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Addiction, Substance & Alcohol Therapy In Los Angeles

Recovery and Addiction In Los Angeles

While 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) play a crucial role in many people's recovery from addiction,, we recognize that every individual's path to healing is unique. My approach to treating substance use and addiction can complement the support provided by AA, by offering additional psychological insights and tools to address the underlying emotional and psychological aspects of addiction. 

If you don't think AA is right for you, I can understand that, and never insist a client attends. In it's defense do think the sense of community and peer support found in AA is invaluable and in particular the recovery community is vibrant in Los Angeles, For that reason, I do encourage participation in such groups for the camaraderie and mutual understanding of addiction they offer.

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If that is something you would like to explore, we can use our therapy sessions to enrich this experience by providing a safe space for deeper self-exploration and personal growth, ensuring a well-rounded support system.

Therapy and Recovery Are Not Separate

Many therapists, when faced with addiction issues, simply refer patients to AA, which could be seen as a form of abandonment, especially if you've been working with that therapist for a while. 

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I believe that addiction should be viewed as a symptom of deeper emotional issues rather than just a physical or social problem. Understanding the emotional triggers of addiction such as anxiety disorders, depression or trauma, is crucial for effective treatment, and that would be a primary goal of treatment. This perspective shifts the focus from addiction and addictive behavior itself to the underlying emotional states that drive such behavior. In therapy, the knowledge of these emotional triggers can be used to predict and manage addictive impulses.

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This approach can help empower individuals to take control over their addiction by addressing the root emotional causes. It involves introspective work to uncover the personal themes that are most sensitive to each individual, thereby providing a roadmap for recovery

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Levels Of Care In Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment is most effective when it is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. The journey to recovery may involve several levels of care, ensuring ongoing support and addressing the varying intensities of addiction. Here's an overview of the different levels of care available:

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  1. Hospitalization (Inpatient Care): This level of care involves acute stabilization in a psychiatric hospital or the psychiatric unit of a hospital. It is appropriate for addressing a mental health crisis, addiction or active substance use, especially when an individual may be a danger to themselves or others and/or require detoxification. The duration of this care can range from one night to several weeks.

  2. Residential Treatment: This involves live-in treatment in a home-like setting with intensive therapeutic services, including an academic/life skills component, and 24/7 monitoring to ensure physical and emotional safety. It is most effective for long-term, sustainable healing and is suitable for individuals needing around-the-clock structure. The typical length of treatment is 30–60 days.

  3. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHP is a structured outpatient day-treatment program, operating 5 days per week. It includes 4+ hours of clinical and experiential therapy that focus on addiction. This level is ideal for those who can remain at home but need more structure than weekly therapy can provide. The duration can be 30 days up to several months.

  4. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOP involves treatment for 3–5 afternoons a week, each session lasting 3–4 hours. This allows individuals to attend school and participate in other daily activities while receiving additional therapeutic support. The typical length of treatment is 30 days up to several months.

  5. Outpatient Services: This level of care involves treatment 1–2 afternoons per week as needed. It is suitable for individuals ready to transition from Residential, IOP, or PHP to a lower level of care and who can successfully participate in daily routines using healthy coping mechanisms around addiction. The duration can be 30 days up to several months.

  6. Weekly Therapy Sessions: These are one-hour coaching or counseling sessions with an individual therapist to address specific issues, practice coping skills, and monitor progress. This level is for those who can benefit from consistent support and do not need a higher level of care. The treatment usually lasts at least 6 months and may be ongoing.

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My office is located in West Hollywood, and I work with clients from all over Los Angeles, I can offer weekly therapy sessions as well as outpatient services which would require multiple sessions per week to dig into addiction and related problems, as well as other forms of supplemental treatment we can discuss.

Let’s Work Together

If you are based in Los Angeles and are concerned about addiction or struggling with substance or alcohol use and would like to see if counseling is right for you, reach out today and book a free online consultation call. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have a decade's worth of experience working with clients.

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©2017 BY OLIVER DRAKEFORD: PSYCHOTHERAPY.

CERTIFIED GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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