ADDICTION TREATMENT IN THE SOUTH BAY

When reckoning with the plight of the addicted person, one should never forget the hope that comes in the form of treatment. Be it through organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous or its cousin programs, in-patient or residential treatment, individual counseling or out-patient rehab, a century of education has given us a bounty of options to consider when an individual decides to seek treatment for addiction in any of its forms.

The most tried, true, widely accessible and available form of treatment is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), self-described as a “fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” The famous, blue-bound “big book,” written by founding member Bill W., offers those seeking recovery the “12 Step Method” that is still many addicts’ best shot at attaining and maintaining a sober lifestyle in the face of even the most crippling addiction.

Meetings are offered daily in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and across Los Angeles weekly, daily, and hourly. Attendance in any of the meetings requiring nothing from those in attendance, other than the desire to not use drugs or alcohol. There is an app available for free download on most mobile devices to make the locating of meeting in the South Bay even easier in our modern hustle.

IN-PATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT OPTIONS

Other South Bay solutions include the Del Amo Behavior Health System, which offers in-patient detox treatment, and the Thelma McMillan Center for Drug and Alcohol Treatment, which offers outpatient addiction programs. Additional resources further outside the South Bay’s sphere can be found at the Camden Addiction Treatment Center in Westwood, and Refuge Recovery in Hollywood. Most all of these centers accept insurance, and will work with each patient to reach an agreement for treatment, depending on their unique economic circumstances.

The Twin Town Treatment Center is a standout for treatment in the South Bay. It is not in-patient or residential. They are connected to the local mental health community, and work with established professionals to provide out-patient support to addicts in need. Depending on each patient’s individual evaluation, the organization offers newcomers partial hospitalization for one month, 6 hours a day for 6 days a week. After that time, they might offer another month of intensive outpatient treatment, 3 hours a day and 6 days a week. At this point an after care program is offered with 4 months of group support, a walk-through teaching the application of skills previously learned, and a family group on Saturdays when loved ones can participate. There is also an after-hours counselor available late at night for patients that experience emergencies outside of the center’s walls.

SOUTH BAY TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to and from AA meetings or any of the aforementioned out-patient programs can be a difficulty for those with impairments, license suspensions, or without vehicles of their own. Beach Cities Transit (BCT) serves the South Bay Region, encompassing a service area that includes Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and LAX. Line 102 serves Redondo Beach Pier, the Civic Center, Redondo Union High School, Beach Cities Health District, South Bay Galleria, aerospace companies in North Redondo, as well as the Redondo Beach Green Line station.

Line 109 serves Riviera Village, Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, downtown Manhattan Beach, downtown El Segundo, Douglas Green Line station, The Pointe, Plaza El Segundo, Aviation/LAX Green Line station, and the LAX Bus Center (operating hours between 6:00am-10:00pm).

For senior and disabled passengers, the WAVE is recommended, providing curb-to-curb para transit service in Redondo and Hermosa Beach. The vehicles, powered by CNG (compressed natural gas) and equipped with wheelchair lifts, operates Monday-Friday, 6:00am-8:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8:00am-8:30pm.