Santa Monica Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Detox & Treatment Resources
With sunny, warm weather year-round, the seaside city of Santa Monica is a hub of activity for residents and travelers. From the world-famous Santa Monica Pier and the beautiful Palisades Park to its three shopping districts, numerous museums and theaters, there’s always something to do in the Los Angeles County city.
Sadly, another large part of the action in Santa Monica is part of a growing drug and alcohol abuse crisis. Despite its best efforts, the Pacific coast city is under siege from the same drugs that are plaguing dozens of cities across the U.S. One problem that’s driving people away from seeking help for addiction is the stigma and shame associated with substance abuse. Afraid to ask for help, people with drug problems too often suffer in silence until the law catches up with them, or worse, they overdose.
Addiction specialists, medical and mental health professionals understand that addiction is a chronic disease that can strike anyone. Substance abuse isn’t a moral failure, and it doesn’t mean it’s the end of your life. You can seek help to rid your life of drug or alcohol dependence. Santa Monica, Los Angeles County and California State officials are working hard to make sure everyone has access to the resources to reclaim their lives from drugs. This guide will give you the important information to learn about those resources and how to choose the right drug treatment facility in Santa Monica.
Finding Help & Recovery in Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica, California Alcohol Rehab Centers and Drug Centers
It takes bravery and commitment to enter a Santa Monica drug treatment facility or rehabilitation program. Many people enter and complete drug or alcohol treatment more than once. That’s okay. It’s not how many times you fall down that defines you, but how many times you get back up and try again. Whether it’s your first time entering a Santa Monica drug rehab or you’re repeating a recovery plan, take some time to consider which type of program is best for your needs. All drug and alcohol abuse programs require a time commitment on your part, with a month being the minimum time required to complete most plans.
Residential Treatment Programs
Residential treatment plans may last a month to six months. Patients check in and remain at the treatment facility for the duration of the program. A structured schedule of daily activities keeps you busy getting your life back on track, and may include a combination of medical exams, mental health counseling, educational gatherings and behavioral therapy. You may be prescribed medications to soothe any anxiety or other effects of weaning yourself from drugs and alcohol. The primary benefits of inpatient drug rehab are twofold. First, you have your basic needs met so you can focus on getting well. Second, you’re removed from people, easy access and situations that may trigger you to use drugs or alcohol in weak moments.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
It’s not always possible to stay long-term in a Santa Monica alcohol treatment facility or drug rehab center, either for personal or financial reasons. Perhaps you must help your partner or child, or you have severe anxiety about sleeping away from your own home. A partial hospitalization program gives you all of the organized activities of a residential program with the security of being in your own bedroom each night. You will need to show that you can refrain from accessing drugs or alcohol when you return home from the treatment program each night, and you’ll be tested to make certain you’re being honest.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient substance-abuse treatment programs are a lifeline for people who don’t believe they have time to go to rehab. If you can’t quit working or attending college, you can still get help with your drug and alcohol misuse disorder. An intake counselor will help you determine which classes, therapies and other treatment features will help you, and these activities will be scheduled to work with your other commitments. As with partial hospitalization therapy, you must be strong enough to resist temptation and have strong support to keep you on track.
Consider which type of drug abuse treatment plan is best for your situation. If possible, develop a network of people who can help you throughout your treatment regimen.
Detox Centers
If you’ve tried to stop your drug or alcohol intake and failed, you realize how hard it can be to break bad habits and substance misuse on your own. Some drugs and alcohol have such profound effects on the body, your life may be threatened when you abruptly quit your intake of these substances. Even if your life’s not in physical danger, the symptoms of withdrawal may be so unbearable, you end up using drugs or alcohol again despite your best intentions.
With supervised detoxification you have a team of health care professionals monitoring you and helping you work through your physical, mental and emotional changes. You may be administered medicine to reduce your discomfort or cravings. You’re more likely to continue withdrug detoxthan when trying to go it alone.
Recovery Meetings Near You in Santa Monica
You’ve admitted that alcohol and drugs were controlling your life and took steps to take it back. Although you may want to resettle into your life, it’s important that you continue with an aftercare program to help reduce the chances of a relapse. If you are not in a formal outpatient drug rehab in Santa Monica, you can still attend free Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery meetings for support as often as you need.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous is a longtime champion for helping men and women recover from their alcohol dependence. Since 1939, the nonprofit, nondenominational community organization has been sponsoring meetings and offering advice, education, spiritual support and information on local addiction and recovery resources. AA follows a 12-Step program and meetings are open to anyone who wants to stop drinking.
Solutions and Serenity
1220 2nd St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Manhattan Chowder
633 Kensington Rd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Living Sober
1458 26th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous is a free, community fellowship that sponsors meetings to help people seeking to end their drug addiction or continue their sobriety. Members admit that drugs are in control of their lives and only need the desire to stop using drugs to attend meetings. AA uses a 12-Step program and heavy reliance on a higher power to achieve sobriety. At one point in each members recovery, they must confront and seek forgiveness from the people their drug use has harmed.
Reed Park Senior Citizen Center
1133 7th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
CLARE Drug Court
1020 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Joslyn Park
633 Kensington Rd. Main Room
Santa Monica, CA 90405
SMART Recovery Meetings
AA and NA are excellent organizations, but, substance abuse is complicated and they don’t work for everyone. The founders of SMART Recovery Meetings understand that and offers those seeking help in their rehabilitation another option that uses a scientific base, rather than a spiritual one. The 4-Point program focuses on personal responsibility, self-empowerment and self-reliance.
Matrix Institute on Addictions
1849 Sawtelle Blvd. Suite # 100
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hazelden Betty Ford
10700 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste. 310
Los Angeles, CA 90025
University Lutheran Chapel
10915 Strathmore Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Meetings
Addiction touches everyone in a person’s life. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon groups understand this and are dedicated to helping you find hope in your situation. It doesn’t matter if your loved one is still abusing drugs and alcohol or if they are seeking treatment. Regular meetings are held in public locations around the country and online to offer support, comfort, a place to speak and guide you towards more resources that can help you.
Al-Anon
Colorado Center Office Complex
2500 Broadway
Santa Monica CA 90404
Nar-Anon
Fox Hills Nar-Anon
6666 Green Valley Circle Share Bldg.
Culver City, CA 90230
Finding the right addiction specialists to help end your substance misuse is an important decision. While there are several drug rehab clinics in Santa Monica, you can consider expanding your search to nearby locations. Along with surrounding cities, look at a national network of drug and alcohol facilities.