Marijuana

With marijuana now widely accepted and legal, many people try it casually—never expecting it to become a problem. But over time, what starts as occasional use can turn into dependency, where it’s no longer about relief, but about needing it to get through the day.

In a place like Los Angeles, where marijuana is easy to access, many silently struggle with overuse. And because it's not as heavily studied as other substances, its effects on mental health and motivation can be hard to recognize. But the impact is real. At Wake Point Recovery, we help individuals understand their relationship with marijuana and take meaningful steps toward healing and lasting change.
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Cocaine

Cocaine is often seen as a party drug—glamorized in pop culture, easily accessible, and casually passed around in social settings, especially among young adults. It’s portrayed as something exciting and harmless, a way to keep the night going or to feel more confident in social situations. But behind that illusion of fun and control is a deeply dangerous and highly addictive stimulant that can take over a person’s life before they even realize it. What might begin as occasional or weekend use can quickly spiral into physical dependence and psychological obsession.

Cocaine affects the brain’s reward system, creating intense highs that are followed by extreme crashes—driving users to chase the high again and again. Over time, this cycle can lead to serious health consequences, including elevated heart rate, cardiac arrest, intense mood swings, paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations. Long-term use increases the risk of stroke, seizures, and even sudden death. In a city like Los Angeles, where cocaine is relatively easy to find and social use is often normalized.
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Opioid

Many people don’t start using opioids to get high—they’re prescribed them after surgery, an injury, or for chronic pain. But these powerful medications, like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, can quickly lead to physical and psychological dependence—even when used as directed. What begins as legitimate pain relief often turns into a daily struggle just to avoid withdrawal.

Opioid addiction has become one of the most devastating public health crises in the U.S., claiming lives every day—especially with the rise of fentanyl-laced pills and heroin. In places like Los Angeles, these drugs are more accessible than ever, and the line between prescription use and dangerous misuse can be hard to see. At Wake Point Recovery, we understand how addiction starts—and we’re here to help you break the cycle before it takes everything.
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Xanax

Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and panic attacks—
but it’s also one of the most misused. What many people don’t realize is how quickly it can become dangerous. Dependence can develop in just a few weeks, and misuse—especially when mixed with alcohol or opioids—can lead to overdose, coma, or death. In Los Angeles and across the country, Xanax is often passed around socially, used to “take the edge off” or come down from stimulants, particularly among young adults. But the line between casual use
and addiction is thin, and the consequences can be life-threatening. At Wake Point Recovery, we take benzodiazepine addiction seriously—because even a drug that starts in a prescription bottle can turn into something deadly.
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Fetanyl

Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drugs on the streets today. Just two milligrams—an amount smaller than a grain of salt—can be enough to cause a fatal overdose. Originally developed as a prescription painkiller for severe cases, fentanyl is now flooding the illicit drug market, often mixed into pills or powders without the user’s knowledge.

In Los Angeles, fentanyl is especially rampant, showing up in everything from counterfeit painkillers to party drugs, making nearly every street pill a potential death sentence. It’s fast-acting, extremely potent, and nearly impossible to detect without testing. At Wake Point Recovery, we’ve seen firsthand how fentanyl addiction devastates lives in an instant. If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait—this is a drug where one wrong dose can be your last.
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Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most socially accepted substances in the world—legal, easy to get, and woven into nearly every celebration, dinner, or night out. But behind that normality, thousands of people quietly spiral into dependence. What starts as a way to unwind after work or cope with stress can slowly become a daily need, a silent crutch that controls more than it helps.

It’s so normalized, many don’t realize there’s a problem until relationships are broken, trust is lost, or serious health issues begin to surface—like liver damage, depression, and memory loss. Alcohol doesn’t always look like addiction at first. It hides behind laughs, toasts, and “just one more.” But for many, it becomes a source of pain, isolation, and regret. At Wake Point Recovery, we understand how easy it is to lose control—and how hard it can be to face it. You don’t have to do it alone.
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Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs are often seen as safe—after all, they’re handed out by doctors, packaged in pharmacy bottles, and meant to help. But for many people, that sense of legitimacy becomes a trap. Medications like painkillers, anti-anxiety pills, or stimulants are prescribed for real reasons, but when used beyond their intended purpose or dosage, they can lead to dependence, addiction, and lasting damage.

It’s easy to think, “If a doctor gave it to me, it can’t be that bad,” and that mindset keeps countless people from recognizing the danger until it’s too late. What starts as treatment can turn into something that controls your life, damages your health, and breaks down trust with the people closest to you. At Wake Point Recovery, we know how prescription misuse can sneak up on even the most well-intentioned people—and we’re here to help you reclaim your life before the cycle goes any further.