Dual-Diagnosis Treatment

Grief, Loss & Substance Abuse Treatment in California

Compassionate treatment for substance use disorder driven by grief and loss at Keystone Health Group in Los Angeles.

Grief and loss are among the most powerful triggers for substance use — and for relapse in people who have previously achieved sobriety. The loss of a loved one, a relationship, a career, or a sense of identity can drive people to use substances to numb the pain of grief. At Keystone Health Group, our clinical team provides compassionate, trauma-informed treatment for substance use disorder that has been triggered or worsened by grief and loss.

Complicated Grief and Addiction

While grief is a normal human response to loss, complicated grief (also called prolonged grief disorder) is a persistent, debilitating form of grief that does not follow the typical trajectory of healing. Complicated grief significantly increases the risk of substance use disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation. Our clinical team assesses for complicated grief and provides evidence-based treatment.

Types of Loss We Address

We address substance use disorder triggered by all types of loss: bereavement (death of a loved one), relationship loss (divorce, separation), loss of health or physical ability, loss of career or financial security, loss of identity, and the grief associated with addiction itself — the loss of years, relationships, and opportunities to active addiction.

Grief-Focused Therapy

Our therapists use evidence-based grief-focused therapies including complicated grief treatment (CGT), EMDR for traumatic loss, and narrative therapy to help clients process loss in a healthy way — without substances.

Signs & Symptoms of Addiction

Substance use beginning or escalating after a significant loss

Using substances to numb grief

Inability to process or accept a loss

Prolonged grief lasting more than a year

Social withdrawal after a loss

Suicidal ideation in the context of grief

Neglecting responsibilities after a loss

Anger and guilt related to loss

Our Treatment Approach

Complicated grief treatment (CGT)

EMDR for traumatic loss

Narrative therapy

CBT for grief and addiction

Group therapy with peers who have experienced loss

Psychiatric evaluation for grief-related depression

Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment planning

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to use substances to cope with grief?

Substance use as a grief coping mechanism is common but not healthy. It delays the natural grieving process and can rapidly escalate to addiction. Our clinical team helps clients develop healthier coping strategies.

Can I get treatment if my addiction started after a loss?

Yes. Our team approaches grief-driven addiction with compassion and without judgment, providing integrated treatment that addresses both the addiction and the underlying grief.

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