Admissions to ARI are based on State and Federal Regulations. The final decision for admission is made by the physician. Please review the information in this section to learn more about the admission policies and process.
Admission Criteria
To be eligible for admission to ARI, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Current physiological dependence on opiates
- Consent in writing to voluntarily participate in methadone treatment
Exceptions to these minimum criteria can be made under the following circumstances:
- Individuals who have been released from a penal facility within six months
- Pregnant women who do not exhibit objective signs of opioid withdrawal or physiological dependence
- The person has been recently released from a chronic care facility and is at risk of relapse
- The person has been treated previously and is at risk of relapse
Admission Process
When you first contact the clinic, one of our staff members will complete a phone or face to face screening to determine your eligibility and appropriateness for treatment. After completion of the screening process, the prospective patient will meet with the counselor to complete all initial paperwork, including informed consent to treatment and biopsychosocial assessment. This assessment will aid in the development of the Initial Treatment Plan.
As part of the admission process, a physical evaluation is conducted and fully documented. A medical examination and related lab work will be completed, which include the following:
- Urine specimen submitted for drug screening and urinalysis.
- TB test and chest x-ray if the skin test was ever previously positive.
- Other laboratory tests as clinically indicated and approved by ARI and other tests required by state regulatory/licensing agencies.
- Urine pregnancy tests are performed on all admissions of patients with child-bearing potential
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Given the incidence of co-occurring disorders and disabilities, addressing them is critical to successful recovery. Such services might be provided by personnel or by referrals to qualified professionals. Coordination of care is very important, so the patient will be asked to sign a release of information
Individualized treatment plans will be developed with the active participation of the patient. The treatment plan will include goals and objectives that focus on the initiation of recovery, stabilization/elimination/reduction of symptoms and the integration and inclusion of the patient into the local community, his/her family as appropriate, natural support systems and other necessary supports and services.
Counseling
ARI prides itself upon the quality of its counseling staff. The staff consists of a diverse group of dedicated and qualified professionals. The staff has dedicated themselves to helping addicted patients regain their self-esteem and lead healthier, productive lives as a person who is illicit drug free. All counselors work on a team basis, along with the patient’s input, to ensure the best treatment planning for their individual patient.
After your admission to treatment, you will be assigned to a primary counselor and scheduled for 1st counseling session. You will be required to attend counseling sessions as long as you will be in treatment with us for at least one hour per month.
As helpful as methadone will be in your treatment, methadone alone is not enough. Our patients are expected to participate in all parts of their treatment program, which includes individual counseling, group counseling, medical appointments and health home services.
ARI offers individual and group counseling. Some of the groups available at the clinic include: Early Intervention, Overdose Prevention Education, Relapse Prevention, Women’s Group, Healthy Living groups. Please ask your counselor about each group curriculum and attend the one that meets your needs.
Because of the individual needs of the patients, not all groups are offered at all times and topics/types of groups may change. Patients are offered a choice of participation in any or all of the offered groups. Patients must attend the group on a consistent weekly basis. Participation is very much appreciated and respected by both staff and other patients. We offer many groups—USE THEM!
Struggling with addiction?
You don’t have to fight this alone. ARI can help.