Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Family Members

Which level of care is best for my loved one?
Completing a pre-assessment with an intake coordinator will help determine which program fits their needs. This can easily be done over the phone. When your loved one arrives at the facility, they will undergo a thorough medical and psychological evaluation to place them in exactly the kind of program they need. Program options offered at ARS facilities include medical detox, inpatient (residential) care, intensive inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, aftercare, sober living and more.

 
Will my loved one be home for the holidays?
The holidays can be challenging when a loved one is in treatment. However, delaying rehab care can be detrimental to your loved one’s health. For the sake of their well-being, it is best to come to treatment sooner rather than later, even if it means missing the holidays. If it is approved by their therapist, you can visit and spend time with your loved one during their stay at our facility.

What is the average length of stay at your facility?
Generalized lengths of time cannot be determined until after a thorough on-site clinical assessment. Each individual’s treatment needs are different. The timeline of your loved one’s stay will be based on their condition and clinical needs. While an average stay may be between 30 and 90 days, there are clients who benefit from staying longer. As a general rule, the longer the period of time engaged in treatment, the better the outcomes.

Does treatment involve any medications?
We focus on equipping individuals with the tools necessary to abstain from substances in recovery. Taper medications may be used in your loved one’s recovery, primarily during the detoxification phase. Under the guidance of an addiction counselor, some medications might also be part of their specific care plan if they struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders. Vivitrol, a once-monthly injection that helps reduce cravings, may also be a part of their treatment plan as they prepare to transition back to daily life after treatment. If deemed medically appropriate for your loved one to participate in long-term medication management, we will ensure their needs are met in aftercare.

What should my loved one bring to the facility?
Prior to treatment, your loved one should receive a thorough list of what to pack for their stay and items to leave at home. Some common items that are prohibited at the facility include cell phones, laptops and any devices with an internet connection or camera. If your loved one has special requests about what they want to bring, it is best for them to discuss it in advance with an intake coordinator.

Some centers I’m considering offer incentives like waived flight fees or deductible costs. Do your facilities offer new client incentive programs?
Rehab care is an investment. As such, some facilities try to lure new clients with money-saving offers. While this may be attractive, especially considering the financial strain of your loved one’s addiction, be wary of offers that sound too good to be true. Many facilities “waive” payments but end up adding them to billing statements later on. At ARS facilities, we do not offer monetary incentives, but instead coordinate with individuals and families to set up a straightforward payment plan ahead of time. Your loved one will have the chance to work with our financial counselors at the facility to ensure their stability once treatment is complete.

If my loved one seeks out-of-state treatment, how can I still be involved?
Once clinically appropriate, families may be included in the treatment process. Depending on the facility and your loved one’s progress in treatment, weekly family sessions can occur in person or over the phone (or internet). In addition, family weekends happen once a month at our centers. This is an opportunity for families to join their loved one at the facility, learn more about the disease of addiction and see their loved one’s progress. Family members may also have one-on-one sessions with a therapist to discuss how they can be most effective in supporting their loved one after treatment.