Personalized SUD Care & Counseling
Palm Avenue Detox provides clinically managed detox in San Mateo County for adults withdrawing from alcohol and other drugs, including co-occurring mental health needs. We welcome men, women, trans and non-binary adults. We’re part of Horizon Treatment Services, a nonprofit serving the Bay Area since 1976.
Before admission, you’re screened for safety and medical necessity so we can plan the right care for you. During your stay, SUD counselors, case managers, and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) check your vital signs and other risk factors regularly. If you meet medical necessity, our Nurse Practitioner can provide medical clearance and prescribe withdrawal medications by telehealth.
Our program offers a safe, supportive setting for people withdrawing from alcohol and other drugs. We also connect you to recovery services across San Mateo County and neighboring communities.
Commercial insurance accepted. No-cost options may be available for eligible residents.
Palm Avenue Detox is licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), License #410003AN.
Horizon Treatment Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has worked alongside Bay Area counties since 1976.
We serve men, women, trans and non-binary adults, and we treat every person with dignity.
We support people with substance use and co-occurring behavioral health conditions and plan next steps with both in mind.
Medical direction from John R. Knox, MD, an addiction psychiatrist.
You can start the admission process 24 hours a day, whenever you're ready to call.
License #410003AN, Expires 02/29/2028
SUD Recovery Treatment Facilities
Probationary License Status – DHCS
Detox helps you get through withdrawal safely, and treatment after detox helps you build skills and support for recovery. Before discharge, we work with you on a referral to the level of care that fits your needs.
Main goal | Safe, monitored withdrawal | Structured daily treatment | Ongoing treatment while living at home |
Setting | Live-in, short stay | Live-in | Scheduled sessions |
Often a fit if | You’re withdrawing and need monitoring | You need 24-hour structure after detox | You need to keep up with work, school, or family |
Typical length | Five days or longer at Palm Avenue, based on medical necessity | Based on clinical need | Based on clinical need |
How to start | Call (650) 513-6500 | Planned with us before discharge | Planned with us before discharge |
Call the Palm Avenue team at (650) 513-6500. Admissions are open 24 hours a day, and we'll screen you for safety and medical necessity. If you're withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Valium), you'll need medical clearance from an emergency department before admission.
Yes. Palm Avenue Detox accepts Medi-Cal, and no-cost options may be available for eligible San Mateo County residents. If you're unsure about coverage or eligibility, call us and we'll help you understand your options before admission, without judgment.
The average stay is typically five days or longer, depending on medical necessity. Your length of stay depends on the substances involved, your health history, and how withdrawal progresses. Our team reviews your progress during your stay and plans your next step with you.
Yes, if you meet medical necessity. Our Nurse Practitioner can provide medical clearance and prescribe withdrawal medications by telehealth, Monday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. When you call, share every medication you currently take so we can plan safely.
We serve men, women, trans and non-binary adults withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs, including people with co-occurring behavioral health conditions. Everyone is screened for medical necessity and safety first, so we can confirm Palm Avenue is the right level of care for you.
Withdrawal without supervision can be risky, especially after heavy or long-term use. In a monitored setting, staff check your vital signs and can respond if symptoms change. If you're unsure what's safe for you, call us to talk it through, and for a medical emergency, call 911.
Detox is often the first step in recovery. Before you leave, we help you plan your next level of care, such as residential or outpatient treatment, so you have support in place after discharge. You don't have to figure out the next step alone.
Family visits aren't available during withdrawal management (detox). Clients who continue into residential treatment at Palm Avenue may have pre-approved family visits on Sundays, and short outside visits are sometimes approved case by case. Program managers approve every visitor, and visitors must be sober and supportive of the client's recovery.
When you’re ready, we’re here. Call the Palm Avenue team to talk through safety screening, eligibility, and admission. You are not alone, and there is no judgment here.
Palm Avenue Detox, Horizon Treatment Services 2251 Palm Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: (650) 513-6500
Horizon main line: (510) 582-2100
Palm Avenue Detox is in the city of San Mateo and serves adults across San Mateo County.
The information on this page is for educational purposes and doesn’t replace professional medical advice. If you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.
Medically Reviewed By
Medical Director - Cronin House, Alameda County | Palm Avenue Detox, San Mateo County, MD
Last reviewed: October 2026
Dr. John R. Knox is a board-certified general psychiatrist and addiction psychiatrist serving as Medical Director at Cronin House and Palm Avenue Detox. He provides clinical leadership for the treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, with an emphasis on effective stabilization,…
MD
