Once you qualify for rehab, then the process of entering into treatment can occur quite quickly. As soon as your insurance is verified and we have your information we can then develop a treatment plan. At that point, you could already be on your way to our center.
As you arrive, we’ll take you through the intake process. You’ll meet with medical and clinical staffers. They’ll question you to determine several factors, including:
- If you have any health conditions
- What kind of addiction you have
- How long you’ve used
- How frequent/severe is your use
You’ll also be tested for drugs during intake. That’s to help with diagnosis. Once the intake is complete, our treatment team will work with you to build a treatment plan designed just for you.
What Should I Pack? What Should I Leave at Home?
Before you arrive at Mountain Springs, your admissions coordinator will provide you with a list of items to pack, as well as a list of things to avoid.
Since Mountain Springs is located in Colorado, it’s a good idea to prepare for all kinds of weather. Conditions can shift rapidly. Generally, it’s snowy in winter and warm and rainy in summer, with a lot of sunshine in between.
You could enjoy 60-degree days in January and below-freezing nights in April. In October you might be comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts during the day and slip on thermals at night. The old joke, “if you don’t like the weather here, wait five minutes” truly applies. Packing for weather extremes and for comfort are good ideas. Having something available for outdoor activities in all kinds of weather is also a good idea since our center is located near the Rockies and national forest land. Mountain also has an outdoor pool, so if you’re staying with us during the warmer months, you may wish to pack a swimsuit.
We also have a list of items that are not allowed. Those include narcotic medications. No alcohol is permitted either. We search every patient’s items upon arrival. Many prescription medications (like Xanax) are not allowed. Personal care items must be sealed, and they cannot contain alcohol in their first three ingredients.
Items to bring:
- Driver’s license or passport
- Insurance card (or a copy of the front and back)
- Prescription medications you’re currently taking (keep them in your original prescription bottles)
- A list of current and past therapists, physicians, and psychiatrists that you are seeing (or have seen)
- Comfortable clothing for a co-ed environment. Packing enough for a week or slightly longer is a good idea, so you won’t have to wash everything frequently). Pajamas, shoes, and slippers are a good idea, too.
- Workout clothing and outdoor wear
- Journals, books, writing materials
Mountain Springs does allow laptops and cell phones. You’re allowed to use these items so long as you attend all the support group and therapy sessions and anything else that’s part of your recovery program schedule.
Little touches of home, like mementos or photos of loved ones, are also allowed. Those reminders can be helpful in focusing on recovery.
How Do Clients Travel to Mountain Springs?
It’s not unusual to have to travel for rehab treatment. You might have a rehab near where you live, but they might not offer the treatment you want or need, or they might not be part of your insurance network. Sometimes you might prefer to recover farther away from home, too, free of distractions and potential triggers.
Working with your admissions coordinator and family or friends can help you plan your travels.
Contact us, and we’ll help make arrangements for travel. We can work with you to find affordable flights and coach you in the check-in process. We also pick up anyone within a two-hour radius of Mountain Springs, so if you’re arriving at Denver International Airport, which is about an hour away, we can easily be there for you when you arrive. We’ll also drive you back to the airport once you complete your rehab with us.
What is Intake?
Once we determine you or your loved one could benefit from our treatment program, your admissions coordinator will begin the process of getting you to our facility.
We understand that seeking addiction treatment is never an easy decision, so we aim to get you in a program as quickly as possible, so you transition seamlessly from seeking help to getting help.
When you arrive your insurance will be verified. A behavioral health technician will perform the intake process. After that, our medical staff and caseworkers will perform physical and psychological assessments on you. We’ll get your whole story as well as help you determine what you want to accomplish. That helps us shape a treatment plan suited to your needs.
What Happens When You Arrive?
Stepping into a rehab center might be scary, but Mountain Springs’ staff will be expecting you and greet you when you arrive. One of our behavioral health technicians will help you through the admissions process.
At this stage, you’ll read and sign paperwork regarding our center’s rules. We’ll also inform you of our expectations for you during your stay and go over any other essential details. If you have questions, we can answer those, too. Because this is such a huge step, the whole process can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help you through your journey.
Once the paperwork is out of the way, then it’s time for a physical assessment.
What Happens During A Physical Assessment?
A physical assessment is important for several reasons. We screen you so you have a current and accurate diagnosis of your physical health. It determines that you need inpatient addiction treatment. The doctor’s (clinician’s) assessment will be given to your insurance company so they can approve your treatment. (Most insurance companies insist there is a medical need for inpatient rehab.)
We also do a mental health screening. Both that and the physical assessment helps your treatment team get a more thorough understanding of your addiction, including what may have caused it or fueled it, and if there are any underlying conditions to address. It’ll also give us a clearer picture of your overall health.
Some of the questions we’ll ask at this stage include:
- How long have you been using, as well as how often
- What substances have you been using
- When is the last time you’ve used or had a drink
These may seem like a lot of questions, but our healthcare professionals need to know this information. Not only will it help shape your program, but when you undergo detoxification, you’ll go through withdrawal, and this information can help us help you through that stage. (Don’t worry: During detox, we’ll provide around-the-clock care to help keep you comfortable and safe during the process.)
How Long Does the Intake Process Last?
Intake will depend on the client, specifically how long it takes to complete and sign the necessary paperwork. Physical assessments can range anywhere from thirty minutes to up to two hours, but the exact amount of time will vary. At Mountain Springs it averages about an hour.
What Happens After the Physical Assessment?
Once the physical assessment is complete, the patient will go to detox. It’s usually a minimum of 24 hours, but the process can last anywhere from seven to 10 days. If they feel strong enough they can begin attending therapy sessions and group meetings. It’s not required, however. They can also focus simply on getting clean and getting healthier. Once they finish detoxing, they’ll be ready for rehab.
Early in your stay at Mountain Springs, we’ll ask you to attend orientation. We hold these sessions twice a week for all new patients. Orientation is a good way to learn more about what we do, and what you can expect during your stay.
