At Cornerstone of Southern California, recovery doesn’t end when primary treatment is complete. Our Ongoing Care programs are designed to provide continuous support and resources that help clients maintain sobriety, strengthen mental health, and navigate the challenges of daily life. By combining addiction support with ongoing mental health counseling, we ensure that individuals have the tools and guidance needed for long-term success.

Ongoing Care at Cornerstone includes:

• Alumni Program: Stay connected through our Alumni App and Free Family Program, offering resources, encouragement, and education for both clients and loved ones.

• Licensed Sober Living Homes: Access safe, supportive housing across Orange County to ease the transition after inpatient or outpatient treatment.

• Extended Care Program (ECP): Provides structured support and relapse prevention strategies after initial treatment.

• Peer Support Groups: A compassionate community of individuals in recovery offering shared experiences, understanding, and accountability.

• Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT): Evidence-based strategies to help clients recognize triggers, build coping skills, and reduce the risk of relapse.

• Ongoing Mental Health Counseling: Continued access to licensed therapists to address anxiety, depression, trauma, and other co-occurring conditions, ensuring both emotional and behavioral health remain stable as clients reintegrate into everyday life.

At Cornerstone, we believe that recovery is a lifelong journey. By combining addiction support with individualized mental health care, our programs help clients build a stronger foundation for lasting wellness.

Cornerstone was founded in 1984 by Dr. Michael Stone here in Southern California after witnessing how the hospital system and insurance companies were failing patients with addictions. What began as a small, passionate effort to provide better care has grown into one of the most respected, ethical, and family-owned addiction treatment programs in Orange County.

Today, Cornerstone offers a full continuum of care focused on drug and alcohol rehab, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and dual diagnosis treatment. With fully licensed and certified recovery homes throughout Orange County, we provide a safe and supportive environment close to home for individuals and families across Southern California.

Dr. Stone and the Cornerstone team have helped more than 80,000 people since 1969. Our experienced clinicians, therapists, and counselors specialize in both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. If additional specialized care is needed, we work closely with trusted addiction specialists and mental health providers to ensure every individual receives the right support.

At Cornerstone, treatment is:

• Accepted by most insurance providers for accessible care

• Delivered in a supportive, home-like setting that promotes healing and dignity

• Guided by expert clinicians with decades of addiction and mental health experience

• Designed to meet your unique needs, with personalized treatment plans and holistic therapy options

If you or your loved one are struggling with substance use or co-occurring mental health challenges, Cornerstone of Southern California is here to help. With over 40 years of experience, our family-owned program is dedicated to building strong foundations for lifelong recovery. Call us today at (714) 547-5375 to take the next step.

Cornerstone of Southern California is committed to making quality addiction treatment and mental health care accessible and affordable. We accept a wide range of insurance plans and maintain in-network status with major providers such as Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, and Cigna, helping reduce the cost of care for our patients.

In addition to insurance coverage, we provide flexible payment options to ensure financial concerns never become a barrier to recovery. For a full list of accepted insurances and details on payment methods, please visit our Insurance Information Page or contact us directly at (714) 547-5375. Our admissions team is here to walk you through the process and help you understand the options available.

At Cornerstone, recovery begins with a comprehensive initial assessment to understand your history, challenges, and goals. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan that may include residential inpatient rehab, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), or Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), depending on your needs.

Long-term success is supported through post-treatment care, including extended care, recovery groups, and access to licensed sober living homes across Orange County. Our alumni network and relapse prevention resources provide ongoing guidance and community.

For a full breakdown of each stage of care, see our Steps to Addiction Recovery section.

Drug addiction is a chronic condition that occurs when someone develops a physical or psychological dependence on a substance. Whether the drug is legal or illegal, the person feels unable to stop using and may believe their life depends on it. Addiction impacts the brain’s reward system, making it difficult to control cravings or resist urges, even when drug use harms health, relationships, or daily life.

What Causes Drug Addiction?

There is no single cause of addiction—it is often the result of multiple factors coming together. While the initial drive may come from the “positive reinforcement” of the euphoric high, other influences play a major role:

• Genetics: A family history of addiction can increase risk.

• Environment: Living with or being around others who use drugs normalizes the behavior.

• Mental Health: Many individuals self-medicate with substances to cope with conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

• Trauma and Stress: Life challenges such as job loss, grief, divorce, financial strain, or exposure to violence can lead to substance use as a coping mechanism.

At Cornerstone of Southern California, we take all of these factors into account when creating personalized treatment plans, helping clients address both the physical and emotional aspects of addiction for lasting recovery.

Addiction counselors work with clients to uncover the root causes of substance use, teach coping strategies, and support the development of healthier habits. They provide one-on-one guidance, lead group sessions, and often involve families in the process to strengthen recovery support.

Addiction therapy uses evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care, along with holistic approaches like mindfulness and family counseling. These addiction counseling sessions are designed to address both addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges, helping clients achieve long-term recovery.

At Cornerstone of Southern California, we provide comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab programs in Orange County, California that address both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Each program is tailored to the individual, offering evidence-based therapies, dual diagnosis treatment, and ongoing recovery support. Our professional team is experienced in treating a wide range of addictions, including:

• Alcohol Rehab in Orange County – Treatment for alcohol use disorder and dependence on beer, liquor, and other alcoholic substances.

• Prescription Opioid Rehab – Programs for those struggling with Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl, and other painkillers.

• Heroin Addiction Treatment – Comprehensive rehab for heroin and other non-prescribed opioids.

• Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Orange County – Specialized care for one of the most dangerous and addictive opioids.

• Sedative & Benzodiazepine Addiction Rehab – Treatment for Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and related substances.

• Stimulant Addiction Treatment – Care for dependencies on methamphetamine, Adderall, Ritalin, PCP, and other stimulants.

• Cocaine & Crack Cocaine Rehab – Programs designed to treat cocaine-related substance use disorders.

• Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment – Support for those struggling with marijuana or THC dependence.

• MDMA / Ecstasy Addiction Treatment – Rehab for MDMA, molly, and other synthetic party drugs.

• Synthetic & Designer Drug Addiction Rehab – Programs for novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and other lab-created drugs.

No matter the substance, in particular if you have multiple drug abuse disorders, Cornerstone’s treatment programs combine clinical expertise with compassionate care to help clients build a foundation for lifelong recovery.

Addiction triggers are situations, emotions, or environments that can increase the urge to use substances. Some of the most common triggers include stress, certain social settings, revisiting places tied to past use, and emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, or loneliness. At Cornerstone of Southern California, we help clients recognize their personal triggers and develop healthier coping strategies through counseling, relapse prevention planning, and ongoing support, empowering them to maintain long-term recovery.

Drug addiction looks different from person to person, yet it has many characteristics in common. If you have any of the following signs or symptoms, you may have a drug addiction problem. 

• Drug tolerance: You always need to use more and more often to achieve the high you crave.
• Obsession: You become increasingly preoccupied with buying and using the drug, which replaces other interests and responsibilities in your life.
• Deception: You feel the need to lie, minimize, or hide the amount of drugs you use and how often you use them.
• Financial problems: You irresponsibly spend money on drugs, or you borrow money that you are unable to pay back to buy drugs.
• Cravings: You experience cravings for the drug that alter your mood or ability to focus.
• Self-medicating: You use drugs as a way of coping with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
• Awareness: You know your drug use has a negative impact, but you keep doing it anyway.
• Withdrawal: You experience withdrawal symptoms when you can’t get the drug, or when you try to cut down or give up on your own.

Starting a conversation about rehab with a loved one can be challenging, but it’s often a necessary step in helping them seek treatment. Whether it's a casual talk or a formal intervention, planning ahead is crucial. Choose a time when the person is sober and prepare by learning about addiction, related mental health conditions, and available treatment options. Research local rehab centers, understand what insurance covers, and consult with a professional interventionist if needed.

During the conversation, be honest and compassionate. Acknowledge the impact their substance use has had on them and those around them without being judgmental. Let them know your goal is to support their recovery, not to criticize. Present treatment options clearly, emphasizing that rehab is a step toward regaining control of their life.

If they are receptive, take action immediately by setting a rehab admission date, connecting them with support groups, and maintaining communication with treatment professionals. Lastly, don’t neglect your own well-being. Groups like Al-Anon can offer valuable support during this time.

We’re glad you’re here. We know how overwhelming it can be when you are in the depths of your addiction and trying to figure out what to do next. Here is our best advice, based on many decades of research and working with people just like you:

• Acceptance is the first step in the 12-step recovery process; accept that you’re no longer in control of your drug use and it has become a problem. 
• Be open and honest with people closest to you about how often you have been using drugs and how much you use. 
• Be open and honest during your initial call with the Cornerstone staff; your call is confidential, and we’re here to help you.
• Avoid negative influences, including people, places, and events that trigger and enable your drug use.
• Prepare to make significant changes in your life as you enter treatment and begin your recovery from drug addiction. 
• Accept that change is hard.

Cornerstone’s team is available 24/7/365. Our specialists are on call around the clock, and we can help you if you have urgent needs, no matter how long it’s been since you used drugs.

We can help you safely detox and transition into a medically supervised recovery program today.

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