Trust SoCalDrug & Alcohol Treatment Center
Trust SoCalDrug & Alcohol Treatment Center
Understanding addiction is the first step toward recovery
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing medical condition that affects the brain's reward circuitry, motivation centers, and decision-making processes. It is not a matter of willpower, moral weakness, or personal choice. Like diabetes or hypertension, addiction involves measurable changes in brain chemistry and structure that require professional medical treatment to address effectively.
Substance use disorders develop through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, mental health conditions, and the pharmacological properties of the substance itself. At Trust SoCal, we approach every addiction as a treatable medical condition and design individualized treatment plans that address the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of the disease.
Chronic
Long-term condition requiring ongoing management
Treatable
Effective medical and therapeutic interventions exist
Trust SoCal provides specialized treatment for a wide range of substance use disorders. Select any substance below to learn more about our approach.
Alcohol addiction, clinically known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic medical condition characterized by an inability to control drinking despite negative consequences. Because alcohol is legal and socially normalized, many people struggle to recognize when casual drinking has crossed the line into dependence. Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body, and withdrawal from heavy, prolonged use can be life-threatening without medical supervision. At Trust SoCal, we provide medically supervised detox and comprehensive treatment tailored to the unique challenges of alcohol recovery.
Learn MoreOpioid addiction encompasses dependence on prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine. These medications are highly effective for managing acute pain but carry a significant risk of physical dependence and addiction, even when taken as prescribed. Opioids work by binding to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, producing pain relief and intense feelings of euphoria that drive continued use. The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across the United States, and effective, compassionate treatment is more critical than ever.
Learn MoreHeroin is a highly addictive illegal opioid derived from morphine that produces an intense rush of euphoria followed by a prolonged state of drowsiness and relaxation. Because of its potency and rapid onset of action, heroin creates a powerful cycle of dependence that is extremely difficult to break without professional help. The modern heroin supply is increasingly contaminated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, making every use potentially fatal. Treatment for heroin addiction requires a comprehensive approach that addresses physical dependence, psychological patterns, and the social factors that sustain the addiction.
Learn MoreFentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and has become the leading driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Originally developed for severe pain management in clinical settings, illicitly manufactured fentanyl now permeates the illegal drug supply and is found in counterfeit pills, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Its extraordinary potency means that a dose as small as two milligrams can be fatal, and many users are unaware that the substance they are consuming contains fentanyl. Addiction to fentanyl develops rapidly and requires specialized, medically intensive treatment.
Learn MoreMethamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system by flooding the brain with dopamine, producing an intense rush of euphoria, energy, and confidence. Chronic methamphetamine use causes severe neurological damage, dramatically altering brain structure and function in ways that impair decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control. The physical, psychological, and social devastation caused by meth addiction is profound, but recovery is possible with sustained, evidence-based treatment that addresses the extensive damage this drug inflicts on the brain and body.
Learn MoreCocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that produces short-lived feelings of intense euphoria, energy, and mental alertness by blocking the reabsorption of dopamine in the brain. Whether snorted as powder or smoked as crack cocaine, its short duration of action drives a pattern of repeated, escalating use that quickly leads to addiction. Cocaine use places enormous stress on the cardiovascular system and can cause sudden cardiac events even in young, otherwise healthy individuals. The psychological grip of cocaine addiction is formidable, driven by powerful cravings and the deceptive belief that one can control their use.
Learn MoreBenzodiazepines are a class of prescription sedatives commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. While effective for short-term use, benzodiazepines carry a high risk of physical dependence that can develop within just a few weeks of regular use. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan). Benzodiazepine addiction is particularly dangerous because withdrawal can cause life-threatening seizures, making medical detox not just recommended but essential for safe discontinuation.
Learn MorePrescription drug addiction encompasses the misuse of and dependence on any medication obtained through legitimate medical channels, including opioid painkillers, benzodiazepine sedatives, stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, and sleep aids like Ambien. Because these drugs are prescribed by physicians and manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, many people underestimate their addiction potential and believe they are inherently safer than illicit drugs. In reality, prescription drug misuse is one of the most common and fastest-growing forms of substance use disorder in the United States. Treatment requires addressing both the addiction itself and the underlying medical condition that originally prompted the prescription.
Learn MoreWhile marijuana is often perceived as harmless, cannabis use disorder is a recognized medical diagnosis that affects millions of Americans. Modern marijuana products are significantly more potent than those available even a decade ago, with THC concentrations in some concentrates exceeding 90%. Chronic, heavy use can lead to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms upon cessation, and significant impairment in motivation, cognitive function, and mental health. Marijuana addiction is particularly prevalent among young adults and adolescents, and its normalization in popular culture often makes it difficult for individuals to recognize when their use has become problematic.
Learn MorePrescription opioid addiction involves the compulsive misuse of medically prescribed pain relievers such as oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco), morphine, and codeine. These medications are among the most effective tools for managing acute and post-surgical pain, but they carry a profound risk of dependence that can develop in as little as five days of continuous use. The prescription opioid crisis in the United States was driven in large part by aggressive pharmaceutical marketing in the late 1990s and early 2000s that systematically understated addiction risk. Millions of patients who trusted their physicians developed opioid use disorder through no fault of their own. At Trust SoCal, we understand the complexity of prescription opioid addiction, including the fact that many individuals still require pain management while pursuing recovery. Our medical team designs personalized treatment plans that address both the addiction and the underlying pain condition using multimodal, non-opioid approaches whenever possible.
Learn MoreKratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia whose leaves contain psychoactive compounds, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that act on opioid receptors in the brain. Marketed as a natural supplement and sold legally in most states, kratom is used by many individuals to self-treat pain, anxiety, depression, or opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, kratom carries a real and significant risk of dependence and addiction. At moderate to high doses, kratom produces opioid-like effects including euphoria, sedation, and pain relief, and chronic users develop tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms comparable to those of traditional opioids. The lack of federal regulation means kratom products vary widely in potency and purity, and contamination with heavy metals, salmonella, and other adulterants has been documented. At Trust SoCal, we treat kratom addiction with the same evidence-based protocols used for opioid use disorders, adapted to the unique pharmacology of this increasingly prevalent substance.
Learn MoreMDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic psychoactive drug that produces powerful feelings of emotional warmth, empathy, heightened sensory perception, and increased energy. It acts primarily by flooding the brain with serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine simultaneously. While MDMA is often perceived as a relatively safe "party drug," chronic use carries significant neurotoxic risks, particularly to the serotonin system, and can lead to psychological dependence characterized by compulsive use despite mounting consequences. Street-sold MDMA is frequently adulterated with methamphetamine, cathinones (bath salts), fentanyl, or other dangerous substances, adding unpredictable risks to every dose. The social contexts in which MDMA is commonly used, including music festivals, nightclubs, and social gatherings, create environmental triggers that can make cessation especially challenging. Trust SoCal provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for MDMA addiction that addresses both the neurological damage and the behavioral patterns sustaining use.
Learn MoreInhalant abuse, sometimes called "huffing" or "sniffing," involves the deliberate inhalation of volatile chemical vapors from common household and industrial products to achieve intoxication. These products include spray paints, aerosol propellants, cleaning solvents, gasoline, glue, nitrous oxide, and correction fluid. Inhalants are one of the few substance categories used more frequently by younger adolescents than by older teens or adults, in part because these products are legal, inexpensive, and readily accessible in most homes. Despite their everyday availability, inhalants are profoundly dangerous. The chemicals in these products can cause sudden death even on the first use through a mechanism called Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, where the volatile compounds sensitize the heart to catecholamines and trigger fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Chronic inhalant abuse causes severe, often irreversible neurological damage. At Trust SoCal, we provide specialized treatment that addresses both the addiction and the neurological and psychological harm caused by inhalant exposure.
Learn MoreNicotine addiction is one of the most widespread and deadly substance use disorders in the world, affecting an estimated 30 million Americans who smoke cigarettes and millions more who use e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, or other nicotine delivery systems. Nicotine is among the most addictive substances known, rivaling heroin and cocaine in its capacity to create rapid, tenacious physical and psychological dependence. It acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, triggering dopamine release in the reward pathway and creating a powerful reinforcement loop that is strengthened by hundreds of use episodes each day. The health consequences of tobacco use are staggering, accounting for nearly half a million deaths annually in the United States alone. Despite this, nicotine addiction is often overlooked in substance abuse treatment settings. At Trust SoCal, we recognize that nicotine dependence is a legitimate and serious addiction that deserves evidence-based clinical attention, particularly for clients in recovery from other substances who may benefit from addressing all addictive behaviors concurrently.
Learn MorePrescription stimulant addiction involves the misuse of medications such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), which are primarily prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. These drugs increase dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain, enhancing focus, alertness, and energy. Misuse is especially prevalent among college students and young professionals who use stimulants as cognitive enhancers or study aids, often obtaining them from peers with legitimate prescriptions. What may begin as occasional use for academic or work performance can quickly escalate into dependence as the brain adapts to artificially elevated dopamine levels. Prescription stimulant addiction carries serious cardiovascular, neurological, and psychiatric risks that are frequently underestimated because these medications are physician-prescribed. Trust SoCal provides specialized treatment for prescription stimulant addiction that addresses the unique challenges of this population, including the cognitive demands and performance pressures that often drive initial misuse.
Learn MoreXanax (alprazolam) is the most widely prescribed and most commonly misused benzodiazepine in the United States. It is a short-acting, high-potency sedative prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and anxiety associated with depression. Xanax produces rapid onset of anxiety relief, which makes it highly effective for acute symptoms but also contributes to its exceptional addiction potential. The brain quickly associates Xanax with the elimination of distress, creating a powerful psychological reinforcement loop that combines with physical dependence to make alprazolam one of the most difficult benzodiazepines to discontinue. Because of its short half-life, Xanax produces more pronounced interdose withdrawal than longer-acting benzodiazepines, driving a pattern of escalating and increasingly frequent dosing. Illicitly manufactured counterfeit Xanax bars containing fentanyl or other dangerous adulterants have become a significant source of overdose deaths. Trust SoCal specializes in safe, medically supervised Xanax detox and comprehensive addiction treatment that addresses both the dependency and the underlying anxiety driving use.
Learn MoreTramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic that was initially marketed as a safer, less addictive alternative to traditional opioid painkillers. While tramadol is indeed less potent than oxycodone or hydrocodone, this characterization obscured its genuine addiction potential and unique pharmacological risks. In addition to its opioid activity, tramadol also inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, giving it antidepressant-like properties that can create additional dimensions of psychological dependence. Tramadol was not classified as a controlled substance in the United States until 2014, meaning it was widely prescribed with fewer restrictions for years, contributing to widespread dependence. Its dual mechanism of action means that tramadol withdrawal can involve both opioid withdrawal symptoms and a distinct set of atypical symptoms including seizures and serotonin-related complications that require specialized medical management. Trust SoCal provides expert tramadol addiction treatment that accounts for the drug's unique pharmacological profile and associated risks.
Learn MoreGabapentin (marketed as Neurontin and Gralise) is an anticonvulsant medication originally developed for epilepsy that is now widely prescribed for neuropathic pain, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, and as an adjunct in opioid and alcohol withdrawal management. Despite initial classification as a non-addictive medication, gabapentin misuse has surged dramatically in recent years, with individuals taking supratherapeutic doses to produce effects described as euphoria, relaxation, and a feeling similar to a mild benzodiazepine or alcohol intoxication. Gabapentin misuse is particularly prevalent among individuals with current or prior opioid use disorder, who have discovered that gabapentin can potentiate the effects of opioids and other depressants. Several states have now reclassified gabapentin as a controlled substance in response to rising misuse rates and increasing involvement in overdose deaths. Trust SoCal recognizes gabapentin addiction as a legitimate and growing clinical concern requiring specialized treatment approaches that differ from standard opioid or benzodiazepine protocols.
Learn MoreKetamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has gained dual notoriety as both a legitimate medical breakthrough for treatment-resistant depression and a widely misused recreational drug. Originally developed as a surgical anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine produces a unique state of dissociation from the body and environment, along with hallucinations, altered perception, and, at lower doses, feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Recreational ketamine use has grown significantly in club and festival settings, while the proliferation of ketamine clinics and at-home ketamine therapy for depression has created additional pathways to dependence. Chronic ketamine use carries severe and potentially irreversible consequences for the urinary tract and bladder, a unique toxicity profile that distinguishes it from most other substances of abuse. Psychological dependence develops as users rely on ketamine's dissociative properties to escape emotional distress, trauma, or daily life pressures. Trust SoCal provides specialized ketamine addiction treatment that addresses both the psychological dependence and the medical complications associated with chronic use.
Learn MoreGambling addiction, clinically known as gambling disorder, is a behavioral addiction characterized by persistent and recurrent problematic gambling that leads to significant distress or impairment. Unlike substance addictions, gambling disorder involves compulsive engagement with an activity rather than a chemical substance, but the neurological mechanisms are remarkably similar—gambling activates the same reward pathways in the brain as drugs and alcohol, releasing dopamine and creating patterns of tolerance, craving, and withdrawal. At Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley, California, we recognize that behavioral addictions like gambling disorder require the same evidence-based therapeutic approaches used for substance use disorders. Our JCAHO-accredited treatment programs address the underlying psychological, emotional, and social factors that drive compulsive gambling, including co-occurring depression, anxiety, and trauma. Many individuals with gambling disorder also struggle with substance use, making integrated dual diagnosis treatment essential for lasting recovery.
Learn MoreInternet and gaming addiction encompasses compulsive, problematic use of the internet, social media, video games, or other digital technologies that leads to significant impairment in daily functioning. The World Health Organization recognized gaming disorder as a formal diagnosis in the ICD-11, acknowledging the growing body of evidence that excessive digital engagement can produce addiction-like neurological changes including dopamine dysregulation, tolerance, and withdrawal. At Trust SoCal, we treat internet and gaming addiction using the same evidence-based approaches that have proven effective for substance use disorders. Our clinical team understands that digital addiction often masks underlying issues—depression, anxiety, social phobia, ADHD, or trauma—that must be addressed for recovery to succeed. Our JCAHO-accredited programs in Fountain Valley, California, provide structured environments where clients can disconnect from problematic digital behaviors while developing healthier coping strategies and rebuilding real-world relationships and skills.
Learn MoreWhile every substance produces unique effects, the following behavioral and psychological signs are common across all forms of addiction.
Our clinical team develops an individualized treatment plan for every client based on a comprehensive medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial assessment completed within the first 48 hours of admission. Treatment may include medically supervised detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), evidence-based individual and group therapies, holistic wellness practices, and robust aftercare planning.
We treat the whole person, not just the substance. Co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder are addressed simultaneously through our dual diagnosis program. Our full continuum of care -- including medical detox, residential treatment, PHP, and IOP -- ensures that each client receives the right level of support at every stage of their recovery.
Trust SoCal treats addiction to a wide range of substances including alcohol, opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers), benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and prescription medications. We also treat individuals struggling with polysubstance use, which involves dependence on multiple substances simultaneously. Our clinical team tailors treatment approaches based on the specific substance or substances involved.
Yes, alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant and is one of the most commonly abused substances in the United States. Despite being legal and socially accepted, alcohol is highly addictive and can cause severe physical dependence, organ damage, and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Trust SoCal provides specialized alcohol addiction treatment including medical detox and comprehensive therapy.
Signs of addiction include an inability to stop using despite negative consequences, increased tolerance requiring more of the substance to achieve the same effect, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using, neglecting responsibilities, and continued use despite harm to relationships, health, or finances. If you or a loved one is questioning whether substance use has become a problem, that concern itself is often a meaningful indicator. Trust SoCal offers free, confidential assessments to help you understand your situation.
Signs of opioid addiction include taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, spending significant time obtaining or recovering from opioid use, and experiencing cravings. Physical signs may include drowsiness, constricted pupils, constipation, and slowed breathing. Trust SoCal provides specialized opioid addiction treatment including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and comprehensive behavioral therapy.
Yes, many prescription medications, particularly opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines, and stimulants, carry a significant risk of physical dependence and addiction even when taken as prescribed. Prescription drug addiction often develops gradually, making it difficult to recognize until dependence has formed. Trust SoCal treats prescription drug addiction with the same comprehensive, evidence-based approach used for all substance use disorders.
Yes, marijuana can be addictive. Research shows that approximately 9 to 10 percent of people who use marijuana will develop a cannabis use disorder, and the risk increases significantly for those who begin using in adolescence or use daily. Symptoms of marijuana addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and insomnia, and continued use despite negative effects on daily life. Trust SoCal offers treatment for cannabis use disorder as part of our substance abuse programs.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is a leading driver of overdose deaths in the United States. It is often mixed into other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills without the user's knowledge, dramatically increasing the risk of accidental overdose. Trust SoCal provides specialized treatment for fentanyl addiction including medical detox with 24/7 monitoring and medication-assisted treatment to support safe, sustained recovery.
Recovery begins with a single step. Our compassionate team is here to guide you every step of the way.