Our Mission
The First Responders Recovery Malibu Detox and Substance Abuse Treatment Program offers compassionate, culturally-competent and specialized care. We are designed to address the unique needs of First Responders and Veterans, empowering them to overcome substance use challenges and fostering their physical and mental well-being for a healthier and more resilient community.
Detox in comfort
Our detox protocols, created over more than 10 years with Malibu’s Dr. Lisa Benya, DO, is one of the reasons for our success, and for the respect that we have earned from the community. Our goal has always been keeping patients comfortable, feeling better and better each day, while we wean them off their drug of choice (alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs) using small amounts of detox meds that are targeted and limited. Usually within a week, patients have been titrated off the detox meds, leaving them clear headed and healthy enough to start focusing on their recovery. Dr. Benya’s Malibu Medical team is made up of doctors certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), who will meet with you virtually and on-site. Our board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Stephen Mohaupt, is an ASAM fellow.
Specialized in PTSD
First Responders Recovery Malibu offers safe, quick and effective detox to active and retired firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, life guards, ambulance teams, FBI, and probation and correction personnel. Veterans who are members of the Community Care program are also welcome.
At First Responders Recovery Malibu, we take pride in our distinguished culturally-competent medical team that specializes in a holistic approach to wellness. We understand the unique challenges faced by First Responders and military veterans, and our comprehensive approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our treatment philosophy.
Welcome to Malibu
Your journey back to sobriety begins in the serene and comforting surroundings of a spacious, elegant home overlooking the breath-taking beauty of Malibu’s canyons and the vast expanse of the ocean. Our facility, designed to provide the utmost privacy, tranquility, and support, boasts six bedrooms, ensuring a personalized and comfortable experience for each of our six patients.
Serving First Responders and Community Care Veterans
Our facility provides a safe and therapeutic environment where extraordinary men and women can focus on their recovery without fear of judgment. We exclusively serve First Responders and Military Veterans who are part of the Community Care program allowing for a shared understanding of the experiences and stresses that come with these professions. Whether you are an active or retired First Responder or a Military Veteran, we are dedicated to preparing you for a successful journey toward mental health and addiction recovery. Our tailored programs aim to help you process trauma, manage stress, and take the crucial first steps toward a happier and more fulfilling life, both at your workplace and in the comfort of your home.
Our Caring Staff
At First Responders Recovery Malibu, we believe in providing the tools and support necessary for your holistic well-being, guiding you toward a future filled with success and happiness. Your commitment to service has been unwavering, and now it’s our turn to support you on the path to a renewed and fulfilling life. Welcome to the first step of your transformative journey. Our medical team have long-time experience in detox from alcohol, prescription drugs and street drugs. Our nurses are qualified, our counselors certified.
Nutrition
Delicious food, skillfully prepared daily by experienced chefs, helps support and sustain recovery and contributes to the overall well-being of individuals undergoing detox.
Our services
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Detox
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Group Therapy
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Coaching
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Yoga Hiking Exercise
NOBODY FIGHTS ALONE
The inclusion of various therapeutic activities such as art therapy, music therapy, family therapy, in-house AA meetings, and canyon hikes suggests a holistic approach to healing that goes beyond just the physical aspects of detox.
The offer of Transcendental Meditation classes by Oscar-winning film director David Lynch’s Foundation for those staying for more than 7 days adds a unique and potentially beneficial aspect to the program. This can provide participants with additional tools for managing stress and promoting mental well-being. The emphasis on the principle “Nobody Fights Alone” and the culturally competent team who support individuals throughout their journey indicates a compassionate and understanding approach. Acknowledging the unique challenge faced by first responders, military veterans and their families further highlights the Program’s focus on addressing the specific needs of this group. At First Responders Recovery Malibu, we provide a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to detox and mental health services, with a focus on personalized care and support for individuals on their path to healing and wholeness.
Dr. Lisa Benya is an internal medicine doctor servicing the Malibu community for many years. Her caring and compassionate approach has earned her a great reputation for being one of the area’s favorite doctors. She is a board-certified physician who as an internist broadened her scope to include more serious and chronic conditions including addiction medicine. Dr. Benya has been in practice for more than 20 years and affiliated with many hospitals. Her undergraduate work began at the Boston University School of Medicine and attended Medical School at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Dr. Lisa Benya
Dr. Stephen Mohaupt, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and Fellow of American Society of Addiction Medicine (FASAM) who specializes in helping patients ages 18 and older overcome addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Dr. Mohaupt provides tele-medicine care for patients throughout California.
Dr. Mohaupt treats patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. He provides a collaborative approach to care, working with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan and medication strategy to improve their quality of life. He uses a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant platform to communicate confidentially with patients.
Dr. Stephen Mohaupt
Dr. Craig V. Smith, M.D. is a former organ transplant surgeon, who now dedicates his practice to addiction medicine. He received his M.D. degree from the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Smith then completed his general surgical residency at Harbor-UCLA medical center and his multi-organ transplant surgical fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh medical center. He returned to UCLA medical center to start his career in academic transplant surgery, performing transplants, teaching students and residents while also conducting research on transplantation for the treatment of diabetes. During his academic career as an associate professor of surgery, Dr. Smith performed more than 500 organ transplants at UCLA, UC Irvine and the City of Hope National Medical Center…
Dr. Craig V. Smith
Dr. William D. Stanley received his Doctorate of Medicine degree from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. He did his residency training at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md. He did 1 year of a Master’s program in Anatomy at the University of Maryland Baltimore City campus prior to matriculating to medical school that next year. He has worked in Internal Medicine for the majority of his professional life both inpatient and outpatient. He started Parkside Medical Assoc, PA in Trenton, NJ, employing 4 physicians. He noticed he had an interest in substance abuse and started involvement with ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) in 1998. He completed his Boards in ASAM in 2000 and, later, by ABAM (American Board of Addiction Medicine) in 2010. Since 2013 he has concentrated his time exclusively to the treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders. Prior to his joining Dr. Benya and her team in California, he was Medical Director of both an inpatient detox unit and 2 outpatient treatment programs, all located in New Jersey. He has an active license to practice medicine in both New Jersey and California.
William D. Stanley
We are proud to be accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization strives to ensure those within the healthcare system receive the highest standard in care. To receive accreditation, facilities must uphold their standards of value, quality, and optimal outcomes. By receiving this Gold Seal of Approval™, we have met or exceeded these set performance standards of care.
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Joan Borsten Vidov
CEO
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Mauricio Montealegre
CFO
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Jana Goncalves
COO
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Angela Goncalves
Director of Operations
NO ONE’S MAKING ME DO THIS BUT MYSELF
