Our Story
RDW Helpline was founded in Oakland, California, by a group of healthcare professionals and recovery advocates who recognized a critical gap in accessible, high-quality addiction treatment within the East Bay community. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation that substance use disorders inflict on individuals and families, our founders set out to build a treatment center where clinical excellence meets genuine compassion.
What began as a small residential program on International Boulevard has grown into one of Oakland's most respected addiction treatment facilities. Over the years, we have expanded our services to include medical detox, intensive outpatient programs, dual diagnosis treatment, and a comprehensive aftercare program. Throughout this growth, our commitment to individualized, patient-centered care has never wavered.
Today, RDW Helpline serves clients from across California and beyond, offering a full continuum of care in a warm, supportive environment. We are proud to be part of the Oakland community and remain dedicated to helping every person who walks through our doors find a lasting path to recovery.
Our Mission
To provide compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment that empowers individuals to achieve lasting recovery. We believe that every person deserves access to the highest standard of care, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our mission drives everything we do, from the therapies we offer to the environment we create.
Our Core Values
- Compassion — We treat every client with dignity, empathy, and unconditional respect.
- Excellence — We uphold the highest clinical standards in all of our programs and services.
- Integrity — We are transparent, ethical, and accountable in everything we do.
- Individualized Care — We tailor every treatment plan to the unique needs and goals of each client.
- Community — We foster connection, belonging, and mutual support throughout the recovery journey.
- Innovation — We continually adopt the latest research and best practices to improve outcomes.
Our Treatment Approach
At RDW Helpline, we believe that effective addiction treatment must address the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. Our integrated approach combines proven evidence-based therapies with holistic wellness practices to give every client the best possible foundation for lasting recovery.
Treatment Modalities
Our clinical team draws from a diverse range of therapeutic modalities, selecting the combination that best fits each client's unique needs:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — Identifies and reshapes negative thought patterns that drive addictive behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — Builds emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.
- Group Therapy — Provides peer support, shared learning, and a sense of community in recovery.
- Individual Counseling — One-on-one sessions that explore personal triggers, trauma, and growth strategies.
- Family Therapy — Heals family dynamics and builds a supportive home environment for sustained recovery.
- 12-Step Facilitation — Guided introduction to the principles and fellowship of 12-step recovery programs.
- Holistic Therapies — Yoga, meditation, art therapy, and mindfulness practices that nurture overall well-being.
Continuum of Care
Recovery is not a single event but a journey. Our continuum of care ensures that clients receive the right level of support at every stage:
Intake & Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation of medical, psychological, and social needs to create a personalized treatment plan.
Medical Detox
Medically supervised detoxification to safely manage withdrawal symptoms with 24/7 clinical monitoring.
Residential Treatment
Immersive inpatient programming with daily therapy sessions, group work, and wellness activities.
Outpatient Programs
Flexible intensive outpatient and standard outpatient options that allow clients to reintegrate into daily life.
Aftercare & Alumni
Ongoing support including alumni groups, relapse prevention planning, and community resources.
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary team of licensed professionals brings decades of combined experience in addiction medicine, behavioral health, and holistic wellness. Every member of our staff is united by a shared passion for helping people recover.
Leadership
Dr. Rebecca Lawson
Executive Director
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
With over 20 years of leadership in behavioral health, Dr. Lawson oversees all clinical operations and ensures every client receives personalized, effective care.
Dr. Marcus Chen
Medical Director
MD, Board-Certified Addiction Medicine
Dr. Chen leads our medical team, managing detox protocols and medication-assisted treatment with a focus on patient safety and comfort.
Angela Torres, LCSW, LCDC
Clinical Director
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
Angela directs our therapeutic programming, supervises clinical staff, and specializes in trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment.
Staff Credentials
Our treatment team includes professionals with a wide range of certifications and specializations:
- Board-Certified Physicians specializing in addiction medicine
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Certified Addiction Counselors (CAC)
- Registered Nurses (RN) with behavioral health experience
- Certified Yoga and Mindfulness Instructors
- Registered Art Therapists
Amenities & Facilities
We believe that a healing environment is essential to successful recovery. Our Oakland campus is designed to feel like a sanctuary — a place where clients can focus entirely on getting well. From private accommodations to resort-style wellness spaces, every detail has been thoughtfully planned to support comfort and restoration.
Accommodations
Clients stay in private rooms that offer a restful retreat after each day of treatment. Each room is furnished with comfortable bedding, ample natural light, and calming decor. Our living spaces are designed to promote rest, reflection, and a sense of safety throughout the recovery process.
Dining
Nutrition plays a vital role in recovery. Our in-house kitchen prepares gourmet meals three times daily, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Menus are developed with input from nutritionists and accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences, ensuring every client receives the nourishment they need to heal.
Wellness Spaces
Our campus features a fully equipped fitness center, a dedicated yoga studio, and a tranquil meditation garden where clients can practice mindfulness surrounded by nature. We also offer a swimming pool for recreation and physical therapy, a recreation room for leisure activities and social connection, an art therapy room for creative expression, and a family visiting area that provides a comfortable setting for loved ones to participate in the recovery process.
- Private Rooms with en-suite amenities
- Gourmet Meals prepared by professional chefs
- Fitness Center with modern equipment
- Yoga Studio for daily classes
- Meditation Garden for quiet reflection
- Swimming Pool for recreation and therapy
- Recreation Room for games and social activities
- Art Therapy Room for creative healing sessions
- Family Visiting Area for supportive reunions
What Our Clients Say
The stories of our alumni are the truest measure of our success. Here are a few experiences shared by individuals who found their path to recovery at RDW Helpline.
When I arrived at RDW Helpline, I had been struggling with alcohol addiction for nearly a decade. The residential treatment program gave me the structure I desperately needed, and the CBT sessions helped me understand the thought patterns that kept pulling me back. The meditation garden became my favorite place on campus — it was where I finally learned to sit with my emotions instead of running from them. I have been sober for over two years now, and I owe so much of that to the team in Oakland.
Sarah M.
Completed Residential Treatment Program
After years of opioid dependence, I was terrified of detox. The medical team at RDW Helpline made the process as comfortable as possible — Dr. Chen and the nursing staff checked on me around the clock. Once I moved into residential treatment, the group therapy sessions became a lifeline. I met people from all over the Bay Area who understood exactly what I was going through. The fitness center and swimming pool helped me reconnect with my body in ways I never expected.
James R.
Completed Medical Detox & Residential Treatment
I came to RDW Helpline for dual diagnosis treatment after struggling with both substance abuse and depression. The clinical team designed a plan that addressed both issues at the same time, and the DBT skills I learned have been invaluable. Family therapy was a turning point for my relationship with my daughter. The private rooms and gourmet meals made me feel genuinely cared for — not like a patient in an institution. I am grateful every day that I found this place in Oakland.
Linda K.
Completed Dual Diagnosis Program
The outpatient program at RDW Helpline allowed me to keep working while still getting the treatment I needed. Individual counseling sessions with my therapist were transformative, and the 12-step facilitation group connected me to a recovery community that I still rely on today. The yoga studio was where I first experienced real peace in years. If you are looking for a treatment center that truly invests in your long-term success, RDW Helpline in Oakland is the place.
David T.
Completed Intensive Outpatient Program
