Frequently Asked Questions for Family and Friends

We know that detox and treatment for drug addiction and alcoholism can be a frightening prospect for both the addict and the family. Below are basic questions and answers that should help ease some of that anxiety. If you need more information about detox, treatment or any of the topics mentioned below, please call our 24-hour helpline at 1-800-884-1727.

How do I know if my loved one needs help?
What is detox or detoxification?
Why is detox not enough to recover from addiction?
Do you accept insurance?
What makes Lakeview Health Systems qualified to treat addiction?
What is your confidentiality policy?
Who are your staff members?
Are there any one-step cures for addiction or medicines addicts can take to stop their addiction?
Where are you located?
Why does my loved one have to travel away from home for treatment?
Can I keep my job while I attend drug rehab?
How successful is your program?
What can I do to help an addict who is in treatment?
What do I bring to treatment?
What is the average length of time someone should stay in drug rehab?
What are your accommodations like?
How is the quality of your food?
Can I smoke?
Can I have my phone?
Are visitors allowed?
Why is addiction considered a family disease?
What is the Family Workshop?
Do patients need money during treatment?
What kinds of activities are available at the treatment center?
Can I send mail or packages to my loved one at treatment?
My loved one keeps relapsing after being in treatment several times. What’s wrong?
What are support groups (like AA, NA and Alanon)?
What happens after leaving treatment?

How do I know if my loved one needs help?

Drug and alcohol addiction has a negative impact on an individual, causing changes in personality and behaviors. A person who abuses drugs and alcohol usually has financial, relational and occupational problems, but this may not always be the case. Anything that seems out of the ordinary or questionable may indicate that there is a problem. Trust your gut instinct. If you suspect your loved one needs help, call Lakeview Health Systems and ask to speak with an admissions coordinator for more information.

What is detox or detoxification?

In drug rehab, detox or detoxification refers to a medical process that rids an addict’s body of the substances that he or she abused. Inpatient detox is considered the first level of care in addiction treatment. The length of alcohol and/or drug detox is determined by duration, frequency, quantity and type of substance used.

Why is detox not enough to recover from addiction?

Detox is only the first level of care in addiction treatment because it simply addresses the physical component of addiction. In fact, physical withdrawal may continue after detox because the body needs to pass through an adjustment period in order to reach equilibrium. Since the addict will continue to experience urges to use after detox, it is beneficial to continue with residential treatment. Residential treatment will keep the addict safe during urges to use, reduce the risk of relapse and educate the addict about how to maintain sobriety.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we accept most major insurances. Any questions about your insurance can be answered by one of our admissions coordinators by calling 1-866-922-1625. We also accept self-pay and major credit cards.

What makes Lakeview Health Systems qualified to treat addiction?

Lakeview Health Systems holds accreditations, licenses and certifications which make certain that it remains in compliance with state regulations and offers the best quality of care to patients. Lakeview works with the Joint Commission, Department of Children and Families and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Furthermore, continuing education helps Lakeview’s staff stay current with the best treatment practices for treating alcohol and drug addiction. The treatment team, made up of doctors, nurses and therapists, works together to give the best personalized treatment to each addict.

What is your confidentiality policy?

We comply with the standards of confidentiality found in HIPAA regulations. HIPAA, which stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, protects personal health information. All patients will need to sign release forms in order for their information to be released to others whom they want to participate in their treatment program. Exceptions to this rule are made if an addict reports suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect of oneself, a minor or an elderly person. In these instances, the law requires that authorities be contacted.

Who are your staff members?

Addictionologist – A medical doctor who specializes in treating physical health and addiction
Psychiatrist – A medical doctor who specializes in treating personality and mood disorders
Nurses – Medical professionals who are trained to take care of those who are sick
Clinical Director – Oversees the therapeutic department in a treatment facility
Primary Therapist – A master-level therapist that is assigned to an addict upon admission. Conducts therapy sessions with the addict one-on-one as well as conducting group and family therapy sessions while the addict is in treatment
Certified Addiction Professional – An individual who has obtained certification to work with addicts
Mental Health Technician – An individual who has obtained certification as a human service and health professional that works in hospital and treatment settings. Provides supportive help for the addict

Are there any one-step cures for addiction or medicines addicts can take to stop their addiction?

There is no cure or medication that an addict can take to stop addiction. However, there are medications which can help with mood swings, cravings
and other physiological and psychological issues that may be contributing factors to substance abuse. A drug rehab program will teach cognitive and behavioral techniques that can decrease the risk of relapse without medication.

Where are you located?

Lakeview Health Systems is located in Jacksonville, Florida. The facility is just minutes from the beach and in close proximity to the airport as well as several hotels, hospitals, restaurants, banks and shopping areas. Families coming from out of town to visit or attend our family program will enjoy the conveniences of the area. The year-round pleasant weather provides ideal conditions for spending time outdoors and the opportunity to relax and get help in a safe, secure and confidential environment.

Why does my loved one have to travel away from home for treatment?

Going away for addiction treatment removes the addict or alcoholic from the environment where he or she used drugs and alcohol. Therapists cite several benefits to going away for drug rehab such as:

Being away from familiar people, places and things which can trigger substance abuse.
Removing proximity to drug dealers, making it more difficult to obtain drugs and relapse.
Decreasing the chance of “elopement”, leaving treatment early, which can decrease the chance of achieving sobriety.

Can I keep my job while I attend drug rehab?

Employment should not interfere with going to drug rehab. This is especially true for those whose lives are deteriorating from uncontrollable drug and alcohol use. There are options you can discuss with your employer that may allow you to keep your job while attending drug rehab. Two of these are the Family and Medical Leave Act and Short-Term Disability.

How successful is your program?

There are many reports claiming to have statistics documenting success rates of treatment programs; however, addiction is a disease that can be put into remission and reemerge later if not carefully monitored. Because of this, success rates are extremely difficult to measure. Lakeview Health Systems offers an Alumni Program which helps addicts who have completed addiction treatment stay connected during recovery. We are able to state that many of our addicts have self-reported successfully maintained recovery. Addicts who go through addiction treatment and carefully follow an aftercare plan including individual counseling, family therapy, medication management (if necessary), 12-step meeting attendance, alumni program participation and other life-affirming actions increase their chances of maintaining sobriety.

What can I do to help an addict who is in treatment?

Support from friends, family and significant others is essential to an addict’s treatment program. Many addiction programs encourage the persons who interact directly with the addict to receive extra support, education and counseling as well. At Lakeview Health Systems, we encourage these individuals to:

Complete our family packet (that will be mailed to you)
Become educated about the disease of addiction
Attend all phone sessions with the patient’s primary therapist
Participate in the 4-day Family Treatment Program (for immediate family)
Attend local support groups for friends and family of addicts or alcoholics
Follow suggestions made by the primary therapist

What do I bring to treatment?

Bring about 10 days' worth of comfortable, modest clothing with no offensive statements or drug and alcohol references. The facility has a washer and dryer for as-needed use.
Hygiene products that do not contain alcohol.
Recovery-related reading material.
No electronics, including cell phones. Any electronics you travel with will be safely locked away upon your arrival and returned to you upon completion of the program. Phones will be available for you to use and include long distance calling.

What is the average length of time someone should stay in drug rehab?

An addict should stay in treatment for as long as he or she needs to be in treatment. Unfortunately, this can become costly and most people cannot endlessly pay for addiction treatment. At Lakeview Health Systems, the addict is prepared, through different phases of addiction treatment, to return back home with a relapse prevention plan in place. The average length of stay to complete all levels of an addiction treatment program is 6 weeks.

What are your accommodations like?

In the detox and inpatient rehab levels of care, patients have spacious, semiprivate rooms with clean, modern furnishings. Doctors and clinical therapists have offices in the building, making it easy for patients to get to appointments. There are common areas in the facility for dining, group meetings and leisure activities such as watching television, reading, playing games and socializing with others.

For residential treatment, the partial hospitalization program and outpatient treatment, patients reside at The Villages. Here, patients of the same sex share a typical two-bedroom apartment, each with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living area, complete with television. Staff members are onsite 24 hours a day to handle any patient needs that arise. Patients are shuttled to and from The Villages daily to the drug rehab program. They are also taken to outside activities and nightly local 12-step meetings. Living at The Villages allows comprehensive treatment to continue while providing patients with a transitional environment in which to prepare for reentry into everyday life.

How is the quality of your food?

Lakeview Health Systems employs a licensed nutritionist who works with our chef to offer wholesome, nutritious and comforting meals. A balanced daily dose of nutrients helps patients’ bodies heal from the damage done by substance abuse. The nutritionist is available for consultations with every patient and our food can be prepared to accommodate any special dietary needs.

Can I smoke?

Yes, there are designated smoking areas at the treatment center. Lakeview Health Systems does not promote smoking and if you would like more assistance with quitting while in treatment, please let the medical staff know.

Can I have my phone?

You may not have your cell phone during treatment. However, Lakeview Health Systems patients are able to use our landline and long distance calling is free of charge. The amount of time spent on the phone is monitored so that it does not interfere with each individual’s addiction treatment program. Also, patients will not be allowed to use the phone during their first week at Lakeview so that they have time to detox and adjust to their drug rehab schedule. If you have concerns about this time period, have your loved one sign a consent form so that you can speak directly to the doctors, nurses and therapists about his or her progress in treatment. Loved ones can call and leave messages for patients, but due to HIPAA privacy regulations, we are unable to answer questions about our patients unless they have signed a consent form. To leave a message for a patient, call 904-727-6455.

Are visitors allowed?

Yes, you will be able to visit your loved one at drug rehab. Visits depend on which level of addiction treatment the patient is in and the patient’s primary therapist will need to approve all requested visits. This helps regulate the outside traffic coming into the community. It is also strongly recommended that the patient’s immediate family partake in the 4-day intensive family treatment program to learn about the disease of addiction, how the addiction has negatively impacted each family member and how to prepare for the addict returning home.

Why is addiction considered a family disease?

Addiction impacts the entire family. The family feels pain, frustration, betrayal and mistrust when a loved one is addicted. Some family members may attempt to help the addict and end up actually contributing to the addict’s substance abuse instead. Eventually, the entire family seems to revolve around the addict’s addiction through conversation, adjustment of family events and altering behaviors to accommodate the addict. The family may need additional support and education about addiction to decrease behaviors which may contribute to the addict relapsing. Such education is provided at Lakeview’s Family Workshop.

What is the Family Workshop?

Lakeview Health Systems offers a Family Workshop as a patient prepares for discharge. The Family Workshop is a 3-day program which takes place at the drug rehab center. During the workshop, the family and the addict will attend lectures, a private family session and family group therapy sessions. Information covered in Family Workshops includes:

Reviewing the addict’s relapse prevention plan
Mending family relationships and building trust
How to stop enabling behaviors
What to expect after treatment

Hotel accommodation recommendations for Family Workshop participants will be provided by Lakeview Health Systems staff. Some hotels in the area offer discounts for patients’ family members.

Do patients need money during treatment?

While in addiction treatment, a patient can have money in a personal account that is distributed weekly to be used for incidentals such as personal hygiene items, haircuts, cigarettes or vending machine snacks. Our staff suggests that you deposit the full amount at the time of payment for treatment, up to $400, that will be used for the duration of the addict’s stay. This will decrease confusion and prevent the addict from calling home for money, encouraging a healthier dynamic.

What kinds of activities are available at the treatment center?

All types of recreation are important in recovery and we offer activities in which everyone can participate. Patients can play ping pong, volleyball, board games and go to the gym two or three days a week. Regular walks in the beautiful Florida weather are part of the Lakeview Health Systems experience as well. Every Saturday, patients enjoy an offsite activity, which may include:

Spending a day at the beach
Going bowling
Taking a class at a dance studio
Visiting a park
Making pottery

Learning how to have a good time without drugs or alcohol is crucial to an enjoyable life in sobriety. Our certified recreational therapist accompanies patients on outings and therapeutically processes each activity with them afterwards.

Can I send mail or packages to my loved one at treatment?

Letters and postcards to patients are welcome. Mail is delivered daily. Photos, small packages containing items such as shoes, appropriate clothing, recovery-related reading materials and small birthday gifts can also be sent. Drinks or foodstuffs of any kind, including candy, are is not allowed.

Packages can be sent to:

Lakeview Health Systems, LLC
1900 Corporate Square Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Attn: [Patient’s name]

My loved one keeps relapsing after being in treatment several times. What’s wrong?

For some addicts, it may take several attempts in a drug rehab program to become sober. Some addicts may relapse even after a long amount of clean time. There are no predicting factors that tell us why some succeed the first time at treatment and why some may need additional treatment. Either way, going to a drug rehab can always add knowledge to previously learned information about addiction. Each relapse can be used as a learning process if an individual reflects on what worked and what led to substance abuse again.

What are support groups (like AA, NA and Alanon)?

Nonprofit groups have been started by individuals who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction to help them maintain their sobriety. Meetings of groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are usually available to recovering individuals around the clock and across the globe. There are also support groups for family members, friends and significant others whose loved ones are addicted. These support groups, such as Alanon, work similarly to AA and NA.

What happens after leaving treatment?

Addiction treatment has 4 levels of care: inpatient treatment, residential drug rehab, partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program. Once treatment is complete, the addict has options regarding continuing his or her recovery program. These options include: