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Avalon Malibu

32420 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
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5
Top 10 Rehab In Malibu
The facilities at Avalon by the Sea in Malibu, CA 2
5
Top 10 Rehab In Malibu

About Avalon Malibu

The facility caters to the needs of each individual. They believe traditional approaches to addiction aren’t always effective, so their program uses integrative therapies that include herbs, Chinese medicine, neurofeedback, nutrition, holistic medication, and nutraceutical therapies. They also incorporate mindfulness techniques, like yoga and qigong.

At Avalon, you’ll get a chance for full recovery, while learning how to obtain healthy, long-term relationships, life skills, and resources for a drug or alcohol-free lifestyle. The staff is experienced in addiction recovery, and some are recovering addicts who can empathize with your situation. They implement evidence-based protocols that help you end addiction for good. Your counselors will have specific knowledge to help you while providing structure and guidance during treatment. They accept many forms of payment, including private health insurance, like Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Cigna.

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Fact checked and written by:
Patti Croft, MBA
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD

Latest Reviews

Ronald Powers
1 week ago on Google
5
Avalon Malibu is a leader in the industry, providing exceptional care for both Primary Substance Abuse Treatment and Primary Mental Health Care. Their evidence-based treatments, combined with a holistic approach, equip clients with the skills they need for lasting recovery. The clinical team and psychiatrists are highly skilled, and the nursing staff is compassionate. Clients leave Avalon Malibu with a renewed sense of hope and a fresh perspective on life. It is truly rewarding to witness their transformation from feeling hopeless to being optimistic about the future. I feel confident referring my clients to Avalon as I know they will receive top-tier care.
Benjamin Deutsch
1 week ago on Google
5
Avalon truly exceeded my expectations. Exceptional place, great people, and real results. I would recommend them to anyone.
Joaquin Anand
3 weeks ago on Google
1
WITHHELD MEDICATION UPON DISCHARGE They kept pushing me to stay longer, and my time was extended one week at a time. After 2 months, I decided it was enough so I left on a Sunday. Since I was “supposed” to stay until Wednesday, THEY ONLY GAVE ME 3 DAYS WORTH OF MEDS. They told me if I left on Wednesday I’d get all my meds. It seems they were pushing me to stay longer for the money. They were billing my insurance $8,000 a day, and in total made $575,000 from me. Of course they wanted me to stay 3 extra days!! That’s 24,000 extra, on top of how long they had already convinced me to stay. I had to scramble to get my meds refilled which was awful. I had to go to an urgent care and wait for hours, then drive far to a 24 hour CVS. To make this even worse…. I had to pay out of pocket for the refill, because Avalon billed my insurance to refill my medication recently, so I couldn’t get another one so soon. It was expensive and I’m pissed. Absolutely pissed.
Response from the owner1 week ago
We’re truly sorry to hear that your discharge experience felt stressful. No one leaving treatment should feel unsupported, and we take your concerns seriously.

At Avalon Malibu, recommendations about length of stay come from our clinical team based solely on safety and therapeutic progress. Insurance providers often authorize treatment in very short increments, which can understandably create confusion around timing.

When someone leaves earlier than planned or without advance notice, the medical team may have limited time to complete a full discharge plan or medication handoff. In those cases, we follow government-regulated standard safety guidelines for short-term medication coverage until outpatient care can resume. We’re sorry this felt difficult for you and sincerely wish you the best in your continued recovery.
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Rehab Score

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7.9 / 10

Accepted Insurance

Please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Avalon Malibu works with several private insurance providers, please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Clients receiving treatment at an outpatient rehab typically do not require hospitalization or intensive supervision and support. Outpatient addiction counseling and recovery education are often offered during the morning, evening, night, and weekend, allowing clients to tailor treatment to their own schedule. Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs are the most time-intensive and are designed for clients who are at an increased relapse risk and/or who need more robust therapeutic support.

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

Intensive Outpatient programs are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) at Avalon by the Sea are designed for those who may not be able to afford residential treatment or they don’t necessarily need constant monitoring. These individuals may already have a support system from their family or friends who can help monitor their situation and medications. Individuals must complete a primary treatment program before enrolling in this program. Their IOP programs are also designed for those who need to maintain other responsibilities such as: family, work, etc.

Rehab aftercare programs offer clients in addiction recovery a robust continuum of care after clients have completed active treatment. These services address recovery as a life-long process and are designed to evolve with clients' changing needs. Clients may partner with their case managers and/or addiction recovery team to identify the rehab aftercare services that are right for them. They may receive career counseling, housing assistance, peer coaching, 12 step program induction, among many other services.

12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

Sober living homes in California offers an intermediate sober environment that has less structure than inpatient rehab but more than typical home environments. This makes it a good option for those who have concerns about transitioning back to the "real world" after treatment. Residents can typically live at the halfway house as long as they want, if they are willing to follow house rules. These may include a curfew, chores, and maintaining a job.

When an individual is in denial about their substance use disorder, their loved ones may organize a drug intervention in California. This effort involves gently but assertively confronting the individual about their substance use and sharing how it has affected those who care about them. A professional interventionist may also attend this gathering. Their expertise with intervention services can prove helpful in guiding the conversation to a positive result.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

Drug rehab in California teaches participants constructive ways to stay clean and sober. Treatment revolves around helping individuals stop using the substance they are addicted to and learn healthy habits to avoid relapse.

Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

Clinical Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Creativity is inherently healing, and can help those in recovery express thoughts or feelings they might not otherwise be able to. Creative arts therapy can include music, poetry/writing, painting, sculpting, dance, theater, sandplay, and more. Unlike traditional art, the final product matters far less than the experience of creation and expression itself.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.

EMDR is a therapeutic modality originally developed to help process trauma. In an EMDR session, a patient is prompted to undergo eye movements that mimic those of REM sleep. This is accomplished by watching a therapist's finger move back and forth across, or following a bar of light. The goal is repetitive sets of eye movements that help the brain reprocess memory, which can significantly reduce the intensity of remembered traumatic incidents. Associated memories can heal simultaneously, leaving patients significantly calmer, more stable, and more emotionally relaxed.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.

Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

Amenities

  • spa2 iconYoga Studio
  • private-room iconPrivate Rooms

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Hillary Berens, PSYD, LMFT

Executive Director

Aaron Lohr, MA, LMFT

Clinical Director

Cyrus Gandhi, CADCA

Director of Admission

Sloane Spanierman

Director of Business Development

Accreditations

The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.

Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 549784

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.

SAMHSA Listed: Yes

State Licenses are permits issued by government agencies that allow rehab organizations to conduct business legally within a certain geographical area. Typically, the kind of program a rehab facility offers, along with its physical location, determines which licenses are required to operate legally.

State License: California
License Number: 190752AP

Contact Information

Building icon

32420 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265

Explore Other Centers Near Malibu

Reviews of Avalon Malibu

3.65/5 (26 reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

3.6538461538462 (26 reviews)
Ronald Powers
1 week ago
5

Avalon Malibu is a leader in the industry, providing exceptional care for both Primary Substance Abuse Treatment and Primary Mental Health Care. Their evidence-based treatments, combined with a holistic approach, equip clients with the skills they need for lasting recovery. The clinical team and psychiatrists are highly skilled, and the nursing staff is compassionate. Clients leave Avalon Malibu with a renewed sense of hope and a fresh perspective on life. It is truly rewarding to witness their transformation from feeling hopeless to being optimistic about the future. I feel confident referring my clients to Avalon as I know they will receive top-tier care.

Benjamin Deutsch
1 week ago
5

Avalon truly exceeded my expectations. Exceptional place, great people, and real results. I would recommend them to anyone.

Joaquin Anand
3 weeks ago
1

WITHHELD MEDICATION UPON DISCHARGE They kept pushing me to stay longer, and my time was extended one week at a time. After 2 months, I decided it was enough so I left on a Sunday. Since I was “supposed” to stay until Wednesday, THEY ONLY GAVE ME 3 DAYS WORTH OF MEDS. They told me if I left on Wednesday I’d get all my meds. It seems they were pushing me to stay longer for the money. They were billing my insurance $8,000 a day, and in total made $575,000 from me. Of course they wanted me to stay 3 extra days!! That’s 24,000 extra, on top of how long they had already convinced me to stay. I had to scramble to get my meds refilled which was awful. I had to go to an urgent care and wait for hours, then drive far to a 24 hour CVS. To make this even worse…. I had to pay out of pocket for the refill, because Avalon billed my insurance to refill my medication recently, so I couldn’t get another one so soon. It was expensive and I’m pissed. Absolutely pissed.

Response from the owner
We’re truly sorry to hear that your discharge experience felt stressful. No one leaving treatment should feel unsupported, and we take your concerns seriously.

At Avalon Malibu, recommendations about length of stay come from our clinical team based solely on safety and therapeutic progress. Insurance providers often authorize treatment in very short increments, which can understandably create confusion around timing.

When someone leaves earlier than planned or without advance notice, the medical team may have limited time to complete a full discharge plan or medication handoff. In those cases, we follow government-regulated standard safety guidelines for short-term medication coverage until outpatient care can resume. We’re sorry this felt difficult for you and sincerely wish you the best in your continued recovery.
Ryan Roy x Blue Did It, LLC
5 months ago
5

The best behavioral health professionals know that the single most important element of successfully implementing long-term wellness and true systemic change is “collaboration.” Collaborating with the family. Collaborating with the providers. Collaborating with the client by meeting them where they are at. From Hillary and Aaron to the incredible therapists, the Avalon team meets clients where they are, and then deploys their incredible programming to give clients what they need — Avalon is that rare program that is worth every penny

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