Admissions

Entering a drug and alcohol treatment center can be a stressful experience if you do not know what to expect.

Some questions people commonly have are:

How do I get in for treatment?
What if I do not have any insurance?

What are some of the other things I should know?

What do I need to bring?
What kind of treatment is available?
Will I be able to see my friends and family while I am in treatment?
What are some other resources that are available to me at Greenbriar?

How do I get in for treatment?

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious problem that has dramatic effects on not only the addict, but also his or her friends, family, and loved ones. When someone troubled by drug or alcohol addiction reaches out for help, his or her loved ones often do not know the proper steps to take to get help for the individual in need. It is also helpful during this stressful time to know what to expect when seeking help.

The first step to take is to contact a rehabilitation center, like Greenbriar. When initial contact is made with a treatment facility, it is helpful for the prospective patient to make that call. During this phone call, a staff member here at Greenbriar will ask for some information about the client. We will first need demographic information such as address, phone number, social security number and birthday.

Next, we will need to know if the client has insurance and if so, the information on the insurance card. This includes clients who have obtained an HMO (such as UPMC 4 U, Gateway, or Med Plus) through their local welfare office.

After this information is obtained, our staff will need to know details about what substances the patient is using, the amount normally used, how long he or she has been using and when the last use was. We will next ask for a brief medical and mental health history to determine if the client is safe to be admitted directly to Greenbriar or if there is a need to be stabilized in a hospital first. If a client is taking any prescription medications, we will need to know what those medications are, the prescribed dosage and if the client is taking them as prescribed.

Once it has been determined by the staff at Greenbriar that a patient is appropriate for admission to one of our programs, an appointment for an intake assessment will be set up. Patients should be prepared to be admitted the day of this appointment. During this appointment, the patient is asked a variety of questions regarding their past and present chemical use, physical and mental health, and family life. After the admissions interview, the patient’s insurance company is contacted and treatment is requested.

The admission process takes approximately an hour and a half to two hours. During this time, a family member or friend must wait until the patient is cleared for admission. If you have any further questions please contact the Admissions Department at Greenbriar at (800) 637-4673 or (724) 225-9700.

What if I do not have any insurance?

If you or your family members who are interested in treatment do not have insurance, there are other options for funding.

Each county in Pennsylvania has a county drug and alcohol office (please see list of D&A office phone numbers to the below). The prospective patient should contact his or her home county drug and alcohol office and explain that he or she is in need of treatment, but does not have insurance. The staff at the D&A office should then be able to direct the patient on the necessary steps to take to obtain treatment. Clients also have the option of paying for their treatment out of pocket. Arrangements must be made with Greenbriar’s financial department prior to admission.

County Drug & Alcohol Office Phone Numbers:
Allegheny: (800) 553-7499	Greene: (724) 852-5276	Somerset: (814) 445-1530
Beaver: (724) 847-6220	Fayette: (724) 438-3576	Washington: (724) 223-1181
Butler: (724) 284-5114	Lawrence: (724) 658-5580	Westmoreland: (724) 832-5880
Cambria: (814) 536-5388	Mercer: (724) 662-1550

What do I need to bring?

Personal Items
Bring enough casual clothes for about 3-4 days. No clothes with messages advertising drugs/alcohol, bars, vulgarity, etc. are permitted. Only one bag/suitcase is permitted.
Bring your own toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, comb/brush, toothbrush, toothpaste), and laundry soap. You cannot bring products that contain alcohol (such as mouthwash, cologne, or hairspray). No aerosol cans.
You can bring a small radio or personal CD player with headphones, alarm clock, books, magazines.
You must bring your own cigarettes.

Identification/Insurance Information
You must bring a Photo ID/Driver’s License
Bring your health insurance card
If you have a separate prescription card YOU MUST bring it with you
If you have applied for medical assistance, YOU MUST bring your papers with you.

Medications/Medical Needs
If you are taking prescribed medications, you must bring them with you in their original bottles, or bring the prescription with you.
If you need medical supplies (glucometer, inhaler, crutches, etc.) please bring those with you as well.

Money
$20 in cash is enough. You will need money for vending machines, laundry and the pay phone. Phone cards are available for sale, but you may also bring your own phone card if you wish. We also rent locks for your closet for $5. When you return your lock and key upon discharge, we return your $5. You can bring your own lock if you wish.
Many insurance companies require you to pay a deductible, co-payment or do not cover some medication costs. If this is the case, our business office staff will meet with you, explain your policy and make the necessary financial arrangements.

What You Cannot Bring With You
During the in-patient stay, patient cars are NOT permitted on Greenbriar property. Any vehicle parked on Greenbriar property will be moved to a local unsupervised public parking lot. Greenbriar will accept no liability for any vehicle parked in the public lot.
Cell phones are not permitted.
Greenbriar will supply you with a razor. You may not bring your own, unless it is an electric razor.
Please do not bring any sharp objects, such as scissors or letter openers.
Firearms, knives or weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.
Laptop computers, handheld organizers, video games, etc. are not permitted.
Do not bring jewelry that is valuable to you, unless you plan to keep it on your entire stay.
Do not bring food or drinks with you. We supply all meals, and have vending machines for snacks. Caffeine is not permitted.

What kind of treatment is available?

Greenbriar Treatment Center offers detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, and a variety of outpatient programs. Greenbriar is a dual treatment center, that can treat clients with mental health issues as well as substance abuse issues. Greenbriar also has eight out-patient sites and two halfway houses around the Pittsburgh area, so that accessing treatment is convenient.

Will I be able to see my friends and family while I am in treatment?

Treatment at Greenbriar involves one evening of family programming per week. Family night is held every Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:30 PM. The staff at Greenbriar encourages family members and friends to attend this educational meeting with their loved ones in treatment. Patients also have access to pay phones at different times throughout the day during which they may call family members and friends.

What are some other resources that are available to me at Greenbriar?

Greenbriar has a staff of approximately 100 full-time employees. We have a full-time social worker who can assist with halfway house placement or other housing arrangements. We also have a vocational specialist who can assist patients who are employed, in contacting their employer and returning to work after treatment. Finally, we have nurses on staff 24 hours a day who can assist with any emergencies that may arise.