Client Guidelines

At Nova, we want our clients to feel comfortable and safe while utilizing our services. In order to keep our facility a positive environment for all, we require clients to adhere to the following guidelines:

Behavior: Clients are expected to respect staff, other clients, the facility and our property. Hostile or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

Chores: All able clients will contribute to keeping the Nova facilities clean by completing assigned light chores, including vacuuming, dusting, sweeping and making their beds. Clients also help with food preparation and dishwashing.

Electronics: There are no telephones in the client’s bedrooms. Rather, there are two pay phones for incoming and outgoing calls at designated times. Cell phones, iPods (or other mp3 players), computers, electronic games and musical instruments are not allowed during the inpatient treatment program.

Family Communication: Family members can call after the seventh day of residential treatment during set times. Prior to the seventh day, they can contact the client’s counselor if there are questions or concerns. Clients do not have access to e-mail, but can receive postal mail after the first day of admission.

Health & Detox: Prior to treatment at Nova, all individuals must be screened by a physician to determine physical well-being. Client exams will determine whether or not a medical detox is necessary prior to treatment.

Hours: All clients undergoing residential addiction treatment must remain at the Nova facility 24 hours per day. We do transport clients to outside Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the evening according to the schedule. Clients can also go to church on Sunday mornings via the Nova van.

Legal: If a client is subject to legal issues upon admission, court dates may be postponed until after addiction treatment has completed. However, if individuals are charged with sexually deviant behavior, they cannot receive treatment at Nova, as we are a co-ed facility.

Medications: All medications must be reviewed and approved by Nova staff prior to entering the facility. Tobacco cigarettes are allowed during treatment.

Personal Belongings: For clients using our residential treatment services, we recommend bringing the following:

• Clothing for seven days. There are laundry facilities to use onsite, free of charge. Shoelaces are allowed. Clients must remain fully clothed at all times during treatment.
• Personal hygiene items. No alcohol or aerosol cans are allowed. Razors are allowed.
• One month’s supply of Nova-approved medications.

Pets: No animals are allowed on the Nova property. Friends or family should not bring pets to Nova during the visitation hours.

Safety: All Nova clients are expected to abide by the highest standards of safety. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence of any kind.

Schedule: Clients enrolled in Nova’s residential addiction treatment program must follow a daily schedule. View a sample schedule here.

Other guidelines, rules and expectations will be explained during the admission process.