What to expect . . .
During your treatment experience at Hazelden
We understand that you may be feeling nervous and apprehensive about coming to
Hazelden, especially if this is your first experience in treatment. If you have already gone through treatment, you might be wondering how this time will be different from the last. This is understandable. We want you to know that we are going to do everything we can to ensure your recovery is as comfortable and effective as possible.
- What is Hazelden like?
- You are not alone
- Hazelden programs approach treatment with several things in mind
- A nurturing environment
- A safe, confidential place
- Supportive professionals
- How does Hazelden view treatment for men and women?
- Is Hazelden just a Twelve Step program?
- Can't I just go to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings?
- Does Hazelden provide a detoxification program? What about other medical services?
- How long does treatment last?
- Why do some people stay longer than others?
- Can my family call me while I'm in treatment? Can I get mail or email?
- I like to work out. Can I do that while I'm there?
- What happens after my experience at Hazelden?
What is Hazelden like?
Each site at Hazelden is designed with safety, comfort, and serenity in mind. We want patients and families to feel that our facilities are a place where they can turn down the noise of the outside world for a while and focus on their own issues and needs. We have created environments of healing that reflect our belief in treating people with dignity and respect. While each Hazelden location is unique, there are certain components common to all of Hazelden's treatment facilities.
- Supportive, caring and well-trained professionals from a wide range of disciplines (i.e. wellness, medical, addiction, psychology, fitness, spirituality, mental health, family health)
- Time for talking--both one-to-one counseling and a variety of group settings
- Personal time for reflection including reading and individual treatment assignments
- Relaxation, exercise and recreational activities
- Lectures and other educational activities
The time spent at Hazelden is intended to provide a fresh start with support, education and therapy to aid in long-term recovery and a healthy, sober life.
You are not alone
We want you to know that how you are feeling is how many people feel when they are entering treatment. There are many different reasons why people come to Hazelden. Many people are asked by their friends to come. Others come because their disease has progressed to a point where they don't know what else they can do. Whatever made you decide to come to Hazelden, we want you to know that you have chosen an exceptional place with a long and proud history of successfully helping people achieve lifelong recovery.
Hazelden programs approach treatment with several things in mind
- We treat each person who comes to us with dignity and respect
- We provide a safe place to start the healing process
- We ensure an accurate diagnosis and make sure the person is clinically appropriate for our level of care--our assessment and evaluation processes are very thorough.
- Our treatment philosophy is based on the recognition that addiction is a disease and that abstinence is the best way to manage the disease.
- We approach each person in a holistic way - working with mind, body and spirit as the integral components of a healthy life.
A nurturing environment
The feelings that you are experiencing right now might be fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, resentment or blame. You might think that these feelings won't go away. At Hazelden, we have created a nurturing environment with people who understand exactly what addiction is and exactly what you're going through. Hazelden's staff will be working with you closely; they are among the best in their field, many of them having gone through recovery themselves.
You'll be assigned to a unit based on gender and will be placed into a group of people who will act as your peer support system during your stay at Hazelden. These people will most likely end up being your mentors, friends, and role models. They will provide you with the courage to keep moving along just as they have done. You may feel these people are further along than you in their path to recovery. Soon, new entrants will look to you as their role model because of the successes you have accomplished.
A safe, confidential place
Your support group will offer a supportive place where you will feel comfortable sharing emotions, experiences, successes and problems that you were and are experiencing. Through this discussion, you and your peers will find support, develop methods of coping and find solutions for problems or negative feelings you may be having.
Supportive professionals
Along with your support group is a team of professionals who will integrate the specific aspects of your life into an individualized treatment plan for you. This team will examine what you were using and for how long, and other issues you may be dealing with such as an eating disorder, grief, anxiety, depression, divorce or death of a loved one.
Your team will integrate these factors into your treatment plan in order to treat your addiction as well as the other issues that may be related to your addiction. These professionals meet regularly to discuss your individual needs, successes, setbacks and to update your care plan in order to optimize your chances for success. This team will monitor you and your progress closely, making well-informed decisions and recommendations about when your release date from Hazelden should be.
How does Hazelden view treatment for men and women?
Hazelden patients participate in an intensive program to treat alcoholism and drug addiction. A key component to this program is gender-specific treatment, or separating men and women into their own treatment groups. Research shows that men and women recover from their addictions differently. When we separate patients by gender, men learn about recovery from other men, and women begin to focus on building a lasting sobriety with the help of other women. Alumni, or our former patients, tell us that their gender-specific treatment groups also help them discuss highly sensitive and personal issues that are unique to a gender in a comfortable environment. Patients are expected to interact only with other patients in their gender-based unit.
Is Hazelden just a Twelve Step program?
No. Hazelden is an interdisciplinary program that incorporates many therapies. The Twelve Steps are a foundation and guideline for living and are fully integrated into our treatment process. The Twelve Steps provide a framework to examine mental health, physical health, emotional well being, relationships, spirituality and more. Hazelden programs utilize a team of professionals representing several disciplines including medical and psychiatric professionals, addiction counselors, dieticians, and spiritual and fitness experts. These experts analyze and work with each patient on their individual issues from a holistic view - treating mind, body and spirit.
Can't I just go to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings?
Many people who did not go to a formal treatment program have been successful through Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. For others, however, the disease has progressed to a point where they need the added structure, support and clinical services that are provided in a more formal program. Many of our alumni rely on Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings to provide lifelong support after receiving treatment at Hazelden.
Does Hazelden provide a detoxification program? What about other medical services?
All of Hazelden's residential programs provide comprehensive medically supervised detoxification. All patients spend their initial 24 to 48 hours on a medical unit to make sure they are medically stable before being assigned to a specific treatment unit. Hazelden facilities are staffed with medical personnel 24 hours per day to ensure that all of a patient's medical needs are appropriately met.
How long does treatment last?
The programs at Hazelden are not defined by a number of days, but rather by individual needs. Length of stay in both intensive outpatient and residential programs depends on the needs of the individual and is determined through an assessment and evaluation process. For most people, an average length of stay in primary care is four to six weeks. However, longer-term programs--often two or three months--are beneficial to some. Successful treatment is the ultimate goal, and time is necessary to win the battle.
While a residential treatment program can be the most efficient form of treatment, it may not be right for everyone. As an alternative, Hazelden provides intensive outpatient services at many locations. The intensive outpatient treatment is a flexible option for people who might have a less serious case of drug or alcohol abuse. Our intensive outpatient program provides integrated clinical care through individual counseling, group therapy, educational and therapeutic programs, and personal interaction with peers who are alongside them in the program. This program has both evening and day options and generally runs for 24 sessions over a six-week period.
We encourage prospective patients to receive a thorough evaluation, either through Hazelden or another provider, to determine the appropriate level of care needed. The results of this assessment may indicate that an intensive outpatient program is an appropriate option, or that residential care would be more beneficial.
Why do some people stay longer than others?
Addiction is a complex disease that impacts people physically, emotionally and psychologically. As a result, some people's treatment needs are more extensive than others. A person's ability to function, attitude toward treatment and maturity level all impact the treatment plan and how he or she progresses. In some cases, such as with health care professionals, licensing requirements dictate length of stay and level of care necessary to return to work. The initial assessment defines the treatment plan.
As patients progress through treatment, their needs are continually re-evaluated and the treatment plan is updated to reflect their changing condition. Ultimately the length of time they spend in the program is determined by clinical progress and readiness for discharge.
Can my family call me while I'm in treatment? Can I get mail or e-mail?
Following admission into Hazelden, patients are encouraged to contact their families to provide them with the phone number and times they can be reached. Patients do not have access to email, but can receive postal mail. It's recommended that patients bring a telephone calling card to pay for long distance calls while at Hazelden. Admissions counselors can provide you with more information on how you can contact your family while at Hazelden. Visitors are allowed at certain times on certain days in Hazelden's intensive outpatient and residential programs.
I like to work out. Can I do that while I'm there?
Absolutely! Physical health and fitness is an important component of Hazelden recovery programs. Workout and fitness facilities vary by location and may include gyms, weight rooms, pools, walking trails and other resources. Every Hazelden patient receives a fitness and recreation evaluation and individual plans are prepared for fitness activities while in treatment and following discharge.
What happens after my experience at Hazelden?
Before you leave Hazelden, your interdisciplinary care team will assess your progress in treatment and recommend a continuing care option for after you leave Hazelden. These recommendations may include:
- Continuing care weekly meetings at AA, NA, or Al-Anon to help you stay focused on your recovery with support from others who have an addiction
- Extended care at a facility for those who need to work on their recovery for a longer period of time
- Intermediate care at a facility where you can focus on your reintegration into home and work life
- Hazelden's MORE® (My Ongoing Recovery Experience) program, a free 18-month online continuing recovery service where you will have numerous activities and recovery tools available. You will also have your own recovery coach who can be contacted daily, electronically, or by phone.
We hope that after reading this information you will feel comfortable with your choice in coming to Hazelden. We hope that you feel encouraged, informed, and aware that recovery from addiction is possible. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email us or call 800-257-7810.
