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Oak Forest Recovery

5836 Fairview Pl
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
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The facilities at Oak Forest Recovery in Agoura Hills, CA 5

About Oak Forest Recovery

Located in Agoura Hills, California, Oak Forest Recovery provides alcohol and drug rehab services and dual diagnosis treatment to men and women in a gender-specific format. They provide sober living homes and outpatient services.

The men’s house at Oak Forest Recovery is located in Agoura Hills, California. It is a sober living facility. They cater to the challenges and needs of men in recovery. It allows men to build bonds and lean on each other. They offer clinic sessions that address issues such as trauma, substance abuse and other challenges that are specific to men. The sessions are led by experienced staff. You are able to go to the gym. They have game nights and beach meetings. They have a weekly bonfire meeting. It is based on the 12 step program. Dinner is provided with yard games and live music. There is a different speaker every week

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Facility Overview

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Avg Length of Stay in Days

Latest Reviews

Trent Jones
2 months ago on Google
1
Absolutely do not come here. I was a patient at the men’s house for 3 weeks earlier this year. I have absolutely no idea what ANY of these positive reviews are about. All like “This place saved my life” etc. Trust me, NO ONE felt this way during my time there. The most common topic of discussion was “How do we get out of here??” This place is SOUL-CRUSHING. The facilities are disgusting. Mice running around the houses, tap water is undrinkable, barely any food in the kitchens, beds have bed bugs, etc. In the vans they drive you in (through intersections, on highways, parking lots etc), roughly half the seatbelts were broken. They were just wrapped up in duct tape. The staff DOES NOT listen to you. At all. They pretend to, but really it’s just all about the insurance money. They will recommend the max level of care for the max amount of time that your insurance will pay. For me that was 90 days PHP plus 30 at the men’s sober living. Total overkill but they wouldn’t listen. Of course, because that’s several hundred thousand dollars for one patient for a few months. Why throw that away? Several staff members clearly hated their jobs (don’t blame them) and it showed. They just didn’t care about anything. Everyone here will treat you like a child, and punish you when you express any desire to be treated like an adult. I saw patients get sent to “time out” or “lose phone privileges” for “bad behavior.” I have NO idea what these positive reviews are about. It’s insane how awful this place is. Four people left early during the 3 weeks I was there. Google “Florida Shuffle.” It also applies to California.
Bryan Luu
3 months ago on Google
5
This place was recommended to me by an old girlfriend. As cliche as it sounds, it’s true, this place saved my life, and in more ways than one. I did so well here that soon afterward, they helped find me employment. Today I help other alcoholics & addicts like myself. I’ve never been employable in my life. But my life has taken a new direction, and I am starting to love myself again. It also helped me with my legal issues, which come with the promises of the 12 steps of AA. This place isn’t a luxury facility that pampers their clients. This place focuses on the more important things like life skills, taking an honest look at yourself and your role in things, and to look at the similarities, not the differences. The treatment team cares about their clients above anything else. If you are struggling, there is help available. I couldn’t recommend this place more. -BL
Rick Roussin
3 months ago on Google
1
Beware of this place. Although they talk a great game they can get in over their heads and then avoid taking responsibility. The first time my daughter was in the program the same day they picked her up from the hospital she was found wandering in the middle of a busy street while under their care and luckily a Good Samaritan called me on the phone and told me she had my daughter in her car and was scared she might get hit by a car. After a few more hospital stays they agreed to try and treat my daughter again within two days of her being there she was taken to the hospital multiple times and I was called to come and rescue and help her at the sober living house. That was fine since I was local but what if it was your child or spouse and you were out of state and you were not available to go over and help. The final disaster was while under oak forest care they drove my daughter close enough to my house for her to jump out of the car and then come to my home take a car of mine without permission. She got into a hit and run accident and totaled the car. After all that I had to fight for a refund which they finally agreed to give me and then they shorted the refund amount and lied about the number of days that she was in their care. They also claimed they had to make payments back to me because they were having cash flow problems. The first payment never showed up. I had to keep following up on it and when it did finally show up it was $1000 instead of $2900 as promised. The second payment never showed up and I had to keep following up on that and the person in accounting stopped answering my emails. I then texted one of the owners and let him know that I was sick and tired of chasing the money and that if he didn't call me or text me back I was going to have to take legal action I immediately got a response from the person in accounting that my check was going out after I sent that text. I have still yet to be contacted by the owner via text or phone even though I have requested for just a phone call to try to get everything straightened out without getting lawyers involved. It appears based on the fact that he has never responded that he was basically telling me call your lawyer. As a sober member of a 12 step program with over 39 years of sobriety it really saddens me that people who are supposed to be in recovery can act like they are still using themselves and treat people this way. I do want to mention though that dealing with Jenna was an absolute pleasure and she went beyond the Call of Duty to try to help me and my daughter in every way possible. 10 Stars for Jenna and zero stars for RJ. I rarely write the reviews and I tried everything to avoid having to leave a negative review however I felt compelled to warn others of the way this organization conducts themselves when the going gets tough.
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7.7 / 10

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 (IOP) support a client's sustained sobriety as they exit detox or step down from an inpatient program. IOPs are also designed for clients who are at an elevated risk of relapse. Intensive outpatient treatment typically requires clients to engage in a minimum of nine hours of therapy per week, but clients may receive up to 20 therapeutic hours weekly. IOP treatment modalities often combine psychotherapy, recovery-focused life skills training, and medication assisted treatment (MAT).

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 Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.

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.

During the first phase of recovery – detox – it is crucial to have 24-hour clinical care in California. This care provides constant monitoring in order to ensure your safely and comfort as you progress through the withdrawal process for drug or alcohol addiction. Licensed professionals prescribe medications to treat withdrawal symptoms and provide frequent monitoring to ensure your safely as addictive toxins leave your system.

When addicted, quitting your drug of choice suddenly can be dangerous. That's why experts agree a medically assisted detox is the safest way to remove addictive substances from the body. Usually done in an inpatient setting, your vitals signs and overall well being are consistently monitored and rechecked in order to keep you safe and ensure the detox is successful.

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 in California is a method that therapists often use for the effective treatment of substance use disorders. It is based on the principle that substance abuse stems from unhelpful ways of thinking and patterns of behavior, which can be changed by helping the individual learn better ways of coping.

During group therapy, men and women learn to express their emotions openly in a non judgmental setting. This helps you process your feelings and reduces feelings of social isolation that are often associated with addiction.

Individual therapy for drug addiction includes a customized treatment plan that considers your history and life circumstances. During your therapy sessions, the therapist helps you uncover underlying issues and triggers for addictive behavior that support a holistic approach to recovery.

For clients who are struggling with ambivalence toward change, motivational interviewing in California can help strengthen their commitment to change. Using a conversational method, the therapist helps you explore your motivations and empowers you to make the changes you desire.

Trauma therapy is a structured approach used by therapists to help you heal from a past traumatic event. Your therapist works with you to identify the traumatic memory and process the information so you experience emotional healing and a sense of safety and stability.

The goal of couples therapy in California is to strengthen the couple's relationship. The therapist may take one or more approaches to counseling which may include the Gottman method, emotionally focused therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic couple's therapy.

Family therapy offers a platform for members to have an open dialogue about the challenges that addiction has placed on the family unit. Through guided sessions, therapists can help families develop healthy communication skills and address unresolved issues. By working together toward a common goal, they help to support their loved one's sobriety.

While in rehab treatment, you may work on developing various life skills to help you in long term recovery. These may include resilience, interpersonal skills, and self awareness. The focus will be on developing healthy habits for self care and relationships so you have the skills you need to manage day to day life.

Amenities

  • home-setting iconResidential Setting
  • private-room iconPrivate Rooms

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Rj Elizarraz

Founder & CEO

Patrick Lockwood, LCP

COO

Robert Rymowicz

Psychiatrist

Marissa Shiffer, LMFT

Clinical Director

Debra Thomas, LMFT

Therapist

Amy Van Daele, AMFT

Family Specialist

Jerry Spates

Outreach & Family Support

Jenna Foster

Director of Admissions and Business Development

Accreditations

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.

CARF Accreditation: Yes

LegitScript has reviewed Oak Forest Recovery as part of their certification program, and has determined that it meets the LegitScript standards for legality, safety and transparency.

LegitScript verified in

Contact Information

Building icon

5836 Fairview Pl
Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Reviews of Oak Forest Recovery

4.76/5 (96 reviews)
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Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

4.7604166666667 (96 reviews)
Trent Jones
2 months ago
1

Absolutely do not come here. I was a patient at the men’s house for 3 weeks earlier this year. I have absolutely no idea what ANY of these positive reviews are about. All like “This place saved my life” etc. Trust me, NO ONE felt this way during my time there. The most common topic of discussion was “How do we get out of here??” This place is SOUL-CRUSHING. The facilities are disgusting. Mice running around the houses, tap water is undrinkable, barely any food in the kitchens, beds have bed bugs, etc. In the vans they drive you in (through intersections, on highways, parking lots etc), roughly half the seatbelts were broken. They were just wrapped up in duct tape. The staff DOES NOT listen to you. At all. They pretend to, but really it’s just all about the insurance money. They will recommend the max level of care for the max amount of time that your insurance will pay. For me that was 90 days PHP plus 30 at the men’s sober living. Total overkill but they wouldn’t listen. Of course, because that’s several hundred thousand dollars for one patient for a few months. Why throw that away? Several staff members clearly hated their jobs (don’t blame them) and it showed. They just didn’t care about anything. Everyone here will treat you like a child, and punish you when you express any desire to be treated like an adult. I saw patients get sent to “time out” or “lose phone privileges” for “bad behavior.” I have NO idea what these positive reviews are about. It’s insane how awful this place is. Four people left early during the 3 weeks I was there. Google “Florida Shuffle.” It also applies to California.

Bryan Luu
3 months ago
5

This place was recommended to me by an old girlfriend. As cliche as it sounds, it’s true, this place saved my life, and in more ways than one. I did so well here that soon afterward, they helped find me employment. Today I help other alcoholics & addicts like myself. I’ve never been employable in my life. But my life has taken a new direction, and I am starting to love myself again. It also helped me with my legal issues, which come with the promises of the 12 steps of AA. This place isn’t a luxury facility that pampers their clients. This place focuses on the more important things like life skills, taking an honest look at yourself and your role in things, and to look at the similarities, not the differences. The treatment team cares about their clients above anything else. If you are struggling, there is help available. I couldn’t recommend this place more. -BL

Rick Roussin
3 months ago
1

Beware of this place. Although they talk a great game they can get in over their heads and then avoid taking responsibility. The first time my daughter was in the program the same day they picked her up from the hospital she was found wandering in the middle of a busy street while under their care and luckily a Good Samaritan called me on the phone and told me she had my daughter in her car and was scared she might get hit by a car. After a few more hospital stays they agreed to try and treat my daughter again within two days of her being there she was taken to the hospital multiple times and I was called to come and rescue and help her at the sober living house. That was fine since I was local but what if it was your child or spouse and you were out of state and you were not available to go over and help. The final disaster was while under oak forest care they drove my daughter close enough to my house for her to jump out of the car and then come to my home take a car of mine without permission. She got into a hit and run accident and totaled the car. After all that I had to fight for a refund which they finally agreed to give me and then they shorted the refund amount and lied about the number of days that she was in their care. They also claimed they had to make payments back to me because they were having cash flow problems. The first payment never showed up. I had to keep following up on it and when it did finally show up it was $1000 instead of $2900 as promised. The second payment never showed up and I had to keep following up on that and the person in accounting stopped answering my emails. I then texted one of the owners and let him know that I was sick and tired of chasing the money and that if he didn't call me or text me back I was going to have to take legal action I immediately got a response from the person in accounting that my check was going out after I sent that text. I have still yet to be contacted by the owner via text or phone even though I have requested for just a phone call to try to get everything straightened out without getting lawyers involved. It appears based on the fact that he has never responded that he was basically telling me call your lawyer. As a sober member of a 12 step program with over 39 years of sobriety it really saddens me that people who are supposed to be in recovery can act like they are still using themselves and treat people this way. I do want to mention though that dealing with Jenna was an absolute pleasure and she went beyond the Call of Duty to try to help me and my daughter in every way possible. 10 Stars for Jenna and zero stars for RJ. I rarely write the reviews and I tried everything to avoid having to leave a negative review however I felt compelled to warn others of the way this organization conducts themselves when the going gets tough.

Hunter Shepard
4 months ago
5

As a professional in the addiction treatment space I have worked hand in hand with programs literally all over the world. Oak Forest Recovery is my most trusted resource. I have witnessed hundreds of individuals and their loved ones find freedom through this program. RJ is the only owner and founder I know that is as invested into the outcomes of treatment as he is. The clinical team is next level. Truly they don’t miss a beat, they are highly skilled and I would trust them with my own child any day. With that said let me tell you what is truly special about Oak Forest… it’s the structure, culture and COMMUNITY.. that’s what holds this all together.. a bunch of excited for sobriety/life young people who are holding each other accountable and to a higher standard while having fun. If you or your loved one has failed in other treatment settings, if they have failed to launch after being given every opportunity possible, if they literally won’t stop using no matter what you’ve done to help them, if they need life skills.. this is the place to be. I can’t stress that enough.. P.S. Oak Forest has the best family program.. addiction affects everyone involved and YOU deserve healing, support and education!

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