You have just made a very important decision, one that will affect the rest of your life. In order that you come prepared and know what to expect, Sierra Tucson has compiled the following information that will be helpful in planning for your treatment experience.

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.

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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.

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Medical Assessment And Stabilization

Upon arrival, your initial assessment and evaluation process will take place in our Medical Assessment and Stabilization unit (MAS). You will remain in MAS (at the MAS daily rate) until you are medically cleared and your initial treatment plan is developed (an average of two days). In addition, you may reside in MAS 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 have been 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.

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What To Bring

• Dress for therapy should be casual and in good taste. Clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, or sports teams (or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff) is not allowed.
• Appropriate attire: jeans, casual slacks, sportshirts, skirts and dresses that are knee-length or longer, jogging suits, and appropriate-length shorts such as Bermuda/walking shorts (covering 3/4 of the thigh).
• 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 Lycra tights or biking or running shorts. No low-cut tops, blouses with spaghetti straps, or tank tops. Bare midriffs are unacceptable. Jeans and clothing must not have suggestive tears or cutouts.
• Bathing suits for women must be one-piece, without high-cut legs or revealing tops. Bathing suits for men must be the boxer-type.
• Undergarments are required for all patients, (i.e., bras, underwear, and athletic supporters), as indicated.
• 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. Shoes and/or slippers must be worn outside your room.
                     
• Electric razor/shaver is the only type allowed.
    
• Insurance card.
                                                              
• Living will or healthcare Power of Attorney.

• Boots or shoes with a sturdy heel.
• Sunglasses and hat or visor. (Sunglasses are to be worn outside only.)

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

DETERMINATION OF INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE WILL BE AT STAFF'S DISCRETION AND IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.

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What To Leave At Home

• Non-prescription medications (i.e., Advil, Tylenol, etc.), vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements.
                 
• Excessive or expensive jewelry.
• Radios, tape recorders/CD players, tapes/CDs iPods or any type of portable media players, cell phones, laptops, electronic address books, audio/video equipment, TVs, or cameras.
• Exercise equipment, craft materials, musical instruments, or 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.
              
• Pillows or blankets.
• 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.
• Suntan oils or baby oils (substitute with lotions).
• 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.
• Smokeless tobacco, cigars, or pipes.
• Illegal substances or mood-altering drugs.
• Firearms and/or supplies.
• Clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, or sports teams (or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff) is not allowed. No bare midriffs, low-cut tops, form-fitting clothing (including Lycra tights or running or biking shorts). Jeans and clothing must not have suggestive tears or cutouts.

Prescription medications other than a 3-day supply will be returned upon discharge. However, all controlled substances will be destroyed unless the prescription is ordered by a Sierra Tucson physician.

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.

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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. Please bring only a 3-day supply of the medication in the appropriately labeled prescription bottle. Remaining medications will be returned upon discharge. Controlled substances will be destroyed, except with a written order by a Sierra Tucson physician. Each patient's medical provider will manage medication through Sierra Tucson's pharmacy supply. Please do not bring over-the-counter medications (i.e., Advil, Tylenol, etc.), vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements.

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Money

It is suggested 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.

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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 is not permitted at Sierra Tucson.

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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
3:30 - 6:00 p.m.

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Telephone/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 should be sent to the following address: