Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of programs do you offer?

The Addiction Alliance of Georgia offers a full range of drug and alcohol addiction treatment services and programs for teens, adults and families. Our treatment experts are also skilled at addressing co-occurring mental health disorders including anxiety, depression and trauma.

What is treatment like at the Addiction Alliance of Georgia?

Our outpatient program includes core treatment activities, such as:

• Educational presentations and workshops
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Mental health services
• Mindfulness and relaxation practices
• Special-focus groups
• Our facilities are designed with your safety, comfort and serenity in mind.

Is the Addiction Alliance of Georgia a Twelve Step program?

Twelve Step principles and practices are a component of our programs at the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, but our model also incorporates:

• A holistic focus on health and well-being, caring for the body, mind and spirit
• Clinical best practices and evidence-based therapies
• Multidisciplinary care teams consisting of addiction counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists, physicians and nurses, family specialists, nutritionists, spiritual care professionals, and wellness
• specialists
• Recovery tools, resources and support services
• Treatment plans tailored to patients' unique situations and challenges

Does rehab at the Addiction Alliance of Georgia include treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as mental health complications?

We provide services for co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis or co-morbid conditions. Determining dual diagnosis is difficult as substance use itself frequently causes psychiatric symptoms and it is necessary to distinguish between substance-induced and pre-existing mental illness.

Substance use, including both alcohol and prescription drugs, can cause symptoms that resemble depression, bipolar disorder and eating disorders. Anxiety and depression can be induced by continuous alcohol or other substance use which often subsides with prolonged abstinence.

We are integrated care providers for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Many of our patients struggle with both. Our staff includes psychiatrists, physicians, psychologists and other mental health professionals who have expertise in helping people with substance use and co-occurring conditions.

How long does outpatient treatment last?

The length of addiction treatment programs are defined by the individual patient's needs, not by a number of days. Some patients have more complex recovery issues and require more time in treatment to address:

• Mental health complications
• Planning to return to work
• Relapse prevention
• Sober living skills
• Special issues and concerns

Does the Addiction Alliance of Georgia provide detoxification and other medical services?

The Addiction Alliance of Georgia partners with local detoxification facilities that specialize in medical detoxification and monitoring of the process.

Do you offer telehealth services?

The Addiction Alliance of Georgia offers virtual addiction and mental health services via any smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer with a camera and an internet connection. All of our virtual systems comply with federal and state health care privacy regulations — in other words, they meet HIPAA-compliant telemedicine standards.

Why not just go to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous?

Many people can successfully manage addiction with Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other Twelve Step support groups. But for others, the disease may be at a point where a more formal outpatient addiction treatment program with additional structure, support and clinical services is needed.

Are Addiction Alliance of Georgia staff members licensed and are the programs accredited?

Addiction Alliance of Georgia staff are experienced professionals. They hold licenses in substance use counseling or their professional discipline, such as medicine, nursing, psychology, psychiatry, marriage and family therapy and social work. Our programs are also licensed in the state of Georgia and all the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation locations are accredited by The Joint Commission.

What should I tell my employer?

Federal law does not require you to provide details about rehab to your employer. State laws vary, so evaluate what, if any, information you plan to share with their employer. Some employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is confidential and can be extremely helpful. There may be an automatic employer notification for actions such as filing state or private disability insurance claims. Employers can require a note from your doctor confirming that you need to be off work and your length of time away, as well as documentation that you are fit prior to returning to work. You may consider applying for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

What's the process to begin services?

The first thing we do when you call is to make sure we identify the best solution for your specific treatment needs. You’ll talk to our recovery experts about your situation and that will help us identify the most effective clinical option for you. You can call us any day, any time to ask questions or to begin the admissions process at 1-800-434-7495.

Do I need a physician referral?

No, you do not need a physician referral

What happens when I’m done with drug or alcohol treatment?

Recovery from addiction requires a daily commitment and practice. There will be days that are challenging — especially at the beginning. So our help and support will not end when you complete a treatment program with us. Our recovery programs will help you move forward on the progress you made during treatment.

When I’m done with treatment, do I have to keep going to AA or other Twelve Step group meetings?

Twelve step programs are a great place to find mutual support, wonderful fellowship and the help you need to stay steady after addiction treatment. Recovery is a lifelong journey and treatment is just the first step. Twelve Step programs can help you thrive in recovery.