Although Los Angeles is renowned for its vibrancy, cultural richness, and cinematic legacy, the city also struggles behind the scenes with significant drug-related challenges. In LA County, an estimated 1.48 million residents are grappling with a Substance Use Disorder recoverla.org. Tragically, drug-related overdose deaths have only recently begun to decline—falling from 3,137 in 2023 to 2,438 in 2024, marking the lowest toll since 2019 Los Angeles County+1. Fentanyl has emerged as the dominant driver, accounting for 52% of overdose fatalities in 2024, though that’s down from 64% the year prior Los Angeles County+1.
Further compounding the crisis, fentanyl claimed the lives of over 1,500 unhoused Angelenos at its peak in 2022. In total, more than 2,100 unhoused people lost their lives due to fentanyl-related overdoses between 2014 and 2023 LAist+1. Methamphetamine and alcohol remain major drivers of treatment admissions in LA County—methamphetamine leads at 30%, followed by alcohol at 27%. Heroin accounts for 16.2% and prescription drugs approximately 14.9% hollywoodhillsrecovery.com. Drug-related mortality also displays stark disparities: Black Angelenos represent just 9% of the population but accounted for 27% of fentanyl-related deaths among the unhoused ScienceDirect+7The Guardian+7LAist+7.
Together, these statistics underscore the pressing need for accessible, compassionate, and evidence-based drug and alcohol treatment within the Los Angeles area.
At Design for Change Recovery, we believe healing happens best when tailored to individual needs, rooted in scientific treatment, and enveloped in holistic support. Our program is built on a proven foundation:
We offer a full continuum of care—from detox to extended aftercare—designed to support healing physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Our 12‑step holistic approach, combined with therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), helps clients develop long-term coping strategies to replace destructive patterns.
We partner with major insurance providers—including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Kaiser, TRICARE, and others—to make quality rehab accessible and affordable.
Located within reach of Los Angeles, our center ensures locality and convenience without compromising on specialized, individualized treatment.
Recovery often starts before treatment begins. Our team provides supportive helpline-based interventions to guide individuals toward commitment, and we facilitate face-to-face family interventions when needed. These early steps ensure that clients enter treatment feeling understood and supported.
Clients live on-site while participating in daily therapeutic activities. Combining 12-step holistic practices with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), clients unpack triggers, reframe damaging patterns, and craft sustainable recovery strategies under expert guidance.
Ideal for local residents or transitioning clients, this flexible option allows individuals to attend sessions while maintaining their daily routines. Participants build recovery support networks and continue to hone coping tools while engaging with peers on parallel journeys.
Recognizing relapse prevention requires time and structure, our aftercare includes sober living programs, group support, and transitional planning. Clients receive on-going guidance to help them step confidently back into daily life, supported by a recovery-positive environment.
We tailor treatment plans to each individual’s needs—no one-size-fits-all here. Typical plans include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Group & Individual Counseling
Holistic Therapies (mindfulness, wellness)
Detoxification
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
Longitudinal Aftercare
We also support faith-based, secular, gender-specific, and first-responder-focused programs to meet diverse needs and identities.
1.48 million Angelenos contend with substance use disorders Wall Street Journal+3arXiv+3Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers+3.
Overdose deaths dropped nearly 22%, from 3,137 in 2023 to 2,438 in 2024 Los Angeles County+2Public Health Los Angeles County+2.
Fentanyl remains a leading threat, involved in over 50% of accidental overdose deaths recoverla.org+15Los Angeles County+15Public Health Los Angeles County+15.
Fentanyl claimed 1,500+ unhoused lives in 2022 and over 2,100 between 2014–2023, often hitting Black Angelenos disproportionately LAist+2The Guardian+2.
Methamphetamine and alcohol are the top substances leading to treatment admissions in LA County, at 30% and 27% respectively New York Post+4hollywoodhillsrecovery.com+4recoverla.org+4.
Those numbers don’t just tell a story — they call for meaningful response, community solutions, and care models that work. Your clients deserve powerful, compassionate support that meets them where they are. That’s exactly what we do.