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Where are you located?  Top
We have four locations in Southern California, all located in the beach communities of South Orange County such as Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. Besides the main office location, all living environments are walking distance to the beach and/or marina.

What is the admission process?  Top
During your first telephone call to Able To Change Recovery we will be able to determine your appropriateness for admission and whether a detox is needed or not. In the same day, we will call you back after we have verified your insurance benefits to make financial arrangements in order to reserve your stay with us. We’ll then make detox (if needed) and flight arrangements to fly you into Orange County where we’ll have a driver waiting to drive you to the hospital or our facility.

What are the criteria for admission?  Top
Male and female adults 18+, chemically dependent, addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs, engaged in self-defeating behaviors, and unable to abstain from drugs and alcohol outside of a structured setting. You must be physically able to participate in our highly-active daily schedule and be motivated and willing to participate in your recovery.

What if I need a detox?  Top
We do not provide detox services here. Not to worry, you have two options: a) you can go through a detox in your area or; b) during the initial admission scheduling we’ll make all the necessary arrangements with one of three local inpatient (hospitalized) detox programs. All you’ll have to do is get on the plane or drive to our center and we’ll take care of everything else.

What forms of payment do you accept and when is it due?  Top
We accept cash, check, VISA, Master Card, and electronic bank transfer. Payment is due in full upon admission. In the event that we have to fly you in from out of state and/or make arrangements for a detox, a 50% deposit will be required to reserve your stay with us.

Do you accept health insurance?  Top
Yes, we are an in-network substance abuse treatment provider for Blue Cross, CIGNA, and Aetna. Insurance benefits plans may vary on level-of-care coverage, annual deductible, co-insurance & co-payment, and allotted length-of-stay. This can be confusing; our insurance benefits and claims personnel will be happy to provide you with this information and out-of-pocket costs prior to admission.

Is financing available?  Top
Yes, we work with a financing company that may be able to finance your treatment program for up to 90 days. If you’re interested we will fax or email you an application to fill out; once submitted you will get a response within 24 hours.

Is there a refund if I leave sooner than expected?  Top

We understand that not all individuals will successfully complete the program and that this is a vulnerable time for you and your family. We’re not here to take an advantage of your situation and will gladly provide a prorated refund.

It is the policy of Able to Change Recovery that any cash-pay resident who is discharged from the program, within 14 days of admission (orientation period), whether it is a self-discharge or administrative discharge, will be provided a refund of monies less 50% of the total fees collected at admission.  Should a resident be discharged after the 14 day orientation, a prorated refund will be negotiated after a 30-day payment processing period.

It is the policy of Able to Change Recovery that any resident covered by health insurance, that is discharged from the program whether it is a self-discharge or administrative discharge, will be provided a prorated refund of the COINSURANCE amount initially deposited upon admission into the Able to Change Recovery program. Any monies deposited for insurance deductibles, sober-living expenses, airline fares, and/or security deposits to hold a bed will NOT BE REFUNDED. Refund checks will not be processed until reimbursement claims are processed through your insurance company.

Do you provide airfare?  Top
We are able to provide airfare for cash-pay customers only. We will make the necessary arrangements and provide you with electronic tickets via fax or email. You will be flown into John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana where our driver will pick you up. Unfortunately, health insurance will not pay for airfare; so, if you are using your insurance benifits to pay for the program it is your responsibility to pay airfare.

What if I am intoxicated or under the influence when I arrive at your facility?  Top
Under no circumstances can we admit you into our facility because we are not licensed as a detox facility. State regulations prohibit us from doing so; we would be putting our residents at risk. You would either have to go to a detox facility or return to us sober. The same policy applies to testing “positive” for opiates or benzodiazepines.

What if I show signs of withdrawal symptoms when I arrive?  Top
The purpose of the initial telephone or face-face screening is to determine a level of care that would be in your best interest and whether or not we can provide that level of care. Being completely honest and providing accurate information will help us plan appropriately. If your withdrawal symptoms are moderate to severe our physicians will require that you enter a detox facility; if they are mild we will monitor your condition and ability to participate in daily activities.

Is this a dual diagnosis program?  Top
Yes, many of our clients are diagnosed with co-occurring disorders. Upon admission you will undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation with follow-up appointments to monitor mood stability, medication effectiveness, and medication management. Your treatment plan will include dual diagnosis group education and process.

Is food provided?  Top
Yes, you are allowed to choose and cook your own food and have unrestricted access to the kitchen area of your living environment. Upon admission and each week thereafter you are provided with a $75 gift card that can be used for weekly grocery shopping that we’ll drive you to. On weekdays lunch is catered in at the treatment center during your lunch break in between counseling groups.

Is your program coed?  Top
Yes, our program serves men and women. All clients participate in groups and activities under close supervision. However, the living environments are gender-specific and we do take our ‘no-fraternizing’ policy very serious. Other than group and supervised activities, male-female communication is not permitted.

What kind of clothing should I bring?  Top
Dress for residential treatment should be comfortable and casual. Appropriate attire would be jeans, casual slacks, jogging suits, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, board shorts, walking shorts, and appropriate-length dresses and skirts. Lightweight jackets and sweaters are recommended for the winter months. During the spring and summer months you may bring beach and swim wear, hats, sun-glasses, flip-flops, beach towels. For your daily workout routine at the health spa you should bring workout clothes and tennis shoes.

Clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sex, violence, and gang signatures, and inappropriate language, are otherwise deemed inappropriate by staff and is not permitted.

Can I have my cell phone while I'm there?  Top
Yes, you may bring your cell phone, iPOD, and laptop computer. We will treat you like an adult and anticipate that you will not abuse your electronics privileges. But keep in mind that should you not follow the rules on electronics we reserve the right to confiscate or restrict the use of the item in question for the remainder of your stay with us.

Will I be on a restriction when I arrive?  Top
Yes, in the first two weeks of your stay with us you will be restricted to the facilities; a staff member will accompany you to all activities. The purpose of the “orientation” time is to familiarize you with the program rules, schedule, residents, and staff; and also so we can get to know you. In the first week of orientation you will have a health and physical, psychiatric evaluation; be assessed by an assessment counselor; and be assigned to 1:1 counselor.

Can I have visitors?  Top
Visitors are welcomed to visit with you at your living environment on Sunday’s between 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Also, families are welcome to visit on holidays and scheduled weekend recreational activities.

What about health and fitness?  Top
We believe that daily exercise helps fill the void that occurs in early sobriety when substance abuse is discontinued. Regular exercise helps relieve stress and improves self-esteem, vitality, and alertness. Exercise contributes to the production of endorphins, chemical messengers that trigger the pleasure center of the brain. To promote well-being and fitness, your daily program includes workout sessions at an off-site Health Spa and Gym.

What type of recreational activities do you have?  Top
Of course there is the daily visit to the Health Club & Spa. We also make arrangements for softball games, movies, bowling, beach bar-BQ-s, hiking, and picnics.

How many people will I live with?  Top
That depends on living environment that you are assigned to. All of our homes are spacious, comfortable, and clean. They all meet occupancy requirements per State and County health, fire, and safety guidelines. The female house is a five-bedroom, five bath two-story home that houses up to 11 women and two staff members. The male homes are single and two-story homes that house between 6 and 8 men and 2-3 staff members.

Do you have a family program?  Top
We strongly encourage family and significant other involvement during and after your treatment here. The family program consists of weekly family group sessions that meet in the evening on Friday and monthly two-day weekend sessions that are scheduled usually on the second or third weekend of the month.

What is the average length of stay there?  Top
The program is designed to be most effective of a 90-day time period. On an average, clients paying with insurance are with us for about 30 days. Those paying with cash will usually stay for 60 – 90 days.