Cornerstone of Southern California

ABOUT CORNERSTONE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., Cornerstone of Southern California offers treatment for adults struggling with substance abuse. Services, focusing on relapse prevention, include residential care, intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), medication-assisted treatment, sober living, and aftercare**.

Cornerstone is one of the state's 200 (14 percent) non-hospital treatment centers to offer medically-supervised detox onsite. Additionally, specialized programming is available for clients facing legal obligations. This facility is family-owned and -operated and takes pride in providing family programming and flexibility in its continuum of treatment services. In addition to the Santa Ana center, Cornerstone operates facilities in Orange and Tustin.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Detoxification services, overseen by the facility's medical staff, are available as a standalone service or as the beginning of a series of treatment programs at Cornerstone. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) utilizes Vivitrol injections, placing the center among the 19.1 percent of California facilities to administer Vivitrol.

While the facility does not provide on-site dual diagnosis treatment, clients needing concurrent care for mental health or physical disorders receive referrals to independent, local providers.

Residential rehab programming follows a social model, integrating 12-step concepts and peer accountability with cognitive behavioral and creative arts therapies. Attendance at a weekly family night is required, along with random drug testing.

Both standard outpatient and intensive outpatient care are available as step-down or standalone treatment options. Clients who wish to receive ongoing support as they re-enter their everyday lives may opt to reside at one of Cornerstone’s sober living homes. The center also offers free continuing care to all individuals who successfully complete a treatment program.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

Cornerstone’s staff is comprised of over 70 employees, with a 1:1.2 staff-to-client ratio, according to the facility. Members of the clinical team include the founding physician, who is board-certified in addiction medicine, a Ph.D. level psychologist, certified alcohol and drug counselors, a yoga instructor, and a master's level, and certified music therapist. One staff leader is a military veteran and many team members are in recovery.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Residential clients stay in home-like facilities in neighborhoods described by Cornerstone's website as "upscale." A total of 24 beds are available for detox treatment, and the organization accommodate up to 120 individuals, placing six residents per house in the program. Some private rooms are available, and residents take care of some household chores. All clients have access to a nearby Gold’s Gym that offers exercise equipment, group fitness classes, and a swimming pool.

In addition to the gym four times a week, supervised outings include boating in Newport Beach, movies, and casual social games such as miniature golf. No smoking or use of personal electronic devices or phones is permitted, although Wi-Fi and TVs are available in each facility. Family visitation is arranged through individual case managers. Cornerstone also has a no-sugar and no-caffeine policy at its most intensive levels of treatment.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The five alumni polled by Rehabs.com to date offered mostly positive opinions concerning the facility, although one individual reported they would not recommend the facility. They described the staff as disrespectful and the organization as inappropriately financially motivated.

However, alum D.M. awarded perfect five-star ratings to staff level of experience and training, the available counseling options, and the center's exercise and leisure activities. "Ability to cater to each individuals needs. Also, a good balance of behavioral modification and counseling," D.M. wrote. H.C.B. echoed this sentiment, writing, "Detox is great, classes and information was very helpful," and awarding four stars for most surveyed metrics, including its level of family participation and discharge planning. Both former clients agreed that the facility was worth its cost.

Another alum, A.M.S., appreciated that many of the counselors had personal experience in recovery, and P.R.P. expressed gratitude for the tools they received. While one anonymous reviewer reported that they did not maintain sobriety after a too-short of stay at Cornerstone, they did feel that the program contributed to "a progressive change."

Google reviewers offered more mixed perspectives, indicated by an average rating of 3.5 out of five stars from 47 individuals.^[1] Repeated complaints included the program's strictness and over-reliance on medication, financial dealings* and insufficient support for dually diagnosed addiction and mental health disorders. Praise centered on the caring staff, effective treatment, and the usefulness of educational sessions. Feedback on Yelp was largely positive as of this writing, where 77 users awarded an average rating of four out of five stars.^[2]

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

The two loved ones polled by Rehabs.com to date shared negative experiences with the facility. One parent suggested that her daughter was removed from treatment too early, and another loved one describe the staff as "rude" and only focused on money.

About half a dozen Google reviews were submitted by friends and family members, with only one highly critical opinion. The negative review concurred with alumni reports of too much emphasis on medication and the expensive fees. In contrast, other family members highly recommended Cornerstone. Lynda praised the facility's strict program, cost, and effectiveness. Three reviewers highlighted the quality of family treatment.

WHAT STAFF SAY

T.S., one of three staff members polled by Rehabs.com to date, offered their wholehearted recommendation of Cornerstone. They highlighted the center's "caring and patient staff" and its 30-year history of treating substance abuse. Former employee C.P. left no written feedback, but awarded high ratings for staff experience and treatment of clients. Contrastingly, former staffer D.P. indicated that the staff had changed and that the center's good reputation is now outdated.

FINANCING

Cornerstone is in-network with more than 20 insurance policies, including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Multiplan, and Magellan.

^[1] GoogleReviews
^[2] https://www.yelp.com/biz/cornerstone-of-southern-california-santa-ana-2