Nicholas Mathews was determined to act swiftly.

With fires raging in nearby Pacific Palisades, he made the decision to evacuate his rehab facility, Summit Malibu, before the flames could reach it. Fortunately, he has another treatment center—Stillwater Addiction Treatment Center in Montecito—and was able to transfer his residents there to continue their recovery.

“We have comprehensive evacuation plans in place to ensure safety, but it’s undeniable that this disrupts the very purpose of what we aim to achieve,” Mathews states. “In any rehabilitation environment, such disturbances can induce anxiety and stress, which are exactly what we strive to avoid.”

Nonetheless, he considers it fortunate that his Malibu clients can keep working on their recovery during this crisis, unlike some other rehab centers facing greater challenges.

Malibu is widely recognized as a premier wellness destination, not just in Southern California but globally. With its serene beaches and rich landscapes, it attracts individuals seeking healing from far and wide.

Countless individuals visit Malibu specifically to recover from addiction, with the city hosting numerous rehab centers that provide a peaceful environment for achieving sobriety.

Now, as destructive wildfires encroach upon this community, many who sought refuge in Malibu for healing are facing severe disruptions.

“It’s almost like an apocalypse,” Mathews observes about the fires, comparing their impact to the Woolsey Fire in 2018, which also devastated Malibu. “The atmosphere is eerily surreal, resembling a scene from a movie or a video game set in a dystopian future. It’s frightening,” he adds.

Malibu, a hub for healing, is now facing calamity.

There are several factors that have contributed to Malibu’s reputation as a hotspot for addiction treatment.

Firstly, it is surrounded by nature, serving as a secluded haven for affluent individuals seeking treatment away from the spotlight, without traveling far from Los Angeles.

Being close to Los Angeles also provides Malibu access to some of the top mental health professionals in the nation. Mathews describes both Malibu and Southern California as being “at the forefront of advancements in behavioral health science in the country.”

“All the innovative treatments that have emerged over the years for combating addiction and mental health issues are right here within reach,” he remarks.

Mathews is acutely aware of the struggles involved in recovery, along with the significant influence that one’s surroundings have on their journey towards sobriety.

According to Mathews, Malibu provides recovering individuals “a chance to reinvent themselves and uncover what truly matters to them.”

This week, a significant fire ignited in Pacific Palisades, leading to the destruction of homes, educational institutions, and businesses. Thousands across Los Angeles have evacuated due to fires that also erupted in Hollywood, Sylmar, and Altadena. Located adjacent to the Palisades, Malibu has also suffered considerable fire damage, exacerbated by fierce winds, low humidity, and parched vegetation.

The fires not only pose a threat to the facilities, but they also undermine one of the primary objectives of Malibu’s rehab centers—to create a calm and supportive environment. Achieving sobriety is already challenging; doing so amid a disaster complicates matters further, according to Mathews.

“If you’re uprooted from your home, feelings of insecurity naturally arise,” Mathews explains. “Coupled with a population that frequently battles anxiety, depression, and lingering feelings of inadequacy stemming from substance misuse or trauma, these challenges become amplified.”

‘It’s a deeply painful situation’

When disasters occur, individuals quickly prioritize their needs based on Maslow’s hierarchy, according to psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis’s insights shared with YSL News.

Essential needs take precedence: food, water, and shelter. Once these are addressed, additional necessities, particularly those related to trauma and grief, emerge. Sarkis has noted that recovery from these effects can take many months.

It can take years for individuals who have experienced devastating events like wildfires to come to terms with their ordeal.

Mathews has spoken to many people affected by the destruction of their rehabilitation centers in Malibu. He notes that these facilities are often small and unique.

“People are saying, ‘My treatment center is gone, and that’s it. We’re finished,'” he shares. “Some have had to close their doors, leaving clients and employees without support. It’s truly heartbreaking.”

Regarding Summit Malibu, Mathews is uncertain about its current status, if anything is left at all.

Regardless, Mathews is confident that the community in Southern California will continue to support one another in times of need.

“One of the most wonderful aspects of Los Angeles is our collective response to disaster,” he explains. “Despite our many differences, when a fire strikes, we unite. Nothing else matters. We come together to help one another because we recognize that such tragedies affect everyone indiscriminately.”