Project Recovery

Project Recovery offers a structured continuum of substance use treatment that begins with Medical Detox and extends through outpatient care. For individuals entering recovery, having medically supported detox available within the same center that also provides ongoing outpatient programming creates consistency in care — a factor that research consistently links to better long-term outcomes. Rather than being discharged from detox and handed off to an unconnected provider, patients at Project Recovery can move into the next phase of their recovery within a familiar clinical environment.

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) sits at the center of the step-down continuum, designed for people who have completed a higher level of care or who need more structured support than a standard outpatient program provides. IOP is especially well-suited for individuals reintegrating into daily life — maintaining employment, family responsibilities, or school — while still receiving regular, structured addiction treatment. The standard Outpatient Program offers continued support as individuals build stability and independence in their recovery.

A significant portion of people seeking rehab and addiction treatment are also managing mental health conditions that developed alongside or contributed to their substance use. Project Recovery addresses this directly through its treatment of co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis, with a specific focus on trauma and PTSD. Treating both conditions together rather than sequentially is increasingly recognized as essential to preventing relapse and supporting durable recovery.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the confirmed therapeutic foundation at Project Recovery. CBT is one of the most studied approaches in substance abuse treatment, helping individuals identify the thought patterns and behaviors that drive substance use and develop practical skills to interrupt those cycles. For someone in an IOP or outpatient program, CBT-based sessions provide actionable tools that carry into daily life beyond the treatment setting.

Project Recovery's treatment is available to a notably broad range of individuals. The center explicitly serves veterans — and accepts TRICARE — making it a concrete option for military service members and their families in the San Diego area, a region with one of the highest concentrations of active-duty and veteran populations in the country. Court-ordered individuals are also accepted, providing a recovery-focused environment for those entering treatment through the legal system.

Beyond veterans, Project Recovery works with young adults ages 18 to 25, seniors and older adults, pregnant women, men, women, and individuals with HIV/AIDS support needs. This breadth reflects a commitment to meeting people where they are, regardless of life stage or circumstance. For family members helping a loved one find the right recovery center, knowing that a facility is equipped to serve specific populations — rather than offering generic programming — can make a meaningful difference in the treatment search.

One of the practical barriers to entering substance abuse treatment is cost and insurance coverage. Project Recovery accepts private insurance, TRICARE, self-pay and cash, sliding scale fees, and state insurance. The sliding scale option is particularly significant for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, as it adjusts cost based on financial circumstances rather than applying a flat rate that may be out of reach.

To reach Project Recovery directly, prospective patients and family members can call (760) 581-4357 or email [email protected]. The center is located at 9760 Birch Canyon Place, San Diego, CA 92126. Reaching out directly is the most reliable way to confirm current availability, understand which insurance plans are accepted, and discuss which level of care — detox, IOP, or outpatient — is the right starting point for a given situation.