Admissions

Your decision to enter Sierra Tucson’s drug, alcohol, depression, anxiety and chronic pain treatment program is very important – one that will affect the rest of your life. We are committed to giving you the highest quality treatment experience. It is our goal that as we individualize your treatment plan to fit your own personal needs, you will gain hope, insight, tools, and strength to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

In order that you come prepared and know what to expect, we have compiled the following information that will help you in planning for your treatment experience.

**Click on the section title below to see the resource information of that category:

Measurable Outcomes & Documented Successes

Sierra Tucson’s Outcomes Research provides ongoing evaluation of patient outcomes through valid and reliable assessments, in keeping with evidence-based practices. See Outcomes Research data for the specific programs listed below:

Patient Rights

Sierra Tucson believes in respectful treatment of patients, family members, and staff while providing a safe and supportive environment. Sierra Tucson provides a system to ensure that the patients’ and family members’ rights are preserved and protected. These rights are outlined in the patient handbook given to you upon admission.

Confidentiality

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

Initial Assessment Services

Upon arrival, your initial assessment and evaluation process will take place in our Initial Assessment Services (IAS) area. You will remain in IAS (at the IAS daily rate) until you are medically cleared and your initial treatment plan is developed (generally, the first two days). In addition, you may reside in IAS until a bed opens in a lodge (in this case, the daily rate would be reduced to your program’s per diem rate). In either case, once you are medically cleared you will begin participating in the full therapeutic program, regardless of whether you have been transferred to a lodge. Room accommodations in lodges are semi-private, as this is a key component in facilitating your recovery process.

What To Bring

 Determination of inappropriate attire is done at admission and is not negotiable. Inappropriate clothing will be shipped home at your expense.

• Dress for therapy should be casual and in good taste. Any clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, musical groups, or sports teams (or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff) is not allowed.
• Appropriate attire: jeans, casual slacks, sport shirts, skirts and dresses that are knee-length or longer, jogging suits, sweat shirts, sweat pants, and appropriate-length shorts such as Bermuda/walking shorts (covering 3/4 of the thigh). Hooded sweat shirts are not permitted indoors.
• Open shirts, swimwear, etc. are allowed only for recreational and fitness activities and are considered inappropriate for therapy, meals, or meetings. Please do not bring form-fitting clothing, including leggings, tights, or tight pants. No biking or running shorts. No low-cut tops or blouses with spaghetti straps. Bare midriffs are not acceptable. Tank tops are not permitted.
• Jeans must be clean and neat. Clothing must not have suggestive tears or cutouts.
• Swim suits for women must be one-piece, with shoulder straps, without revealing tops or high-cut legs. Swim suits for men must be the boxer-type.
• Undergarments are required for all patients, (i.e., bras, underwear, and athletic supporters), as indicated. A sports bra may be worn as an undergarment when exercising in the gym. Undergarments are not to be visible.
• Lightweight jackets and sweaters are recommended for eveningwear year-round.
  A heavier coat or jacket is recommended for winter months.
• We recommend that you bring a limited amount of clothing (limit 2 suitcases and 1 carry-on). Laundry facilities, including supplies, are available for patient use. Irons and ironing boards are accessible, but we suggest that wash-and-wear clothing will be more convenient. Dry cleaning services are not available.
• Flat-soled or tennis shoes are recommended. No high heels over 2″ are permitted. Shoes and/or slippers must be worn outside your room. Bare feet are not permitted, except in the pool area.
• Electric razor/shaver is the only type allowed.
• Insurance card.
• Living will or healthcare Power of Attorney.
• Detailed list of all medications you are currently taking. Include the name of medication, the dosage and frequence administered, name of physician who prescribed the medication, and the reason for the medication.

Suggested additional clothing for recreational and therapeutic activities:

• Boots or shoes with a sturdy heel (no HIGH heels).
• Sunglasses and hat or visor. (Sunglasses are not permitted indoors.)

Reading material is limited to recovery-related topics. All books are subject to review by the patient’s primary therapist.

Any electrical items, such as hair dryers, curling irons, or electric shavers will be checked for safety.

It is recommended that you lock up any valuables not in your immediate possession. A safe is provided for this purpose. Sierra Tucson staff cannot be responsible for your valuables.

What To Leave At Home

Upon admission, our staff will examine you and check your belongings. Please do not bring the following:

• Prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements.
• Excessive or expensive jewelry.
• Any electronic equipment, including radios, iPods/MP3 players/CD players/tape recorders, tapes/CDs, any type of portable media players, laptops, electronic address books, audio/video equipment, TVs, or cameras.
• Cell phones and CD players may be brought for travel and then locked up upon admission and during your stay, until discharge.
• Exercise equipment.
• Craft materials.
• Musical instruments.
• Irons.
• Reading material not related to recovery. Novels, magazines, or publications may not be brought in. Books relevant to treatment will be assessed upon arrival.
• Stuffed animals.
• Shoe polish, soap, detergent, or bleach.
• Glass items.
• Disposable razors, straight razors, razorblades, pocketknives, knitting needles, crochet hooks, or metal hairpieces.
• Aerosol products, including deodorant and hairspray.
• Products containing alcohol (i.e., mouthwash, aftershave, facial toner, perfume, perfumed lotions, etc.).
• Food, chewing gum, breath mints, candy of any kind, sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
• No insulated coffee cups, e.g, Starbucks.
• Smokeless tobacco, cigars, rolling tobacco, or pipes.
• Illegal substances or mood-altering drugs.
• Firearms and/or supplies.

Patient Dress Code

Determination of inappropriate attire is done at admission and is not negotiable. The goal of the dress code is to promote modesty and help patients stay focused on treatment goals. Therefore, too tight, too revealing, or transparent clothing will not be permitted.

• Tank tops are not permitted.
• Leggings, tights, and tight pants are not permitted.
• Low-cut tops and tight clothing are not permitted.
• Spaghetti straps are not permitted.
• Undergarments must be worn; a sports bra may be worn as an undergarment and when exercising in the gym.
• Undergarments are not to be visible.
• Bare midriffs are not acceptable.
• Shorts and skirts must cover 3/4 of the thigh for females and males.
• Jeans that are clean and neat are permitted.
• Sweat shirts and sweat pants are permitted without reference to alcohol, sex, violence, or sports.
• Flat-soled or tennis shoes are recommended. Shoes must be worn outside your room. Bare feet are not permitted except in the pool area.
• High heels over 2″ are not permitted.
• Swim suits for women must be one-piece, shoulder-strapped, without revealing tops or high-cut legs. Swim suits for men are to be the boxer-type.
• T-shirts, hats, sweat pants, shirts, and other clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, team sports, or musical bands are not permitted.
• Sunglasses or hooded sweat shirts are not permitted indoors.

Medication

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

Money

We suggest that you bring approximately $200 for spending money. Sierra Tucson’s 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. Patients may cash one check in the amount of $100, through Admissions only. No cash back on debit or credit cards.

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

Tobacco Use

The policy of Sierra Tucson is to not deny a patient’s entry into treatment because of the use of nicotine, but to address this as an addiction. During the Intake process, patients 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. Patients 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.

Visitors

Patients may have visitation on Sundays and designated holidays after they have met with their unit therapist and appropriate visitors have been authorized. Visitors are required to check in at the main reception desk upon arrival and must follow the guidelines for appropriate attire. Guests are asked to not bring any food, candy, soda, gifts, magazines, etc. to any patient, and all packages will be checked. In order to ensure confidentiality, cameras and picture-taking are not permitted on the grounds of Sierra Tucson. Visiting hours on Sundays are from 3:00 – 5:50 p.m.

Telephone and Mail

In order to ensure a therapeutic milieu, patients are encouraged to make phone calls only after the first 3 days of treatment, unless otherwise indicated by a medical provider’s order. Upon admission, patients are allowed to call (under nursing supervision) a significant other person to advise of their safe arrival. Telephones in the lodges are activated during certain hours each day. Phone cards are available for purchase in the bookstore.

Mail may be sent to the following address:

Patient’s name c/o Sierra Tucson 39580 S. Lago del Oro Parkway Tucson, AZ  85739No mail order packages will be delivered to patients while they are in treatment unless authorized by their unit therapist. 

Patients may receive faxes. However, we ask that family members and friends use discretion with this privilege. The fax number for patients is 520-825-7300.

Travel Arrangements

Patients are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to Tucson. For your convenience, Sierra Tucson has arranged for BCD Travel to assist you with travel, if needed. You may contact a BCD travel agent at 800-327-7215.

If traveling by plane, bus, or train, Sierra Tucson will meet you at the baggage claim area when you disembark. We will need a physical description, so we know for whom to look.

Family Program

The Family Program at Sierra Tucson is designed to create a recovery foundation for you and your family or significant others, ages 18 and over. This program aims to expand self-awareness and knowledge of family dynamics as well as increase communication skills. Invited family members are introduced to a variety of self-care tools and various resources for continuing care. 

During the Intake process, you will complete an invitation list for the Family Program so that your family/significant others can be contacted and given program information. A family therapist will call the family member(s) when the list has been finalized after your arrival. It is necessary that those planning to attend confirm their plans no later than the Monday prior to the beginning of the Family Program. Please bring addresses and phone numbers for all family members/significant others whom you may invite to the Family Program.

The Family Program begins Monday at 8:00 a.m. and ends on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.  Participation in this program is included in the cost of the patient’s treatment; travel and accommodations are not included. We suggest the following accommodations and recommend that you ask about a special rate for Sierra Tucson Family Members:

• Best Western Catalina Inn, 520-818-9500 • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 800-228-2800 • Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 800-325-7832 • Miraval, Life in Balance®, 800-825-4000 • The Villas at Miraval, 800-825-4000 • Oro Valley Hotel & Suites, 520-544-2100 • The Golf Villas, 866-904-9158 • The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, 520-572-3000 • Westward Look Resort, 800-722-2500 

Some of these facilities offer special rates and/or transportation for Sierra Tucson’s Family Program participants. Sierra Tucson has arranged for BCD Travel to assist you with travel arrangements, if needed. You may contact a BCD travel agent at 800-327-7215.

Outside childcare services are available for children. The family therapist can provide details about these services, including fees. It will be the responsibility of family members to make arrangements for childcare prior to the Family Program.