People enter methadone treatment feeling overwhelmed by their dependence on heroin or other opioids. Not everyone who comes to Discovery House has the same treatment goals.

Regardless of why you are here, Discovery House expects you to want to change something about yourself and your life. We believe we have some services that can help you do that. We believe that “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” We are here to help you make the changes you need in your life.

Although you are the expert about yourself and your life, we are knowledgeable about drug treatment and how people change. It is only by working together that the changes you need will happen. We expect that whatever your goals for treatment, you’ll participate in this process of change.

Discovery House has a number of rules that every patient must follow in order to maintain a safe and workable recovery environment for everyone. Inability to follow the rules may result in your inability to continue participation in treatment.

• In order to complete a nursing assessment each time you dose, you are not allowed to wear hats or sunglasses, have beverages or children at the dosing window.
• Weapons of any kind are not allowed within the clinic or on the clinic grounds.
• Illicit drugs and alcohol are not allowed within the clinic or on the clinic grounds.
• Verbal and physical abuse of patients and staff is not tolerated.
• You are expected to respect Discovery House property.
• Smoking is not allowed within the clinic, only in designated areas outside.
• Loitering in or around the clinic or on surrounding properties is not allowed.
• You are not allowed to bring recording devices into the clinic.
• You are expected to make and keep scheduled appointments. Missing appointments without notification or repeatedly rescheduling appointments may result in termination of treatment.
• You are expected to pay the treatment fee on time, either through self payment or by maintaining insurance or other 3rd party payers.

Anyone seeking treatment at Discovery House will need a picture ID (acceptable to State Authorities), social security card and proof of income or insurance card, which must be presented at the time of admission.

Take-home medication may be given to you when in the reasonable judgment of the clinical team and medical director you have met the criteria for unsupervised medication. In order to be eligible for take-home medication you must be in compliance with all State and Federal regulations. Continued responsible behavior is required in order to maintain this privilege.

• You must review and sign the “Screening for Take-home Privileges”.
• You will be informed of the length of time it will take for the screening process.
• The treatment team will review the request within two weeks. The team will consider the following in determining granting an extension of take-home privileges:
• You must be absent of drug abuse (narcotic and non-narcotic) including alcohol, as evidenced by consecutive negative drug tests.
• You must be attending regular clinic visits, including counseling, groups, etc.
• You must demonstrate appropriate behavior at the clinic at all times.
• You must have absence of known recent criminal activity (e.g., drug dealing)
• There must be stability in your home environment and social relationships.
• How long you’ve been in comprehensive maintenance treatment with absence of illicit drug use.
• State authorities will define length of time in treatment in order to access take-home privileges.
• If you are on time-limited treatment protocols, you are not eligible to receive take-home privileges.
• You must ensure that take-home medication can be safely stored within your home and that your methadone medications will be kept out of reach of children.
• We will weigh the rehabilitative value of decreasing the frequency of your clinic attendance against potential risks for diversion.
• You must maintain financial stability.

Take-home doses may be granted in emergency cases. These would include medical emergency, acute illness, family crisis, job-related travel, etc. Vacation and travel doses may be granted to a reliable patient if the physician deems the request to be reasonable. Take-home requests for vacations must be made at least 14 days prior to the pick up date.

It is illegal to remove methadone from its container for any reason other than to take the medication as legally prescribed. The empty medication bottles must be returned to Discovery House upon the next visit. The take-home medication bottles must not be altered or destroyed. At any time while you are on take-home status you may be requested to return to the clinic with your medication supply. This may be done at random for quality assurance purposes or due to suspicion of medication tampering or diversion.

During treatment at Discovery House, you are required to participate in random drug tests. The purpose of drug testing is to provide an objective view of progress toward treatment goals. The drug test results can help to determine the direction of counseling and assist in setting reasonable goals for treatment. Drug testing is an important factor for the Discovery House medical staff in making decisions about your medication needs and dosage adjustments.

Discovery House will not discharge you solely for positive drug test results. You may however be discharged for refusing to or failing to participate in drug testing on a continuous basis.

Although the state and federally approved labs are reliable, positive results may be confirmed upon request. There will be a fee for this service.

In order to monitor the providing of a urine sample, and to ensure that there is no tampering with the sample, bathrooms are equipped with cameras. The monitor is viewed by the nursing staff. Additionally, the staff may from time to time physically observe you providing a urine sample.

Weekly fees are to be paid every Monday. Financial problems should be brought to the Program Director’s attention in order to work out a financial agreement.