In my experience, roughly 70 percent of the referrals for placement involve alcohol and drug abuse as a primary problem area. Of that 70 percent, perhaps 15 percent are young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25. Pacific Hills is a viable option for the young adult who has a reasonable degree of motivation and is open to treatment.

The candidates for Pacific Hills are individuals struggling with drug or other addictive issues. Often, these are also individuals who are dealing with other psychological disorders and prone to relapse. Respectively, the percentage of male to female clients is 60/40 with 30 percent under the age of 25 and 60 percent of them have some college education.

Pacific Hills is located in southern California in the San Clemente and Capistrano Beach area. It is a 28-42 day primary substance abuse treatment program for adults. Pacific Hills also offers a step-down extended care and outpatient treatment program in the well-built and attractive homes. Clients live in a homelike, comfortable environment that is conducive to a nurturing and comfortable experience. The homes are well kept and their integration into the community is well established.

With 22 beds available, the men live in two large residential homes in a middle class neighborhood a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean in San Clemente. The 12 bed middle class home where the women live is a few miles from the Pacific Ocean in Capistrano Beach. Both sites offer a multitude of southern California activities and services with a close proximity to an ocean environment lifestyle.

The leadership at Pacific Hills is comprised of several individuals who have significant experience in the treatment of dual-diagnosed clients. The program was founded by Kirby M. Dean and Richard E. Jackson, who both bring considerable experience to Pacific Hills. These individuals along with Clinical Director Michael Stokols, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, Medical Director Amer Rayyes, M.D., and consulting psychiatrist Edward Kaufman, M.D., lead a highly experienced team. Dr. Kaufman is an addiction specialist. Case management is provided by Sally Barvella, F.N.P. and Clark Burlew, M.A.

Founded over 10-years-ago, the leaders’ vision was to develop an alternative to behavioral models, social models and traditional dual-diagnostic substance abuse treatment. Their mission is to “provide the highest quality of treatment available to adults suffering from alcohol and drug dependency in an effort to help addicts and their families begin the process of recovery.” The multi-disciplinary approach is faithful to the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous bringing to bear the medical, psychiatric, spiritual and relational/social aspects of treatment.

In meeting with several staff members, it was clear that the vision of Pacific Hills is well understood by an experienced and committed staff. Pacific Hills has 40 full-time staff, offering a one to one ratio of staff to clients with 90 percent of the staff actively participating in long-term recovery and most have worked professionally in treatment centers prior to arriving at Pacific Hills. The maturity and experience of the staff was very noticeable as was their passion for their work.

Philosophically, Pacific Hills believes that dependency is a physical, mental and spiritual disease, and the individuals involved require the same respect and support that any person with a disease deserves. They also believe these individuals can achieve sustained recovery from the disease and lead productive lives, and that it is through addressing the whole person that recovery can be achieved. An important and primary belief is that while their clients may experience relapse, they can be prepared to recognize and respond appropriately to their own relapse process. The goal at Pacific Hills is to utilize a multi-disciplinary team to provide a wide variety of experiences and tools to help their clients achieve an optimal response to their treatment. They also believe their clients often have complex underlying psychological issues that need to be addressed along with their addictive issues.

Treatment begins with medical, psychiatric and psychological assessments. Appropriate support for these issues is then constructed accordingly for each client's routine and is blended into their overall program.

Most clients at Pacific Hills present problems that include both chemical dependency and emotional or psychiatric challenges. Often these individuals have used their chemical dependency to self-medicate for depression, acute anxiety, bi-polar disorders or unresolved issues from their past. Dr. Stokols notes that the clients they are now seeing are more complex than those of 10-years-ago, and said Pacific Hills is adamant that a commitment to treat the dual-diagnosis is critical.

The 28-42 day primary program is a highly structured residential treatment model that is overseen by a 24-hour awake and alert staff. The program believes that consistent structure in a family-like, yet therapeutic community, is critical to success.

The Pacific Hills model is based on a strong spiritual foundation and therefore their clients are encouraged to establish or re-establish their relationship with a higher power. The goal in early recovery is to encourage steps toward faith that is authentic to the individual. There are two tracts, one for those who seek a Christ-centered 12-Step approach or the one for those who want more latitude in their search for a higher power. Both choices are true to the original concept of the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The program model is multi-disciplinary, and it was apparent that the program operates with the most sophisticated treatments available. The clients participate in traditional 12-Step lectures, workshops, meetings and a well-developed relapse prevention curriculum. In addition, the program model helps clients to discover and effectively address emotional or psychological issues that might interfere with his or her recovery through psychotherapy, group and individual counseling.

The model is well articulated and translated into the overall environment with all disciplines included. The client’s daily structure is reflective of the treatment model. The day begins at 6:30 a.m., with affirmations and continues with group and individual therapies, community meetings, group lectures, didactic exercises, and a variety of life skills training including relapse prevention, cognitive restructuring, and spiritual recovery; the day ends with lights out at 11 p.m. Exercise and healthy living are also emphasized with volleyball on the beach, walks and other physical activities conducted three days a week. The overall environment is structured to provide an intense experience for the clients with an orchestrated focus on activities.

I found the staff to be mature and consistent in carrying out the treatment model while also being caring and dedicated to their clients. Some staff members received their treatment at Pacific Hills. Pacific Hills is an excellent treatment option for adults. It is also appropriate for the young adult who is motivated to address his or her addictive issues.