Preparing for Your Stay

Upon arrival, an admissions representative will greet you. They will review intake documents, including release of information forms, financial paperwork and admission conditions. Subsequently, you will meet with a member of the nursing team. Following this, you will complete an assessment and be shown to your room.

At Sierra Tucson, we place a premium on providing respectful treatment of residents, family members and staff in a safe and supportive environment. We have systems in place to ensure that the rights of our clients and their family members are preserved and protected. These rights are outlined in the resident handbook that will be given to you upon admission.

Our commitment to each resident’s confidentiality is ensured by our legal responsibility as mandated by state and federal law. Each member of the Sierra Tucson team is dedicated to upholding these standards in all communications and records.

Clothing

• Limited amount of clothing (limit two suitcases and one carry-on
• Dress at Sierra Tucson is casual and comfortable.
• Swimsuit (one-piece only and no thongs)
• Flat-soled or tennis shoes are recommended. No high heels over two inches are permitted.
• Lightweight jackets and sweaters are recommended for evening wear year-round. A heavier coat or jacket is recommended in winter months.

What to Bring

• Insurance and ID cards
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
• Electric razor/shaver is the only type allowed.
• Appropriate reading materials
• MP3 player with music downloaded prior to admission (No internet access will be available for additional downloads.)
• Limited cash (Our bookstore sells toiletries, books, stamps, greeting cards, T-shirts, etc. The bookstore accepts all major credit cards.)
• Detailed list of all medications you are currently taking
• A few days’ supply of your prescribed medications when traveling to the facility for admission
• Supply of toiletries to last your entire stay

Leave at Home

• Excessive or expensive jewelry
• Exercise equipment
• Craft materials (knitting needles/hooks)
• Musical instruments
• Stuffed animals
• Shoe polish, detergent, or bleach
• Glass items
• Disposable razors, straight razors or razorblades
• Pocketknives
• Metal hairpieces
• Aerosol products (including deodorant and hairspray)
• Products containing alcohol (e.g., mouthwash, aftershave, facial toner, perfume, perfumed lotions, etc.)
• Food, chewing gum, breath mints, candy of any kind, sugar or artificial sweeteners
• Insulated coffee cups
• Smokeless tobacco, cigars, rolling tobacco or pipes
• Illegal substances or mood-altering drugs
• Firearms and/or supplies
• Loose drawstrings (Any drawstrings that can be pulled out must be removed before you arrive.)
• Belts
• Flushable wipes

It is important that you advise your admissions coordinator of all medications you are currently taking. Include the name of the medication, the dosage and frequency administered, and the name of the physician who prescribed the medication. Each resident’s medical provider will manage medication through Sierra Tucson’s pharmacy supply. Please do not bring prescription or nonprescription medications, vitamins, herbs or nutritional supplements.

We suggest that you bring approximately $200 for spending money. Our bookstore sells toiletries, books, stamps, greeting cards, T-shirts, etc. The bookstore accepts all major credit cards.

Please bring a supply of toiletries to last your entire stay, as only a limited selection is available.

Residents may cash one check in the amount of $100, through admissions only. No cash back on debit or credit cards. The maximum amount of cash to be carried at one time is $100.

Limit of Cash: Cash stored in a safe bag is limited to $500 per resident. Funds exceeding this amount will be applied to the resident account as payment or refunded following discharge.

Sierra Tucson is not responsible for lost cash.

The policy of Sierra Tucson is to not deny a resident’s entry into treatment because of the use of nicotine but to address this as an addiction.

During the admissions process, residents will be told of our goal to support them in becoming nicotine-free.

However, for those who do smoke, there is a designated area, outside only, where smoking is permitted.

Residents will not be able to purchase cigarettes; it will be necessary for you to bring what you will consume during your stay. Smokeless tobacco, cigars, rolling tobacco or pipes are not permitted at Sierra Tucson. E-cigarettes are allowed, and the same guidelines as cigarettes apply. Any e-cigarette supplies must be in new and unopened containers. The legal age limit to use tobacco in the state of Arizona is 21.

Contacting family and loved ones by phone is permitted as determined by the treatment team. Business-style computer stations are set up in each lodge’s common area with scheduled hours. Email and continuing care research are permitted. Electronics access (cellphones, tablets, etc.) requests are considered and determined by the treatment team for use in predetermined monitored campus locations only. Business-related conference call requests are permitted as determined by the treatment team.

Mail may be sent to the following address:

Resident’s name
c/o Sierra Tucson
39580 S. Lago del Oro Parkway
Tucson, AZ 85739

No mail order packages will be delivered to residents while they are in treatment unless authorized by their unit therapist.

Visiting privileges are given at the discretion of the resident’s therapist, in accordance with the best interests of the resident. The primary therapist generally authorizes visitation after five full days of treatment, on Sundays and designated holidays. Visiting hours on Sundays are from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Visitors must follow the guidelines for appropriate attire and are asked not to bring any food, candy, soda, gifts, magazines, etc. to any resident. Visitors are required to check in at the main reception desk upon arrival.