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Beck Gee
Executive Leadership

Beck Gee

Chief Executive Officer

CADC-II, AMFT

Los Angeles has always been home, but my journey to finding myself—and my purpose—took me far beyond the city limits. I studied at the University of Montana and later at the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, but my most profound education came through my own recovery.

“Recovery isn't just about surviving. It's about thriving. It's about rewriting the story you thought was already written.”

I entered this field when I was three years sober, driven by a deep desire to help others find the hope and healing that had changed my life. Working with the LGBTQ+ community has always been my path. I know what it's like to navigate the unique challenges that come with identity, belonging, and finding a safe place to heal. I've seen how substance use and mental health struggles impact my community, and I've dedicated my life to making sure no one has to go through it alone.

What keeps me going is witnessing transformation—watching people reclaim their lives, rediscover their joy, and become more than they ever thought possible. Recovery isn't just about surviving. It's about thriving. It's about rewriting the story you thought was already written.

To stay grounded in this work, I make sure to take care of myself, too. I spend time with my partner, my dog, and my chosen family. I go to therapy, stay engaged in my own recovery, and remind myself that I can't pour from an empty cup. My mantra these days is simple: I am okay. It will be okay. It's a reminder that no matter what, I can face it—and so can the people I help every day.

If someone is thinking about coming to Breathe, I want them to know this: This is just the beginning. We see you, even if you can't see yourself clearly yet. We believe in your potential, your strength, and your ability to build a life beyond what you thought was possible. Let us be the foundation you stand on as you take that first step toward something better.

Outside of work, I find joy in the simple things—watching movies and reality TV, laughing with the people I love, and appreciating the life I get to live today. It's a life I never imagined for myself, one I only have because I was given the gift of recovery. And now, I get to help others find that gift for themselves.

And if I had to listen to one song on repeat for 24 hours? No question—it's “It's All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion. Because I love a Diva.

Articles by Beck Gee

LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+6 min read

Grindr, Hookup Culture, and Substance Use in Queer Men

Nearly 85 percent of queer men use dating apps to meet partners, and chemsex is significantly more common in this population. What's actually driving that link.

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LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+6 min read

What Happens When You Stop Using Meth After Chemsex

Stopping meth after chemsex isn't just physical withdrawal, it's losing the version of yourself that felt confident and desired. What the first weeks feel like.

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For the Family
For the Family4 min read

This Is What Toxic Codependency Looks Like

Codependency traces back to Al-Anon in 1935 and isn't limited to alcoholism. What it actually is, and the most common patterns it shows up in.

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Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction4 min read

Sex Addiction and Drug Addiction: The Connection

Sex and drugs activate the brain's reward system in strikingly similar ways. Why compulsive sexual behavior can produce the same addiction symptoms.

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Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction3 min read

The Vicious Cycle of Addiction

Addiction isn't about willpower, it's a brain that's physically changed. The eight-stage cycle from misuse to addiction, and how treatment interrupts it.

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News
News1 min read

Mackenzie Phillips Joins Breathe as Addiction Counselor

Actress and author Mackenzie Phillips, known for her own public recovery story, joins Breathe Life Healing Centers as an addiction counselor.

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Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction3 min read

5 Surprising Facts About Alcohol Withdrawal

Withdrawal can start in as little as six hours and tends to get worse with each attempt to quit. Five things about alcohol withdrawal most people don't expect.

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Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction2 min read

Is Hookah Smoking Bad for You? What the Research Says

Hookah has a reputation as safer than cigarettes. It isn't. Here's what one hookah session actually does to your lungs, heart, and risk of dependence.

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Understanding Trauma
Understanding Trauma4 min read

Abuse and C-PTSD: Understanding Complex Trauma

Complex PTSD comes from prolonged trauma like abuse or captivity, not a single event, and it's often harder to recover from than PTSD. Here's how it's different.

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News
News2 min read

Dr. Steve Karp Joins Breathe as Chief Medical Officer

Steve Karp, D.O., FACN, brings decades of experience in addiction medicine and eating disorder treatment to his new role as Breathe's CMO.

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For the Family
For the Family8 min read

How to Start the Conversation About Rehab

A practical, judgment-free framework for talking to a loved one about treatment, using the CRAFT method instead of confrontation, shame, or ultimatums.

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News
News2 min read

Breathe's New Office Location on Melrose

Breathe's outpatient offices moved to a bigger, brighter space on Melrose Avenue, built from the ground up for better check-ins, comfort, and client care.

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Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction3 min read

Nicotine Withdrawal: Symptoms and 4 Ways to Manage It

Cravings, irritability, trouble sleeping: here's what nicotine withdrawal actually feels like, and four real ways to get through it, from tapering to medication.

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For the Family
For the Family4 min read

Living With Someone Who Has OCD: A Family Guide

OCD affects the whole household, not just the person living with it. Practical guidance for family members on understanding it and building a supportive home.

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News
News1 min read

How Mackenzie Phillips Drew on Recovery for OITNB

Breathe counselor Mackenzie Phillips talks to Vanity Fair about playing an addicted character on Orange Is the New Black season 6, and what her own recovery brought to the role.

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Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction6 min read

Flight Attendant Mental Health

Long shifts, time-zone changes, and constant composure take a real toll. The warning signs of flight-crew burnout, anxiety, and substance use, and what helps.

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