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Drug and Alcohol Treatment for First Responders at Brea Hills Recovery

Our Recovery Program

Serving Those Who Serve Us

First Responders dedicate their lives to protecting, rescuing, and serving their communities. They are the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, EMTs, and dispatchers who face danger, tragedy, and high-pressure situations daily. Yet behind the badge and uniform, many carry burdens that are unseen: trauma, stress, and mental health challenges that can lead to substance use and addiction.

At Brea Hills Recovery, we believe in giving back to these heroes. Our drug and alcohol treatment programs are specifically tailored for First Responders, providing a safe, supportive, and private environment to heal. Here, recovery is more than abstaining from substances — it’s about reclaiming health, restoring purpose, and reconnecting with the community you’ve served.

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Why First Responders Are Vulnerable

Substance use and mental health challenges disproportionately affect First Responders, and for several reasons:

  • Exposure to Trauma: Daily exposure to life-threatening situations, accidents, and human suffering can lead to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Many First Responders turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to numb or cope with these intense emotions.
  • High-Stress Environment: Long shifts, unpredictable schedules, and split-second decision-making place extreme pressure on both the body and mind. Stress can erode resilience over time, increasing the risk of unhealthy coping mechanisms.
  • Cultural Stigma: The culture within emergency services often emphasizes toughness, self-reliance, and stoicism. Seeking help may be perceived as weakness, preventing many from accessing treatment early.
  • Sleep Disruption: Irregular schedules and night shifts disrupt circadian rhythms, impacting mood, cognition, and emotional regulation — factors closely linked to substance use.


The combination of these factors creates a unique vulnerability. While the world sees strength, courage, and resilience in First Responders, many silently struggle with the invisible wounds of service.

Sustained + Lasting Health

The Importance of Peer Support

Recovery is never a journey that needs to be taken alone. Among First Responders, peer support is a powerful tool. Sharing experiences with others who truly understand the pressures and traumas of the job creates a sense of community, trust, and accountability.

This spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie mirrors the relationships many First Responders already value in the field, making recovery feel familiar, safe, and sustainable.

At Brea Hills Recovery, our programs emphasize connection and fellowship. Peer support helps First Responders:

  • Build understanding and trust: Being surrounded by others who “get it” reduces isolation and stigma.
  • Share coping strategies: Residents learn new ways to manage stress, anxiety, and triggers from colleagues who have faced similar challenges.
  • Maintain accountability: Structured group sessions and shared experiences create motivation and reinforcement for healthy behaviors.
  • Develop lifelong connections: Many First Responders form bonds during treatment that continue as a support network long after leaving the program.
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Our Approach

How Brea Hills Recovery Can Help

Trauma-Informed, First Responder-Specific Care

Unlike generic rehab programs, Brea Hills Recovery understands the unique experiences of First Responders. Our treatment plans are customized and trauma-informed, designed to address not only substance use but also the mental health challenges that often accompany it. Our clinical team specializes in:

  • PTSD and trauma therapy tailored for emergency personnel.
  • Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe thought patterns and promote healthier coping strategies.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for processing traumatic memories.
  • Individual and group therapy to build trust, communication skills, and accountability.


We know that effective recovery begins with understanding, compassion, and care that acknowledges the realities of life as a First Responder.

Recovery requires focus, support, and structure. Our residential rehab program provides a safe and private setting where First Responders can step away from the pressures of work and fully commit to healing.

Highlights include:

  • Private bedrooms in a six-bed, gender-inclusive facility.
  • Gourmet, health-conscious meals, including steak and lobster, with snacks, coffee, and a juice bar to restore physical wellness.
  • Daily therapy sessions alongside holistic wellness activities.
  • Recreational outings such as fishing, hiking, beach trips, martial arts, and snowboarding to reconnect residents with joy, nature, and physical vitality.


Our residential environment is designed to be luxurious yet accessible, private yet community-oriented, supporting both mental and physical recovery.

We recognize that recovery is more than detoxification or therapy sessions. At Brea Hills Recovery, we focus on integrating the mind, body, and spirit:

  • Nutrition and Wellness: Restorative meals, hydration, and wellness guidance support physical recovery.
  • Physical Activity: Exercise, outdoor activities, and martial arts help manage stress, release tension, and build resilience.
  • Mindfulness and Stress Management: Guided practices help residents cultivate emotional regulation and long-term coping strategies.
  • Peer Connection: Fellowship and shared experiences reinforce accountability and camaraderie.


This holistic approach ensures that First Responders not only achieve sobriety but also build the tools to maintain it in the long term.

Returning to work as a First Responder while undergoing treatment can be complicated. Brea Hills Recovery simplifies the process by assisting with:

  • FMLA paperwork and employer communication
  • Insurance verification and support
  • Scheduling flexibility to accommodate career demands


We remove logistical burdens so residents can focus entirely on recovery, knowing their work obligations and privacy are protected.

A Private, Secure, and Nurturing Environment

Safety and confidentiality are critical, particularly for First Responders. Our gated, secluded facility ensures privacy, security, and peace of mind. Every detail, from serene outdoor spaces to private rooms and therapeutic amenities like a hot tub, is designed to promote relaxation, comfort, and a sense of safety. Residents can focus on healing without external distractions or pressures — an environment where recovery becomes possible and sustainable.

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Long-Term Support and Community Integration

Recovery does not end at discharge. Brea Hills Recovery emphasizes continuity of care, helping First Responders maintain sobriety and mental wellness after leaving the facility.

  • Alumni networks and peer support groups encourage ongoing connection and accountability.
  • Aftercare planning provides tools for relapse prevention, stress management, and continued mental health care.
  • Connection to local resources ensures clients have the support they need when returning to their communities.


This long-term approach fosters lasting recovery, strengthened by the brotherhood and community cultivated during treatment.

What Sets Us Apart

Why Choose Brea Hills Recovery

At Brea Hills Recovery, we’re not a generic rehab center. Our mission is to serve those who serve us. We combine:

  • Luxury and comfort in a private, gated setting
  • Specialized, trauma-informed care for First Responders
  • Holistic wellness programs that nourish body and mind
  • Peer fellowship and community support
  • Professional guidance with employers and insurance


It’s a program designed for you, by people who understand your world, and it’s a privilege for us to walk alongside you on the path to recovery.

Get Help With Recovery Costs

We Accept Most Major Insurance Companies

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Our Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

"I can honestly say that Brea Hills Recovery changed my life. When I arrived, I was lost, and unsure if recovery was even possible for me. The staff welcomed me with compassion and without judgment, creating a safe space where I could begin to heal.

Alex T.

The program was structured, supportive, and tailored to meet my individual needs. I gained tools that helped me understand the root causes of my addiction. The sense of community was powerful — knowing I wasn't alone made all the difference.

Sam M.

Today, I am sober, healthy, and hopeful about the future. I’m rebuilding relationships, pursuing goals, and living a life I’m proud of. I am forever grateful to the incredible team at Brea Hills Recovery for helping me find myself again."

Daniel P.

Begin Your Healing Journey

If you are a First Responder struggling with substance use or mental health challenges, Brea Hills Recovery is here to help. Our programs offer safe, effective, and compassionate care tailored to the realities of your life, your service, and your commitment to others. You don’t have to face this alone. With professional support, peer community, and a focus on the whole person, you can reclaim your health, your purpose, and your life. Contact us today to learn more about our drug and alcohol treatment programs and take the first step toward lasting recovery. Because after all you’ve given — you deserve to heal.

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