Reviewed by Vinsent Franke, MBA, AMFT, CADC-II, RA, Founder of iRely Recovery. Updated September 2026.
Intro
At iRely Recovery, we specialize in treating anxiety disorders alongside substance use disorders in a Joint Commission-accredited residential setting in the greater Los Angeles area. Our licensed clinical team combines evidence-based therapies with individualized care planning so that every person who walks through our doors receives treatment that addresses the whole picture, not just one diagnosis.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 31 percent of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Among people seeking treatment for substance use, co-occurring anxiety is one of the most common secondary diagnoses. Treating both conditions together, rather than one at a time, produces significantly better long-term outcomes.
Key Points
- Anxiety is commonAbout 31 percent of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, and it is one of the most common secondary diagnoses among people seeking addiction treatment.
- Self-medication is the bridgeMany people turn to alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines to quiet anxiety symptoms. That pattern is the most common pathway into a dual diagnosis.
- Untreated anxiety fuels relapseAnxiety that goes unaddressed is one of the most common triggers for relapse after addiction-only treatment.
- Treat both at onceThe current clinical standard, endorsed by SAMHSA and ASAM, is integrated treatment of anxiety and addiction together, by the same clinical team, not one after the other.
In Short
Anxiety and addiction respond best to integrated care delivered by one clinical team, not separate providers treating each condition on its own. iRely Recovery combines ASAM 3.5 residential treatment, psychiatric evaluation, and evidence based therapies like CBT and DBT in a Joint Commission accredited facility in Los Angeles. Most PPO plans cover treatment. Call 818-418-8062.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is more than everyday worry or stress. It is a clinical condition characterized by persistent, excessive fear or apprehension that interferes with daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting more than 40 million adults each year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
When anxiety goes untreated, the distress it causes can feel unbearable. Many people turn to alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other substances to self-medicate their symptoms. This pattern is the most common pathway to a dual diagnosis, and it is exactly what our clinical team is trained to identify and treat at iRely Recovery.
Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat Near Los Angeles
Our clinical team has experience treating the full spectrum of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Chronic, excessive worry about multiple areas of life including work, health, family, and finances. GAD often coexists with major depressive disorder and substance use.
Panic Disorder
Recurring, unexpected panic attacks accompanied by physical symptoms such as racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Many people with panic disorder avoid situations they associate with attacks, which can severely restrict daily life.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Intense fear of social situations and being judged or humiliated by others. Social anxiety is a significant driver of alcohol misuse because alcohol temporarily reduces social inhibition.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD develops after exposure to traumatic events and involves intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing. PTSD and substance use are closely linked, with many trauma survivors using substances to manage flashbacks and sleep disturbances.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that drive repetitive behaviors (compulsions). OCD can be highly distressing and disabling when left untreated.
Specific Phobias and Agoraphobia
Intense, irrational fear of specific objects, situations, or places. Agoraphobia, the fear of open or crowded spaces, frequently co-occurs with panic disorder.
The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction
Anxiety and addiction are deeply intertwined conditions. Understanding how they reinforce each other is critical to designing a treatment plan that actually works.
Can Anxiety Cause Addiction?
Yes. People living with untreated anxiety often discover that substances temporarily quiet the nervous system. Alcohol slows brain activity and reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety. Benzodiazepines produce sedation and calm. Opioids create a sense of relief and emotional distance from distressing thoughts. What begins as self-medication can quickly escalate to physical dependence and addiction. Research published in JAMA Psychiatry estimates that people with anxiety disorders are two to three times more likely to develop a substance use disorder compared to the general population.
Can Addiction Make Anxiety Worse?
Yes, and it frequently does. Substance use disrupts brain chemistry, particularly the neurotransmitter systems that regulate mood and fear responses. As tolerance builds and use escalates, the brain compensates by becoming more reactive. Withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines can trigger severe rebound anxiety, panic attacks, and even seizures. Many people caught in this cycle use more of the substance not to feel good, but simply to avoid the withdrawal-driven anxiety spike, which drives the addiction deeper.
Which Should Be Treated First?
Both simultaneously. The old sequential model of treating addiction first and then addressing mental health produced poor outcomes because untreated anxiety was one of the primary relapse triggers. The current clinical standard, endorsed by SAMHSA and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), is integrated dual diagnosis treatment where both conditions are addressed at the same time by the same clinical team. That is the model we use at iRely Recovery.
Signs You May Need Anxiety Rehab Near Los Angeles
If any of the following resonate with you or someone you care about, a dual diagnosis residential program may be the appropriate level of care:
- You use alcohol or drugs specifically to calm anxiety or panic symptoms.
- Your anxiety symptoms have become more intense as your substance use has increased.
- You have tried to stop using substances but found that anxiety or panic returned so severely that you relapsed.
- You avoid daily activities, work, or relationships because of anxiety.
- You have had thoughts of harming yourself to escape the distress.
- A doctor or therapist has mentioned dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders in connection with your care.
These signs do not indicate weakness. They indicate that anxiety and addiction have formed a self-reinforcing cycle that is extremely difficult to break without professional, integrated support.
Our Anxiety Treatment Approach at iRely Recovery
Our clinical team designs individualized treatment plans drawing from the following evidence-based modalities. Residential clients typically participate in a combination of these therapies every week, allowing the team to identify which approaches produce the strongest results for each person.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the gold-standard treatment for anxiety, effective across GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. It helps clients identify and challenge the automatic thoughts that fuel both anxiety and substance use, replacing them with more balanced thinking that produces lasting change.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy builds skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness for clients with intense emotional reactions, impulsivity, or self-destructive coping. It gives clients concrete crisis skills that replace substance use as a way of managing overwhelming feelings.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy teaches clients to change their relationship with anxious thoughts rather than eliminate them, building psychological flexibility, values clarification, and committed action. It directly addresses the experiential avoidance that underlies both anxiety and substance use.
EMDR and Trauma-Informed Care
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the same intensity of distress, particularly for PTSD. It is delivered within a broader trauma-informed care framework designed to avoid re-traumatizing clients.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
FDA-approved medications manage withdrawal, reduce cravings, and stabilize mood alongside behavioral therapy. Non-addictive options like SSRIs, SNRIs, or buspirone may address anxiety directly; benzodiazepines are avoided due to their addiction potential and risk of worsening anxiety long-term.
Family Therapy
Anxiety and addiction reshape family dynamics and relationships. Family therapy brings loved ones into structured sessions focused on psychoeducation, healthier communication, and appropriate boundaries, building a home environment that supports lasting recovery.
Group Therapy
Structured therapeutic groups cover anxiety management, relapse prevention, coping with cravings, trauma processing, and values-based living. Group therapy offers something individual sessions can’t: the experience of being understood by peers facing the same challenges.
Levels of Anxiety Rehab Near Los Angeles
iRely Recovery provides a continuum of care for anxiety and dual diagnosis. The appropriate level of care is determined at admission based on a comprehensive clinical assessment, the severity of both the anxiety disorder and the substance use disorder, and any medical or safety factors.
Residential Treatment (RTC) for Anxiety and Addiction
Our ASAM 3.5 residential program is the highest level of care we offer, providing 24-hour clinical support in a structured setting with individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric medication management, and family sessions throughout the week. We are licensed by DHCS (#191516AP) and accredited by The Joint Commission (Gold Seal).
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for Anxiety Near Los Angeles
A step-down level of care for clients who have completed residential treatment or need intensive structured programming with a stable home environment. PHP runs five to six days per week for about six hours per day, continuing individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Anxiety and Addiction
Structured treatment three to five days per week for three to four hours per day, compatible with work, school, or family responsibilities. IOP includes group therapy, individual therapy, and case management, with a growing focus on relapse prevention and real-world anxiety management.
Standard Outpatient Treatment
Individual therapy, psychiatric medication management, and group sessions scheduled one to two times per week, for clients in stable recovery or with mild presentations. Our clinical team provides referrals to appropriate outpatient providers as part of discharge planning.
Does Insurance Cover Anxiety Rehab in Los Angeles?
In many cases, yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), insurers are required to provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatment on terms no more restrictive than coverage for medical and surgical care. This means that many PPO plans cover some or all of the cost of dual diagnosis residential treatment when medical necessity criteria are met.
iRely Recovery works with the following insurance carriers, among others:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
One of the largest insurers in California, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans frequently cover residential dual diagnosis treatment when medical necessity is established at admission.
Cigna
Cigna PPO plans cover inpatient and residential mental health and substance use treatment. Our team handles prior authorization and concurrent review directly with Cigna.
Aetna
Aetna behavioral health benefits include coverage for residential and intensive outpatient dual diagnosis treatment. Coverage levels vary by plan.
Humana
Humana PPO plans include behavioral health benefits that may cover anxiety rehab and dual diagnosis treatment at the residential level.
Our admissions team verifies your insurance benefits before you commit to treatment. Call us at 818-418-8062 to speak with an admissions coordinator who will walk you through your coverage options, explain any out-of-pocket costs, and answer your questions without pressure.
Why Choose iRely Recovery for Anxiety Rehab in Los Angeles?
Joint Commission Gold Seal and DHCS Licensure
iRely Recovery holds The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval and is licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS #191516AP). These accreditations are not formalities. They represent an ongoing commitment to clinical quality, safety, and accountability that is independently verified.
ASAM 3.5 Residential Level of Care
Our program meets the ASAM 3.5 criteria for clinically managed high-intensity residential treatment, which means our staffing ratios, clinical programming, and medical oversight meet the highest standard in the field.
Integrated Dual Diagnosis Model
We do not treat anxiety and addiction as separate problems handled by separate teams. Every treatment plan is designed around the relationship between the two conditions, which is what the clinical evidence supports and what produces real, lasting results.
Los Angeles Location with Residential Setting
Our facility is located in the greater Los Angeles area, giving clients access to world-class clinical care in a residential environment designed to support healing. Families in the greater LA area can participate in family therapy without significant travel.
Small Caseloads, Individualized Attention
We maintain low client-to-therapist ratios so that each person receives the individual attention their treatment requires. Treatment plans are reviewed and updated regularly as the clinical picture evolves.
Continuing Care and Alumni Support
Recovery from anxiety and addiction is a long-term process. Our team builds a continuing care plan before discharge and maintains connection with alumni through ongoing support resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Rehab in Los Angeles
What is dual diagnosis treatment for anxiety and addiction?
Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both an anxiety disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time, using the same integrated clinical team. This approach is the current evidence-based standard because anxiety and addiction are deeply interconnected and treating one while ignoring the other leads to high relapse rates. At iRely Recovery, every client receives a comprehensive assessment that looks at both conditions and informs a treatment plan that addresses both.
How long does anxiety rehab take?
The length of treatment depends on the severity of both the anxiety disorder and the substance use disorder, as well as individual factors like medical history, trauma history, and social supports. Residential treatment typically ranges from 30 to 90 days. Many clients then transition to PHP and IOP before returning to independent living. Our clinical team assesses progress regularly and makes level-of-care recommendations based on your specific situation, not a fixed calendar.
Can I detox from alcohol or benzos safely at iRely Recovery?
Yes. Medically supervised detoxification is available and is often necessary for clients withdrawing from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids, all of which can produce dangerous withdrawal syndromes. Our medical team monitors clients through the withdrawal process and uses medication protocols to manage symptoms safely. Detox is the first phase of treatment and transitions directly into our residential dual diagnosis program.
Will my anxiety get worse during treatment?
Some clients do experience a temporary increase in anxiety symptoms, particularly during the early withdrawal period when the nervous system is recalibrating. This is expected and manageable with proper medical and clinical support. Our team prepares clients for this possibility, has protocols in place to manage it, and works closely with each person through this phase. Most clients report that anxiety decreases significantly over the course of residential treatment as the clinical interventions begin to take effect.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to start treatment?
No. You can contact our admissions team directly by calling 818-418-8062. We will conduct an initial assessment, verify your insurance benefits, and guide you through the admission process. A referral from a physician or therapist is helpful but not required.
Is iRely Recovery accredited?
Yes. iRely Recovery holds The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval and is licensed by the California DHCS (license #191516AP). Our program also meets the ASAM 3.5 criteria for high-intensity residential treatment. These accreditations are independently verified and renewed on a regular basis.
Take the First Step Toward Anxiety Treatment in Los Angeles
Living with anxiety and addiction is exhausting. The cycle of self-medication, withdrawal, and escalating anxiety can feel inescapable. It is not. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment at the residential level gives the brain and body the structure and clinical support needed to break that cycle for good.
Our admissions team is available to answer your questions, verify your insurance benefits, and help you understand whether iRely Recovery is the right fit for you or your loved one. There is no obligation and no pressure.
Call 818-418-8062 or reach out through our contact page to speak with an admissions coordinator today.
