Choices in Recovery Center Foundation House

Choices in Recovery Center Foundation House offers residential inpatient care and detoxification services for adults 18 and older in Vista, California — part of San Diego County's North County region. As a DHCS-licensed facility, Foundation House meets California's clinical standards for residential substance abuse treatment, and its nonprofit status means program funding has historically been drawn from county, state, and federal contracts.

The center's non-medical, clinically managed residential setting is staffed around the clock, giving residents consistent support through the earliest and most vulnerable stages of recovery. For adults weighing their options in residential treatment, Foundation House offers a program with three decades of operational history and a multi-facility structure that reflects its presence across the local recovery community.

Foundation House provides two levels of care that together support adults through the initial and sustained phases of addiction recovery. Detoxification and Withdrawal Management addresses the physical dimension of stopping substance use, while Residential Inpatient treatment builds on that foundation with longer-term, structured support within the same program. Having both levels available within one organization reduces the disruption of transitioning between providers at a critical time.

When a resident's clinical needs point toward a different or higher level of care, the program provides direct referrals — whether to more intensive treatment or to other services that fit the next stage of recovery. This approach keeps the path forward clear rather than leaving individuals to navigate transitions on their own.

The clinical framework at Choices in Recovery Foundation House incorporates the 12-Step program alongside structured Screening and Assessment practices. Intake includes an ASAM Level of Care Assessment and Mental Health Screening, which together give clinical staff a grounded picture of each resident's needs from the start. These assessments are not just intake paperwork — they directly inform how the program supports each individual and whether referrals to additional services are warranted.

The 12-Step model brings a community orientation that fits well with longer-term recovery goals. By grounding treatment in both clinical assessment and peer-supported frameworks, Foundation House addresses the personal and relational dimensions of addiction that matter most to people committed to lasting sobriety, not just short-term stabilization.

Founded in 1994 by Steve Burgard, Choices in Recovery was built on the idea that quality residential addiction treatment should be accessible to the adults who need it most. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization has historically received county, state, and federal contract support — a funding structure that reflects its public-service mission rather than a primarily commercial one.

The center's DHCS certifications span multiple houses, including Foundation House, Hill House, Humble House, and Big House, pointing to an organizational footprint that goes beyond a single building. For adults seeking a recovery center with community ties, nonprofit accountability, and the clinical infrastructure to support both detox and residential treatment, Choices in Recovery Foundation House is a meaningful option in San Diego County.