Drug use often starts in ways that feel manageable. A prescription after an injury. Something to stay sharp through long workdays. A way to loosen up on the weekend, or to feel close to people in a city that can be lonely. Over time, what once felt like a choice can start to feel like the only way to get through the day.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it alone. Amar Recovery offers outpatient San Francisco drug treatment for adults who are ready to understand their substance use and build a life that supports lasting change.

Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) combine evidence-based therapy with holistic care in a small, affirming community where you’re treated as a whole person.

Our drug treatment program supports adults struggling with a range of substances, including:

• Stimulants, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and misused prescription stimulants like Adderall
• Prescription medications, including misused painkillers, sedatives and sleep medications
• Opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin and fentanyl
• Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin and Valium
• Cannabis, when use has become hard to control or is affecting daily life
• Club and party drugs, such as MDMA, GHB and ketamine
• Polysubstance use, or using more than one substance

If you don’t see a drug listed that you need help with, reach out, and our team will talk with you about your needs and help you find the right care.

There’s no single sign that means it’s time for treatment. If drug use is causing problems in your life, or if you’re worried about where it’s heading, that’s reason enough to reach out. Common signs include:

• Using more often or in larger amounts than you planned
• Trying to cut back without success
• Needing more of a drug to feel the same effect
• Feeling sick, anxious, low, or restless when you don’t use
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from drugs
• Pulling away from friends, family or activities you used to enjoy
• Continuing to use even after it has hurt your health, work or relationships

Many people who struggle with drugs keep it private. They may use alone, use only on certain days, or rely on a prescription that makes it easier to justify. Remote work can deepen this pattern. Without coworkers around or a clear end to the workday, it’s easy for drug use to fill the quiet hours unnoticed.

Keeping substance use hidden often comes with heavy shame and isolation. At Amar Recovery, you’ll be met with compassion, not judgment. Connection is part of the treatment.

Withdrawal from some drugs, including opioids, benzodiazepines, and certain sedatives, can be uncomfortable or dangerous without medical support. Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly, in particular, can be life-threatening.

Amar Recovery does not offer on-site detox. If you need medical detox, our team will help you find a trusted provider and coordinate your move into our program once you’re stable. Please talk with a medical professional before stopping any substance on your own.

Every client starts with an assessment and a treatment plan built around their needs. From there, our team will recommend one of our two outpatient programs.

Our partial hospitalization program offers full days of treatment most days of the week. PHP is a strong fit if you’re stepping down from detox or residential care, if you’re struggling with intense cravings, or if you need daily structure while you stabilize.

Our intensive outpatient program offers several hours of treatment a few days a week, leaving room for work and family. IOP is a good fit if you’re more stable, transitioning from PHP, or need treatment that fits around your responsibilities.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify triggers and thought patterns that lead to drug use and build new ways of responding.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches skills to cope with distress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships.
• Individual therapy provides one-on-one support to explore your history and goals.
• Group therapy connects you with peers who understand what you’re facing.
• Family therapy helps loved ones understand addiction and support your recovery.

Holistic care helps you reconnect with your body and mind. Our program includes yoga with an on-staff instructor, art therapy with an on-staff art therapist, breathwork, Reiki, qigong, and tapping (EFT). These practices can ease anxiety and cravings, support better sleep, and give you healthy ways to manage stress.

For many people, drug use is a way of coping with something painful: anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or a deep sense of not belonging. Stimulants may offer energy or confidence. Opioids and sedatives may numb emotional pain. Over time, the drug becomes part of the problem it was meant to solve.

Lasting recovery means addressing what’s underneath. Our program offers dual diagnosis care, trauma-informed therapy, and grief counseling as part of drug treatment, so you can heal the root causes and not just stop using. This is especially important for people who have experienced discrimination, rejection, or trauma related to who they are. Amar Recovery is an affirming space for LGBTQ+ adults, where you can talk openly about your life and be fully yourself.