The Current State of Addiction Treatment

Inside the Science of Healing: How Luxury Detox and Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Transform Recovery

By Dr. Marisa Sisk,

In recent years, the conversation around addiction recovery has shifted from crisis management to comprehensive healing. No longer is treatment simply about abstinence—it’s about restoring balance to the mind, body, and nervous system. At Refine Recovery in Beverly Hills, that philosophy defines every element of care.

As a physician specializing in addiction medicine, I’ve seen first-hand that successful detoxification isn’t just about eliminating substances from the body—it’s about rebuilding the neurochemical stability that addiction disrupts. Modern medical detox, when combined with dual-diagnosis treatment, represents one of the most significant advances in the field of behavioral health.

Detoxification is the first and most physically demanding stage of recovery. The process is not only uncomfortable—it can be dangerous without proper medical supervision.

Why Medical Detox Matters

At Refine Recovery, detox protocols are medically monitored 24/7, meaning vital signs, hydration levels, and withdrawal symptoms are tracked in real time. This is crucial when treating substances such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, or opioids, which can trigger severe or even life-threatening withdrawal effects.

Evidence-based detox interventions include:

Benzodiazepine tapers to prevent seizure activity

Medication-assisted therapies (MAT) such as Suboxone® or Vivitrol® to reduce cravings

IV hydration and nutrient restoration to stabilize metabolic function

Sleep and mood regulation via non-addictive pharmacologic support

The goal is to help patients achieve physical stabilization with as little discomfort as possible, laying the foundation for deeper psychological work.

The Importance of Treating Both: Addiction and Mental Health

A staggering percentage of individuals entering detox also meet the criteria for a co-occurring mental health disorder—what clinicians refer to as dual diagnosis. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related disorders often coexist with substance use.

Failing to treat both conditions simultaneously increases the risk of relapse. That’s why dual-diagnosis treatment integrates psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and medication management into the detox process itself.

At Refine Recovery, our clinical team includes board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed therapists who collaborate daily. Each patient receives a customized care plan that addresses both the neurobiology of addiction and the underlying emotional dysregulation driving it.

The result? A level of personalization that reflects not only the science but also the humanity behind recovery.

Luxury as a Therapeutic Element

While the term “luxury rehab” is often misunderstood, its true purpose is clinical: to remove environmental stressors so the nervous system can downregulate and heal.

A private detox environment—quiet, safe, and aesthetically calming—lowers cortisol levels and facilitates parasympathetic activation, the body’s natural “rest-and-repair” mode. In practical terms, this means:

Private rooms with 24-hour nursing supervision

Chef-prepared meals optimized for detox nutrition

Mindfulness and movement programs like yoga and guided meditation

Holistic therapy including massage, red light therapy, and art therapy

Patients repeatedly report that the peaceful, supportive setting helps them “finally exhale.” The science supports it—environmental serenity directly improves sleep quality, blood pressure regulation, and emotional resilience during early recovery.

This is why Refine Recovery’s setting in Beverly Hills isn’t just luxurious—it’s evidence-based.

Bridging Science and Compassion

Every patient’s detox experience is unique, but the unifying thread is compassion. Medicine alone cannot heal addiction; empathy and trust must accompany it.

When the body begins to detoxify, the limbic system—the emotional control center of the brain—can produce heightened anxiety, irritability, and fear. Skilled medical and therapeutic teams mitigate these reactions through real-time reassurance, psychological support, and personalized care adjustments.

Patients often describe this as the first time they’ve felt “truly seen” in their recovery journey. This intersection of science and compassion is where sustainable healing begins.

Evidence-Based Therapy and the Next Step After Detox

Detox is only step one. Without transitioning into structured therapy and relapse prevention, detox alone has a low success rate.

That’s why Refine Recovery integrates detox with evidence-based psychotherapies, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for thought restructuring

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma resolution

Motivational Interviewing (MI) to reinforce internal motivation

These therapies rewire maladaptive neural pathways formed during addiction, helping patients establish new coping mechanisms for stress, relationships, and daily living.

Long-Term Healing and the Refine Philosophy

Recovery does not end when detox is complete. The brain requires time to restore dopamine receptor sensitivity, regulate hormonal rhythms, and reestablish healthy sleep cycles.

That’s why a continuum of care—from detox to residential to outpatient—is essential. At Refine Recovery, the focus is on progressive stabilization rather than rapid discharge.

Each patient leaves not just medically clear, but emotionally grounded and equipped with tools for continued recovery. This continuity drastically improves long-term sobriety outcomes.

Redefining Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles

Refine Recovery is part of a new generation of luxury rehabs in Los Angeles combining clinical precision with holistic wellness. The program’s integrated approach—medical detox, dual diagnosis, and personalized therapy—creates a gold standard for what modern addiction treatment can and should be.

Addiction is not a moral failure; it’s a complex neurobiological condition that responds best to evidence-based medicine delivered with compassion.

As a physician, I’ve watched lives transform when science meets empathy, when structure meets serenity, and when patients realize that recovery is not punishment—it’s restoration.

About the Author

Dr. Marisa Sisk, M.D. is a board-certified addiction medicine physician and clinical advisor at Refine Recovery http://www.refinerecovery.com

, a luxury detox and dual-diagnosis treatment center based in Beverly Hills, California. Her work focuses on integrating neuroscience, holistic care, and trauma-informed medicine to advance the standard of addiction treatment.