John Muir Health Chemical Dependency Services

Using alcohol as a coping mechanism, or drinking excessively throughout the week, signals an alcohol use disorder.

Drug addiction is the excessive and repetitive use of substances, despite harmful consequences to a person's life, health, and relationships.

Opioids produce pain-relief and euphoria, which can lead to addiction. This class of drugs includes prescribed medication and the illegal drug heroin.

Providers involve family in the treatment of their loved one through family therapy, visits, or both–because addiction is a family disease.

Two or more people meet with a therapist together. Patients get valuable peer support, strengthen interpersonal skills, and improve self-awareness.

Individual care meets the needs of each patient, using personalized treatment to provide them the most relevant care and greatest chance of success.

Medical addiction treatment uses approved medications to manage withdrawals and cravings, and to treat contributing mental health conditions.

The specific needs, histories, and conditions of individual patients receive personalized, highly relevant care throughout their recovery journey.

Patient and therapist meet 1-on-1 to work through difficult emotions and behavioral challenges in a personal, private setting.

A practiced state of mind that brings patients to the present. It allows them to become fully aware of themselves, their feelings, and the present moment.

This form of talk therapy addresses any childhood trauma at the root of a patient's current diagnosis.

Patients can connect with a therapist via videochat, messaging, email, or phone. Remote therapy makes treatment more accessible.

Visual art invites patients to examine the emotions within their work, focusing on the process of creativity and its gentle therapeutic power.

This experiential therapy uses dance to improve body awareness, physical health, and social skills.

With this approach, patients heal by doing. Therapists help patients process difficult emotions to speak, using guided activities like art or dance.

Creative processes like art, writing, or dance use inner creative desires to help boost confidence, emotional growth, and initiate change.

Family therapy addresses group dynamics within a family system, with a focus on improving communication and interrupting unhealthy relationship patterns.