Ken Starr MD Addiction Medicine Group

Ken Starr MD Addiction Medicine Group offers one of the few physician-directed medical detox programs on California's Central Coast, housed within a CARF-accredited substance use treatment practice in Arroyo Grande. For people beginning the recovery process, having detox and ongoing outpatient care under the same clinical roof means the transition between levels of care is managed by providers who already know their history and treatment needs.

Beyond detox, the center's Outpatient Program and Intensive Outpatient Program give patients a structured path into longer-term recovery. The IOP is particularly relevant for individuals who have completed detox or a higher level of care and need consistent therapeutic support while reintegrating into daily life — a critical phase that determines whether early recovery gains hold over time.

CBT is the primary therapeutic method used at Ken Starr MD Addiction Medicine Group, and its inclusion in a medically directed addiction practice reflects a treatment model that addresses both the clinical and behavioral dimensions of substance use disorders. CBT helps patients in outpatient and IOP settings develop concrete strategies for managing cravings, avoiding relapse triggers, and building the decision-making patterns that support sustained sobriety.

For people in recovery from alcohol or opioid use disorders, CBT's structured, skills-based approach provides tools that remain useful well after formal treatment ends — which is why it is often a cornerstone of aftercare planning. Combined with physician oversight from a board-certified addiction medicine specialist, this approach reflects a commitment to recovery that extends beyond the initial stabilization period.

Ken Starr MD Addiction Medicine Group accepts private insurance from Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield (Magellan), United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Beacon, as well as Self-Pay and Cash options. For families navigating the financial side of longer-term addiction treatment, in-network status with this many major carriers can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs across detox, IOP, and outpatient levels of care.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM (Tuesday until 6 PM) and also offers Sunday hours from 10 AM to 3 PM, providing access outside the standard workweek for patients managing employment alongside their recovery program. To learn more or schedule an intake, the practice can be reached at (805) 242-1360 or by email at [email protected].

Not all addiction treatment centers are led by physicians who hold subspecialty board certification in addiction medicine. Dr. Ken Starr's credentials — Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine, FASAM, FABEM, and FACEP — place him among a relatively small group of practitioners who have completed the rigorous training and examination process specific to addiction as a medical specialty. For patients and families who want clinical decisions made by a physician with deep domain expertise, that distinction is meaningful.

CARF accreditation adds another layer of accountability. Earning and maintaining CARF status requires an external review of a facility's programs, outcomes, and operational practices — it is not self-reported. For people comparing recovery centers in the San Luis Obispo County area, both the physician credentials and the CARF accreditation signal a standard of care that goes beyond the baseline.