Nova Counseling Center

Admission

• NOVA accepts adults (18 or older) with alcohol or other drug dependencies.
• Screening for appropriateness is done at the time of initial contact. We gather information to identify other diagnoses, prior treatment, risk factors, or if another level of care is indicated.
• Prior to treatment, each person is screened by a physician to determine physical well-being and to determine whether or not a medical detox is indicated.
• Family members need to be available for at least one family conference, as well as one educational program in which the client participates as well.

Persons considering coming to NOVA must:

• be 18 years or older.
• be medically detoxified (detoxed) prior to arrival (safely withdrawn from all chemicals to prevent serious medical complications such as seizures); some drug dependencies don't require medical withdrawal, and alcohol withdrawal, for example, is contingent on the individual's consumption.
• be able to pass a physical demonstrating apparent freedom from communicable illness and have a test for tuberculosis. The center transports many admitting clients to a local clinic to have this medical check up performed.
• be free from mood-altering chemicals.

Medication note:

Antidepressants are considered an acceptable medication. Other medications such as pain medications, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, etc. must be submitted for review to the treatment center for consideration, or refusal or substitution.