GET HELP NOW: Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions

The Five Most Important Questions

Where do I go to get help?

How do I pay for substance abuse treatment?

How do I know what level of care or help I need?

What are my treatment options outside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania?

Where can I find out more about self-help groups for issues relating to alcohol and other drugs?

 

Where do I go to get help?

Getting a drug and alcohol evaluation is the first place to start. Any outpatient treatment provider can assist you in getting an evaluation. (View outpatient substance abuse treatment providers in Lancaster County or scroll down to find information on neighboring counties.) If you are not sure where to start, contact the Compass Mark  Drug & Alcohol Information Center at (717) 299-2831 from 9am to 5pm weekdays for information and referral assistance.

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How do I pay for substance abuse treatment?

Do you have Insurance, an HMO, Medical Assistance, OR Veteran's Benefits? YES or NO

No

If you think you may need inpatient detoxification, call White Deer Run of Lancaster @(717) 396-0650 for a short phone assessment. If you are appropriate for detox, WDR will begin to look for treatment accommodations for you.

If you do not need detox, even if you think you may need an inpatient rehab, you must make an appointment with a county-contracted oupatient therapist. The therapist will help you make an appointment to have a financial liability assessment. This will determine how much you have to pay each month for treatment.

If your therapist recommends:

  • Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient - Stay in treatment with your therapist and pay only the amount of your financial liability each month.
  • Residential Treatment - Your therapist will call the case management unit of the Lancaster County D&A Commission to review your case and discuss approval for the payment of these services.  If approved, you may go to one of several County-contracted rehabilitation centers, halfway houses, or a partial hospital program.

Yes, I have...

Insurance - Many insurance companies cover D&A treatment. Contact your insurance company to determine what is covered and proper access to treatment.

HMO - Many Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) provide D&A coverage. It is important that you follow the correct procedures or the D&A treatment will not be covered. In most cases, pre-authorization from the HMO is required.

Veterans Benefits - Most military veterans are eligible for D&A treatment services. Both the Lebanon and Coatesville VA Hospitals provide D&A treatment services. There are also outreach and outpatient programs for veterans.

Private Pay - If you have the ability to pay for your D&A treatment, you may choose any facility you can afford.

If you are having difficulty paying for treatment or negotiating with your insurance company, call ACCESS: Family Advocacy for Addiction Treatment at (866) 709-0590.

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How do I know what level of care or help I need?

You can be assessed directly at any outpatient treatment provider. The levels of care you may be referred into include:

  • Outpatient - Regularly scheduled counseling sessions, either individual or in a group with others, totaling no more than 5 hours per week.

  • Intensive Outpatient - Like outpatient, but takes place at least 3 days per week, up to 10 hours.
  • Partial Hospitalization - For clients who would benefit from more structure than outpatient counseling, but who do not require 24-hour care, partial hospitalization consists of longer-term, more intensive counseling, at least 3 days per week for a minimum of 10 hours.
  • Residential Rehabilitation - Professionally directed 24-hour care, either short-term; for 1 to 3 months in duration, or long-term; several months to several years. The client lives at the facility and participates in individual and group activities designed to “rehabilitate” the client back to a drug-free life.
  • Inpatient Detoxification - Provides 24-hour care to clients during the period of time that the body is eliminating the intoxicating substance. During this time, the client may experience withdrawal symptoms and may require counseling and support. The duration of this service is usually 2 to 7 days, and the client is then referred to residential rehabilitation, a halfway house, or outpatient counseling.
  • Halfway House - This service is often used to help clients make the transition from a residential rehab to living in society again. Clients live in a supportive, home-like setting and work on life skills and maintaining a drug-free life. Clients usually have jobs and attend 12-step meetings. Usually lasts 3 to 6 months.

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What are my treatment options outside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania?

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Where can I find more information about self-help groups for issues relating to alcohol and other drugs?

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