What therapies are used at Alter the Course?

Alter the Course uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Group Therapy, Life Skills, Meditation & Mindfulness, Equine Therapy, Psychoeducation, Canine Therapy. Individual treatment plans are customized based on assessment findings, preferences, and co-occurring conditions.

What substances and conditions are treated?

Alter the Course treats Alcohol, Drug Addiction. Treatment protocols follow ASAM guidelines and are adjusted for each patient's medical history.

What specialized programs are available?

Alter the Course offers specialized programming for Young Adults, Adolescents, Licensed Primary Mental Health, Retreat. Specialized tracks are designed for distinct populations with unique clinical or cultural considerations.

Where is Alter the Course located?

Alter the Course is located in Sierra Madre, CA. For directions, travel planning, and airport-transfer assistance, call (833) 546-3513.

How much does treatment cost at Alter the Course?

Costs vary significantly based on the level of care, program length, and insurance coverage. Most patients pay $0–$5,000 out of pocket when insurance is applied. Call (833) 546-3513 for a free personalized cost estimate — we verify your benefits and explain all options.

Does insurance cover addiction treatment?

Yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health plans cover addiction treatment at parity with medical/surgical benefits. Coverage varies by plan type (HMO, PPO, Medicaid, Medicare). Call (833) 546-3513 for free verification.

Verified Treatment Center · Updated May 2026

Est. 2020 SAMHSA Verified

Alter the Course — Sierra Madre California

Q: What insurance does Alter the Course accept?

Alter the Course accepts 24+ insurance providers including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Bright Health, CareFirst, Carelon Behavioral Health. Coverage varies by plan type and state. Call (833) 546-3513 for free benefits verification — we check your specific coverage and out-of-pocket costs in under 2 minutes.

Q: Who does Alter the Course treat?

Alter the Course serves Adolescents, Young Adults. Eligibility depends on medical suitability, insurance coverage, and program availability. Contact admissions to discuss specific requirements for yourself or a loved one.

Sierra Madre California

Program Duration 4 day

Insurance 24 accepted

Therapies 6 methods

Talk to a licensed admissions advisor

Get Free Help — (833) 546-3513

Free & confidential
Same-day admission when possible
Insurance verified in 5 min
HIPAA-compliant
24/7 · No pressure

Main view of Alter the Course in Sierra Madre, CA

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Key Takeaways

Alter the Course is a treatment facility in Sierra Madre, CA, established in 2020.
Accepts 24 insurance providers including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield.
Uses 6 evidence-based therapies: Group Therapy, Life Skills, Meditation & Mindfulness, Equine Therapy.
Call (833) 546-3513 for free insurance verification and admission guidance (24/7).

Photos (4)

Alter the Course — photo 1, Sierra Madre

Alter the Course — photo 2, Sierra Madre

Alter the Course — photo 3, Sierra Madre

Alter the Course — photo 4, Sierra Madre

Why Choose Alter the Course

Broad Insurance Coverage

Accepts 24 insurance providers, making treatment accessible for more families.

Evidence-Based Therapies

Offers 6 proven treatment methods including Group Therapy, Life Skills, Meditation & Mindfulness.

Specialized Programs

Offers targeted programs for Young Adults, Adolescents, Licensed Primary Mental Health.

Inclusive Care

Treats Adolescents, Young Adults with programs tailored to each group's unique needs.

Quick answer

Alter the Course is a SAMHSA-verified treatment center in Sierra Madre, CA. Treatment approaches include Group Therapy, Life Skills, Meditation & Mindfulness. Programs serve Adolescents and Young Adults. Most major insurance accepted under federal parity law. Call (833) 546-3513 for free 5-minute verification.

Reviewed by RehabHive Editorial Team · Last updated Apr 29, 2026 · Sources: SAMHSA · NIDA · CDC · KFF

Verified credentials

Fact-checked against official sources — not user star ratings

Listed in SAMHSA treatment locator findtreatment.gov ↗

Accepts Medicaid

Accepts Medicare

Operating since 2020

Verified location & directions

Official website on file visit ↗

Last verified Apr 29, 2026 by the RehabHive editorial team

Medical Disclaimer: Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your specific situation.

Facility overview

About Alter the Course: Programs, Staff & Mission

Typical Length

4 day

Established

2020

Insurance Plans

24+

Therapies

This 7-day, 6-night retreat in Malibu is for 12-17 year olds and 18-25 year olds. The retreat is meant to be an intentional pause from their lives. The participants are introduced to an experiential journey where they will build life-sustaining internal coping mechanisms through the arts, film, music, writing, hiking, With a world of quick fixes for every problem, whether it be social media, substances, etc, the program is intended to inspire and ignite passion to exist within every person. The ATC Malibu Retreat house is located close to Zuma Beach where they begin each morning with meditation. The participants are able to view beautiful sunsets from the upper deck of the home. They also offer 4 day, 3 night intensive sessions for individuals who require an accelerated and individualized experience. The program addresses the unprecedented challenges young people face include COVID-19, social media pressure, anxiety and depression, campus shootings, substance misuse, cyber bullying, suicide, nicotine use, family issues, social anxiety, body image and academic pressures.

What to Expect at Alter the Course

Your path from first call to lasting recovery

Assessment

A clinical team evaluates your history, needs, and goals to build a personalized plan.

Active Care

Evidence-based therapies including Group Therapy and Life Skills, typically 4 day.

Aftercare

Ongoing support, relapse prevention planning, and connections to community resources.

Free guidance • No obligation • See sidebar to call

What Insurance Does Alter the Course Accept?

24 insurance providers accepted. Learn about insurance coverage →

Aetna

Anthem

BlueCross BlueShield

Bright Health

CareFirst

Carelon Behavioral Health

Cigna

ComPsych

GuideWell

HealthNet

HealthPartners

Highmark

Humana

ITU Funds

Intermountain Healthcare

Kaiser Permanente

MHN

Medicaid

Medicare

Optum

Oscar

Tricare

Tufts Health

United Healthcare

Not sure if your insurance covers this center?

Free, confidential verification in under 5 minutes. We check your specific benefits and out-of-pocket costs.

What Therapies and Approaches Are Used?

Evidence-based methods used at this center. Browse all types →

Group Therapy

Shared healing through peer support and group dynamics.

Life Skills

Practical skills for independent, sober daily living.

Meditation & Mindfulness

Present-moment awareness to manage cravings and stress.

Equine Therapy

Horse-assisted activities for emotional growth.

Psychoeducation

Canine Therapy

Experiential

Hands-on activities (adventure, music, art) to build coping skills.

Therapeutic Community

Who Does Alter the Course Treat?

Adolescents

Age-appropriate treatment for teens 12-17

Young Adults

Specialized programs for ages 18-25

What Conditions and Substances Are Treated?

Substances

Alcohol Drug Addiction

Conditions

Trauma Anxiety Depression Stress Suicidality Self-Harm Internet Addiction

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

Average costs vary by care level. Insurance typically covers 60-80% of treatment.

Care Level	Avg. Cost/Month	With Insurance	Duration
Medical Detox	$5,000–$10,000	$500–$3,000	3–7 days
Residential	$15,000–$30,000	$2,000–$8,000	30–90 days
PHP/IOP	$5,000–$12,000	$500–$3,000	6–12 weeks
Outpatient	$1,000–$5,000	$100–$1,000	3–12 months

Source: SAMHSA National Survey, 2024. Costs vary by location and provider. Call (833) 546-3513 for a free, personalized cost estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program at Alter the Course?

The typical program length at Alter the Course is 4 day. Actual duration varies based on individual assessment and treatment progress.

What insurance does Alter the Course accept?

Alter the Course accepts 24 insurance providers including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Bright Health, CareFirst. Call (833) 546-3513 for free insurance verification.

Who does Alter the Course treat?

Alter the Course treats Adolescents, Young Adults. Contact the facility to discuss specific eligibility requirements.

How do I start the admissions process?

Call (833) 546-3513 for a free, confidential consultation. Our specialists verify your insurance, explain options, and guide you through every step of the admission process.

Does insurance cover treatment here?

Most major insurance plans cover treatment. Call (833) 546-3513 for a free verification — we check your specific benefits and out-of-pocket costs within minutes.

What therapies are used at this center?

Alter the Course uses evidence-based approaches including Group Therapy, Life Skills, Meditation & Mindfulness, Equine Therapy, Psychoeducation. Treatment plans are personalized to each individual.

Contact Alter the Course

Free Guidance & Insurance Verification

(833) 546-3513

Address

Sierra Madre, CA, 91025

Center Phone

(888) 852-2201

Website

atcretreats.com

Languages

English

Fact-checked against SAMHSA public data

• Last reviewed: October 27, 2025 • Editorial Policy

Sources & References

This listing includes information from publicly available data and provider submissions. For authoritative resources on treatment and recovery:

SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357 — Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral service
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Research-based information on addiction science and treatment
FindTreatment.gov
Official SAMHSA treatment locator with verified facility data
NAATP
National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers — industry standards and ethics
CDC Overdose Prevention
Centers for Disease Control — overdose data, prevention, and naloxone guidance
MedlinePlus (NIH)
U.S. National Library of Medicine — patient-friendly guidance on drug use and addiction