Malibu News
Cliffside Malibu: The Road To Recovery
By Damian Kelly
Dec 20, 2012 - 11:10:57 PM

MALIBU—All too often, individuals struggle with alcohol and drug addiction, but may not know where to seek support.  Fortunately, alcohol and drug treatment center Cliffside Malibu seeks to assist those individuals who are in need and are willing to receive help by using “The finest treatment anywhere in the world with guaranteed results.”

Founder and CEO Richard Taite. Photo courtesy of Cliffside Malibu

Founded in July 2005 by Richard Taite, Cliffside Malibu is a place that treats the whole person and not just the addiction.  According to the company’s website, what sets the facility apart from the rest is its “cutting-edge” addiction treatment philosophy which is the best you can possibly find anywhere in the world.

Upon entering Cliffside, clients begin working with top physicians who specialize in addiction medicine and psychiatry.  These physicians oversee “safe” and “comfortable” detoxification programs for clients before transitioning them to a team of therapists.

Therapists begin the next phase of the clients’ treatment by using a behavioral change theory called “The Stages of Change.”  Along with the model, integrated, holistic evidence-based treatments, one-on-one psychotherapy, physical activity and rejuvenation are used to evaluate addicts. The therapist will work with the addicts to determine their willingness to recover and make positive changes in their lives.  Based on these results, personal treatment programs are created to help the clients overcome the issues that have caused their addiction to flourish.  Throughout their treatment program, the addicts meet with the same therapist, in contrast to other facilities.  Sessions with the clients’ family are also offered.

While undergoing treatment at Cliffside Malibu, clients are treated to lavish surroundings and amenities.  On two acres of land north of Zuma Beach, a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean awaits.  After admiring the architecture and décor that allows for natural light and a sea breeze, clients will find the facility contains amenities such as a fully equipped gym, plasma TVs and wireless internet access.  Other amenities include a heated lap pool and sun deck, private rose and meditation gardens, healthy meals prepared by a professional chef and served in an informal dining room with 180-degree panoramic ocean views.  Bedroom amenities include top quality bed linens, private water closets, boutique soaps, Egyptian cotton towels and a full laundry and linen service.

A look at the resort from below. Photo courtesy of Facebook

The facility offers an addiction recovery guarantee for its programs.  If a client completes an entire program of treatment (usually 90-120 days), and then relapses, he/she may return to Cliffside for a 30-day treatment program free of charge.

While Cliffside has breathtaking views and top notch amenities, their primary purpose is to assist with the healing process, according to Taite.  Being a former addict, Taite knows how easy it is for an individual to quit a program in order to return to their addiction.  However, Taite’s Cliffside Malibu is so luxurious and supportive that it makes it difficult for an addict to do such a thing.

Taite, a native of Los Angeles and a UCLA graduate, lived the life of an addict for several years before achieving sobriety on March 3, 2003.  He opted to open a sober living facility for men after he found there was a lack of resources for people needing care to continue their sobriety.  He developed a client base from referrals he received from residential rehabilitation centers in the area that discharged clients after 28 days.  Taite found that the clients coming from these establishments were in need of treatment and aftercare. In addition, they lacked a whole body wellness program, medical monitoring from admittance to discharge and a comprehensive aftercare plan.

A look at one of the clients accommodations. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Not long after, Taite opened an 18-bed facility for men and women now known as Cliffside Malibu.  Taite chose to incorporate the “The Stages of Change” model into his facility’s treatment program due to the success he had with the theory, which was created by Drs. James Prochaska, John Norcross and Carlo DiClemente.  This successful recovery tool operates on the idea that people overcoming addiction go through a series of stages associated with mental preparedness and the ability to take on new actions.

Because the treatment at Cliffside Malibu is so successful, Taite hired a full-time addiction researcher and transformative studies scholar to help him understand exactly why this treatment protocol works when so many others fail.  Cliffside Malibu is the only rehab, to Taite’s knowledge, to have an addiction researcher on staff.  Together, Taite and Constance Scharff, PhD, wrote the book, Ending Addiction for Good.  This book provides insight into precisely why the Cliffside Malibu treatment protocol works when others fail.  The book is available from Amazon.com and all other major retailers.  All the authors’ proceeds from the book go to charity, to provide financial support to addicts in nonprofit treatment centers who would otherwise go without treatment.

Cliffside has gone on to thrive, becoming one of only 6% of treatment facilities to earn accreditation from The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. 

Those struggling with alcohol and/or drugs can feel confident receiving help from Cliffside Malibu knowing they will be provided with comfort, high quality service and attention to help them combat their addictions.

For more information about Cliffside Malibu and the services it offers, please visit www.cliffsidemalibu.com.  If you or someone you know is in need of addiction treatment help please call the 24-hour toll free hotline at (800) 501-1988.