Addictions Services

This acupuncture protocol is a simple, gentle placement of up to five small, sterilized disposable pins in specific sites on each ear. Clients sit quietly in a group setting for up to 30-45 minutes during pin placement.

Acudetox has been shown to significantly decrease cravings for alcohol and drugs, withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, insomnia and agitation. Acudetox is offered to all of our Detox and Residential clients, and our outcomes show that 94% of those participating reported benefiting from this service. We also offer this service in some of our outpatient programming.

The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) to alcohol and substance use treatment is a behavioral intervention that seeks to replace environmental contingencies that have supported alcohol or drug use (or other problematic behaviors) with pro-social activities and behaviors that support recovery.

According to the adolescent’s needs and self-assessment of happiness in multiple areas of functioning, therapists choose from among 17 A-CRA procedures that address, for example, problem-solving skills to cope with day-to-day stressors, communication skills, and active participation in pro-social activities with the goal of improving life satisfaction and eliminating alcohol and substance use problems (or other problematic behaviors).

Role-playing/behavioral rehearsal is a critical component of the skills training used in A-CRA,  particularly for the acquisition of better communication and relapse prevention skills. Homework between sessions consists of practicing skills learned during sessions and participating in pro-social leisure activities.

Our Alumni Mentors help solidify the bridge between treatment at Stepping Stone, and recovery in the 12 Step Community. These efforts promote volunteerism in our Stepping Stone community.

Alumni Mentor – A person in recovery who has completed an intensive treatment at Stepping Stone, has at least 90 days of abstinence, and has been active in the 12 Step Community. Mentors commit to donating their time and personal resources to assist those in treatment, or leaving treatment, at Stepping Stone in getting acclimated in the recovery community.

Alumni Advisory Board – A group of alumni (five to seven members), who commit to attend quarterly advisory board meetings at Stepping Stone, recruit and coordinate alumni volunteers, organize and plan alumni support groups and other events, and provide input to management staff at Stepping Stone regarding needed program changes.

Alumni – A person who is within two weeks of completing an intensive treatment program at Stepping Stone that voluntarily chooses to sign up for an alumni mentor and attend the alumni support group.

ALUMNI EVENTS –  Mondays at 5:30p

ALUMNI SUPPORT GROUP – This is a closed meeting for Stepping Stone Alumni and Alumni Mentors. This is an opportunity for new Alumni to meet Alumni Mentors and begin using this support group as a resource in recovery. All Alumni are welcome to attend Tuesday nights at Stepping Stone.

CHRISTMAS PARTY, SUPERBOWL PARTY, MOVIE NIGHTS, AND MORE!

The Detoxification Unit at Stepping Stone has continued to evolve to fill a needed role in the continuum of care for the chemically dependent population of the Tri-State. Over the past several years, the only patients detoxified in inpatient hospital settings are those who are suffering from potentially life threatening withdrawal states. This leaves a sizable group who, due to physical distress or an overwhelming compulsive pattern of use, find it impossible to successfully detoxify themselves in their current living environments.

While initially a “social detox” unit, the unit now is better considered a “modified medical” detox unit. Many patients are prescribed medications to support their withdrawal efforts, so long as their risk is deemed acceptable and only non-controlled substances are offered. This has allowed many patients a much better opportunity to initiate their recovery effort in a supportive environment which allows seamless transition into the rehab efforts to follow.

The process starts with a phone inquiry where extensive information is collected for screening by the management and medical staff to determine safety for detoxification at Stepping Stone. While in detox, the patients attend a slightly less rigorous treatment program and are not allowed off premises for outside meetings. The unit offers very cost effective care, priced close to the same as our residential program. Our typical length of stay in this program is five to seven days.

Types of patients commonly served:

• Individuals detoxing from prescription opiate pain medications
• Individuals unable to stop using methamphetamine or cocaine compulsively
• Patients using a host of substances who cannot manage to stop all simultaneously
• Alcoholic patients who after screening are felt to offer moderate or less risk for complications during withdrawal
• Individuals using designer drugs compulsively

For further information or to start the inquiry for Detoxification Services process, please call 812.473.3104. We can take your information and answer questions 24 hours a day.

Involvement of family and significant others throughout treatment is essential. Re-establishing and enhancing communication is an important focus of treatment. Family programming begins the first weekend and consists of several weekend family education groups. As a family member or significant other, weekly attendance of the Family Education program is encouraged. Family programming is education for our client’s families and loved ones with four rotating topics. This is not visitation time. Visitation time will be immediately following the education class.

In order to visit with our clients here at our residential program, Family Education classes are mandatory. No children under the age of 14 are permitted, and number of visitors is limited to 2.

Family Education classes will focus on topics including the disease model of addiction, understanding the impact of substance use on the individual and their family, learning ways for more healthy communication, CRAFT, and an introduction of a 12-Step program for recovery for the family. Families learn about the process of recovery and how they can work together to avoid relapse. Family Education classes typically last about 1 hour.

The following is a schedule for Family Education sessions and corresponding times:

Saturdays

1:30p – 3:00p       Room 236       Family Education Program

3:00p – 3:45p       Room 236       Visitation

In addition, please talk with staff to arrange a family therapy session and to learn more about group family sessions. Family therapy is encouraged for all clients in our residential programs and is scheduled with the client’s therapist.

** PLEASE NOTE: Visitors must enter the facility through the Outpatient entrance. Visitors may begin to arrive at 1:15p. After checking in, visitors will be directed to Room 236 for the educational program. Visitors who arrive after 1:35p will not be allowed to attend family program/visitation on that date.

Alanon meetings are strongly encouraged for family members. They are free and open to whoever would like to attend.

The following meeting are held at Stepping Stone:

Fridays 12:00p                 Outpatient Entrance, Room 236

Other Alanon meetings are held throughout the area and schedules are available at the technician station.

NO SMOKING OR E-CIGARETTE USE ON THE GROUNDS.

Staff will be available during visitation for information, education, and support.  Personal items may be brought in to patients during family visitation.  Items are to be checked in at the Technician Station.

Food/drink items are prohibited. Please leave your purses and cell phones in your vehicle.

CRAFT – Getting Your Loved One Sober

At Stepping Stone, we receive many calls from family and concerned significant others seeking help for their loved one who is in the throws of addiction. Limited treatment in the community has
generally led to referrals to Alanon, but not much else. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. strives to treat the whole family and therefore has pursued to develop new treatment options for family.

The Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) is a comprehensive behavioral program for treating substance-abuse problems. It is based on the belief that environmental contingencies can play a powerful role in encouraging or discouraging drinking or drug use. Consequently, it utilizes social, recreational, familial, and vocational reinforcers to assist consumers in the recovery process. Its goal is to make a sober lifestyle more rewarding than the use of substances. Oddly enough, however, while virtually every review of alcohol and drug treatment outcome research lists CRA among approaches with the strongest scientific evidence of efficacy, very few clinicians who treat consumers with addictions are familiar with it.

The Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT) intervention is a scientifically based intervention designed to help concerned significant others (CSOs) to engage treatment-refusing substance abusers into treatment. This new intervention method was developed with the belief that since family members can, and do make important contribution in other areas of addiction treatment (i.e. family and couples therapy), that the CSO can play a powerful role in helping to engage the substance user who is in denial to submit to treatment. In addition, it is often the substance user who reports that family pressure or influence is the reason sought treatment. Also, CSOs who attend the CRAFT program also benefit by becoming more independent and reducing their depression, anxiety and anger symptoms even if their loved one does not enter treatment.

CRAFT uses an overall positive approach and steers clear of any confrontation. The program emphasizes learning new skills to cope with old problems. Some of the components include how to
stay safe, outlining the context in which substance abusing behavior occurs, teaching CSOs how to use positive rewards and how to let the substance user suffer the natural consequences for their using behavior.

No one has better information about the substance user’s behavior patterns than a close family member. CRAFT teaches the CSO how to use this information in a motivational way to increase the
chance of the substance user entering treatment. CRAFT research has shown that almost 7 out of 10 people who use the program get their substance user to attend treatment. Research has shown that the CRAFT model is 2-3 times more successful at engaging treatment resistant individuals in substance abuse treatment than the traditional Al-Anon and the Johnson Intervention.

Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., with the support of the Vanderburgh County Substance Abuse Council, has received training on the CRAFT model by it’s founder, Robert J. Meyers, PhD and is pursuing certification. If you are seeking help in getting your loved one sober, please call us at 812-473-3144. At Stepping Stone, we treat the whole family touched by addiction.

Morning Matrix Group Schedule

Matrix Phase I: Mondays and Thursdays 9:30a – 11:30a , Wednesdays 9:30a – 10:30a for 4weeks
Phase II: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9:30a – 10:30a for 8 weeks
Phase III: Mondays and Thursdays 9:30a – 10:30a for 4 weeks
Phase IV: Wednesdays 10:30a – 11:30a for at least 8 weeks

Evening Matrix Group Schedule

Phase I: Monday and Wednesday 6:00p – 8:00p, Thursday 6:00p – 7:00p for 4 weeks
Phase II: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6:00p – 7:00p for 8 weeks
Phase III: Monday and Wednesday 6:00p – 7:00p for 4 weeks
Phase IV: Thursday 7:00p – 8:00p for at least 8 weeks

The Matrix Group is a structured intensive outpatient group that focuses on the development of early recovery skills, relapse prevention skills, and support. The group meets up to 2 hours per day, up to 3 days per week for up to 24 weeks. There are 4 treatment groups that make up the program: Early Recovery Skills (ERS), Relapse Prevention (RP), Family Group, and Social Support Group. The program is divided into 4 phases. The intensity of the treatment decreases as the client goes through the program and gains important skills.

The ERS and RP groups are designed to increase recovery skills. There are 8 ERS sessions and 32 RP sessions. Some of the topics include Thought Stopping, External and Internal triggers, Scheduling, 12 Step Introduction, Avoiding Relapse Drift, Recognizing and Reducing Stress, Dealing with Downtime, Relapse Prevention, Total Abstinence, and Spirituality.

The Family Group is made up of 12 sessions and is designed to educate the client and family member on the disease of addiction, the relapse and recovery processes, enabling behaviors, and positive communication. It is also designed to promote support for both the client and family member. Involvement in The Family Education Group has been found to alleviate anxiety and negative feelings felt by both the client and the family member. Family members who do attend must be at least 14 years of age and should not be struggling with active addiction issues. Some of the topics include Triggers and Cravings, Alcohol and Recovery, Methamphetamine and Cocaine, and Communication Traps.

The Social Support Group includes at least 8 sessions and is designed to assist the client with learning or relearning socialization skills. It is more client-driven than the other groups. It provides the client a catalyst to learn from participants who are more advanced in recovery and in turn gives the advanced recovery client the chance to serve as role models for those in earlier recovery stages. Social Support group members are given the opportunity to serve as mentors (Matrix Client Co-Leader) in the Early Recovery, Family, or Relapse Prevention Groups. Social Support topics include Patience, Honesty, Commitment, Grief, Masks, Triggers, and Recovery.

Good candidates for the Matrix Group would be participants who: are at least contemplative or have some insight in regards to their substance abuse or addiction, need an intense program that provides structure, and learn best through visual aids, written work, and repetition.

Clients are expected to attend regularly, bring a family member or members (limited to two family members each ) to the Family Education Group, obtain a planner, actively participate in group discussions, attend at least 3 recovery support meetings weekly, obtain and utilize a sponsor, and be willing to set daily recovery tasks and carry them out between sessions.

The foundation of all of our programs is the belief that individuals suffering from addictive disorders are best served by assisting them in achieving and maintaining abstinence from all addictive substances – either illicit or prescribed. There is an approach to treatment of a certain type of addiction – specifically opioid dependence – which can be  treated with Medication Assisted Treatment using Methadone or Suboxone (buprenorphine), both of which are addictive controlled substances.

Many of our treatment seeking clients have tried this approach and did not find the stability and quality of life they hoped to achieve. Our programs assist all individuals to a life of sobriety free of all addictive substances. We frequently utilize non addictive medications to assist our clients with detoxification, treatment of mood disorders, cravings, and relapse prevention. We offer consultation with our addictionologist to determine if medication during treatment might be helpful.  Vivitrol (naltrexone) may be an option for those deemed medically appropriate for this medication for opiate and alcohol use disorders.

Awareness Group
Days/Times: Mondays 3:00p – 4:00p
Duration: at least eight (8) weeks

Awareness group is designed for clients who have experienced their first problem(s) with substances (e.g. first DUI or possession charge), and is therefore more introductory than our more intensive treatment programs.

Group sessions are focused on raising the awareness of substance users to negative consequences & risks, as well as available recovery resources. Topics include: identifying problematic behaviors, symptoms of abuse and dependence, identifying & coping with triggers, refusal skills and 12-step community support.

Curriculum materials are empirically-based, clinically-sound, well respected and widely utilized by clinicians nationwide in the field of substance abuse treatment. These include: “Matrix”, Motivational Enhancement (MET),  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and 12-step facilitation.

Early Recovery Skills Group
Days/Times: Wednesdays 12:00p – 1:00p OR Thursdays 5:00p – 6:00p
Duration: weekly for eight (8) sessions

Early Recovery skills group is designed for the client who has completed an intensive substance abuse program. This group addresses maintaining sobriety, internal and external triggers, and common challenges in early recovery as well as skills for relationship building and coping with stress.

It is important to know that you can change your behavior in ways that will make it easier for you to stay abstinent and empower you. While professional treatment will be one source of support, 12-step meetings will also be a focus of your treatment. At least two recovery meetings weekly will be required during treatment.

We understand that balancing the everyday stressors of job, life and family is no easy task when you are actively working on recovery.  We offer two different times to engage in Early Recovery Skills group: Wednesdays from 12:00p to 1:00p and Thursdays from 5:00p to 6:00p.  The class meets one time per week for 60 minutes for a total of eight sessions.

Modified Treatment Group
Days/Times: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00p – 1:00p OR 4:30p – 5:30p
Duration: 12 sessions followed by weekly group Wednesdays 12:00p – 1:00p OR Thursdays 5:00p – 6:00p for eight (8) weeks

Modified Treatment Group is designed for the individual with a history of substance abuse needing a higher level of treatment then an education group and/or those who have had prior intensive treatment that would benefit from something more intensive than a weekly relapse prevention group.

Substance use impacts all areas of life including family, our relationship with ourselves and others.  Modified Treatment Group allows individuals to examine areas of life more closely by exploring issues such as:  communication barriers, managing relationships, self-improvement, relapse and disease, and taking personal responsibility.

Group members are encouraged to share with others, their relationship with substances, as well as begin to develop future goals as they begin to build trust in the group process.

The goal of the group experience is for the individual to acquire new skills and apply to real life situations, utilizing knowledge gained by participating in a group setting.

The residential addiction treatment program at Stepping Stone provides an intensive program of care to meet the needs of community members who cannot sustain abstinence from drugs and alcohol in a less structured environment, such as intensive outpatient or outpatient settings. Many clients begin their treatment either in our social detox or detox in tri-state hospitals. Some are involved with drug courts or probation offices in the tri-state and have been unable to achieve abstinence despite facing significant legal consequences. Many are self-referred, coming to Stepping Stone after many failed attempts at stopping their addiction on their own.

The residential treatment program lasts 21 to 28 days, depending on individualized needs and requests. Some of our clients present with diminished mental capacity and benefit from the longer stay. Person-centered treatment planning begins at assessment, as does post-discharge recovery planning. The treatment schedule is rigorous and clients are actively involved in classes, group and individual therapy, and on-site and community-based 12 Step meetings from 7a until 10p. Family therapy and family education are a fundamental part of our treatment program.

The core of our educational curriculum has been identified and implemented according to SAMHSA’s Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. These include programming focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational  Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and 12 Step Facilitation.

While establishing initial sobriety occurs in treatment, early recovery in the community presents our clients with many sobriety-threatening challenges. Relapse prevention and recovery planning start on day one of treatment. Prior to discharge, clients have a well-developed relapse prevention plan geared toward their individual challenges and a recovery plan identifying their goals and the steps to achieve them. Given the often advance progression of addiction, the recovery plans include areas that include: recovery support, family, housing, employment, spirituality, health, recreation, and resolution of legal issues.

Stepping Stone is grateful to have a strong group of alumni in the recovery community who volunteer their time to mentor and support our clients, both on-site and in the rooms of local 12-step support groups. They carry on a long tradition of one alcoholic or addict helping another to attain sobriety and regain stability and health.

Stepping Forward is a Transitional Residential Program that provides 24-hour support for those in early recovery to assist in providing the accountability, treatment services and sober living environment needed during the first 6-12 months of recovery.

Stepping Forward for Men is located at our Stepping Stone facility, and Stepping Forward for Pregnant Women is located in an off-site home with 10 single bedrooms.