methamphetamine-related arrests in El Paso County south of I-25 increased 52 percent from 2020 to 2023.
- Methamphetamine is increasingly mixed with fentanyl, creating overdose risks.
- Stimulant use is associated with housing instability, criminal justice involvement, and family disruption in these communities.
Treatment Access and Local Resources
Fountain and Security-Widefield do not have dedicated addiction treatment facilities. Instead, residents must coordinate care through Colorado Springs-based providers and community-based health centers. However, geographic proximity to Colorado Springs (15-20 miles) makes day treatment programs and outpatient services feasible.
Several federally qualified health centers serve Fountain and Security-Widefield residents, providing primary care, behavioral health services, and increasingly, medication-assisted treatment. Hospital-based services and crisis intervention are available through Peak View Behavioral Health and UCHealth facilities in Colorado Springs.
Community-Based Outpatient Services
Federally qualified health centers and community mental health organizations throughout El Paso County serve Fountain and Security-Widefield residents. These programs provide individual counseling, group therapy, psychiatric services, and medication-assisted treatment on a sliding-fee scale.
- Outpatient programs are effective for individuals with stable housing and strong support systems.
- Medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine is increasingly available through community health centers.
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management are available through multiple providers.
Crisis Intervention and Detoxification in Colorado Springs
When detoxification or crisis intervention is needed, Fountain and Security-Widefield residents access services through Colorado Springs-based providers. Peak View Behavioral Health and UCHealth both serve the region, providing medical detoxification and crisis stabilization.
- Medical detoxification is available through Colorado Springs providers (15-20 minutes from Fountain and Security-Widefield).
- Crisis hotline: 719-633-3456 (Peak View Crisis Line) available 24/7.
- Hospital emergency departments can provide acute detoxification and psychiatric crisis services.
Insurance, Payment, and Treatment Financing
Cost and insurance are primary determinants of treatment access for Fountain and Security-Widefield residents. Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and sliding-scale programs make treatment financially accessible for most individuals. Understanding coverage options before entering treatment helps prevent disruption and ensures continuity of care.
Call Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360 to discuss insurance verification and payment options, including out-of-state residential programs. Our team understands the geographic and financial challenges facing south El Paso County residents.
Call Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360 for a free insurance verification and to discuss treatment options, including how out-of-state residential care can provide the geographic separation and comprehensive treatment necessary for lasting recovery.
Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
Health First Colorado covers all medically necessary levels of substance use treatment for eligible Fountain and Security-Widefield residents. Coverage includes outpatient services, detoxification, residential programs (coordinated with providers in larger cities), and medication-assisted treatment.
- Health First Colorado covers detox, residential, PHP, IOP, and medication-assisted treatment.
- Copayments are minimal for substance use disorder treatment.
- Coordination with out-of-state providers is possible with prior authorization.
Sliding-Scale and Community Health Center Services
Uninsured Fountain and Security-Widefield residents are not locked out of treatment. Federally qualified health centers provide services on sliding-fee scales based on family income. Community-based providers often coordinate emergency detoxification for uninsured individuals in crisis.
- FQHCs provide low-cost or free outpatient behavioral health services.
- Sliding scales are based on family income and household size.
- Emergency detoxification is available through hospital emergency departments regardless of insurance status.
Recovery Community and Peer Support
Recovery communities in Fountain and Security-Widefield are still developing but are growing. Residents have access to AA and NA meetings in both their home communities and throughout Colorado Springs. Virtual recovery meetings provide additional options for individuals seeking peer support.
Meetings and Mutual Aid in South El Paso County
AA and NA meetings are available in Fountain and Security-Widefield at multiple times throughout the week. Broader meeting availability in Colorado Springs is accessible within a 20-minute drive.
- Fountain and Security-Widefield host weekly AA and NA meetings.
- Colorado Springs has over 100 weekly mutual aid meetings of various types.
- Virtual meetings provide 24/7 access for geographically isolated individuals.
Why Out-of-State Treatment Makes Sense for South El Paso County Residents
Geographic proximity to Colorado Springs provides access to treatment services, but some Fountain and Security-Widefield residents benefit from leaving the region entirely. Out-of-state residential treatment provides complete environmental separation from established substance-using networks, dealers, and trauma-associated locations. This geographic distance has been shown to significantly improve early recovery stability and reduce relapse risk.
Trust SoCal welcomes Fountain and Security-Widefield residents into its comprehensive residential programs. Our team coordinates with your insurance, manages logistics, and supports family involvement from a distance.
My using network was so deep in south El Paso County that I knew I couldn't get clean staying close to Colorado Springs. Going to California was hard but necessary. I came back different.
— Trust SoCal alumnus, formerly from Security-Widefield
Benefits of Out-of-State Residential Treatment
Out-of-state treatment offers clear advantages for Fountain and Security-Widefield residents seeking to escape established using networks.
- Complete environmental separation from dealers, using companions, and associated locations.
- Access to specialized residential treatment unavailable locally.
- Year-round outdoor therapy in mild climate.
- Low therapist-to-client ratios for individualized attention.
- Opportunity to return to the region with a new foundation and support system.
Taking Action: First Steps from South El Paso County
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use in Fountain, Security-Widefield, or surrounding communities, treatment is available and accessible. Start by contacting a community health center for assessment, or call your insurance provider to verify coverage. For comprehensive information about residential treatment options, call Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360.
Recovery is possible. The first step is reaching out and committing to change. Whether you choose local outpatient programs or a residential program elsewhere, professional treatment with peer support dramatically increases your likelihood of sustained sobriety.
Thinking about treatment? Identify one supportive person—family member, friend, or mentor—who can help facilitate your entry into care. Having that support connection makes the treatment experience more effective.
Trust SoCal Editorial Team, Clinical Review Board
Editorial & Clinical Review
