We believe in treating the client during the entire process of recovery.
‘No matter what’ is the foundation we seek to instill in the clients we treat.
As part of the human experience, life presents great joy and great obstacles. When we are living in despair and fear, some people turn to drugs, alcohol, or some other unhealthy behavior that leads us to a pattern where we feel like we’re circling the drain.
Whatever you are dealing with, you never have to use drugs or alcohol again. No. Matter. What.
No Matter What Recovery is your lifeline to wellness. In addition to providing education on healthy boundaries and communication in our everyday lives, we also treat the physical body with its ailments as holistically as we can.
We believe in reestablishing the way our clients handle life in the journey beyond treatment. Giving them a foundation that “we don’t drink or use, no matter what.”
We provide our clients with a plan for success, including aftercare and introducing them to a sponsor or recovery coach, as well as keeping them involved in the “No Matter What” community.
We can recover alone if we choose, but as addicts, we thrive in unity. We can’t do this alone.
We want this to be your last stop. You don’t have to ever drink or use again. We offer the hand of guidance and a way out; all you have to do is be willing.
If you are willing, we’ve got you the entire way. Every life is important. Every person matters. Every person is worthy of a life of love and happiness.
We give you the tools to help heal your body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Welcome to No Matter What Recovery!
Paulo Anthony Grayson is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and now calls Los Angeles his home.
In addition to being the Chief Executive Officer of No Matter What Recovery, Paulo works as a sober companion and is part of a team that conducts interventions with a focus on adolescents. Paulo has years of experience managing operations, client care, and crisis intervention and management in the sober living, detox, residential, and treatment space. Furthering his career, Paulo is currently working on his Bachelors in Behavioral Health with an emphasis on trauma at Grand Canyon University.
Paulo understands the importance of consistency and patience in the early stages of behavioral health treatment, whether that is a focus on mental health challenges or substance dependency. Helping others is his passion, and he strives to make recovery for every client as impactful as possible while helping to instill healthy habits in an affirming, safe, and caring environment.
Paulo has eight years sober and is active in the Los Angeles recovery community: he serves as the entertainment chair on the Los Angeles Crystal Meth Anonymous Convention committee, as well as holds several service positions in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA).
Recognizing the need to be of service in other areas of his life, Paulo rides on a sober cycling team called the ‘Trudging Buddies.’ This group participates in the AIDS LifeCycle — a 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. No MatterWhat Recovery is also a proud sponsor of the Trudging Buddies and Aids Life Cycle. Additionally, Paulo is also involved in Best in Drag Show which is a fundraising initiaive for The Alliance for Housing and Healing which raises funds for Aids Project Los Angeles. This initiative allocates funding for the unhoused in Los Angeles who have an HIV or AIDS diagniosis.
Paulo and his husband, Anthony, have three fur babies — Nando, Decatur, and Jazz. Through sobriety, Paulo has had the gift of repairing his relationship with his family and loves to visit them in New Orleans as often as possible.
In his free time, Paulo enjoys anything athletic or fitness-related, traveling, spending time with his friends, dining out, cooking at home, and binge-watching his favorite television shows.
Paulo and Anthony, along with their team, have created a program that offers affirming and inclusive treatment for people that identify as part of the LGBTQ community, and The No Matter What Recovery culture which creates a safe space for queer individuals and allies to have a safe place to start the healing process.
Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer
Anthony is the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of No Matter What Recovery, and in this role oversees directors and managers in the day-to-day operations of the treatment center.
Following his graduation from the University of Arizona, Anthony launched a career as a television news reporter, working in Tampa, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix. His focus was covering live breaking news and news of the day, oftentimes reporting on government and political races. He left TV news in 2008, and started working in Public Relations and community outreach, as well as published a highly acclaimed blog on the newly-built Phoenix light rail and his car-free experience. During this moment, he found his passion and voice in being a cheerleader for our local communities.
Following his time in Phoenix, Anthony returned back home to Los Angeles and worked in city government, where he had a front row seat to some of LA’s historic events and neighborhood improvements. In his role, Anthony’s focus was serving as the LGBTQ+ liaison for the council offices he represented. A personal highlight for him: working alongside transgender community leaders to implement a Midnight Stroll along Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, conducting outreach and providing resources to sex workers and unhoused individuals in need of services. The program was so successful that it expanded to other areas of the city.
Throughout his entire career, Anthony has had the honor and privilege of sharing the stories that shape our communities and country. This provided him with a unique perspective, positive outlook, and deep understanding of the people, places, and culture that contribute to the colorful fabric of our lives.
Anthony has several years sober, and enjoys his service commitments in the recovery community. Helping others, giving back, and mentoring are at the heart of his spirit.
Anthony is a native Angeleno, and lives with his husband Paulo and their three pups in the Valley. In his spare time, Anthony relishes traveling the world and experiencing new adventures, exploring the food scene in Los Angeles, and seeing live concerts and theater any chance he gets.
Dr. Eric Chaghouri is our Medical Director at No Matter What Recovery.
Dr Chaghouri is a 2007 graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned his B. A. in Biology with Summa Cum Laude honors. While at UCLA, he helped the men’s varsity volleyball team earn a National Championship in 2006. He was named the UCLA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007.
He earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine in 2011. He completed his internship training in 2008 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the remaining three years of residency in general adult psychiatry at the Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center. He served as the Chief Resident in psychiatric emergency services during his fourth year of residency. He also served as Resident Clinical Instructor and Volunteer Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the Keck School of Medicine.
After completing residency, Dr. Chaghouri accepted a fellowship position in forensic psychiatry at the prestigious USC Institute of Psychiatry and Law. His scholarly activities included publishing in Legal Digest and presenting research findings at the Keck School of Medicine annual conference.
Since completing his forensic psychiatry fellowship, he has established a successful and thriving practice in Southern California, focusing on treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and addictive disorders. He has developed a strong clinical team of practitioners who share similar goals and philosophies regarding psychiatric treatment, including providing cutting-edge interventional treatments for psychiatric conditions. He works in an array of capacities with attorneys, courts, and other parties in actual or potential litigation. He also has extensive experience consulting and providing opinions on psychiatric issues for major television networks. Dr. Chaghouri’s interests include addiction medicine, substance use disorders, forensic psychiatry, medical ethics, psychological autopsy, gender wellness, and evidence-based treatment of psychiatric conditions.
Eric is a Native Angeleno and identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. He loves to travel to visit his family roots in Lebanon, and in his spare time enjoys playing beach volleyball, exercising/working out, and spending time with family.
Executive Director | CADC-II, ASAT, RAE
Mell McCracken is the Executive Director of No Matter What Recovery, serving as the leader of the clinical treatment program and overseeing our sexualized drug use curriculum.
Mell is a fierce advocate for healing and transformation through substance abuse counseling, sex addiction therapy, and treatment program development. They have nearly a decade of experience and extensive expertise in empowering individuals to overcome their struggles with addiction and navigate the complexities of chemsex in the rainbow community.
Mell is nationally and internationally recognized as an LGBT+ educator, co-author, and treatment provider. They also serve as faculty member at the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Specialists. They are committed to uplifting voices and breaking stigmas, one conversation at a time, and have spent their career fighting for inclusivity and empowerment through chemsex education and LGBT+ activism.
They are originally from Ojai, California and in their free time enjoy exploring their creative side through painting, writing, pottery, and making music.
Program Director
Jack is the case manager at No Matter What Recovery and has worked in the dual diagnosis treatment field for 2 years.
In that short time, Jack has gained experience working with varying special populations in multiple positions; from counseling previously incarcerated individuals to managing the cases of dual-diagnosed clients struggling with substance use and eating disorders, he has found his passion in serving the LGBTQ community.
As both a member of the LGBTQ community and with his experience in working closely with the demographic, Jack has insight into the unique barriers to treatment faced by the community and has learned how to employ inventiveness when it comes to navigating these barriers. He meets every client, face-to-face, on their first day of clinical programming to ensure a plan is devised to optimize success, whether that is addressing legal matters, prioritizing medical needs, planning aftercare, and beyond.
Jack is currently in the process of obtaining certification as an alcohol and drug counselor (CADC-I); he completed his education with Marste Training Services and is presently a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT). Prior to entering the treatment field, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he graduated in 2014. Jack still finds ways to apply his creativity in exploring solutions for all clients and their individual needs.
Jack was born in Santiago, Chile, but was raised in Ojai, California and still spends many of his weekends in his hometown. In his free time, you can find Jack tending to his many orchids, feeding his sourdough starter, or tackling a baking project alongside his husband.
Operations Manager
Danilo is the Operations Manager at No Matter What Recovery. Danilo’s primary role is to oversee the day-to-day operations and client care at the treatment center.
Danilo brings several years of management and front office experience in the medical field, working for a prominent neurologist in Beverly Hills as well as a chiropractic office. Earlier in his career, he honed his organizational skills working as a personal assistant in the demanding and fast paced world of the music industry.
Danilo is sober and continues to stay involved in the recovery community here in Los Angeles. He identifies as a gay man inspired by gender bending figures in pop culture. He appreciates working in an environment where he can live life the way he was meant to – being true to his authentic self.
Danilo was born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles. As an immigrant, he takes pride in his commitment to establishing a better life for himself and his family here in the United States despite the challenges.
Primary Therapist | AMFT
Jo Bloomer is a Primary Therapist at No Matter What Recovery. She began seeing individuals and couples in 2013 at The Relational Center and The Southern California Counseling Center, both in Los Angeles.
Jo received a BFA in Acting from NYU, Tisch School of the Arts and trained at its Experimental Theater Wing. She finds that her background in acting organically informs her interest in attuning to people and their stories.
Jo received a Masters of Science, with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy, from Cal State, Northridge. She is passionate about the therapeutic relationship and believes strongly in treating the client as a whole person.
Jo identifies as a surfer, though she has yet to properly stand up and stay up on a wave for more than a moment. She believes her wave is coming!
Primary Therapist | MA, AMFT, APCC
Ruben is a Primary Therapist at No Matter What Recovery. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, he takes an integrative, collaborative, client-centered approach.
Ruben specializes in working with people navigating addiction and recovery, helping them explore the psychological, biological, social, family-centered, and early development factors involved. He is also passionate about helping LGBTQ+ people work through matters like coming out, gender dysphoria, internalized oppression, and other matters specific to the community.
Skilled at helping those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, complex trauma, grief and loss, career development, aging, and relationship challenges, Ruben focuses on people’s strengths and finding solutions. With a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, he is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), drawing from psychodynamic, narrative, solution-focused, and family systems influences.
Ruben is a Los Angeles native and loves travel, running, yoga, and baking.
Clinical Tech | RAD-T
Jorge is one of our clinical techs at No Matter What Recovery. In this role, Jorge handles day-to-day client care, testing, recording outcome measures, and ensuring clients are following the rules and guidelines of the center.
Previously, Jorge worked with his family business and helped maintain the operations of several organizations throughout the Glendale area, with a focus on packaging and inventory.
Jorge is openly gay and an active member of the 12 Step recovery community in Los Angeles. He holds several leadership positions at the district level as well as at his home group. As a sober individual, Jorge says he finds meaning and purpose in working with other fellows in their early recovery.
Jorge is a Native Angeleno and in his free time enjoys fun adventures with his chosen family, going out to eat, and giving lots of love to his two cats. Jorge is currently training for the AIDS Life Cycle, a 545-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise funds for the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Regional Sober Living Manager
Director of Business Development
Erica oversees outreach for No Matter What Recovery, serving as the liaison between our center and the community, helping people embark on their journey in recovery.
In addition to her professional endeavors working in the finance industry, Erica brings her personal experience to her role at No Matter What Recovery: Erica is a graduate of our program, and also served as a house manager at two of our sober living residences before taking on the position of admissions and outreach.
Erica graduated with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Political Science from the University of Southern California, and is a proud Native Angeleno.
In her spare time, Erica enjoys arts and crafts, thrifting, and spending time with her parents.
Admissions and Outreach coordinator
Phil serves as the liaison between our treatment program and local hospitals as well as other outside organizations. His main focus is ensuring there is a smooth transition for clients seeking care with us, bridging the gap with compassion and understanding.
Phil has more than 15 years of sobriety – and is a beacon of inspiration as an active member of both Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA). In 2023, he chaired the CMALA Convention, a prestigious 3-day event in Los Angeles dedicated to those pursuing a life free from Crystal Meth addiction.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Phil is a spirited alumnus of the West Hollywood Cheerleaders. This non-profit group of drag personalities (Phil goes by the drag persona name Sissy Pants) tackles the stigma around HIV/AIDS with laughter and fundraising. Attendees of pride parades in LA, Long Beach, San Diego, and Palm Springs have likely enjoyed Sissy’s performances.
Phil’s journey brought him from Miami to Los Angeles in 2005, where he serendipitously met his husband in 2009 at the Hollywood Bowl during an ABBA and Neil Diamond tribute concert. Their marriage in 2014 led to a happily-ever-after in West Hollywood with their canine companions, Daisy and Fez.
In his downtime, Phil indulges in culinary adventures, HIIT classes, yoga, Broadway musicals, and the occasional binge-watching of true crime series—a testament to a life well-lived and thoroughly enjoyed.
Patient Care Navigator
Joseph serves as the Patient Care Navigator at No Matter What Recovery, and is usually the first voice on the phone people hear when calling for assistance to overcome their struggles with substances.
Joseph is a highly experienced professional in the realm of nonprofit development and client care. With over a decade of dedicated service, he has earned a reputation for his unwavering commitment to helping Angelenos thrive and ensuring exceptional care for clients. Joseph’s expertise lies in creating meaningful relationships that make a lasting impact.
In addition to his development acumen, Joseph is deeply passionate about client care and ensuring that individuals receive the highest level of support. He believes in empowering clients and creating inclusive environments that promote their well-being. Joseph excels at managing client relationships.
Joseph is a Native Angeleno, and in his spare time enjoys playing sports with his daughters, music, and keeping up with the latest fashion trends.
If you’re willing, we’ve got you the entire way. Every life is important. Every person matters. Every person is worthy of a life of love and happiness.
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