Drug & Alcohol Rehab – Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation FAQs

Do you accept health insurance?

Yes. More than 90% of our rehabilitation clients use their medical insurance to help cover the treatment cost – both in-network and out-of-network. We accept most major insurance plans, including Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare (UHC), and many others.

For both in-network and out-of-network health insurance, our standard process is:

Do initial insurance benefits check before admission;
Complete an authorization for payment (called a “pre-authorization”) with your insurance company in the first 24 hours after admission;
Do ongoing “utilization reviews” (UR’s) that insurance companies require throughout the course of treatment to continue paying your benefits;
Have one of our medical/clinical professionals or certified addiction counselors speak with a physician or clinician at the insurance company in a “peer-to-peer” review to discuss continuing authorization of substance abuse treatment services if needed;
In some cases, insurance companies require individuals to pay for their treatment directly and then reimburse them for their care. If your insurance company does not pay us directly, we file the insurance claim for you as a courtesy after the treatment stay is complete to get you reimbursed for your treatment fees.

To determine whether your insurance will cover treatment with us, call our 24/7 admissions department for a free insurance benefits verification.

How long does your treatment program last?

Our standard residential treatment program is normally 30 days long, although we also offer longer-term treatment for 60 days, 90 days, or even 6 months if necessary. We offer clinically monitored medication-assisted detoxification for anywhere from 3-10 days on average before the first 30 days of residential treatment begin.

If I need detox first, does the length of my detox count towards the length of my residential treatment program?

No. As far as health insurance companies are concerned, detox and treatment are technically different. Not every client needs medical management of their withdrawal symptoms before treatment begins. It is largely dependent on the drug of choice, length of use, and other factors that contribute to the relative severity of an individual’s withdrawal symptoms. If a client needs detox, their time in residential treatment begins once their stay in our detox program is complete. The primary reason for doing it this way is medical safety (monitoring of their physical health, withdrawal process, vital signs, and so forth). The secondary reason is that while detoxing, it can be difficult to engage in the therapeutic aspects of treatment and fully benefit from them.

Can I stay less than 30 days?

We have everyone stay for a minimum of 30 days, although in many cases, the length of stay is longer. The fact of the matter is that if an individual’s addiction is sufficiently out of control such that they need detox and/or residential treatment (as opposed to outpatient treatment, which we also offer), experience and evidence-based treatment practices dictate that individuals need time away from their drug(s) of choice, in addition to learning the life skills to remain sober after treatment. Furthermore, the process of transitioning from active addiction to sobriety and recovery takes time. Years of experience treating alcoholism and addiction have taught us that 30 days is the minimum length necessary for learning and practicing the skills and thought processes necessary for successful long-term recovery.

Can I stay longer than 30 days?

Absolutely if necessary. Our program is not time-limited. It takes as long as it takes. If an individual needs 60 or 90 days of treatment, we provide it. An individual’s length of stay is based on their progress and how they’re feeling. If a client feels that they need to remain in treatment longer to give them the best chance at long-term recovery and success in life after treatment, we will work with you and your insurance company to get your benefits extended for as long as is necessary. If your insurance does not pay for a longer stay, we will work with you financially to make additional time in treatment affordable.

Will I lose time from my work?

The impact of residential treatment on individuals’ professional lives varies. Our residential treatment program is intensive, so individuals cannot work while in treatment. That said, we are obviously sensitive to the impact of missing work and lost income on clients’ lives. We work closely with both employers and employees to minimize the negative impact of a stay in residential treatment on employment and the workplace. In most cases, individuals’ careers and professional lives are not only retained but often enhanced because of their choice to participate in drug & alcohol treatment.

What happens when I check-in for drug & alcohol treatment?

When you arrive at our treatment center, we welcome you and/or your family members and friends who might accompany you to drop you off. We provide a family orientation packet to family and friends that discuss what you will be doing in treatment, how they can best support you, how they can communicate with you while in treatment, and how we will be integrating family work in your treatment. Once the initial intake process is completed, your treatment begins with a physical examination and medical history review, and your clinically monitored medication-assisted detoxification protocol is begun if necessary.

Do you offer exercise and outdoor recreation?

Absolutely! Physical exercise is an important part of strengthening the body after the ravages of drug addiction and/or alcoholism. Because our clients range in age and physical fitness, we do an initial assessment of physical condition. Based on this information, we set up a physical activity program that best suits their needs. We have an in-house fitness center equipped with treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, and strength training equipment. Yoga, meditation, and spiritual counseling are also integral parts of our treatment program.

What can I bring with me to treatment?

For a complete list of items to bring and items to leave home, read our “What to Bring to Treatment Page.” We encourage residents to wear comfortable clothing suitable for the season. Our Palmdale Extended Care Program is located in Los Angeles County in Southern California, an area considered by many to offer one of the best year-round climates in the entire United States.

How much one-on-one individual therapy will I receive?

Each client receives a minimum of two one-hour individual counseling sessions per week with their primary counselor, but the number of sessions is dependent on your individual treatment plan. In addition to individual counseling, our program is comprised of daily group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions in which individuals have the opportunity to share and learn from one another’s experiences.

What is the difference between primary residential treatment and extended care?

Primary residential treatment is focused on addiction education, therapy, fellowship, and life-skills building. The entire treatment team (physician, nursing staff, counseling staff, spiritual wellness, and psychology) works together to provide a comprehensive treatment program that is customized for each client.

Some clients will need longer-term care, most often focusing mainly on relapse prevention skills building. This is often the case in individuals who have been in other treatment programs previously and have relapsed or have otherwise been in recovery before and know that they need longer-term care.

Is it normal to experience depression and/or anxiety, and will that be addressed?

In a single word, yes. Our goal is to give you all the skills necessary to live a life free from addiction forevermore. That said, sometimes addiction is not the only challenge that individuals face. Addicts and Alcoholics often suffer from other “co-occurring” disorders (otherwise known as “dual diagnosis”). Our treatment staff includes a medical doctor who can recognize depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other co-occurring disorders and treat them. Cycles of Change Recovery Center provides a full continuum of care for dual diagnosis treatment. We provide all of the skills necessary to meet life head-on without using drugs and/or alcohol.

What constitutes a “successful” treatment outcome?

Decades of experience treating addicts and alcoholics have taught us that success in treatment means that an individual can re-enter society and live a rich and rewarding life free from addiction’s negative effects. It is that simple. They are focusing on productive, healthy life and can maintain healthy relationships with loved ones. Hundreds of former clients are living proof that a clean and sober life is possible.

If a person relapses after treatment, does that mean that the treatment was not successful?

No. Relapse does not necessarily mean that addiction treatment was not successful or the client has “failed.” Relapse is simply relapse. One goal of treatment is to teach clients the skills necessary so that if they do relapse, they have the tools necessary to recover from it immediately, get back into recovery, and continue to live a productive and healthy life. It is important to understand that drug and alcohol addiction is a chronic, progressive, and lifelong disease that requires on-going maintenance. Addiction is often characterized by periodic relapses, which may or may not actually include substance use. These relapses result from peer pressure, not following your recovery program faithfully, or most often, the inability to cope with stress. Cycles of Change Recovery is here for our clients for the rest of their lives. If an individual does relapse, we will do everything to support them and help them get back into recovery. Sometimes that means providing a friend to talk to and emotional support, and sometimes that means bringing them back into detox and treatment. Whatever is necessary, rest assured, we are here to help.

Can I take my normal prescription medications while in treatment?

It depends on the medications. Certain medications such as anti-depressants, blood pressure mediations, and others will often be continued, but mood-altering chemicals such as benzodiazepines and opiate-based painkillers are not. All too often, individuals suffering from drug and/or alcohol addiction don’t realize that the medications prescribed by their doctors are addictive and are part of their problem. Each medicine is considered for its safety, addictive potential, and likeliness to trigger a relapse to determine whether you should continue taking it. In most cases, an alternative, safer treatment can usually be prescribed to serve the same purpose but does not present an ongoing danger to an individual’s recovery success.