We Understand you have Questions about Treatment

What is an assessment?

A chemical dependency assessment is a diagnostic interview that helps determine the level of involvement with substances in a person’s life. Also, in the assessment process, standardized testing, diagnostic criteria, and placement criteria are utilized to determine the most appropriate level of care to best help the individual develop the skills and tools to support the lifestyle changes necessary for recovery.

Who should get an assessment?

Alpine Recovery Services provides assessments to a wide variety of individuals who have concerns regarding substance use in their lives. People are referred to Alpine Recovery Services as a result of a crisis in their life that may include family concerns, employer concerns, self-referral, or as a result of a legal issue involving alcohol or other substances. Please contact Alpine Recovery Services professional staff if you have questions regarding the need for a chemical dependency assessment

Does Alpine Recovery offer deferred prosecution assessments?

Yes. This assessment includes all relevant paperwork to satisfy the legal requirements for a deferred prosecution treatment program.

I want to schedule an assessment. How long does it take?

We allow a total of three hours, about an hour for paperwork and up to two hours is spent with a counselor.

What happens after an assessment?

Treatment recommendations are made based on the outcome of the assessment, and the most appropriate level of care for the individual’s specific needs. Treatment placement is based on ASAM placement criteria, which is a standardized criterion to help appropriately place the individual at the level of care necessary to help them develop skills to support ongoing abstinence and recovery.

What is the difference between in patient and out patient treatment?

Inpatient treatment provides stabilization/crisis intervention. Some inpatient programs provide around the clock medically supervised detoxification. Counseling and individual therapy assists the patient in dealing with the complex issues of chemical dependency. It varies in length and provides intensive group therapy, individual counseling and education about the disease of addiction.

Outpatient treatment includes both intensive outpatient care and outpatient care, and allows the individual to continue to reside in their own home, and to continue to work while they are involved in the treatment process. Outpatient treatment also allows the individual to begin to develop a clean and sober support network in their community in addition to participating in the structured treatment process.

Does Alpine Recovery recommend in-patient or out-patient treatment?

Appropriate treatment recommendations are made based on ASAM placement criteria that help determine the most appropriate level of care for the individual involved. Alpine Recovery Services Inc. provides outpatient chemical dependency services. If the need for inpatient treatment is indicated, appropriate referrals are made.

How long does treatment last?

Depending on the diagnosis, length of treatment can be from six months to two years.

Are there shorter treatment plans?

If the individual meets criteria for abuse or dependence, the typical length of stay is a minimum six months.

Does Alpine Recovery offer a deferred prosecution program?

Yes. Deferred prosecution treatment is a program specific to the State of Washington for DUI offenders. The length of stay is fixed at two years by law, and includes intensive outpatient treatment, continuing care, and monthly monitoring.

Tell me more about the Intensive Out-Patient Program.

The purpose of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Alpine Recovery Services Inc. is to provide treatment/educational services for people who have been diagnosed through professional assessment as addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs and who are able to benefit from a structured treatment program.

Such assessment identifies people with a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse and associated adverse life effects, 18 years of age or over (exceptions may be made for younger people seeking treatment who show maturity, willingness, and motivation to undertake the program), motivated to treatment and willing to comply with the treatment requirements including 12-Step program commitment, willing to include significant others in his/her treatment, free of physical or mental deterioration that would prevent them from benefiting from a structured outpatient program, not in need of detoxification or inpatient treatment, not using (or withdrawing from) heroin, methadone, or similar opiate derivatives.

The IOP program provides education for patients regarding alcohol, alcoholism, drugs and drug addiction, and HIV/AIDS. Initial and ongoing assessment is performed for each client to ensure that their individual treatment plan remains appropriate to their therapeutic needs. The program consists of four sessions per week for nine weeks. Each evening session is two hours long.
IOP is followed by an appropriate aftercare program such as Continuing Care I or Relapse Awareness.

Tell me more about the Continuing Care I Program.

The purpose of the Continuing Care I program at Alpine Recovery Services is to provide treatment/educational services for people who have been diagnosed as addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs, are able to benefit from a structured treatment program and who have successfully completed an intensive outpatient program or an intensive inpatient treatment program.

The Continuing Care I program provides continuing education for patients regarding alcohol, alcoholism, drugs and drug addiction, and HIV/AIDS. Ongoing assessment is performed for each client to ensure that their individual treatment plan remains appropriate to their therapeutic needs. The Continuing Care I program consists of one session per week for 26 weeks. Each session is 1½ hours (90 minutes) long.

Tell me more about your Relapse Awareness Group.

The purpose of the Relapse Awareness Group at Alpine Recovery Services is to provide treatment/educational services for people who are at risk for relapse, or for those who wish to learn more about the dangers of relapse.

The program includes topics such as understanding the concept of relapse as a process, identifying external and internal warning signs of relapse, and identifying tools and behavior which can interrupt the relapse process. The program consists of one session per week for 26 weeks. Each session is 1½ hours (90 minutes) long.

Tell me more about your Positive Choices Group.

Positive Choices (substance abuse treatment) is a six-month program including group and individual treatment/prevention opportunities. The Positive Choices program at Alpine Recovery Services is appropriate for people who have a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse with adverse life effects, but without demonstrated addiction and who have been diagnosed as alcohol/drug abusers through professional assessment. Alcohol and drug problems may or may not have resulted in legal issues.

The program consists of one 90-minute group session a week for twelve weeks, followed by one 90-minute group session every other week for six sessions. This group is held on Mondays.

I'm worried about my employer finding out I have a problem. What should I do?

Treatment at Alpine Recovery Services is confidential, and protected by federal privacy laws. Information cannot be disclosed to employers or other parties without written consent by the patient. The experience of Alpine Recovery Services staff in working with employers has been very positive, with a majority of the employers being very supportive of an employee seeking help for their substance abuse or dependence.

Alpine Recovery Services’ professional staff will help the individual in determining the appropriateness of involving their employer in the treatment process.

Will I be able to work during treatment?

Outpatient treatment incorporates individualized treatment with morning and evening programs available to accommodate various employment schedules, i.e., you live at home and don’t need to miss work.

I have children at home. How will treatment affect my time?

Recovery from chemical dependency does require a commitment of time, and chemical dependency treatment is no exception. However, after the initial intensive phase of treatment, most people find that they spend more time with their family and have a higher quality of time with their family as a result of not drinking or using.

Also, Alpine Recovery Services believes involvement of the family in the recovery process enhances a person's recovery, and enables healing within the family system more rapidly.

Chemical dependency is truly a family disease, and impacts the members of the family significantly. Alpine Recovery Services encourages family members to become involved in their own recovery process, and offers a family program every Wednesday during the intensive outpatient treatment program that is open to family members of patients.

I don't have my drivers license. How can I get to treatment?

Alpine Recovery Services is on a main community transit bus line that is accessible to all patients.

Also, a majority of patients who do not have drivers’ licenses find that other people in treatment and recovery are open to providing transportation to and from treatment and other recovery activities, including community-based support groups.

Family members are also usually open to providing transportation to and from treatment, and supportive of a person seeking the help to support recovery.

I'm concerned about the drug/alcohol use of someone close to me. What can I do?

Please contact a clinical staff person at Alpine Recovery Services to discuss the possibility of professional intervention to help engage your concerned person in the recovery process. Alpine Recovery Services does not provide interventions, however, we have affiliations with local intervention specialists and will make appropriate referrals upon request.

I'm worried about my son/daughter's drug/alcohol use. Do you offer adolescent treatment?

Alpine Recovery Services does not provide adolescent-specific chemical dependency treatment. However, Alpine Recovery Services can give referrals and information regarding adolescent-specific treatment. Please contact a clinical staff person for more information regarding referrals for adolescent treatment.

I've been ordered by the court to seek chemical dependency treatment. Can you help?

Yes, Alpine Recovery Services is respected within the court community as a quality chemical dependency provider. Alpine Recovery Services has a positive working relationship with courts, probation, and the Department of Corrections.

How much does treatment cost?

These prices are approximate. A more accurate cost analysis will be determined after the initial assessment and appropriate treatment recommendations are made.

Intensive outpatient program is $2,586 (two-hour group therapy sessions, four times a week for nine weeks).

Aftercare programs vary from $1,310 to $1,380 (90-minute group therapy sessions, once a week for 26 weeks).

Positive Choices is $1,040 (one 90-minute group session a week for twelve weeks, followed by one 90-minute group session every other week for six sessions)

Will Alpine bill my insurance?

Most of our programs are covered by health insurance plans. However, only a portion of your costs may be covered by insurance. The amount covered varies from plan to plan. We do our best to estimate the cost of treatment at time of admission. Discounts may be available for certain treatment combinations.

I don't have extra money to pay for treatment. What are my options?

Although treatment costs need to be paid for by the end of the treatment program, we offer flexible financing. We will gladly discuss all the options available to you in a one-on-one private session after the initial assesment.

I've heard alcoholics and people with drug problems never really get better. Is that true?

No. A recent study shows that people recover from alcohol and drug problems at a higher rate than people recover from obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Is alcoholism really a disease?

The American Medical Association has classified chemical dependency as a disease since 1956. Chemical dependency is a primary, progressive disease that results in premature death if not treated.

Chemical dependency is also a chronic illness that cannot be cured. However, with appropriate treatment, and follow-up, the progression of this disease can be stopped, and a healthy, productive life can be led.

Chemical dependency has specific signs and symptoms, and also a specific progression. Chemical dependency can also lead to physical complications, including withdrawal when the substance is removed from the system. Withdrawal is an indication of physical dependence.

How do I know if I have an addiction?

Completing a chemical dependency assessment with a certified chemical dependency professional will help determine if you criteria for substance abuse or dependence.

I've quit drinking/using in the past. Can't I just try that again?

Yes, you can try quitting again. However, research indicates that if a person is involved in formal treatment, along with community-based support groups, their recovery process is accelerated, along with personal and social growth.

Also, the individual develops skills to support ongoing abstinence, and to help alleviate relapse potential, and reduce the consequences of relapse while they are involved in chemical dependency treatment.

What is the success rate of recovery?

Recovery is one day at a time. It involves a personal daily recovery program that is developed by the patient and his/her counselor.

Recovery rates double for those who complete aftercare. We strongly recommend that out patients continue treatment on a weekly basis for six months.

I've never had a DUI or been arrested. I have a job and take care of my family. How can my drug or alcohol use be an addiction?

Being arrested for a substance related charge is only one of a multitude of signs that alcohol or drugs may be a problem in your life.

If a person is asking themselves if alcohol or drugs are a problem in their life, or could be a problem in their lives, or if alcohol or drugs have created problems in any major area of your life, these are indicators that a chemical dependency assessment will help determine the level of involvement with substances in your life, and the appropriate level of treatment of treatment that is indicated.

A friend suggested I go to AA. Should I just do that insead of going to treatment?

Research indicates that AA definitely supports and enhances the treatment process.

Research further indicates that individuals involved in treatment, and include regular contact with AA increase the recovery process, and reduce the risk of relapse.

Alpine Recovery Services recognizes the importance of AA/NA in a person's recovery process, and requires that all patients in treatment at Alpine Recovery Services include attendance at community-based support groups as part of their treatment process.

Does Alpine Recovery offer AA meetings?

No, although meetings are held in our office, we are not a part of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.