Rehab or Bust: A Guide to L.A.'s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

Comments (0) By Mark Groubert Wednesday, Jun 25 2008

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“It preys on the needs of desperate patients, sets unreasonable hopes and expectations and takes advantage of scarce economic resources,” says Lori Karan, a top researcher at the Drug Dependence Research Laboratory at the University of California San Francisco.

Peizer has apparently found a local home for his product.

Kevin Scanlon

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“We are honored to be working with Dr. Sal Petrucci and Renaissance Malibu to offer their patients the Prometa Protocols for alcoholism and stimulant dependence,” exhorts Peizer, chairman and CEO of Hythiam, his L.A.-based health-management company.

Renaissance Malibu recently moved to a much smaller facility.

STONE EAGLE RETREAT

Another new kid on the block, Stone Eagle was launched by a former pychotherapist from Passages;it’snice at half the price, for $35k per month. This six-bed, $4.5 million facility sits on 21 acres off Encinal Canyon Road in Malibu. Stone Eagle Retreat offers, among other distractions, horticulture therapy, which you can enjoy while drinking your Prometa cocktail (see Renaissance Malibu) for a discounted $10 grand. Shaken not stirred.

VISIONS ADOLESCENT TREATMENT CENTER

Despite Bush Administration claims to the contrary, the numbers for illegal teenage drug use are rapidly rising. In 1979, there were a reported 3.3 million teen illegal-drug users in the country. This number declined to 1.1 million users in 1992. By 2005, it was back up to 2.6 million. So where can kid rock smokers kick? Visions sees it clearly: Its program is designed for 12- to 17-year-old teenage tar tasters, underage hotrailers, curfewed channelswimmers and juvenile jollypoppers — that is, kids with drug and alcohol problems. The fence-enclosed facility is far from public transportation, which is designed to discourage runaways. The place has a pretty good rep and is 12-step-based. Education continues in here, with the patient’s own teachers. Bad news? The kids are always grounded.

WONDERLAND CENTER

Some consider Wonderland, which opened in 2006 with a 350-guest party, as Promises-light. This 12-bed/12 step–based facility costs $40k per month, but at least you’re in Studio City. Much smaller than you’d imagine, with all the hoopla. No drug-prevention security. I visited two celebrity friends/patients there recently, one of whom took me on a tour. I was there for almost an hour before being approached by an employee, who asked me to sign a visitor’s pass. We both laughed. I could have smuggled in a kilo of heroin, for all they knew. Residents are allowed cell phones, iPods, MP3s and computers. Heck, even your pets are welcome — at least, on the weekends. “Wonderland offers a bridge to recovery, which crosses over the notion that life has to be put entirely on hold during treatment.”

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Apparently, patients can leave for the day and go shopping if they wish, but with a companion. Rehab oddity: The Wonderland Web page features in-house articles, such as: “Why Didn’t Barack Obama Go to Rehab?” Good question. Might be less stressful than what he’s going through now.

Also readAddiction: Buying the Cure at Passages Malibu andGoing Undercover at Impact House and by Mark Groubert