Drug Detox in Los Angeles: Medically Supervised Detox at Numa

If you are looking for drug detox in Los Angeles, you are already taking the hardest step: deciding to stop. Numa Recovery Centers provides medically supervised detox in Los Angeles, with clinical staff on-site around the clock, a small community of 18 beds across three homes, and a team that includes people who know recovery from the inside. Detox at Numa clears the substance from your body safely and comfortably, then leads straight into residential treatment so the work of recovery can begin.

Below you will find what happens during detox, which substances we treat, how long a stay usually lasts, and how insurance works. If you would rather talk it through, call (888) 991-6862 any time of day. The call is confidential and there is no obligation.

What Is Medical Detox?

Medical detox is the process of clearing drugs or alcohol from the body under the supervision of physicians, nurses and clinical staff. It is not simply waiting out withdrawal. Symptoms are monitored, complications are prevented where possible, and medication is used when it is clinically appropriate to reduce discomfort and protect your safety.

For some substances, withdrawal carries real medical risk. Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines suddenly can cause seizures and other serious complications, and opioid withdrawal can lead to severe dehydration and a high risk of relapse and overdose once tolerance drops. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a boxed warning on benzodiazepines because abrupt discontinuation or rapid dose reduction can trigger life-threatening withdrawal reactions. Medical detox exists to manage these risks while your body stabilizes.

Detox is the first stage of treatment, not the whole of it. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that effective care combines medications and behavioral therapies that address withdrawal, the substance use disorder itself and related health problems. That is why detox at Numa is built to lead directly into residential care.

Who Needs Detox?

Detox is appropriate for anyone who has developed a physical dependence on a substance, meaning the body has adapted to it and produces withdrawal symptoms when use stops or is cut back. You do not need to have been using for years, or to have lost everything, to need medical detox. You need it when stopping on your own is unsafe, when past attempts without support have not worked, or when withdrawal has become too much to manage alone.

Medical detox is often the right first step if any of these apply:

• You have had withdrawal seizures or severe withdrawal episodes before
• You use opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines or stimulants daily or almost daily
• You have tried to stop several times without clinical support
• You live with anxiety, depression, PTSD or another mental health condition that can make withdrawal harder
• You have physical health concerns that need monitoring
• You use more than one substance, so withdrawal timelines may overlap

If you are unsure, our admissions team can help you think through your situation confidentially, with no pressure to commit.

Substances We Treat in Detox

Every detox plan at Numa is individual, but most people come to us for one or more of the substances below. Each has its own withdrawal pattern, and each has a dedicated page with more detail.

What Happens During Detox at Numa

1. Intake and Assessment

Every client begins with a full clinical assessment covering substance use history, physical health, mental health history and current withdrawal symptoms. That assessment shapes an individualized plan from your first night. Many people arrive having never been to treatment before. We know what that feels like, and we keep the process clear and manageable.

2. Medical Stabilization

Once you are admitted, our clinical team begins active withdrawal management. This may include FDA-approved medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, manage cravings and prevent complications, given under physician oversight. Vital signs, hydration, psychiatric symptoms and withdrawal severity are monitored closely through the acute phase. If a medical situation ever calls for a higher level of care, we coordinate a hospital transfer.

3. Rest, Nutrition and Support

Comfort matters during withdrawal. Our renovated craftsman homes offer private and semi-private rooms, chef-prepared meals, comfortable common areas, outdoor space and meditation areas. With only 18 beds across all locations, the community stays small enough that staff know your name and how you are doing today. Phones are allowed in designated areas so you can stay in touch with family while you focus on getting well. You can see the homes on our facility tour.

4. Preparing for Residential Treatment

Detox addresses physical dependence. It does not address why someone started using, the coping patterns that grew around use, or the emotional and relational side of addiction. Our team begins preparing you for residential treatment while you are still in detox, so the momentum of your decision is not lost between levels of care.

How Long Does Detox Last?

The length of detox depends on your substance use history: which substances you use, how much, for how long, and your overall health. At Numa, detox typically lasts several days to about 10 days. Short-acting substances usually resolve sooner, while long-acting ones such as methadone, or patterns involving several substances, may need more time. Your clinical team will give you a realistic estimate after your intake assessment and adjust it as you progress.

After detox, most clients step directly into residential treatment, which can last up to 90 days. When residential care is complete, our team helps arrange referrals to trusted outside providers for partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient care or sober living, depending on what you need next.

Dual Diagnosis: Treating Mental Health Alongside Detox

Substance use and mental health are closely linked. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder and ADHD commonly occur alongside drug or alcohol dependence, and for many people substance use began as a way to manage symptoms that had not been diagnosed or treated. At Numa, co-occurring disorders are assessed at intake and treated at the same time as addiction, not afterward. Conditions we regularly treat alongside substance use include:

• Major depression and persistent depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety, panic disorder and social anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• ADHD
• Borderline personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Why Choose Numa for Detox in Los Angeles

Founded by People in Recovery

Numa was built by people who have been through addiction and recovery themselves. That shapes how our staff speak to clients on day one and the culture of honesty and accountability that runs through every program.

Physician-Led Care

Our Medical Director, Dr. Ariella Morrow, MD, is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, holds a Master of Public Health, and oversees our detox protocols so they reflect current evidence-based practice.

Clinical Support Around the Clock

Withdrawal does not keep business hours. Our clinical team is on-site day and night, so if something changes at 3 a.m., someone is there.

Accredited and Licensed

Numa is accredited by The Joint Commission, licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (License 191284AP) and LegitScript certified.

Three Small, Private Homes

Our locations at 826 N Mariposa Ave, 832 N Mariposa Ave and 731 N La Brea Ave share the same clinical team and the same standard of care. The setting is private and comfortable, and clinical quality is never traded for comfort.

Insurance and Paying for Detox

Many PPO insurance plans include benefits for medically necessary detox. Numa works with many PPO plans. We do not accept HMO plans, Medi-Cal or Medicare. Self-pay options are also available for people who prefer privacy or whose coverage does not apply.

The quickest way to know what your plan covers is to verify your insurance online or call us. Our admissions team reviews your benefits and explains what your plan covers, any out-of-pocket costs and the next steps. There is no obligation, and if your coverage is limited we will tell you clearly.

How to Start Detox at Numa

1. Call or reach out. Our admissions team answers at (888) 991-6862, 24 hours a day.
2. Verify your insurance. We check your PPO benefits with no obligation.
3. Clinical assessment. A short intake conversation helps confirm the right level of care.
4. Admission. We help you plan your arrival, and your individualized treatment plan begins.

There is no pressure and no judgment. If you or someone you love is ready to stop, reaching out is enough of a first step. You can also learn more about our full treatment programs.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ariella Morrow, MD, Medical Director, Numa Recovery Centers. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, MPH.

Sources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Treatment.
• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Opiate and opioid withdrawal.
• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Alcohol withdrawal.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The ASAM Clinical Practice Guideline on Alcohol Withdrawal Management.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). National Helpline.