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Addiction Information

Signs of Opioid Addiction: What Clovis Families Should Know

The opioid crisis has touched every corner of the United States, and Clovis, California, is no exception. Across the Central Valley, families are watching their loved ones struggle with opioid dependence that may have started with a legitimate prescription for pain management and spiraled into a full-blown substance use disorder. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center, our clinical team works with families from Clovis, Fresno, and throughout California who are trying to understand what is happening to someone they love. Recognizing the signs of opioid addiction early can make the difference between timely intervention and years of suffering.

Understanding Opioid Addiction in the Central Valley

Opioids include prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl, as well as illicit substances like heroin. These drugs bind to opioid receptors in the brain, producing powerful pain relief and feelings of euphoria. Over time, the brain adapts to the presence of opioids, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. This process, known as tolerance, is one of the earliest indicators that dependence may be developing.

California has been significantly impacted by the opioid epidemic. In recent years, fentanyl-related overdose deaths have surged across the state, including in Fresno County and the greater Clovis area. The accessibility of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has made the situation even more dangerous, as many individuals do not realize the substances they are using contain this extremely potent synthetic opioid. Our medical detox program at Clovis Wellness is specifically designed to address the complexities of opioid withdrawal safely and effectively.

Physical Signs of Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction manifests through a range of physical symptoms that families can learn to recognize. While any single sign may not indicate addiction on its own, a combination of these symptoms should raise concern:

• Constricted pupils (pinpoint pupils) even in dim lighting conditions
• Drowsiness or nodding off at unusual times during the day
• Slowed breathing that may become shallow or irregular
• Sudden weight loss and decreased appetite over weeks or months
• Flu-like symptoms when the substance is not available, including nausea, sweating, muscle aches, and diarrhea
• Track marks on the arms or legs if injecting substances
• Frequent itching or scratching of the skin, particularly on the face and arms

At our treatment center in Clovis, California, we frequently see patients who have been hiding these symptoms from family members for months or even years. Opioid addiction is a progressive disease, meaning that without professional treatment, symptoms will worsen over time.

Behavioral and Psychological Warning Signs

Beyond the physical symptoms, opioid addiction produces significant changes in behavior and mental health. Families in Clovis and throughout the Central Valley should watch for these behavioral red flags:

• Social withdrawal from family, friends, and activities they once enjoyed
• Doctor shopping or visiting multiple physicians to obtain prescriptions
• Financial problems that cannot be explained, missing money, or selling personal items
• Mood swings ranging from euphoria to irritability and agitation
• Secretive behavior and dishonesty about whereabouts and activities
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Possession of drug paraphernalia such as syringes, burnt spoons, or small bags

Psychological symptoms such as increased anxiety, depression, and paranoia are also common. Many individuals struggling with opioid addiction also develop co-occurring mental health conditions, which is why the dual diagnosis program at Clovis Wellness addresses both issues simultaneously through integrated treatment planning.

What to Do If You Suspect Opioid Addiction

If you recognize these signs in a family member or loved one in Clovis or the surrounding California communities, it is important to act with compassion while being direct about your concerns. Here are steps you can take:

• Educate yourself about opioid addiction as a medical condition, not a moral failing
• Choose a calm, private moment to express your concerns without judgment
• Contact a licensed treatment center like Clovis Wellness for a professional assessment
• Explore insurance coverage and treatment options before the conversation
• Consider a professional intervention if direct conversations have not been effective

At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center, our admissions team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help Clovis families navigate this process. We offer medically supervised detox with medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including Suboxone and other FDA-approved medications that reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. From detox, patients can transition into our residential treatment, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient programs depending on their clinical needs.

Opioid addiction is treatable. If you are seeing these signs in someone you love, do not wait for the situation to become a medical emergency. Call Clovis Wellness at (559) 578-9714 to speak with our admissions team about treatment options available at our facility in Clovis, California.

Recovery Tips

5 Tips for Early Recovery from Clovis Wellness Experts

The first weeks and months of sobriety are often the most challenging part of the recovery journey. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center in Clovis, California, our clinical team has guided thousands of individuals through this critical transition period. Whether you have just completed medical detox, are finishing a residential treatment program, or are beginning outpatient care, the decisions you make during early recovery will set the foundation for your long-term sobriety. Here are five evidence-based strategies that our treatment professionals recommend to patients at every stage of care.

1. Build a Structured Daily Routine

One of the most important things you can do in early recovery is establish a predictable daily routine. Addiction thrives in chaos, and the structure that was provided during residential treatment at our Clovis facility needs to be replicated in your day-to-day life. A structured routine reduces the amount of unoccupied time during which cravings and negative thinking patterns tend to intensify.

Start by setting consistent wake and sleep times. Schedule your meals, exercise, therapy appointments, support group meetings, and personal time in advance. Many of our patients at Clovis Wellness find that using a physical planner or calendar app helps them stay accountable to their schedule. During our intensive outpatient program (IOP), we work with patients to develop personalized daily schedules that balance treatment, work or school obligations, and healthy leisure activities.

Structure does not mean rigidity. Allow flexibility for spontaneous activities and rest, but always have a framework to return to when uncertainty arises. Research consistently shows that individuals who maintain structured routines during the first year of recovery have significantly better outcomes than those who do not.

2. Engage in Professional Aftercare

Completing a treatment program is an accomplishment, but it is not the end of the recovery process. Aftercare programming is essential for maintaining the progress you made during treatment at Clovis Wellness. Our center offers multiple levels of aftercare support, including step-down from residential to PHP (partial hospitalization program), PHP to IOP, and IOP to outpatient individual therapy.

Aftercare may include individual counseling sessions with a licensed therapist, group therapy, medication management for those on MAT (medication-assisted treatment), and participation in our alumni programming. The transition from intensive treatment to independent living is one of the highest-risk periods for relapse, and professional aftercare provides the safety net that early recovery requires.

If you are in the Clovis or greater Fresno area, continuing care at the same facility where you received primary treatment offers the advantage of continuity. Your therapists and counselors already understand your history, triggers, and treatment goals. This continuity of care is a cornerstone of the treatment philosophy at Clovis Wellness & Healing Center.

3. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Addiction often develops as a maladaptive coping mechanism for stress, emotional pain, trauma, or mental health conditions. In early recovery, you will encounter many of the same stressors that contributed to your substance use, and you need new tools to manage them. At our treatment center in Clovis, California, we teach patients a range of evidence-based coping strategies:

• Cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT) for identifying and challenging negative thought patterns
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills including mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation
• Physical exercise such as walking, yoga, or strength training that naturally boosts mood-regulating neurotransmitters
• Journaling to process emotions and track progress
• Meditation and breathing exercises available at our meditation garden and taught during holistic programming
• Creative expression through art, music, or other outlets

The key is to practice these techniques regularly so they become automatic responses when cravings or stressful situations arise. Do not wait for a crisis to use your coping tools. Integrate them into your daily routine from the beginning of your recovery.

4. Build a Sober Support Network

Recovery cannot happen in isolation. Surrounding yourself with supportive, sober individuals is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. This network may include fellow alumni from Clovis Wellness, members of 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in the Clovis and Fresno area, friends and family who support your recovery, and a sponsor or recovery mentor.

It is equally important to evaluate existing relationships honestly. Some friendships and social environments are directly tied to substance use, and continuing to spend time in those settings puts your recovery at serious risk. This does not mean cutting ties with everyone from your past, but it does mean setting clear boundaries and prioritizing relationships that support your sobriety.

Our family therapy program at Clovis Wellness helps repair relationships that were damaged by addiction and equips family members with the knowledge and skills to support your recovery effectively. We also connect patients with local support group meetings throughout the Central Valley.

5. Be Honest About Struggles and Seek Help Early

Relapse does not happen suddenly. It is a gradual process that begins with emotional and mental relapse long before any substance use occurs. Warning signs include romanticizing past drug or alcohol use, isolating from your support network, skipping therapy appointments, and experiencing overwhelming stress or emotional pain without reaching out for help.

If you notice these patterns developing, it is critical to be honest with your therapist, sponsor, or a trusted member of your support network. There is no shame in struggling during early recovery. In fact, acknowledging difficulty and seeking help is one of the strongest things you can do. At Clovis Wellness, our alumni and outpatient team is always available to provide additional support when patients feel their recovery is at risk.

Early recovery is difficult, but it is also the beginning of a transformed life. Every day of sobriety is a victory worth celebrating. If you or someone you love needs professional support during this critical period, contact Clovis Wellness & Healing Center at (559) 578-9714. Our treatment center in Clovis, California, is here to help at every stage of the recovery journey.

Family Support

How to Help a Loved One Struggling with Addiction in California

Watching someone you love struggle with addiction is one of the most painful experiences a family can endure. The feelings of helplessness, frustration, fear, and grief that accompany a family member's substance use disorder are overwhelming and often misunderstood by those who have not lived through it. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center in Clovis, California, we work with families across the state who are looking for guidance on how to help their loved ones find their way to treatment and recovery. This article provides practical, compassionate advice grounded in the clinical expertise of our treatment team.

Educate Yourself About Addiction as a Disease

The first and most important step is understanding that addiction is a chronic medical condition, not a choice or moral failure. The American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and every major medical organization recognizes substance use disorder as a brain disease characterized by changes in brain structure and function. These changes affect decision-making, impulse control, and the reward system, making it extraordinarily difficult for individuals to stop using substances through willpower alone.

When families in Clovis and throughout California understand this, it fundamentally changes how they approach their loved one. Instead of anger and ultimatums driven by frustration, they can offer compassion while still maintaining firm boundaries. At Clovis Wellness, our family education programs help loved ones understand the neuroscience of addiction, the stages of change, and the treatment process so they can be effective partners in recovery.

Have an Honest, Compassionate Conversation

Approaching a loved one about their substance use requires careful preparation. Choose a time when they are sober and you are calm. Avoid having this conversation during or after an incident related to their substance use, when emotions on both sides will be heightened. Use "I" statements that express your concern and observations without assigning blame:

• "I have noticed changes in your behavior that concern me, and I want you to know I care about you."
• "I am worried about your health and safety, and I want to help you explore options."
• "I love you, and I cannot watch you continue down this path without saying something."

Be prepared for denial, anger, or deflection. These are normal defense mechanisms that protect the individual from confronting the reality of their addiction. Do not take these responses personally, and do not engage in arguments. Simply restate your concern and let them know that help is available whenever they are ready.

Set Healthy Boundaries

One of the hardest lessons for families affected by addiction is learning the difference between helping and enabling. Enabling behaviors, while well-intentioned, actually make it easier for the addiction to continue. Common enabling behaviors include:

• Providing money that may be used to purchase substances
• Making excuses for their behavior to employers, friends, or other family members
• Allowing substance use in your home
• Bailing them out of legal or financial consequences
• Ignoring or minimizing the severity of the problem

Setting boundaries means clearly communicating what you will and will not accept, and then consistently following through. For example, you might say that your loved one is welcome in your home but not while under the influence, or that you will support their recovery financially but will not provide money without accountability. Boundaries protect your own well-being while creating natural consequences that may motivate your loved one to seek help.

Research Treatment Options in Advance

When your loved one is ready to accept help, you want to be prepared. Research licensed treatment centers in California, verify insurance coverage, and understand the different levels of care available. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center, we offer a full continuum of care at our facility located at 199 N Fowler Ave in Clovis, CA:

• Medical Detox: 24/7 medically supervised withdrawal management with medication-assisted treatment
• Residential Treatment: Immersive 30, 60, or 90-day inpatient programs with individual and group therapy
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Full-day structured treatment with the ability to return home in the evening
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Flexible scheduling that allows patients to maintain work or school commitments
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Integrated care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

Our admissions team can verify insurance benefits within minutes and guide you through the entire process. Having this information ready removes barriers that might delay treatment when your loved one is motivated to seek help. That window of willingness can be brief, and logistical preparedness can make the difference between entering treatment and losing the opportunity.

Take Care of Yourself

Caring for a loved one with addiction takes a tremendous toll on your own mental and physical health. Anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and chronic stress are common among family members of individuals with substance use disorders. You cannot effectively support your loved one if you are depleted and struggling yourself.

Seek your own support through family therapy, Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings in the Clovis and Fresno area, individual counseling, or support groups for family members. At Clovis Wellness, our family therapy program includes sessions designed specifically to support the healing of family members, not just the patient. We also provide education on codependency, boundary-setting, and self-care practices that sustain families through the recovery process.

Consider a Professional Intervention

If direct conversations have not been successful and your loved one is resistant to treatment, a professionally facilitated intervention may be appropriate. An intervention specialist can help your family prepare a structured, compassionate conversation that presents a clear path to treatment while outlining the consequences of continued substance use.

Clovis Wellness & Healing Center can connect families with experienced intervention professionals in the Central Valley and throughout California. The goal of an intervention is not confrontation but rather a demonstration of love and concern that motivates your loved one to accept the help they need.

If someone in your family is struggling with addiction, you do not have to face this alone. Contact the admissions team at Clovis Wellness at (559) 578-9714 for confidential guidance on treatment options and next steps. We are here for families in Clovis, California, and throughout the state, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mental Health

Understanding Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Clovis Wellness

For millions of Americans living with substance use disorders, addiction does not exist in isolation. Research consistently shows that approximately half of all individuals who experience a substance use disorder will also experience a co-occurring mental health condition at some point in their lives. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center in Clovis, California, we have built our treatment approach around this reality. Our dual diagnosis program is designed to address both conditions simultaneously, because treating one without the other leads to incomplete recovery and higher rates of relapse.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis, also referred to as co-occurring disorders, is the clinical term for the presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in the same individual. Common combinations that our treatment team at Clovis Wellness encounters include:

• Depression and alcohol use disorder: Individuals may use alcohol to self-medicate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy, creating a cycle where alcohol worsens depression and depression drives continued drinking.
• Anxiety disorders and benzodiazepine dependence: Prescription anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and Valium can be effective when used as directed but carry significant addiction potential when misused.
• PTSD and opioid addiction: Many individuals with unresolved trauma use opioids to numb emotional pain, flashbacks, and hyperarousal symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Bipolar disorder and stimulant abuse: The mood fluctuations of bipolar disorder may drive individuals to use stimulants during depressive episodes or substances to dampen manic episodes.
• ADHD and substance misuse: Untreated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a significant risk factor for developing substance use disorders, particularly stimulant and alcohol misuse.

The relationship between mental health and addiction is bidirectional. Mental health conditions can create vulnerability to substance use, and substance use can trigger or worsen mental health symptoms. This interplay is why integrated treatment is so essential.

Why Integrated Treatment Matters

Historically, mental health treatment and addiction treatment existed in separate systems. Patients were often told they needed to get sober before they could receive mental health care, or vice versa. This sequential approach produced poor outcomes because it failed to address the interconnected nature of these conditions.

At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center, we use an integrated treatment model where the same clinical team addresses both conditions within a unified treatment plan. This means that a patient receiving treatment for alcohol dependence and depression at our Clovis facility will work with therapists and psychiatrists who coordinate their care, adjusting therapeutic interventions and medications based on how both conditions are responding to treatment.

Research published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment and other peer-reviewed journals has consistently demonstrated that integrated dual diagnosis treatment produces superior outcomes compared to sequential or parallel approaches. Patients in integrated programs show greater reductions in substance use, better mental health outcomes, lower rates of hospitalization, and higher rates of treatment completion.

The Clovis Wellness Dual Diagnosis Approach

Our dual diagnosis program at Clovis Wellness incorporates multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team. Here is what patients can expect when they enter our dual diagnosis track at our treatment center on N Fowler Ave in Clovis, California:

• Comprehensive psychiatric assessment: Upon admission, every patient receives a thorough psychiatric evaluation to identify all co-occurring conditions. This assessment informs the development of a personalized treatment plan.
• Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions with licensed therapists using evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, EMDR, and motivational interviewing.
• Group therapy: Specialized dual diagnosis groups where patients explore the relationship between their mental health and substance use in a supportive peer environment.
• Psychiatric medication management: Board-certified psychiatrists prescribe and monitor medications for mental health conditions, carefully selecting options that are safe and appropriate for individuals in recovery.
• Holistic therapies: Yoga, meditation, art therapy, and physical fitness programming that support both mental health and addiction recovery.
• Family therapy: Education and therapy sessions that help families understand dual diagnosis and learn how to support recovery for both conditions.

Who Should Seek Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

If you or a loved one in the Clovis or Central Valley area are experiencing any of the following, dual diagnosis treatment may be appropriate:

• Using substances to cope with feelings of depression, anxiety, or emotional pain
• Experiencing worsening mental health symptoms despite treatment, particularly if substance use is involved
• Having been diagnosed with a mental health condition and noticing increased substance use
• Previous treatment attempts that addressed only addiction or only mental health without lasting results
• A family history of both mental health conditions and substance use disorders

A dual diagnosis does not mean a more difficult recovery. In many cases, it means a more accurate and complete understanding of the challenges an individual faces, which leads to more targeted and effective treatment. When both conditions are properly identified and treated together, patients often experience breakthroughs they never achieved in previous treatment attempts that addressed only one issue.

Getting Started with Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Clovis

If you believe that dual diagnosis treatment may be right for you or a loved one, the admissions team at Clovis Wellness & Healing Center is available 24/7 to answer your questions and complete a confidential pre-assessment. We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your benefits quickly to help you understand coverage for dual diagnosis care.

Our treatment center in Clovis, California, provides every level of care from medical detox through outpatient programming, all within an integrated dual diagnosis framework. You do not have to choose between treating your mental health and treating your addiction. At Clovis Wellness, we treat the whole person. Call (559) 578-9714 to begin.

Addiction Information

The Connection Between Trauma and Substance Use Disorders

The relationship between trauma and substance use disorders is one of the most well-documented connections in addiction medicine. Studies consistently show that individuals who have experienced traumatic events are significantly more likely to develop substance use disorders than those who have not. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center in Clovis, California, our clinical team sees this connection every day. A large percentage of patients who enter our treatment programs carry histories of trauma that directly contributed to their substance use. Understanding this connection is essential for effective treatment, and it is a cornerstone of our approach to addiction care at our facility in the Central Valley.

Defining Trauma and Its Impact on the Brain

Trauma is broadly defined as any experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope and leaves lasting psychological and physiological effects. While many people associate trauma exclusively with combat or physical violence, the clinical definition encompasses a wide range of experiences, including:

• Childhood abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, or sexual)
• Domestic violence or intimate partner abuse
• Sexual assault
• Serious accidents or natural disasters
• Sudden loss of a loved one
• Witnessing violence or death
• Community violence or living in high-crime environments
• Medical trauma, including serious illness or invasive procedures

When a person experiences trauma, the brain's stress response system is activated. The amygdala triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body for fight, flight, or freeze. In most cases, the stress response returns to baseline once the threat has passed. However, when trauma is severe, prolonged, or repeated, the stress response system can become dysregulated. The brain remains in a heightened state of alert, leading to chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulty regulating emotions.

These neurobiological changes are the foundation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. They are also the same changes that make traumatized individuals vulnerable to substance use as a coping mechanism.

The Self-Medication Hypothesis

The self-medication hypothesis, first proposed by Dr. Edward Khantzian, suggests that individuals with unresolved psychological distress use specific substances to manage specific symptoms. In the context of trauma, this theory explains why so many trauma survivors develop substance use disorders. The connection is not random. Individuals are drawn to substances that temporarily alleviate the symptoms of their trauma:

• Opioids are frequently used by trauma survivors because they produce emotional numbing and pain relief, temporarily blocking the intrusive memories, emotional distress, and physical pain associated with PTSD.
• Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety and hyperarousal, making it the most commonly used substance among trauma survivors seeking relief from chronic tension and hypervigilance.
• Benzodiazepines directly target the anxiety symptoms of trauma by enhancing GABA activity in the brain, producing rapid relief from panic, racing thoughts, and sleep disturbance.
• Stimulants may be used to counteract the emotional numbing, fatigue, and depression that often accompany trauma responses.

While these substances provide temporary symptom relief, they create a devastating cycle. Substance use prevents the brain from processing and healing from trauma, the unresolved trauma continues to drive substance use, and both conditions worsen over time. At Clovis Wellness in Clovis, California, breaking this cycle is the primary objective of our trauma-informed treatment programming.

The Statistics: Trauma and Addiction in California

The numbers paint a clear picture of how closely trauma and addiction are linked. National data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicate the following:

• Up to 75% of individuals who enter addiction treatment report histories of trauma
• People with PTSD are 2-4 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder
• Women with PTSD are 2.5 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence and 4.5 times more likely to develop drug dependence
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of substance use disorders by up to 500% for individuals with 4 or more ACEs

In California, where the population is large and diverse, these statistics translate to hundreds of thousands of individuals living with the dual burden of unresolved trauma and active addiction. In the Central Valley, including Clovis and surrounding communities, access to specialized trauma-informed treatment has historically been limited, making facilities like Clovis Wellness & Healing Center essential for the community.

Trauma-Informed Treatment at Clovis Wellness

Recognizing the pervasive impact of trauma on addiction, Clovis Wellness has adopted a trauma-informed care framework across all treatment programs. This means that every member of our staff, from the front desk to the clinical director, is trained to understand the impact of trauma and to interact with patients in ways that promote safety, trust, and empowerment. Our specific trauma-focused interventions include:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): An evidence-based therapy that helps patients process traumatic memories in a safe, controlled clinical environment, reducing their emotional charge and disrupting the trauma-addiction cycle.
• Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): A structured therapeutic approach that helps patients identify and modify trauma-related thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate substance use.
• Seeking Safety: A present-focused therapy model designed specifically for individuals with co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders, emphasizing coping skills and safety.
• Somatic experiencing and body-based therapies: Yoga, mindfulness, and other body-based practices that address the physiological impacts of trauma stored in the nervous system.
• Group therapy for trauma survivors: Peer-supported group sessions where patients share experiences and build connection with others who understand the intersection of trauma and addiction.

Healing Is Possible

If you are living with the weight of unresolved trauma and struggling with substance use, you are not alone, and your experiences are not a sign of weakness. The connection between trauma and addiction is a medical reality that requires professional treatment, not willpower. At Clovis Wellness & Healing Center, our treatment team in Clovis, California, has the clinical expertise and the compassion to help you address both the trauma and the addiction so you can build a foundation for lasting recovery.

You do not have to keep carrying this burden alone. Call Clovis Wellness at (559) 578-9714 to speak with our admissions team. We serve individuals and families from Clovis, Fresno, and throughout California. Our facility at 199 N Fowler Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 is ready to welcome you whenever you are ready to begin the healing process.