Align Recovery Centers treats adults with opioid addiction and co-occurring mental health issues with evidence-based therapy and trauma-informed care. We offer detox services as well as a residential treatment program in Northern California.
How Opioid Addiction Treatment at Align Works
We provide individualized opioid addiction treatment for adults 18 and older, including those struggling with prescription opioid misuse, fentanyl addiction, heroin use, and polysubstance abuse. Many of our clients are adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are balancing careers, relationships, family responsibilities, and co-occurring mental health conditions alongside drug use challenges.
Our evidence-based opioid treatment programs combine medical care with comprehensive clinical support to address both the physical and psychological effects of opioid addiction. Treatment plans are personalized to each client’s needs and may include medically supported detox, residential treatment, and referrals to step-down levels of care such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP). By integrating therapy, behavioral healthcare, relapse prevention, and holistic healing approaches, we help clients build a foundation for long-term recovery.
Our Clinical Care Team & Support in Sonoma County
The Sonoma County campus sits on more than 2 acres of land and is designed to be a safe space to step away from chaos and reset. With private rooms, communal spaces for connection, and amenities like a library and rec room, this is a haven, a calm environment that supports stabilization.
Our client’s comfort and safety are our top priority. In the detox stage, they have access to our 24/7 nursing staff and other healthcare providers. Throughout their time with us, they work with our talented team of case managers, counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, and addiction medicine physicians to ensure they are receiving the highest level of personalized care.
What Makes Our Approach to
Addiction Treatment Different
Align Recovery Centers provides evidence-based addiction treatment in a structured, family-style environment designed to support long-term recovery from substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Trauma-Informed, Therapy-Forward Care
Treatment focuses on the underlying factors contributing to substance use, including trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and other co-occurring disorders.
Personalized Care in a Supportive Environment
With a 45-bed capacity and individualized treatment planning, we emphasize connection, accountability, and personalized attention without resort-style or luxury positioning.
Flexible Recovery Pathways
Clients are introduced to multiple recovery approaches, including 12-Step support, SMART Recovery, and Recovery Dharma, allowing individuals to explore what best supports their long-term recovery goals.
Medically Supported Detox and Residential Treatment
Clients have access to medically supervised detox, residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and ongoing clinical support throughout the recovery process.
Family Involvement
and Recovery
Education
Recovery often impacts the entire family system. We offer family education, clinician-supported visitation, and couples or family therapy sessions to help strengthen communication and long-term support.
Recovery Planning Beyond Residential Treatment
Discharge and aftercare planning begin early in treatment to help clients transition into appropriate next steps, including sober living, outpatient treatment, continued therapy, and community-based recovery support.
Evidence-Based and Holistic Treatment Options
Programs incorporate evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma-focused therapy, alongside experiential approaches such as yoga, art therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness practices.
Understanding Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Opioids affect both the brain and the body. Other than addiction, the consequences of the use of opioids may include:
- Opioid overdose, sometimes resulting in severe brain damage or death
- Cardiovascular complications (low blood pressure, slowed heart rate)
- Gastrointestinal issues (constipation, nausea, and vomiting)
- Drowsiness, fatigue, or changes to sleep patterns
- New or worsened mental health concerns
- Drug-related accidents or injuries
- Impaired immune system function
- Increased baseline pain sensitivity
Opioid use can also cause problems at work, school, or in interpersonal relationships. Some people will experience legal and financial issues related to opioid use. Seeking help can prevent new or worsened consequences of using opioid drugs.
When Dependence Becomes Addiction
When opioids, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl or prescription opioids like Percocet, enter the brain, they bind to receptors in your reward center, which causes a release of the pleasure chemical, dopamine. This leads to euphoria. As soon as it’s over, your brain is searching for it again. When you start to lose control over your opioid use, you slip from dependence into addiction.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is another name for opioid addiction or abuse. It is defined by problematic patterns of opioid use. This can encompass the use of any type of opioid drug, whether it’s a prescription medication or a street drug like heroin. You can be diagnosed with opioid use disorder if you experience two or more of the following symptoms:
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop or decrease opioid use
- Cravings (a strong desire or urge to use opioid drugs)
- Giving up or reducing important activities (e.g., hobbies) because of opioid use
- Difficulty fulfilling your responsibilities at work, school, or in the home
- Using opioids in dangerous situations, such as before driving
- Continuing to use opioids despite new or worsened mental or physical health issues
- Spending a significant portion of time recovering from the effects of, using, or obtaining any type of opioid drug
- Continuing to use opioid drugs despite their impact on your interpersonal relationships
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon stopping or reducing the amount of an opioid drug you take, or continuing to take opioids to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Increased tolerance, marked by diminished effects when using the same amount of an opioid drug, or needing to use the drug in larger amounts to achieve the desired effects
Opioid addiction is treatable. Realizing that you have a problem is often the first step toward getting the care you need. It is never too soon or too late to ask for help.
Medical Detox for Opioid Withdrawal
Detoxification, or detox, is often the first step in the opioid addiction treatment process. When done under professional supervision, medical detox is not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable.
Many clients experience opioid withdrawal, which is physical and mental symptoms that occur during the detox process. Withdrawal symptoms vary, but can include flu-like symptoms, tremors, intense cravings, and muscle or joint pain. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days, though this can differ from person to person.
We provide luxury detox in California with features such as advanced monitoring technology and 24/7 care. Our clients’ safety and comfort are our top priority, so we utilize medication and hydration treatments until clients are physically stable.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms Safely
Medical supervision helps clients stay as safe and comfortable as possible throughout the withdrawal process while monitoring for complications and changing needs. Clinical and medical support during detox can also provide reassurance, stabilization, and a smoother transition into ongoing treatment and recovery services.
Treatment Options for Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a multifaceted problem that demands diverse types of treatment. Recognizing that each individual’s path to addiction and their needs in recovery are unique, we offer a plethora of evidence-based treatment services tailored to each person.
Inpatient & Residential
Treatment
Our California residential treatment program provides inpatient care for opioid use disorder and other forms of substance abuse. This highly structured program typically lasts for 30 days.
Each day begins with breakfast at 8:00 AM and follows a structured schedule that includes 5-7 group sessions, weekly individual therapy, weekly family therapy, and 3-5 outings each week. Clients live on-site throughout the program at our tranquil treatment center, where they can focus fully on recovery in a supportive environment. Amenities include comfortable rooms, communal living spaces, nutritious meals, organic vegetable gardens, and peaceful walking trails.
Aftercare Planning & Outpatient Treatment Options
Discharge planning begins during the first week of treatment to help clients prepare for long-term recovery. Each client works with an assigned counselor to create a personalized continuing care plan that may include referrals to sober living environments (SLEs), partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), or outpatient therapy providers. Clients may also stay connected through support groups, alumni events, family follow-up support, and a client app designed to encourage ongoing recovery engagement.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
We offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Northern California for clients with specific types of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. MAT combines medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for addiction with therapy and other services.
FDA-Approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
MAT uses FDA-approved medications alongside therapy and behavioral health care to support recovery from opioid addiction. The primary medications approved for opioid use disorder include methadone, naltrexone (injectable Vivitrol), buprenorphine, and Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone).
How MAT Supports Recovery
MAT for opioid addiction supports positive outcomes, including reduced opioid use, improved daily functioning, and greater long-term treatment engagement. By helping stabilize brain chemistry and manage cravings, MAT can make it easier for clients to focus on therapy, emotional healing, and recovery goals.
MAT may also improve participation in behavioral therapy and support long-term treatment adherence by reducing the physical discomfort associated with opioid dependence. When MAT increases treatment outcomes, it also works to reduce the public health crisis of drug overdose. When combined with evidence-based clinical care, MAT can be an effective component of sustainable recovery.
Behavioral Therapies & Clinical Care
Behavioral therapies play an important role in helping individuals understand the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors connected to opioid addiction. Clients participate in evidence-based therapy sessions designed to support emotional healing, strengthen coping skills, and encourage long-term behavioral change.
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches
Each treatment plan incorporates evidence-based behavioral therapy approaches that address both substance use and underlying mental health challenges. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients recognize and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with addiction while developing healthier coping strategies.
Clients also participate in individual therapy sessions for personalized support and group therapy sessions that encourage connection, accountability, and shared healing experiences. Motivational interviewing and trauma-informed therapy further help clients build confidence, process past experiences, and stay engaged in the recovery process.
Integrated Mental Health Treatment
Many people struggling with opioid addiction also experience co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We treat substance use disorders and mental health concerns simultaneously through an integrated behavioral health care approach designed to support the whole person.
Clients receive individualized therapeutic support, psychiatry appointments when appropriate, and evidence-based care that addresses the connection between emotional health and substance use. By combining clinical treatment with holistic healing approaches, we help clients build a stronger foundation for long-term recovery and overall well-being.
Family Involvement and Life Skills in Opioid Treatment
Opioid addiction often impacts the entire family system, not just the individual struggling with substance use. We encourage healthy family involvement throughout treatment to help rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and create a more supportive recovery environment.
Support for Family Members
Family therapy sessions provide a safe space for loved ones to process difficult emotions, improve communication patterns, and work toward healthier relationships. Education on opioid addiction helps family members understand how dependence affects the brain, behavior, and emotional health, reducing stigma and confusion.
Treatment also focuses on rebuilding trust and repairing strained relational systems that may have developed during active addiction. When families receive support alongside the client, it can strengthen long-term recovery outcomes for everyone involved.
Building Sustainable Recovery Skills
Long-term recovery requires more than stopping opioid use. It also involves developing practical skills that support stability and emotional wellness in everyday life. Clients learn healthy coping strategies, how to identify triggers, and ways to manage cravings without returning to substance use.
Treatment also helps individuals rebuild daily structure, improve decision-making, and create routines that support lasting recovery after leaving a higher level of care.
FAQs
What medications are used for opioid use disorder?
Medications such as methadone, Suboxone, and naltrexone are used to treat opioid use disorder and manage severe chronic pain symptoms. These medications can be administered orally or via injection, such as Vivitrol.
What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment?
Inpatient treatment, or residential treatment, is when the client lives at the facility and receives treatment. Outpatient treatment is a less intensive option that allows the client to live at home and come to the facility during the day for treatment.
How long does opioid addiction treatment take?
The length of opioid addiction treatment varies depending on each person’s needs, but detox and primary care/treatment usually last anywhere from 30 to 60 days. Recovery is an ongoing and often lifelong process.
Is medication-assisted treatment safe?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is safe when done under the supervision of medical professionals and addiction specialists. Professionals can successfully manage any risk factors that come with withdrawal. For many, MAT is an effective treatment option for OUD.
What is buprenorphine used for in recovery?
Buprenorphine is an opioid antagonist, which means that it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain but produces a much weaker physical and mental effect. It is used in MAT to help individuals with OUD wean off potent opioids like heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone. This reduces the side effects of withdrawal, making the stabilization period safer and more comfortable.
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Dana, with over 20 years in addiction therapy and counseling, is the Executive Director at Align Recovery Centers. Holding a B.S. in Human Services and an M.A. in Counseling & Psychology, she’s both an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor. Specializing in DBT and CBT, Dana effectively manages both residential and outpatient programs. Her interests include gardening, cooking, and delving into psychological research in her spare time.