Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

What is the average age of patients at Sierra Tucson?

A:

The average age of our patients is 37 years old. However, we typically have a community filled with a core group of younger adults as well as older adults. All ages are represented within the treatment milieu, from 18 to 60-plus.

Q:

What is the average length of stay at Sierra Tucson?

A:

Length of stay can vary, based on individual needs, program, and clinical progress in treatment. Patients are asked to complete a minimum 30-day stay, but specific programs vary, i.e., Eating Disorders—minimum 45 days; Pain Management—typically 45 days; Progressions—2 to 4 weeks.

Q:

Do patients have private rooms?

A:

Sierra Tucson’s beautiful lodges provide semi-private rooms (two patients per room) with full beds and amenities. They are designed much like nice hotel rooms so that patients feel comfortable and at ease. Our experience and outcomes research demonstrate that patients have a fuller, richer experience when they have a roommate.

Q:

Do patients have to make beds, clean floors, and do other chores?

A:

At Sierra Tucson we prefer that individuals focus on the issues at hand rather than routine chores. However, patients are responsible to keep their rooms tidy on a daily basis. Patients are also asked to be respectful and responsible members of the therapeutic community.

Q:

What is a typical day like at Sierra Tucson?

A:

The day for the patient begins early with breakfast at 6:45 a.m. (6:30 a.m. for eating disorder patients). A lecture, group, and/or community meeting are scheduled on some days. After lunch, patients attend specialty groups and family programs, depending on their needs and diagnoses. Dinner is served around 5:00 p.m., followed by evening lectures, relapse groups, counseling, assignments, and Twelve-Step meetings. Sierra Tucson's rich day of programming usually ends at 9:00 - 9:30 p.m. Also throughout the day, patients attend specific lectures and consult with doctors and specialty therapists, according to their specific needs. Other therapeutic activities may include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acupuncture, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Challenge Course, Yoga, fitness, and other healthy recreational activities.

Q:

Does Sierra Tucson have telephones available for use?

A:

The telephones located in the lodges are turned on and off during certain periods every day to allow patients to communicate with their family and to return phone messages that have been left for them. Phone cards are available for purchase in the bookstore. In order to ensure a therapeutic milieu, however, it is the policy of Sierra Tucson that during the first three days of treatment, patients do not make any telephone calls. Upon admission, patients are allowed to call (under nursing supervision) a significant other person to advise of their safe arrival.

Q:

Are there visitation hours?

A:

Visiting privileges are given at the discretion of the patient's therapist, in accordance with the best interests of the patient. The unit therapist generally authorizes visitation after five full days of treatment—on Sundays and designated holidays. Visiting hours on Sundays are from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Visitors must follow the guidelines for appropriate attire and are asked to not bring any food, candy, soda, gifts, magazines, etc. to any patient. Visitors are required to check in at the main reception desk upon arrival.

Q:

What is the Family Program like at Sierra Tucson?

A:

Sierra Tucson’s Family Program is an integral part of the treatment process. Patients are strongly encouraged to invite family members and/or significant others to participate in this four-day process, at no additional charge. The only cost to family members is the cost of travel, hotel accommodations, and meals (lunch is provided at Sierra Tucson, as well as dinner on Thursday evening). The Family Program begins on Monday at 8:00 a.m. and ends Thursday at 6:15 p.m. Most of our family members stay at the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, where we have a reduced room rate and daily transportation to Sierra Tucson. Other options are also available.

The Family Program provides a time of healing for both patients and family. Family members are provided educational opportunities to learn about different diseases and disorders plus time to process the years of pain that are brought on by addiction or behavioral issues. Continuing care recommendations are given to family members to support their ongoing recovery.

During this week, there is also a Family Youth Program for young family members, ages 11 to 17. This program offers separate groups that focus on age-appropriate knowledge of what has been happening in their lives as well as individual expression and self-care plans. Many different types of therapy are used, including play therapy, art therapy, experiential activities, the Climbing Wall, and Equine-Assisted Therapy.

Q:

Inviting Family Members to the Family Program

A:

Please see information on the Family Program page.

Q:

Why an Inpatient Program?

A:

For many, inpatient treatment can be a last resort, a place to go when all else fails. In reality, it is a place of hope and rejuvenation, a place where miracles happen and lives begin to make sense again.

An inpatient experience allows you the opportunity to work on your personal issues for a significant amount of time without the distractions or interruptions of daily life. By immersing yourself in treatment for 30 days or more, you are able to look at all the facets of life, get to the roots of issues, evaluate relationships and patterns of living, and reprioritize and restructure your life to begin a healthier, more fulfilling future. It is a time of total honesty with yourself in a supportive, nurturing, and healing environment.

Sierra Tucson blends a truly individual program with a wide variety of therapeutic techniques and an environment that gives each patient the tools necessary to achieve the highest likelihood of ongoing recovery.

It doesn't matter why someone seeks help—what matters is the courage displayed by the individual, family, or friend to take action and start a new journey of wellness. Addiction and mental/behavioral disorders are diseases. They affect a person biologically, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially and require treatment as well as ongoing attention.

Not only is the patient impacted by disease, but the family is affected as well. The family is always an integral part of the healing and supporting process. Family members have the opportunity to learn about the disease and, more importantly, to begin healing themselves from what has often been years of pain.

Inpatient treatment can stop the cycle of addiction and disease. It can purge the system of years and years of abuse, neglect, depression, hopelessness, shame, and fear. Treatment can give you the opportunity to live again—to realize that you are a good person with a bad disease. Inpatient treatment can help individuals start over with the tools, support, honesty, and courage to take back what has been taken—a deep appreciation for life, wellness, family. . . and hope! We are all miracles!

For more information, please call us anytime at 1-800-842-4487 or speak confidentially online with a caring staff member. You may also contact us by e-mail to request more information.