Addressing an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications requires understanding the comprehensive resource structure available within your community.
This guide outlines addiction support services, treatment facilities, mutual aid organizations, and crisis intervention resources available to Irvine and Santa Ana residents, providing practical information for individuals seeking help and for families supporting loved ones on recovery journeys.
County-Level Treatment Infrastructure
Orange County has a robust behavioral health infrastructure serving residents throughout the region, including both Irvine and Santa Ana communities.
Orange County Health Care Agency
The Orange County Health Care Agency operates comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse services through its Behavioral Health Services division, providing treatment options spanning intensity levels from standard outpatient counseling and intensive outpatient programming through residential rehab. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, MAT (medication-assisted treatment), and family support services.
Eligibility for county-funded services typically requires Orange County residency, with priority access for pregnant women, people who inject drugs, and those involved in the criminal justice system. Sliding-scale fees based on income ensure accessibility regardless of financial circumstances. Contact the centralized intake line at (855) 625-4673 for assessment, referral, and enrollment assistance.
Community Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers throughout Orange County provide integrated primary care and behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment. These facilities serve all individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, employing sliding-scale fees to maximize accessibility.
Orange County-based health centers offer comprehensive services, including medical evaluation, addiction counseling, medication management, mental health treatment, and care coordination addressing co-occurring conditions. The integrated model proves invaluable for individuals with complex medical needs alongside substance use disorders.
Hospital-Affiliated Treatment Programs
Several hospital systems serving Irvine and Santa Ana operate specialized addiction treatment programs leveraging a comprehensive medical infrastructure.
Hoag Hospital
Hoag in Irvine provides outpatient addiction services through its behavioral health division, offering intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The hospital-affiliated model ensures access to medical specialists, psychiatric consultations, and emergency services when complications arise.
UCI Health
University of California Irvine Health operates addiction medicine services that incorporate research-informed approaches and specialized expertise. The academic medical center environment provides access to pioneering treatments, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary teams, including addiction specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and medical specialists addressing complex presentations.
Private Treatment Facilities
Many private addiction treatment centers like Wavecrest Behavioral Health serve Orange County residents, offering diverse programming philosophies, intensity levels, and specialized populations.
Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization
Multiple facilities throughout Irvine and Santa Ana provide intensive outpatient programs delivering 9 to 12 hours of structured programming weekly, and partial hospitalization programs offering up to 30 hours of comprehensive intervention weekly. These programs accommodate working professionals, students, and parents requiring substantial treatment intensity while maintaining community connections.
Private facilities typically accept commercial insurance, with many contracted as in-network providers for major insurers. Benefits verification services clarify coverage specifics, out-of-pocket costs, and prior authorization requirements before treatment initiation.
Specialized programming
Some facilities offer specialized tracks that target specific populations, including young adults, professionals, women, Spanish-speaking clients, LGBTQ+ individuals, or those with polysubstance use patterns or co-occurring mental health conditions. Specialized programming incorporates culturally responsive approaches, age-appropriate interventions, and clinical protocols that address the unique needs of these populations.
Mutual Support Organizations
Peer-based mutual aid organizations provide ongoing support complementing professional treatment while offering accessible resources for individuals not yet engaged in formal programs.
12-step fellowships
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) have extensive meeting schedules throughout Irvine and Santa Ana, with sessions occurring several times daily in many locations. Meetings vary in format, including speaker meetings, discussion groups, step studies, and specialized populations like young adults, LGBTQ+ members, or Spanish-speaking attendees. Meeting directories available at AA and NA provide databases searchable by location, day, time, and meeting characteristics. Most meetings welcome newcomers without requiring advance registration or fees, operating on a voluntary donation basis.
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon serve family members affected by loved ones’ addictions, providing education, support, and coping strategies for relatives dealing with the dynamics surrounding substance use disorders.
Alternative mutual aid models
SMART Recovery offers science-based mutual support employing cognitive behavioral and motivational approaches rather than the 12-step philosophy. Meetings focus on building motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts and behaviors, and lifestyle balance. Both in-person and online meetings accommodate diverse scheduling needs and preferences.
Refuge Recovery and Recovery Dharma provide Buddhist-informed approaches that focus on mindfulness, meditation, and spiritual principles for those seeking alternatives to traditional 12-step programming or evidence-based options like SMART Recovery.
Crisis Intervention Resources
Immediate support is vital during acute crises like overdose emergencies, severe intoxication, suicidal ideation, or overpowering cravings threatening relapse.
Emergency services
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies, such as suspected overdose, severe withdrawal symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or active suicidal behavior. Emergency departments throughout Orange County provide stabilization, medical treatment, and connections to follow-up care.
Naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist that reverses potentially fatal overdoses, is available without a prescription at most pharmacies throughout California. Family members, friends, and individuals using opioids should have access to naloxone for emergency intervention while waiting for the arrival of first responders.
Crisis Hotlines
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) operates 24/7, providing free, confidential information, treatment referrals, and support for individuals and families facing substance use disorders. Services include English and Spanish language support with translation services for additional languages.
The Orange County Crisis Assessment Team provides crisis intervention, assessment, and referrals for mental health and substance use emergencies. Mobile crisis teams can respond to locations in Irvine, Santa Ana, and throughout the county when telephone intervention is insufficient. Explore the website for more information.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) offers immediate support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, with specialized training in substance use disorder contexts and connections to local crisis resources.
Educational and Prevention Resources
Community organizations throughout OC provide education, prevention programming, and family support services.
Community-based organizations
Various nonprofits offer recovery support services, including peer mentoring, sober social activities, employment assistance, housing support, and advocacy services. These community-based resources complement clinical treatment while promoting recovery-oriented community environments.
Prevention programs targeting youth and families provide education about substance use risks, parent training for monitoring and communication, and early intervention services identifying emerging problems before they progress to severe disorders.
Accessing Resources Through Wavecrest Behavioral Health
At Wavecrest Behavioral Health in Irvine, we serve as a connection point for comprehensive Orange County addiction resources. Beyond our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization services, we maintain relationships with county programs, hospital systems, residential facilities, sober living providers, and community organizations, facilitating warm referrals when individuals require services beyond our scope of care.
Our care coordination ensures seamless transitions between treatment levels, connects clients with appropriate community resources to address practical needs, and provides ongoing support for people confronted by complex behavioral health systems.
If you need addiction resources in Irvine or Santa Ana, we will assess your situation, provide information about available options, and help you access appropriate services, whether through our programs or community partners. Get started by calling Wavecrest today at (866) 366-6178.
