Walking into an addiction recovery center is one of the bravest decisions a person can make. However, it is also natural to feel anxious about the unknown. Questions about what daily life looks like, what therapy involves, and how much contact you will have with the outside world are common.
At Oak Forest Recovery, we believe that removing the mystery from the process helps you focus entirely on healing. Located in the serene, supportive environments of Agoura Hills and Westlake Village, our program is designed to rebuild lives through a blend of clinical excellence and deep community integration. Whether you are looking for a 90 day recovery program in Agoura Hills or exploring options for a loved one, knowing the roadmap can make all the difference.
Here is a step-by-step look at what you can expect during your first three months with us.
Preparing for Arrival
The journey begins before you even step through our doors. Preparation is not just about packing a suitcase; it is about preparing your mindset for change. When you choose an addiction recovery program in Westlake Village, you are choosing to pause your current life to build a better one.
What should you bring?
We recommend packing comfortable clothing suitable for the Southern California climate, personal hygiene products (alcohol-free), and any prescribed medications. However, the most important thing to bring is a willingness to engage.
Upon arrival, you will undergo an initial assessment. This isn’t a test, but a way for our clinical team to understand your unique medical history, substance use background, and mental health needs. This assessment forms the foundation of your personalized treatment plan.
The First Week: Orientation and Structure
The first few days at Oak Forest Recovery are known as the “Compound + Treatment” phase. This period is designed to help you decompress and acclimate to your new surroundings.
Orientation and Meeting the Team
You will be introduced to our dedicated staff, many of whom have walked the path of recovery themselves. This includes meeting with our leadership and clinical team, such as Dr. Patrick Lockwood, our COO and Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Seeing faces that offer both professional expertise and genuine empathy often helps alleviate initial fears.
Understanding the Routine
Structure is the antidote to the chaos of addiction. During your first week, you will learn the daily schedule, which balances therapeutic activities with downtime. You will begin attending morning meditations, group sessions, and community meals. The goal here is not to overwhelm you, but to provide a safety net of routine.
The First Month: digging Deep
Once you have settled in, the real work begins. The first month is often characterized by emotional awakening and physical stabilization.
Immersion in Therapy
You will dive deeper into our clinical programming. This involves regular individual therapy sessions where you can safely explore the root causes of addiction. For those struggling with co-occurring disorders, our dual diagnosis treatment in California addresses both substance abuse and underlying mental health issues simultaneously.
Family Support Integration
Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and neither does recovery. During month one, we encourage family involvement through structured channels. We host Family Education Nights and support groups, such as those led by Jerry Spates in Westlake Village. These sessions are crucial for healing the family unit and establishing healthy boundaries.
Months Two and Three: Building a Future
As you move past the initial 30 days, the fog clears, and physical health often improves. The focus shifts from stabilizing the crisis to building a sustainable life.
Developing Coping Strategies
By month two, you will have more tools in your toolbox. Therapy focuses on “coping strategies”—practical ways to handle stress, triggers, and emotions without substances. This is where the concept of mental health and addiction support becomes practical rather than theoretical.
Community Integration and Purpose
Recovery isn’t just about stopping drug use; it’s about starting life. As you progress toward the 90-day mark, we emphasize finding purpose. This is where our partnership with Oasis Wellness becomes vital. Clients get access to services and potential employment opportunities, bridging the gap between treatment and the real world.
For those in our sober living homes in Thousand Oaks, CA, this phase may also involve structured searches for jobs or returning to school, ensuring you have a plan for productivity.
The Power of Support Systems
One of the defining features of Oak Forest Recovery is our emphasis on community. Isolation is a major trigger for relapse, so we counter it with connection.
Peer Support and Accountability
You will participate in peer-support groups and accountability checks. Our “Bonfire Meetings” on Thursday nights are a staple of the Oak Forest experience, offering a space for community connection and shared stories.
Gender-Specific Support
We understand that men and women often face different challenges in recovery. Whether you are looking for gender specific sober living in Los Angeles or mixed community support, our environment allows for safe, relatable peer interactions that foster long-term friendships.
Comprehensive Therapies
Our 90-day program is clinically driven. We utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities to ensure holistic healing.
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with licensed professionals to process trauma and set personal goals.
- Group Therapy: Facilitated sessions that build communication skills and reduce shame through shared experience.
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Specialized care for clients managing depression, anxiety, or trauma alongside addiction.
- Holistic Wellness: engaging the body and mind through wellness activities to repair the physical damage caused by addiction.
Aftercare Planning and Relapse Prevention
As day 90 approaches, the conversation shifts to “what’s next?” A 90-day stay is a significant achievement, but it is just the beginning of a lifelong journey.
Creating a Safety Net
Our team works with you to design a robust aftercare plan. This includes setting up ongoing outpatient treatment in Westlake Village, connecting you with alumni networks, and ensuring you have a safe place to live.
Transitioning to Sober Living
For many, the next logical step is moving into one of our luxury sober living homes in CA. This “Step Down” approach (days 90-120 and beyond) allows you to test your new skills in the real world while still having a safety net. We focus heavily on aftercare and relapse prevention programs to ensure the gains you made during treatment are permanent.
Success Stories
Recovery is possible, and it happens here every day. We see clients who arrived broken and hopeless transform into vibrant, productive members of society.
Take the story of RJ Elizarraz, who rose from homelessness to become a healing hero within our community. Stories like his are documented in our “Against All Odds” podcast, which serves as a constant reminder that resilience is within reach. With over 0+ successful patient stories (as noted on our website), the evidence is clear: the Oak Forest method works.
Your New Life Starts Here
The first 90 days of recovery are challenging, transformative, and life-saving. At Oak Forest Recovery, we don’t just treat the addiction; we treat the person. Through a combination of luxury sober living, rigorous clinical care, and unwavering family support, we help you build a life you don’t need to escape from.
If you or a loved one is ready to start this journey, do not wait. Reach out to us today to learn more about our admissions process and how we can help you reclaim your future.