Awakening Recovery - A Non-Profit Structured Recovery Home in West La

02/20/2026

This comprehensive study validates what has also been our experience at Awakening Recovery with our residents and alumni support community where not only is substance addiction a brain disease as the NIH (National Institute of Health) describes it, but a three-fold disease that involves the mind, body and spirit, and that all three areas need to be addressed concurrently to find sustainable recovery.

If you need help reach out to us today!

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/spiritual-practices-strongly-associated-with-reduced-risk-for-hazardous-alcohol-and-drug-use/

"In quantifying the significant association of spirituality and protective effects on harmful or hazardous AOD use, this meta-analysis underscores the holistic potential of addressing spirituality, for those desiring to do so, as part of prevention and recovery."

"Results from the 55 studies, which collectively included 540 712 participants, documented a significant protective association related to both prevention and recovery between spirituality and AOD use outcomes."

Spirituality—religious or otherwise—may be protective against substance misuse, according to a new Harvard Chan School study.

02/09/2026

We are not surprised by this: "Each year, nearly 2.8 million people in the United States suffer from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which causes severe vomiting and stomach pain. More people have also ended up in hospitals with ma*****na-linked paranoia and chronic psychotic disorders. Bystanders have also been hurt, including by people driving under the influence of pot."

Many of our residents come to us with co-occurring ma*****na addiction or with ma*****na as their drug of choice. It is a potent drug with high addiction potential just like the other illicit drugs for which our residents come to us seeking a long term sustainable recovery solution.

Given the growing harms from ma*****na use, American lawmakers should do more to regulate it.

02/09/2026

What a beautiful symbol of gratitude and hope to celebrate our graduate Rachael’s 3 years of sobriety on Saturday with the cake presented to her by her son and fellow AR graduate Tyler as we also celebrate the 3 year anniversary this month of our Women’s House!🩷🙏 - “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I could or would have 3 years of sobriety. 3 years ago I was a hopeless Fentanyl addict staring death in the face. Today because of Awakening Recovery & this amazing community I am a leader & can share the message to other addicts & show them that recovery is possible & achievable. I am now living a life beyond my wildest dreams & Awakening Recovery & God gave that to me. I am beyond grateful & blessed” - Rachael / Graduate

02/04/2026

This month marks the 3 year anniversary of our Women’s House and we can’t think of a better way to start the celebration than to congratulate our founding Sr. House Mgr. Aida on her 11 years sober! - “In my 11 years of sobriety I have received so many blessings. One of which is managing the Women’s House. Guiding the women towards long term sobriety has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I feel loved and supported by the community here at Awakening Recovery and it will always be a part of my heart.“

02/04/2026

Our graduate Marlin turned 7 years sober at the end of the year! Please help us congratulate him. - “I’m extremely grateful for the path that Awakening Recovery led me down to be able to create the life I have today. Through working the 12-Steps and trusting in the process I am able to have a full life. I’m able to show up and be there for others today, it’s not about me anymore. It’s about what I can contribute to this world now. 7 years, what a ride it’s been thus far, and it’s only just beginning.“ - Marlin / Graduate

02/03/2026

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/CDPH%20Document%20Library/FDB/FoodSafetyProgram/KratomLetterTobaccoRetailers.pdf

This CDPH (California Departent of Public Health) letter is a step in the right direction to stem the tide of Kratom in CA.

This CDPH letter last month states in part, "Any product sold at your store containing kratom or 7-OH is considered adulterated and illegal to sell to individuals of any age for consumption. CDPH has statewide authority to embargo, seize and impound products containing kratom per HSC §§ 110555. CDPH will continue to take action to remove products or raw materials containing kratom or 7OH.

Kratom and 7-OH products vary widely in potency, which increases the risk of unexpected effects and contamination. Therefore, CDPH is warning the public that foods and other products containing kratom and 7-OH are illegal to sell or manufacture for consumption and may result in addiction, serious harm, overdose, and death."

We see the use of Kratom and its analogs often as a bridge to more powerful opioids as a part of the drug use history of our new residents. If you need help finding an abstinence based sustainable solution to your chronic and acute substance addition we have a dynamic and lifesaving recovery housing solution, especially for those with no resources.

01/28/2026

Big congratulations to our Women’s House assistant manager and graduate Lauren for celebrating 3 years sober! - “It’s is truly a miracle that I have made it to 3 years sober. I came in so hopeless, no direction, and no idea how to be an adult. I’m so grateful for my higher power and Awakening Recovery for helping me build a life today that I never thought I could, teaching me a new way of living. The love and support in this community is priceless.” - Lauren P./ Graduate

01/27/2026

Our co-founding Executive Director David Vandervelde participated in the LA County Homeless Count last Thursday beginning at Westwood Presbyterian Church. It was held in a space our residents regularly attend a 12-Step meeting.

The Count is vital to LA County providing funding to organizations like Awakening Recovery to better understand how many unhoused exist in our area and what their needs are, including the underserved need for public funding for unhoused needing publicly funded Recovery Housing. Only 7 in 100 of unhoused in LA County who also identify as having a Substance Use Disorder currently have access to publicly funded Recovery Housing, so our mission that includes helping those without resources find sustainable recovery from chronic and acute substance addiction through our dynamic recovery housing solution has never been more needed.

David joined our La County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath at the Count on Thursday night where she passionately spoke about finding a better solution for the unhoused in La County. We are grateful for Lindsey Horvath and her team for holistically implementing a solution for the unhoused and especially for her and her team's ongoing support of our life saving mission.

01/27/2026

Ryan graduated over the Holidays, so please help us congratulate him! - “I am so blessed to be a graduate of Awakening Recovery. I came into this house a shell of a man with no sense of a Higher Power. Thanks to this house and the amazing men within this community I have developed the tools to live a happy joyous and free life. I am incredibly grateful to have a Higher Power in my life today and excited to give back to the house what has been freely given to me.” - Ryan L. / Graduate

01/27/2026

Help us congratulate one of our recent graduates Brittany! We are grateful to have her join our alumni support community. - “I graduated in December from Awakening Recovery and walked out the front door that I came through on 10/24/24. I was able to join 6 other amazing ladies and be the 7th graduate.

Awakening Recovery is a structured sober living, with a process unlike anything I’ve done before, in my many years of trying to get sober. It was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done but it was worth the many hard moments and I’m so glad I didn’t give up this gift or give up on myself.

I feel completely transformed into someone I barely recognize. I have a level of contentment I didn’t know was possible. I have a deep sense of spirituality and I have emotional and mental freedom. And none of that was achieved without a team of graduates, staff and my peers that supported me and loved me every step of the way.

I look forward to what the future holds and I am excited to give back what was freely given to me. I have a deep sense of knowing that everything is going to be okay and that I don’t have to view life as such a challenge to endure. No matter what life brings, I know that reaching out to my community, being in gratitude and being of service to someone else are the ingredients I need to pull through.

Thank you to everyone that supported me along the way at Awakening and in the rest of my sober community! I feel so blessed. ” - Brittany / Graduate

01/26/2026

We had many grads celebrate sober birthdays over the Holidays, and Julius turning 5 years sober was another beautiful milestone for which we are grateful! - “Today I celebrate 5 years sober. I’m humbled by how far I’ve come and grateful for the grace that carried me here. Choosing not to compromise my sobriety — and keeping a sober, clear mind first — has opened doors I never thought possible. I’m thankful for the strength placed in me each day, and I pray to keep growing, one day at a time. - Julius / Graduate

01/25/2026

Over the Holidays our graduate Jack celebrated 5 years sober! - “Forever grateful for another year of sobriety and for Awakening Recovery. This year I’ve truly began to notice how full my life has become. From relationships with my community, family, friends, and loved ones to an exciting new career and the opportunities that come along with that. This year has had its challenges but the amount of peace and joy I have on a daily basis is unmatched. These are feelings I doubted I would ever feel without drugs and alcohol. I owe it all to a God of my own understanding, the 12-Steps, and Awakening Recovery who thrust me into this new way of living. I can say with conviction that I have an open heart today and truly have a life beyond my wildest dreams.” - Jack / Graduate