We’ve all heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That is easier said than done. As most of us know from experience, life is not easy. It presents situations that can be very difficult to deal with. For some the lemonade can morph into a lemon drop martini, some form of opioid, or both.
David Longridge, formerly a highly successful auto industry executive and thrill-seeker, understood that life is the ultimate experience to be enjoyed without limitations. Unfortunately, drinking and partying turned into 3-day binges and placed him inside the dungeon of addiction.
As Longridge describes, “After swearing, I’d never do it again, I woke up in San Francisco three days later asking, ‘Where am I? Who are these people?’ Realizing my dreadful situation, I picked up the phone and called my boss to let him know why I hadn’t been to work. I was humiliated and felt I was an embarrassment to the company. I was just going to clean out my desk and resign.” Fortunately for him, the company offered to keep him on insurance and sent him to a doctor. They told him they would love to have him back if he could get a grip on his problem. The doctor sent him to a treatment center which lit the path to meaningful recovery. That was 22 years ago.
Eight years into a new life, David was approached by a group of people that wanted to start a substance abuse treatment program in Newport Beach. He used his Fortune 500 human resources and asset management training to help it run more efficiently. As a result, they asked him to become a general partner and he’s managed the day-to-day operations ever since. 14 years later, he is married with 3 kids and lives a life he never dreamed possible.
Balboa Horizons has residential facilities in the Newport Beach communities and an administration center in Costa Mesa where they offer free community education and support groups for struggling families every Thursday beginning at 6:30 pm. Their facilities are the nicest, most well-maintained buildings in their neighborhoods. Longridge explains, “We’re really good neighbors. We’ve never had complaints or issues with the cities of Costa Mesa or Newport Beach. We’re squeaky clean!”
With over 50 employees including a cadre of experts in their respective areas, Balboa Horizons is leading the way for substance abuse and mental health treatment in Southern California. Their Residential Treatment Program includes group therapy, individual counseling, psychiatry, case management, gong therapy, gym/physical exercise 4 times per week, all within a very structured schedule. The length of treatment varies depending upon the individual while emphasizing the importance of continuing care.
Longridge sums up his thoughts about Balboa this way, “I think we are absolutely one of the best at what we do. Patients can’t come in here and say that we don’t understand what they’re going through, because we’ve been through it.” Balboa Horizons is fully licensed DHCS, Joint Commissions JACHO accredited, and has been featured on Intervention, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and will be televising an opioid epidemic program on PBS Success Files in early 2019.
Longridge closes with a unique perspective, “Once you stop the madness by removing the poison, you give yourself an opportunity to become the person you were always meant to be; and the universe is sitting there waiting for you with open arms.” Now that’s a cold and refreshing glass of lemonade!
For more information about Balboa Horizons and its treatment programs, please call 949-239-7107, or go to their website at BalboaHorizons.com.
