Cliffside Malibu

My adult son had been in two prior outpatient rehabs. When insurance covered his treatment at Cliffside, I was initially skeptical of such a luxury experience with weekly massages, sound baths, acupuncture, cleaning and laundry service, fresh, organic cooked meals, outings, yoga, trips to the gym and spectacular views. It seemed more like a vacation I thought. But, it turned out to be just what my son needed. With these experiences and the small ratio of clients:providers, he was able to finally open up and start addressing the pain he had been numbing with substances. Tanya, his case manager, helped him with his needs and setting him up with outpatient care. Roxan, his therapist, was a tremendous help to him. Family sessions are available and the nurses and tech staff also offered great support. Patients have to option to be taken to AA, Smart Start, and NA meetings as well. My son didn't want to leave! My only suggestion would be to have online family meetings available in the evenings/after work hours. I am very grateful for the care my son received.

I can’t thank Cliffside enough for the professional, personalized care that I received there several years ago. I am now actively involved in the alumni community where I have formed lasting friendships and support. Kelley Smallwood the alumni coordinator has given so much of her time and attention to making sure that we are supported after we leave the residential community. The facility was beautiful , the food delicious and nutritious, the groups extremely helpful and my therapist Leah was the best! Everything including our laundry was handled so that we could focus solely on our recovery. I felt safe and cared for and I still do. I highly recommend them when you are ready to heal.

Where do I even begin? I spent four months at Cliffside Malibu four months that saved my life. I have been sober since the day I arrived at Cliffside. The staff were amazing and caring. The Medical staff helped me get through my detox and I wasn't afraid or sick. They kept me comfortable. I had excellent counseling and an individualized care plan. The facilities are extremely clean and absolutely amazing views. Just give it a chance it could save your life like it did mine!

I'd probably give four and a half because nothing is perfect; sometimes the communication isn't the best across shifts. There are some groups that feel redundant, some facilitators are more effective than others, one doctor neglected to tell me about the side effects of a medication, and the food, while surprisingly excellent, occasionally isn't as varied as it probably should be. However... This was an absolutely incredible experience. If it weren't for a little "senioritis" at the end (my therapist's characterization, not mine) that had more to do with the dynamic of the patients who had recently arrived at the house (not their fault, just different from when I came and we really clicked) and my own desire to get on with my life, I'd have stayed longer. And tried to! I learned from all the facilitators, was impressed with the techs' attention to detail, and appreciated the commitment of everyone as well as their remarkable investment in our recovery. I particularly loved the vast array of personalities of the staff and counselors that made my experience like a rich and rewarding novel. I actually looked forward to groups. I'll save specifics for a personal note I plan to send -- many of the staff members are also in recovery and I don't want to accidentally "out" anyone who wouldn't appreciate it -- but the authenticity of the people is what makes this place so wonderful. It's my first time in rehab, and maybe this isn't the greatest place for people who have been to rehab before. Or so I heard from a patient or two. But I feel more ready to make sobriety last because of Cliffside Malibu Horizon Hills and, more specifically, the people who dedicate their lives to this important work. They even made the weekly "sober outings" -- the movies, bowling, mini-golf-- more fun! An important note: I resisted going here at first because Malibu kind of reeks of elitism. And make no mistake, Malibu is terrible. At least for me. In our few forays into the town -- Starbucks, the beach, the gym -- the place didn't disappoint; it's as vain and shallow as you'd expect. The view is spectacular but that's about all it has going for it, especially for an inveterate New York snob like me (though I now live in Seattle). Haha. But the people who work at CM, and particularly at the Horizon Hills house where I lived for 29 days, are honest and real and invested. I'm proud of my progress so far but can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn't have gotten there with just any rehab. I was cynical when I entered; I emerged excited for a sober life. I can't even believe I just typed those words. Thank you to everyone. I'm confident that because of this experience, I may never see you again! Except, maybe, hopefully, in a different setting.