Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing the coronavirus - What is Stella Maris doing to keep patients safe from COVID-19?
Stella Maris strictly adheres to the CDC guidelines for clients with Covid-19. Clients with a positive test while living in our housing will be placed in isolation for 5 days and then will be allowed to return to the community wearing a mask for 5 days. Mask mandates are enforced when the infection rate rises above 5% of the combined housing and staff population. Air cleaners are in all bedrooms and all group rooms and all areas are sanitized nightly with Spectra Kill.
Will I be tested for COVID-19?
Testing is available and will be utilized for all clients with respiratory infections based on the medical evaluation performed by our medical team on campus. All clients who become ill while out on pass will be tested prior to returning to our campus. All clients presenting in the intake department for admission with significant respiratory symptoms and fever will be tested for Covid prior to admission.
Am I going to be with people who use drugs if I just use alcohol?
We treat all substance use disorders here at Stella Maris. We do not separate clients based on substances used or not used.
Are men and women treated together or separately?
The Detox unit treats all genders together, but roommates are separated by gender. The residential program currently treats identified males, with intended expansion for all-gender residential care in 2023. All genders participate in PHP programming together. All genders may participate in IOP and Recovery Management together, however there are several gender specific groups available for identified female’s, identified male’s, and an LGBTQ+ group for identified LGBTQ and allies. Identified male and identified female Supportive Housing quarters are separated.
What is your organization's privacy policy?
For clients, Stella Maris follows all federal, local, and organization laws and regulations. Stella Maris is subject to HIPPA laws that protect client health information, and Stella Maris is also subject to federal confidentiality laws, also known as 42CFR, Part 2, which protects a client's identity as a person who has ever received substance use disorder treatment. That means that no client health information, identifying information, or attendance information is ever available to any party without express, written permission, unless otherwise required by federal law. We are very serious about protecting the rights and privacy of our clients. Clients have full control over who has access to their identity and information at all times, unless otherwise required by federal law.
Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit.
Can I smoke while in the facility?
We allow our smoking patients to smoke frequently with the supervision of staff between 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. as long as they are feeling well enough to do so. Smoking schedules are dependent upon individual program schedules. All clients are offered nicotine gum and encouraged to consider smoking cessation.
What time should I arrive for my appointment?
We ask that you arrive to your appointment 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
What if I am running late?
If you are running late to your admission appointment, please call the intake department at 216-781-0550 and let them know immediately that you will be late and your new expected time of arrival so that we can ensure your bed placement remains available. Any appointment that arrives over 30 minutes after their scheduled appointment time is subject to cancellation and may need to be rescheduled.
What should clients bring when being admitted?
Stella Maris provides linens, towels, three balanced meals a day and snacks. The following is a list of items that are allowed and/or prohibited for each level of care:
Withdrawal Management/Detox:
Client entering the 3.7 withdrawal management will be given scrubs to wear.
Allowed:
5 pairs of socks, 5 underwear, 2 bras, 1 sweatshirt, 2 t-shirts/tank tops, 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of sandals/shower shoes, 1 comb (no brushes); in the winter 1 coat, 1 hat, and 1 pair of gloves
Hair ties (up to 2), no scrunchies
Hair wraps for night time ONLY
UNOPENED tobacco products. Any open tobacco devices or products will not be given to client while in Stella Maris care
Glasses, dentures, contacts, and lense care
Any medical devices needed to treat medical conditions are permitted; examples: nebulizer devices, bandages, and wound care items
Prescribed medications in the current, unexpired prescription bottle. Pills outside of the prescribed bottle or expired pills will be disposed of at admission
Prohibited:
No pants including sweat pants
No purses or bags
No bedding, pillows, or towels
No hygiene products, everything needed for showering and cleansing will be provided
No hats
No smart watches
No food or drinks
No weapons. These will be disposed of during the intake process if brought in. We will not store them until they leave under any circumstances
No jewelry except wedding rings and/or religious pieces
No make-up or personal care items, including feminine hygiene products (will be provided)
No books, writing utensils, reading materials, or art supplies
We discourage patients from bringing jewelry into detox
No narcotics, over the counter medications, or stimulants permitted.
Allowed to bring, but cannot have:
Wallet, ID, insurance card, cash, and miscellaneous wallet items will be locked and stored
Cell phone and charger will be locked and stored
Suitcase/duffle bag, will be locked and stored
Patient keys can be brought, but will be locked and stored
Notes:
Any refusal to comply with the policy as written will results in the patient not entering the unit.
Patients must take their hair down during the admission process and shake it out.
Patients must submit to a full body search done by nursing before admission to the unit.
Residential and Supportive Housing:
Laundry facilities are available at no cost. Laundry detergent is provided, unless a client uses a special detergent due to allergies. Only then would they need to provide their own.
Allowed:
2 week’s worth of weather appropriate clothing items- pants, shirts, sweatshirts, coat, shoes, shower shoes, house shoes, underwear, socks, bras, hats, gloves, and sweaters
Wallet, ID, insurance card, credit cards, and cash for the coffee shop and vending machines
Notebooks and reading material
Hygiene items, must be alcohol free
UNOPENED tobacco products and devices
Glasses, dentures, contacts, and contact care
Clients may bring an extra towel or two with them
Medical devices that the client uses to treat medical conditions
Patients may bring any prescribed medications in the prescription bottle
Electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, air pods, headphones, etc, are permitted in Supportive Housing programs, but not in Residential. Clients in supportive housing will not have access to these items until successful completion of their IOP program.
Food – Client’s going to Supportive Housing may bring single-use disposable food items that do not require refrigeration. Example: a can of pop vs. 2-liter, small pack of cookies vs. a large reseal-able bag. The program manager must approve special dietary and food items that a client may need for their health. Client’s entering Residential are not allowed to bring in any outside food or beverage.
Clients may bring laundry detergent if they have skin sensitivities or allergies; otherwise, it will be provided. They are able to wash and dry as needed free of charge.
Not Allowed:
No writing utensils
No weapons. These will be disposed of during the intake process if brought in
No linens including bedding and pillows
No jewelry except wedding rings and/or religious pieces
Do not arrive with more than 100$
Alcohol based hygiene items including: Perfumes, colognes, hairspray, hand sanitizer, and mouthwash. These items can be purchased alcohol-free and are permitted if they are the alcohol-free versions.
Any open tobacco devices or products will not be given to client while in Stella Maris care
Pills outside of the prescribed bottle, will be disposed of by the program nurse
Nothing that needs to be resealed is permitted in housing. Nothing that is pre-made can be brought into housing. Nothing that requires refrigeration can be brought into housing.
Notes: Any refusal to comply with the policy as written will results in the client not entering the unit.
How can I found out how my loved on is doing?
You can call 216-781-0550 to reach someone. As long as there is a signed Release of Information on file for you, our staff is happy to provide information. However, not all staff have immediate access to client files, so the staff on the phone may ask to take a message to pass along (if your loved one is in fact a client) and your loved one and/or their counselor will give you a call back.
What clothing is prohibited on campus?
Bathing suits/Short shorts/Short dresses/Crop tops/See-through shirts/Sleeveless t-shirts with extreme dropped arm holes/Clothes with profanity, triggers or that represent the lifestyle of addiction (beer advertisements, nudity).
Is Detox a locked facility?
The Stella Maris Detox is not a locked unit. Patients that come to Stella Maris come on their own free will and sign themselves into treatment. Stella Maris’s detox is not a psychiatric unit.
Can I drive myself to detox?
We ask that you do not drive yourself to detox. There is minimal parking on site for patient vehicles. If you do drive yourself to detox, you will have to sign a waiver stating that you may only retrieve your car on the scheduled day of your discharge. If you should choose to leave against medical advice prior to your scheduled discharge date, you are required to wait 24-hours after leaving, to retrieve the vehicle, for safety precaution.
What is the recommended time between last use of preferred substance and time of admission?
We ask that you do not use 12 hours prior to your admission if able to safely do so. Do not put yourself at medical risk though.
Do I need money while in detox?
You do not need money or credit cards while in detox. We provide you with food, clothing, hygiene products, and everything you need while you are here if you are unable to access these things before your arrival.
Can I have visitors while in detox?
We typically do not allow visitation on the detox unit. However, on a case by case basis and with the facilitation of the clients primary counselors, visitors may be brought in for family meetings as long as the sole purpose of the meeting is to encourage further treatment and the needs around a client seeking further treatment.
How long will I be in detox?
Generally, detox is 5-7 days. However, with the addition of synthetic drugs and multiple unknown substances’ being used to cut the street drugs, many clients are still exhibiting severe withdrawal symptoms and may need to stay longer until they resolve. However, this is a team decision between you and your team.
Can I have my cell phone, laptop or iPad in detox?
We do not permit the use of electronic devices aside from the ones that we provide while in the detox unit.
Will I be able to talk to my family while in detox?
Our counselors at Stella Maris will meet with you during your stay and allow you to make appropriate phone calls to loved ones back home.
What if I want to go to further treatment after detox?
Our wonderful team of detox counselors will assist any patient in detox with attending further treatment and network with outside facilities in ensuring that every client has the opportunity to continue with treatment.