Overcome addiction with our holistic and personalized approaches. Call (866) 436-2965 now to start healing.
I serve as the Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura's CEO. After we developed our cutting-edge addiction treatment philosophy following the successful defeat of my 10-year dependence on drugs and alcohol, I co-founded these facilities along with my dad, Chris. Today, I spend my time making sure that our non-disease, non-12-step, holistic approach to addiction treatment we created in 2001 continues
to prosper and grow. As CEO of Passages, I am responsible for leading the business strategy, marketing efforts, and financial operations of the company and its subsidiaries, while also interacting and collaborating with clients, staff, and program alumni. To learn more about Passages, please visit www.PassagesMalibu.com.
24/03/2026
One of the most important—and often overlooked—questions people ask is:
What are the early signs of addiction most people miss?
Addiction rarely begins with obvious consequences. It doesn’t usually start with major life disruptions or dramatic turning points. Instead, it often develops quietly, through small shifts in behavior, mindset, and emotional patterns that can easily be dismissed or rationalized.
Because these early signs are subtle, many individuals don’t recognize them until substance use has already become deeply ingrained.
Understanding these early indicators can make a meaningful difference. The earlier someone becomes aware, the easier it is to change direction and seek support before the problem progresses.
For many people considering cutting back or quitting alcohol, one question naturally comes up:
What happens to your body when you stop drinking alcohol?
The answer is both immediate and long-term. From the first 24 hours to several months later, the body begins a powerful process of repair, regulation, and healing.
While the experience can vary depending on how much and how often someone has been drinking, one thing is consistent: the body is remarkably capable of recovering when alcohol is removed.
At Passages Malibu, we guide individuals through this process safely while also addressing the deeper reasons behind alcohol use—because lasting recovery involves both physical healing and emotional transformation.
In today’s high-pressure world, alcohol is often normalized as a way to unwind. A drink after work, a glass of wine to relax, or cocktails on the weekend can all feel like harmless ways to manage stress. For many people, it starts exactly there.
But over time, what once felt like a simple way to relax can gradually become something more. The line between occasional stress relief and problematic drinking is not always obvious—and that’s why so many people begin to question their habits long before they ever seek help.
If you’ve found yourself asking this question, it’s worth taking a closer look—not from a place of judgment, but from a place of awareness.
At Passages Malibu, we help individuals understand their relationship with alcohol and address the deeper reasons behind their drinking through a holistic, non-12-step approach.
If you would like to speak confidentially with an admissions specialist, you can call (888) 397-0112.
At Passages Malibu, we help clients not only break free from addiction, but build a new foundation for long-term fulfillment, clarity, and emotional well-being.
If you or a loved one is ready to begin that journey, you can speak confidentially with an admissions specialist by calling (888) 397-0112.
From the outside, it can seem irrational. The dangers of substance use are widely known—health consequences, damaged relationships, financial strain, even the risk of overdose. Yet millions of people continue to use drugs or alcohol despite being fully aware of these outcomes.
The reality is that addiction is not simply a matter of logic or awareness. It is deeply influenced by emotional pain, brain chemistry, life experiences, and the human need for relief, connection, or escape.
Understanding why people continue using substances—even when they know the risks—is one of the most important steps toward compassion, effective treatment, and long-term recovery.
At Passages Malibu, we approach addiction not as a failure of willpower, but as a symptom of deeper underlying conditions that can be identified and healed through personalized, holistic care.
If you or someone you love is struggling, you can speak confidentially with an admissions specialist at (888) 397-0112.
Imagine waking up each morning to fresh ocean air, natural light, and a peaceful environment designed to support your healing.
At Passages Malibu, recovery takes place in a private, restorative setting where you can step away from daily stress and focus entirely on your well-being. Our non-12-step, holistic treatment program combines personalized care, extensive one-on-one therapy, and luxury accommodations to help clients address the root causes of addiction and build a healthier future.
Because healing is easier when the environment supports it.
If you or someone you love is ready to take the first step toward recovery, our admissions specialists are available to speak with you confidentially.
Watching someone you love struggle with alcohol can be heartbreaking. Many spouses quietly ask themselves the same question: “What should I do?”
When drinking begins to affect trust, communication, or family life, it can leave partners feeling worried, frustrated, and unsure how to help. The truth is, you cannot control another person’s drinking — but you can take meaningful steps to protect your well-being, set healthy boundaries, and guide your spouse toward professional support.
At Passages Malibu, we work with families every day who are facing this exact situation. Our non-12-step, holistic approach focuses on identifying and healing the deeper causes of addiction so individuals can achieve lasting recovery and begin repairing the relationships that matter most.
If your spouse may be struggling with alcohol and you’re unsure what to do next, compassionate guidance is available.
📞 Call (866) 436-2965 to speak confidentially with an admissions specialist.
Recovery isn’t just about stopping substance use — it’s about restoring balance to the mind, body, and spirit.
At Passages Malibu, our holistic approach to addiction treatment goes beyond detox and abstinence. We focus on healing the whole person through individualized therapy, wellness practices, nutrition, fitness, and emotional support designed to address the true underlying causes of addiction.
When the mind finds clarity, the body regains strength, and the spirit reconnects with purpose, lasting recovery becomes possible.
For more than two decades, this philosophy has helped thousands of individuals rebuild their lives and rediscover their sense of well-being.
If you or someone you love is ready to begin a path toward holistic healing, our admissions specialists are available to speak with you confidentially.
Recovery should feel like a place where you can finally breathe again.
At Passages Malibu, healing happens in a peaceful, private environment overlooking the ocean — where you can step away from the noise of everyday life and focus completely on your recovery. Our non-12-step program provides highly personalized treatment, extensive one-on-one therapy, and holistic care designed to address the root causes of addiction, not just the symptoms.
You don’t have to face this alone, and you don’t have to wait for things to get worse before seeking help.
If you or someone you love is ready to begin a new chapter, speak confidentially with an admissions specialist today.
Many people ask themselves this question quietly before ever speaking to a professional:
“How do I know if I’m addicted to alcohol or drugs?”
Addiction doesn’t always look obvious. It often develops gradually — what starts as occasional use can slowly become something that feels harder to control. You may still be working, maintaining relationships, and managing daily responsibilities, yet internally something feels different. Maybe you’ve tried to cut back but couldn’t. Maybe substances have become your primary way of coping with stress, anxiety, or emotional pain.
If you’re asking the question, that awareness can be an important first step toward change.
At Passages Malibu, we believe addiction is not a lifelong label or identity. It is often a symptom of deeper underlying issues that can be identified and healed through compassionate, individualized care.
If you or someone you love would like to explore treatment options, our admissions specialists are available to speak with you confidentially.
📞 Call (866) 436-2965 to learn more about recovery options.
Many people struggling with alcohol or drugs eventually begin asking a deeper question: Could past trauma be part of the reason?
Decades of psychological research show that unresolved trauma can influence emotional regulation, stress responses, and coping behaviors long after the original event. For some individuals, substance use becomes a way to numb lingering emotional pain, anxiety, or internal distress that was never fully processed.
At Passages Malibu, we understand that addiction is rarely the true root of the problem. It is often a symptom of deeper experiences such as trauma, stress, or unresolved emotional wounds. Our non-12-step, holistic treatment approach focuses on identifying and healing those underlying issues so lasting recovery becomes possible.
Because real healing happens when the cause is treated — not just the behavior.
If you or someone you love may be struggling with addiction connected to past trauma, compassionate support is available.
📞 Call (866) 436-2965 to speak confidentially with an admissions specialist.
Thinking about quitting alcohol at home? It’s a question many people ask — and an important one.
While detoxing at home may seem easier or more private, alcohol withdrawal can sometimes lead to serious and even life-threatening complications without proper medical support. Symptoms like seizures, severe dehydration, and delirium tremens can occur during withdrawal and should be carefully monitored.
At Passages Malibu, our medical team provides a safe, supportive detox process while also addressing the underlying causes of alcohol use through our holistic, non-12-step treatment approach. Because real recovery is about more than just stopping drinking — it’s about healing the reasons behind it.
If you or someone you love is considering detox, don’t take unnecessary risks.
Speak confidentially with an admissions specialist today.
📞 Call (888) 397-0112 to learn about safe alcohol detox options.
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For ten misreable years, I stuggled with an addiction to he**in, co***ne, and alcohol. I was in and out of several different rehab centers and sober living homes, but nothing worked. It wasn’t until my dad started asking me why I was using and abusing drugs and alcohol that I began to understand my underlying conditions for all my wreckless behavior. The truth is, I was insecure and felt intimidated by the success of my father.
“Heroin was a coping mechanism that I had used to deal with my underlying fears. They were the real problems; he**in wasn't the culprit, my fears were.”
― Pax Prentiss, The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure
Before getting sober, my life was a dark and wreckless world. I had no real joy in life and I was constantly sick. Even though I wanted to be sober I just couldn’t break my addiction at the rate I was going. Something had to change. I was in need of treatment that actually worked. That is when my dad and I created a customized program that met my needs and was exactly what took me from being a full blown ju**ie to a thriving and successful business owner where I can now help people who struggle just like I did for so many years.
It is that very same treatment and therapy methods that got me clean and sober that we utlize at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers. The safe and comforting accomidations at Passages make your stay with us enjoyable and uplifting. This is a healing sancuary where thousands of people over the last 16 years have discovered sobriety and groundbreaking transformations.
“I spent the rest of that day and most of the night thinking about all the hundreds of people I had met in rehabs and sober living houses and on the streets. We were all medicating our fears and our pain!”
― Pax Prentiss, The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure
Unlike most rehab centers, Passages is not a 12-Step treatment center. We utlize holitic treatment methods that help our clients discover and heal the underlying conditions causing them to use and abuse drugs. We were able to revolutionize the way addiction is treated by empowering our clients and restoring their hope and purpose in life.
How to Contact Passages Addiction Treatment Centers:
Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
