When you’ve decided you need treatment for a substance use problem and you’re ready to enter a treatment program, you’ll begin the admissions process. Starting the treatment process may be daunting, especially if this is your first time in an addiction treatment program. However, the admissions process is the first step toward sobriety and freedom from active addiction. Serenity at Summit works to make the admissions process as smooth as possible to get you started on the road to recovery.
Several aspects of treatment will need to be addressed during the admissions process, including planning, packing, and payment. Planning will involve an assessment process, where professionals will help you determine the right care for your needs. Serenity at Summit offers several levels of inpatient care, and the one you begin with will depend on your needs.
Forming a treatment plan is an important step in the process. Planning begins with placement in intensive inpatient treatment, medically monitored inpatient treatment, or residential care. The level of care you need will depend on how severe your addiction is and other mental health issues and medical conditions you may have. You’ll also sit down with a therapist early in treatment to form a recovery plan that is personalized to your needs.
Packing is also an important way to prepare for the admissions process. In an inpatient treatment program, you will need to prepare by packing clothing and other important items you will need throughout your stay. There are, however, items that you shouldn’t bring, and essential items you need will be provided to you.
Payment involves insurance verification and other payment options. This process can be intimidating, especially when it comes to navigating your insurance plan. But we can work with your insurance company to verify coverage for the treatments that you need.
Packing: What to Bring to Treatment
When you enter an inpatient program, it’s a lot like going on a trip. You’ll need to pack clothes and several other items as if you were staying at a hotel. In an inpatient program, the provided amenities will take care of many of your needs, but you’ll need some of your own things, and you’ll want some comforts from home. Here’s a list of important items that you should bring. During the admission process, Serenity at Summit staff can go over the packing list with you to make sure you have everything you’ll need.
What Items Should You Pack?
- Picture ID
- Insurance card
- Prescription card
- Over-the-counter medications (like ibuprofen)
- Credit or debit card (only one)
- Physician, attorney, and emergency contact information
- Weather appropriate clothing for a full week
- Toiletries and personal items
- Reading material that’s appropriate for shared spaces
- Journal
- Cell phone
When you’re packing clothing, it’s important to consider the climate and region you’re staying in. Serenity at Summit’s facilities are in the northeastern United States in New Jersey and Massachusetts. If you are in the region in the fall or winter, you will need warm clothing, especially for your travel day. If you’re staying in the spring or summer, you may still want a light sweater if you tend to get cold in air conditioning.
What Items Shouldn’t You Bring?
It’s important to know that you’ll be attending treatment with other people. You’ll also be sharing space with others and have roommates during residential treatment. For that reason, it’s important to leave items at home that may offend or disturb others. Of course, you should also avoid bringing anything dangerous. That includes things that could jeopardize your sobriety or the sobriety of other clients. Finally, there are some things you won’t need to bring because they will be unnecessary for treatment or they will be provided to you.
Here are some things that you shouldn’t bring:
- Weapons
- Drugs and alcohol
- Computers
- Jewelry
- Other valuables
- Food
- Aerosol products
- Alcohol products
- Perfume
- Mouthwash
- Provocative clothing
- Lewd or inappropriate reading material
While you’re packing, if there’s any doubt about whether something is appropriate for treatment, feel free to call and ask. There may be several common items that you may not think about that should be left at home. For instance, aerosol products are sometimes used to get high, and they may be risky for people going through withdrawal or drug cravings. You may need to opt for roll-on deodorant instead of spray deodorant. Mouthwash and alcohol products should be avoided for similar reasons.
Payment: How Will You Pay for Treatment?
Navigating payment options and finding ways to make treatment more affordable is a significant barrier to treatment for many people. However, Serenity at Summit works to remove cost as an obstacle to the treatment and therapies you need. You can pay for treatment through a self-payment, but Serenity at Summit also accepts coverage from many private insurance companies.
Navigating your insurance plan can be tricky, but most insurance companies offer some coverage for mental health and addiction treatment services, including inpatient treatment. Still, the therapies that are covered and the amount you will pay out of pocket will depend on your specific plan. Like many long-term healthcare options, addiction treatment can be expensive, but it’s worth it for people with progressive substance use disorders.
What Are Your Insurance Options?
Private health insurance is one of the most common ways to make addiction treatment more affordable. Federally funded health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid can also help you get treatment, but your options will be limited, and Serenity at Summit currently can’t accept federal insurance options. However, various private insurance companies can help you make treatment more affordable.
In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) amended the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The 2008 legislation prevented group health insurers that offered mental and behavioral health services from providing fewer benefits for mental health services than they do for medical services. In 2010, the rule was expanded to include private insurance plans as well. Today, most insurance providers offer coverage for mental health services, and they are required to offer the same amount of care for mental health that they do for medical services.
Still, your insurance plan may not cover certain therapies, and your insurance company may only work with select healthcare providers. Serenity at Summit works with several health insurance companies as an in-network provider. In-network providers are healthcare providers that have a relationship with your insurance company and have negotiated a discount to people with your plan. The process of getting coverage is often much smoother with in-network providers, but that doesn’t mean you can go to an out-of-network facility and still get coverage.
Serenity at Summit is an in-network provider with the following health insurance companies:
- Concern Health
- Saint Barnabas Management Services
- Princeton Healthcare System
- Mental Health Consultants
- Workforce Assistance Program
- Lower Hudson Valley
If you want to know more about treatment costs and insurance coverage, feel free to call at any time. We can help verify your insurance eligibility and walk you through payment options. Even if your insurance company isn’t on the list above, you still may get coverage for treatment at Serenity at Summit. If not, there may be other payment options or other treatment services that can help you get the treatment you need.
What Is Covered By Insurance?
You may have questions about insurance coverage, such as, “What therapies and treatment options does health insurance cover?” and “Are you likely to be covered for services offered at Serenity at Summit?” Your coverage will depend on your specific policy. But insurance companies generally gravitate toward some therapeutic approaches over others. Speaking to a representative from your insurance company can help you find out more about your policy’s specifics. You can also call Serenity at Summit to learn more about the treatment options offered.
Insurance companies generally prefer treatment plans that are based on evidence-based approaches. The term “evidence-based” refers to treatment approaches that have been tested in scientific studies and proven to have some efficacy. Evidence-based therapies may not work for every person, but they have shown to be effective enough to be safe and reasonable options. Alternative therapies are another option in the world of mental health and addiction treatment.
Alternative therapies are treatment approaches that haven’t been proven to be effective in scientific studies. They may also be more challenging to implement across a wide range of treatment settings, like equine or nature therapy. Alternative therapies may help some people on an individual basis. For instance, music and art therapy often help people engage with treatment. For that reason, alternative therapies are often used to supplement evidence-based approaches.
However, insurance companies may be less likely to cover treatment programs that are rooted in alternative therapies.
Serenity at Summit uses evidence-based treatment programs to provide high-level care. Our inpatient services fit into the continuum of care that the American Society of Addiction Medicine outlines.
Here are some evidence-based treatment approaches Serenity at Summit offers:
- Medical detoxification
- Intensive inpatient treatment
- Clinically managed inpatient treatment
- Residential care
- Behavioral therapies
- Dual diagnosis
- Aftercare programs
Many insurance companies offer coverage for these services, but it’s important to check your insurance policy to see what is and isn’t covered.
For How Long Am I Covered?
The time you spend in treatment will depend on your needs and your treatment plan. Each person is different, so you may progress through treatment differently than someone else. It’s important that you spend as much time in treatment as you need. Rushing through it could result in limited success in sobriety and a quick relapse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the ideal minimum treatment duration is 90 days, from high-level care to low-intensity outpatient treatment.
However, your insurance company may have its own idea about when it’s time to move on to the next step in treatment and when your treatment should be complete. But your therapists and case managers at Serenity at Summit can work with your insurance company to advocate for the coverage you need. With your permission, they can present the case as to why your treatment plan is necessary and beneficial for your health.
Private insurance programs and treatment centers will likely offer more robust coverage and treatment duration. Publicly funded insurance programs and addiction treatment tend to be more limited.
Addiction Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
While you’re looking for or preparing to enter addiction treatment, several questions may be on your mind. Entering treatment is intimidating, but having answers to some common questions may help you overcome some stress. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about addiction treatment.
What Is Addiction Treatment?
Addiction treatment is a complex process designed to lead you to long-lasting sobriety. It does this by addressing physical, mental, and
behavioral health issues. Treatment’s main goal is to address a substance use disorder and any underlying mental health issues that contribute to it. Both kinds of issues are often treated at the same time. Addiction treatment may involve several levels of care that are separated by their intensiveness and time commitment. High-level care will offer 24-hour medical or clinical care while lower levels allow you to live at home and attend treatment during the day.
High-level care may include medical treatment or monitoring based on your needs. People at risk of experiencing severe or dangerous withdrawal symptoms may start treatment with medical detoxification. Treatment will likely involve one-on-one therapy sessions as you create and work through a personalized treatment plan. Each week, you’ll meet with your therapist to assess your plan and change it if necessary.
Group therapy sessions are also common in addiction treatment. They help you build social skills and allow you to step out of your own stresses and anxieties to listen to others. In many cases, you can gain insight from your peers.
How Effective Is Addiction Treatment?
This is a common concern for people who are considering addiction treatment. It’s a significant time and monetary commitment, so it’s important that it’s worth it. The primary goal of addiction treatments is to stop the cycle of active addiction. Treatment also seeks to address physical, psychological, and social problems that are often tied to substance use disorders. Addiction treatment would ideally lead to long-term sobriety and a productive life in your family, work, and community.
But does treatment accomplish those goals?
According to NIDA, research shows that people who enter and remain in treatment for as long as they need improve occupational, social, and psychological functioning. Treatment also decreases the common consequences of addiction, including criminal activity. Still, NIDA also notes that the extent of your individual problems has a significant impact on your treatment success. Treatment, even good treatment, doesn’t guarantee that you will never relapse again.
Addiction relapse rates are around 40% to 60%, which is consistent with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. For many, relapse is a part of the recovery process, but it’s possible to achieve lasting recovery after several relapses. Still, that doesn’t mean a relapse is inevitable.
What If I Relapse?
Relapse is a part of recovery for many people who eventually achieve lasting sobriety. It doesn’t mean all your efforts in addiction treatment have failed. Each moment in treatment that you are not in active addiction is worth something. Plus, time in treatment means gaining valuable insight into your substance use disorder.
Treatment is a chronic disease that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Like other chronic diseases, people with an addiction can relapse, but that doesn’t mean getting help for addiction should be abandoned. For instance, if you seek treatment for hypertension, but your blood pressure goes back up, you wouldn’t abandon your treatment efforts. Instead, you would revisit treatment or seek new treatment options.
How Long Is Treatment?
The length of time you spend in treatment will depend on your needs and your personalized treatment plan. NIDA recommends 90 days for the full continuum of care in addiction treatment, but that doesn’t mean you’ll spend all of that time in one level of care or in inpatient treatment. Medical detox is typically around five to 10 days, while inpatient treatment can last for a few weeks to a month. Outpatient programs can be longer. However, there is no cap on the amount of time you should spend in treatment. If you need more time, you should remain at your level of care.
Will Treatment Cure My Addiction?
There is no known cure for addiction, but addiction can be treated effectively. Still, it’s important to understand that people often deal with substance use disorders for many years, although they may have it under control. Treating addiction involves learning to deal with stressors and cravings without using drugs or alcohol. It may also involve treatment for underlying issues like depression and anxiety.
While treatment can’t cure your addiction, it can lead you to a life that’s free from active addiction and the consequences that come with it severe substance use disorders.
