Pasadena
Outpatient Rehab

Drug Abuse in Pasadena

Pasadena is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County. It is the most highly populated city in the diverse San Gabriel Valley, making it a major attraction for the area as well as a popular tourist destination. Pasadena is world-famous for its annual Tournament of Roses Parade and its athletic stadium, the Rose Bowl. Even though Pasadena is 11 miles northwest of bustling Downtown, Los Angeles, Pasadena’s own downtown is a formidable rival. Its shopping malls, offices, and boutiques make it a popular weekend destination for shoppers. Pasadena is also recognized as a major cultural and educational hub. Educational institutions include CalTech, Fuller Theological Seminary, ArtCenter College of Design, and Pasadena City College. Significant cultural centers and museums include the Norton Simon Museum of Art, the Pasadena Playhouse, the USC Pacific Asia Museum, and the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens (which is technically adjacent to the city of Pasadena). Pasadena is also the home of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a NASA field center that employs thousands of scientists. The city is recognized as a great place to raise a family, and at the same time it is a place where artists, scientists, and students come together to work and share ideas. By all appearances, Pasadena has it all.

As with most thriving cities, Pasadena has a dark side. Residents in Pasadena suffer from unprecedented rates of substance abuse and addiction. In some ways, this is no surprise, given the number of young people and students who live in the area. Drug abuse is also driven by rampant crime in the area, where poverty is just as prevalent as success. Drug distributors who operate in Pasadena often receive their supply from vendors in the greater Los Angeles area, who in turn receive their supply from criminal organizations and drug cartels south of the border. While alcohol and benzodiazepines remain common drugs of abuse in Pasadena, in more recent years opioids have made significant inroads. Illicitly distributed synthetic opioids have led to dramatically rising overdose rates in Pasadena. Addictions and overdoses afflict Pasadena residents of all ages, from adolescents to retirees.

In recent decades, Pasadena has opened up a number of addiction resource centers and implemented treatment programs to handle the addiction epidemic. These programs enable even the most hopeless individuals to recover from their substance use disorders. They begin by helping individuals detox and withdraw from psychoactive substances, but most people who suffer from addiction need far more than this. Addiction destroys relationships, careers, finances, legal standing, and personal health. As such, treatment centers in Pasadena offer a range of resources and services to help people pick up the pieces of their lives. However, every person is different and addictions themselves vary considerably. It is important to understand the distinctions among the different types of treatment programs available in the Pasadena area.

Alcohol and Drug Outpatient Rehab Centers in Pasadena

Perhaps the most salient fact about addiction is that it requires treatment. However, many sufferers are reluctant to seek help. One of the foremost reasons for this is that individuals with substance use disorders are often in denial. They may refuse to see the truth so that they can keep on drinking and using, or they may find it difficult to recognize their disorder because their style of addiction does not fit into the stereotyped depiction of addiction perpetuated by television and films. Partly as a result of the damaging social stigmas that surround addiction, many believe that talking about addiction is shameful and prefer to suffer alone. Ill-informed but well-meaning friends sometimes advise their addicted friends to exercise more self-control or to be more mature about their drinking. While people trying to manage their addictions on their own may sometimes manage to stay sober, most relapse within a short time. This is because addiction is a medical condition that, by its very nature, affects a person’s will power, motivation, and decision-making abilities. It is crucial for individuals suffering from addiction to recognize that they have a legitimate medical condition that requires treatment and outside care.

Outpatient treatment centers can help individuals by providing them with the tools they need to get sober and stay sober. These programs help individuals detox and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. They also provide a safe and supportive environment where people can work to develop the tools and coping strategies they need to avoid relapse. Perhaps more importantly, however, outpatient treatment centers help people in recovery by allowing them to begin their lives anew. While enrolled in an outpatient program, individuals have the opportunity to heal the wreckage of their past and take steps toward goals that were heretofore unachievable during active addiction. Outpatient programs allow people in recovery to repair relationships, build new ones, begin new careers and academic programs, and discover the values by which they want to live. Pasadena’s quality outpatient treatment programs offer not just physical sobriety, but a sober approach to life.

A wide range of treatment programs exist to meet the needs of people at different stages of addiction. Substance use disorder varies considerably in its severity, effects, and causes. While almost all of them offer comprehensive treatment plans that make use of a wide variety of therapeutic methods, one program’s emphasis will be different from any other’s. Before enrolling in a treatment program, it is a good idea to come to a clear understanding of the distinctions among Pasadena’s numerous outpatient treatment programs. Doing so enables one to make an educated decision about where to start. Nonetheless, it is important to note that most people ultimately end up taking part in a variety of programs as their needs and circumstances change.. In fact, research has shown that individuals in recovery who remain enrolled in treatment programs for longer periods of time are less likely to relapse in the subsequent years. Listed below are some of the most common types of outpatient treatment programs.

Pasadena PHP

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) in Pasadena are mostly located inside hospitals and medical clinics. These programs provide the highest level of care possible and are recommended for those whose addictions have reached physically dangerous levels of severity. Individuals facing severe withdrawal symptoms, such as that which occurs during opioid withdrawal, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and alcohol withdrawal, can benefit considerably from partial hospitalization programs. Physicians working on-site can evaluate and monitor a person’s detox process, and they may sometimes prescribe medication to mitigate cravings and withdrawal symptoms. PHPs can also be helpful for individuals who suffer from comorbid physical or mental health disorders that can complicate the addiction treatment process. Ultimately, these programs allow people to withdraw from substances in a safe and effective manner while planning ahead for long-term recovery.

Pasadena IOP

Pasadena’s intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) also provide a high level of care. Intensive outpatient programs are most frequently suggested for individuals who are struggling to function or make ends meet as a result of their addictive behaviors. While IOPs are outpatient programs, they involve significant time commitments, often requiring enrollees to devote the vast majority of every day of the week to their addiction treatment. These intensive programs help individuals by providing them with tools and skills that can be utilized for averting a relapse. IOPs make use of a wide variety of treatment modalities, ranging from cognitive-behavioral therapy to support groups. Enrolling in one of Pasadena’s excellent IOPs can help people stay sober and begin taking steps toward a new way of living.

Pasadena OP

Outpatient programs (OPs) in Pasadena demand fewer hours and often meet for only several days a week. Outpatient programs are suitable for people who suffer from substance use disorders but are functional enough to have outside commitments, ranging from family duties to full-time jobs. These programs work to help individuals stay sober and more effectively function in their everyday lives. Like intensive outpatient programs, a variety of behavioral interventions and skill-building techniques are often combined in a comprehensive manner. Outpatient programs are also sometimes recommended for graduates of more intensive programs, such as PHPs and IOPs. Individuals graduating from these programs can benefit from attending a flexible outpatient program while they begin to reintegrate into the world.

Pasadena Aftercare

Given Pasadena’s thriving recovery community and plethora of treatment programs, it should come as no surprise that it is also an excellent city for aftercare services. What is aftercare? An aftercare plan is a long-term plan for addiction treatment outside the confines of a formal addiction treatment center. Addiction cannot be cured, but it can be continuously managed and thereby put into remission. Having a solid aftercare plan in place, then, is essential for graduates of outpatient treatment programs. Case workers at such programs help graduates develop aftercare plans that meet their individual needs. Common elements of an aftercare plan include 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, talk therapy, and support groups. By taking part in these programs, individuals can develop their sober social support groups and continue to build on the foundation of skills they developed in their outpatient treatment program. Best of all, engagement in aftercare programs enables a person to stay sober for life.

Recovery Meetings and Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Pasadena present opportunities for recovering alcoholics to learn from the experiences of other individuals in recovery. The program of AA revolves around the 12 steps, which involve learning to accept the reality of ones addiction and helping others who suffer from the same condition. Newer members of AA often work with “sponsors,” who are unofficial mentors with more sober time who help guide them through the 12 steps. AA is both the oldest and the most popular recovery program in the world, with meetings available in every city across the globe. Membership is open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking, and AA meetings in Pasadena include people struggling to get even a single day sober alongside members with several decades of sobriety under their belt. Some recommended AA meetings in Pasadena can be found listed below:
  • Powerless in Pasadena – 160 North El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91101
  • Speaker from the Podium – Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California, 91105
  • White Flag Book Study – E Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena, California, 91106

Cocaine Anonymous

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) meetings in Pasadena are helpful resources for individuals struggling with cocaine addiction or pursuing an aftercare plan. Based on the same 12 steps as AA, Cocaine Anonymous’ program is designed to eliminate a person’s obsession with abusing cocaine. At Cocaine Anonymous meetings in Pasadena, individuals who are actively using but want to stop brush shoulders with people who have been clean for years. No matter where a person is in the recovery process, the benefits of communing with other individuals who suffer from the same obsession can be enormous. Cocaine Anonymous is a free program that only requires members to have a desire to stop abusing cocaine. Cocaine Anonymous meetings in Pasadena are an essential resource for anyone trying to stay clean. Some recommended CA meetings in the Pasadena area are listed below:
  • Sunday Services – 2900 E. Del Mar Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107
  • Change of Attitude – 185 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, CA 91001
  • Monday Night Special – 225 Grandview St., Pasadena, CA 91104

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in Pasadena are structured around helping individuals who are addicted to narcotics. The term narcotics can refer to any mind-altering drug, but the program tends to attract individuals who suffer from opioid use disorder in particular. Narcotics Anonymous is the second largest 12-step program after AA. Its program, which is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, helps people stay off drugs by emphasizing a reliance on a higher power and a reduction in egotistical behaviors. The program generally recommends that newer members work with a sponsor, who serves as an unofficial mentor guiding a person through the 12 steps of NA. However, given NA’s emphasis on helping fellow addicts, any member who is struggling can safely rely on the support of the NA community at large. NA’s strong mutual support system and program of recovery have helped countless people get sober. Even for individuals with years of sobriety behind them, NA continues to support their sobriety and its community can be a source of joy and meaning. Some recommended NA meetings in the Pasadena area can be found below:
  • 202 Club – 953 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91105
  • Before and After Recovery Group – 2061 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91104
  • Casa de las Amigas – 160 North El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91101

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery meetings in Pasadena offer an alternative kind of support group for individuals in recovery who are interested in a secular evidence-based program. SMART Recovery’s program is designed based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps people develop a strong sense of autonomy and self-efficacy as they learn to manage their thoughts, moods, cravings, and behaviors. While most of SMART Recovery’s meetings are held online, a variety of in-person meetings are also regularly held in Pasadena. Some recommended SMART Recovery meetings in the vicinity of Pasadena include:
  • Union Station – 412 S Raymond Ave. , Los Angeles, California 91105, USA
  • Pacific Clinics – 66 Hurlbut Street, Pasadena, CA 91105
  • USC Village – 3201 S. Hoover St., #1820, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

Al-Anon

Al-Anon meetings in Pasadena provide opportunities for loved ones of addicts and alcoholics to receive the support they need. Friends, spouses, and family members are prone to suffering in their relationships with addicts and alcoholics. Many suffer from codependency after years of trying to “save” or “cure” their addicted loved ones. Al-Anon is a 12-step program that emerged shortly after the birth of AA to help spouses of AA members, though today the program is open to anyone who is struggling in their relationship with an addict or alcoholic. At Al-Anon meetings in Pasadena, members can learn to let go of their attempts to control their loved ones and practice self-care. Meetings are also a source of support and camaraderie. No one should have to suffer alone. Some recommended Al-Anon meetings in the Pasadena area are listed below:
  • Let it Begin with Me AFG – 100 W. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91105, USA
  • South Pas AFG – 699 Monterey Rd, South Pasadena, CA, 91030, USA
  • Sunday’s Best Highland Park AFG – 6152 N Figueroa St, Highland Park, CA, 90042, USA

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Create Recovery Center

Deciding to go to an outpatient treatment center can seem like an intimidating decision for many. This is largely due to the fact that the social stigmas surrounding addiction make most people reluctant to ask for help at all. It is important that once a person recognizes their substance use disorder that they seek help right away. Addiction is a progressive illness that generally gets worse, not better, over time. However, selecting the right treatment program can be intimidating. Given the plethora of options, how is one supposed to know which treatment center has exactly what one needs?

Create Recovery Center, located close by Pasadena in West Los Angeles, is an outpatient treatment center that offers every kind of program, including a partial hospitalization program, an intensive outpatient program, an outpatient program, and aftercare planning. Create Recovery Center can thereby meet the needs of individuals suffering from addiction at any severity. Individuals who are undergoing arduous detoxes can be assured that they will receive the support they require. Addicts with comorbid physical or mental health disorders can rest easy knowing that their other conditions will not be ignored in a one-size fits all treatment program. People who have some sober time under their belt but want some additional support rebuilding their lives also benefit from our programs and resources. Create Recovery Center offers a variety of treatment programs so that individuals can switch from a more intensive one to a less intensive one as they progress in their sobriety journeys.

Create Recovery Center also emphasizes a holistic patient-centered approach to addiction treatment. Our trained and dedicated staff evaluate each patient on a one-on-one basis to design an individualized treatment plan that meets a person’s unique needs. We utilize a broad and comprehensive range of treatment modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups. No one suffers from addiction in the same way, and every person’s underlying reasons are unique. It is our belief that addressing an addiction requires self-reflection and a set of tools that is specific to the problem at hand.

At Create Recovery Center, people do more than just get sober. It is our philosophy that physical sobriety is just the beginning. Most people want to get sober because their lives are in disarray. Taking away drugs and alcohol is a good start, but most people want to see a radical difference in their lives. Individuals in any of our outpatient treatment programs work to repair their damaged lives and begin taking steps toward new life goals. At Create Recovery Center, individuals develop strong sober social support networks — a fancy word for friendships — that they take with them into the rest of their lives. These support systems support their sobriety, but moreover they can serve as a profound source of joy and meaning.

Addiction can feel like a hopeless condition. But by recognizing the problem, reaching out for help, connecting with others, and participating in a strong addiction treatment program, anyone can recover. Reach out to Create Recovery Center today.