Do you accept insurance?
We are in-network with most commercial insurers, PA chip and Medicaid for our substance use/dual diagnosis and Mental Health programs (IOP/OP/Physician services). See our accepted Insurance page for a more comprehensive list. We also suggest contacting us for a verification of benefits.
If we are not in-network with your plan you may still be able to receive reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out of network benefits.
How do I know what services I qualify for?
To keep it simple, clients who are struggling with mental health issues and also have a history of substance use, usually qualify for our substance use/dual diagnosis services. For example, you’re experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms and also smoke marijuana pretty regularly and/or have had negative experiences with alcohol or other substances.
Clients with no history of substance qualify for our Mental health programs.
Still confused?
The easiest thing to do is call our office for a free initial phone consultation and verification of benefits. You can also complete this form.
How much does substance use and/or mental health IOP/OP treatment cost?
The cost of treatment will vary depending on the reason for treatment, level of care and your insurance plan details. Typically, in-network co-pays for Independence Blue Cross members vary from $0-$80. If you have a deductible you may be responsible for paying the contracted rate until that deductible is met.
We will verify your benefits and provide you with an estimated cost of treatment prior to scheduling your first appointment so you know exactly what to expect.
Please contact our office for out of network and direct pay rates.
What is the difference between substance use, abuse, and addiction?
The terms substance use, abuse, and addiction (or dependence) are frequently used interchangeably but there are significant differences.
Substance Use is any consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. Substance use is common with more than 70 percent of people in the US reporting having had at least one drink in the last year and over 10 percent of people over the age of 12 having used an illicit drug in the last month. For some people, substance use may not be a problem but for others it can lead to abuse or dependence.
Substance Abuse is when the use of alcohol or drugs continues despite causing problems such as trouble with family, school, health, and relationships. For example, a teen or young adult that continues to use alcohol or drugs knowing they risk getting in trouble with family or at school is a sign of abuse. Continued substance abuse can lead to dependence.
Addiction/Dependence is when someone is unable to stop drinking or using drugs despite negative consequences and/or physical withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Many substances cause physical dependence and require detoxification in order to safely stop using the drug.
The American Psychiatric Association recently updated its criteria for addiction, and now uses the term Substance Use Disorder. Substance Use Disorders are patterns of symptoms resulting from the continual use of a substance despite experiencing negative physical and emotional effects. Signs and symptoms include:
Using substances in larger amounts for a longer than intended period
Wanting to cut down or stop but being unable to do so
Spending a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from using a substance
Having cravings and urges to use the substance
Continuing to use even when it causes social and relationship problems
Giving up important social, work, and recreational activities because of the substance
Taking increased risks related to the substance
Continuing to use the substance despite awareness of psychological or physical problems
Needing more of the substance to get the same effect (tolerance)
Developing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing use
The more of these signs or symptoms a person struggles with, the greater their Substance Use Disorder. A person who meets two or three of these criteria is likely to have a mild Substance Use Disorder, while someone meeting six or more may have an addiction.
It’s important to remember that only a professional can accurately diagnose Substance Use Disorder. If you think you or your loved one may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, it is important to seek help from a medical or mental health professional. At Serenity Behavioral Health we offer a free initial phone consultation and can help answer questions you may have.
What happens to my teenagers’ brains when they use marijuana?
Given policy modifications, broadening legalization, and positive news about the medical effects of marijuana, perceptions of the drug have also changed. Most teenagers report believing that marijuana is less harmless than alcohol and other drugs; however, there are some serious risks related to teen and young adult marijuana use. The human brain is not fully developed until the mid-20s, and researchers have discovered that the developing brain can be particularly vulnerable to marijuana use. Regular marijuana use affects the parts of the brain that are responsible for attention, coordination, decision making, learning, memory, reaction time, and emotions. Researchers also discovered that persistent marijuana use at a young age can result in a decline in IQ and increase the risk for psychosis, depression, and suicide. Many of the changes in the brain that occur cannot be reversed even after use is discontinued.
Short-term use of marijuana can lead to:
School difficulties
Problems with memory and concentration
Increased aggression
Car accidents
Use of other drugs or alcohol
Risky sexual behaviors
Worsening of underlying mental health conditions including mood changes and suicidal thinking
Increased risk of psychosis
Interference with prescribed medication
Long-term use of marijuana can lead to:
Cannabis Use Disorder
Breathing problems similar to cigarette smoking—coughing, wheezing, strained physical activity, lung cancer, etc.
Decreased motivation or interest, which can lead to a decline in academic or occupational performance
Lower intelligence
Mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, anger, irritability, moodiness, and risk of suicide
What are the risks of teenage and young adult substance use?
Substance use affects the growth and development of teens, especially brain development. Many of the risks are similar to those of marijuana use but may also include harmful physical withdrawal affects and risk of overdose depending on the substance. Risky behaviors like unprotected sex and dangerous driving often accompany substance use. The effects of teenage alcohol and drug use can contribute to increased risk for mental health disorders and the development of adult health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders. Substance use negatively affects a person’s memory and ability to respond to stimuli and stressful situations. That’s why people who abuse drugs at a young age often suffer mental health problems including depression, personality disorders, or suicidal thoughts later in life.
Developing brains are also more prone to addiction. Teenage brains adapt more quickly to repeated drug use, leading to cravings and dependence. When teens begin using at an early age, they increase the chance of becoming addicted to or continuing to abuse substances later in life.
How do I know if my teen or young adult is using drugs or alcohol?
Common warning signs for substance use include:
Change in peer group
Aggression and/or irritability
Hygiene or appearance changes
Decline in school performance
Missing classes or skipping school
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Trouble in school or with the law
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Deteriorating relationships with family members and friends
Mood changes or emotional instability
Secretive behavior (locking doors, avoiding eye contact, disappearing for long periods of time, etc.)
Paranoia, irritability, anxiety, fidgeting
Significant weight loss or gain
What are the benefits of Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment?
Some of the Benefits of IOP treatment include:
Structured and easily accessible services, allowing teens and young adults to continue to participate in their everyday responsibilities
Lower costs compared to a residential or inpatient treatment program
Flexibility to respond to individual needs and to develop customized treatment plans
Higher retention rate and better outcomes than low-intensity outpatient programs
Assists in building tools for identifying and coping with triggers
Daily opportunities to apply newly learned coping skills in everyday life
Increased opportunities to establish positive peer supports
Limited time away from school and family
Participation in local self-help groups and positive peer activities
Enhanced ability to develop long-term supportive relationships with peers
Ability for increased involvement and support for family members throughout the treatment process
Increased duration of treatment has shown to lead to better recovery outcomes
What type of therapy do you provide?
At Serenity Behavioral Health we utilize a variety of evidence-based treatment models in our group, individual, and family therapy sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT has been found to be effective for treating a range of problems including depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. CBT treatment involves efforts to change thinking and behavior problems by identifying and modifying negative or irrational beliefs. It rests on the idea that thoughts and feelings influence behaviors and by identifying them, accessing their accuracy, and engaging in strategies to challenge and overcome them impacts behaviors.
Here’s an example:
Thought: I’m socially awkward
Feeling: Anxious
Behavior: Sitting in a corner alone at a social event
A teen that considers him/herself socially awkward may avoid making conversation or eye contact and the lack of a positive social interaction reinforces that belief. CBT helps challenge those negative assumptions with a behavioral experiment or an alternative thought. For example, the teen is challenged to start a conversation with three new people. If s/he experiences a positive interaction, the belief that s/he is socially awkward begins to diminish, or every time s/he thinks “I’m weird,” s/he is reminded that “everyone is unique and that’s ok.”
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a method of becoming more aware of yourself and your environment. You learn to notice your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in a nonjudgmental way. It is always set in the present moment because that is the only time when you can consciously direct your awareness moment-by-moment. Mindfulness can help with emotional regulation, increased awareness, flexibility in responses, clarity and concentration, improved relationships, and a decrease in stress anxiety, triggers, and cravings.
Psycho-education
Psycho-education focuses on teaching clients about their mental health and or substance use disorders. Clients learn about causes, symptoms, prognosis and treatments to help increase understanding of the challenges they face and how to better cope with them. By expressing their thoughts and feelings about challenges, clients gain a better understanding of the contributing factors. For example, when clients are taught about cognitive distortions and negative thinking, they begin to identify their own thoughts and feelings and the impact on their mental health or substance use.
Family Systems Therapy
In Family Systems Therapy, family members work together to better understand their group dynamic and the effects of their respective behaviors on each other. This is based on the belief that individuals can be understood in terms of their relationships with the people in their family and that a person’s behavior is connected with the behaviors and attitudes they have learned from their family. Patterns develop within the system. Because each member's behavior impacts the other members in predictable ways, a change in one person sparks a change in how other members of the family unit act and feel.
In Family Systems Therapy, each member of the family has an opportunity to voice their opinions or discuss any troubles. The family then works together to find a solution for how to relieve stress from the individual and strain from the family as a whole.
Activity Therapy
At Serenity we utilize a variety of intervention modalities to increase the development of positive coping skills through sports, music, games, relaxation techniques, creative arts, and social events to increase social skills, team building, life skills, and independence.
12-Step Principles
Ultimately, the 12 Steps are practical tools. Formally, AA defines the 12 Steps as “a set of principles, spiritual in nature, when practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink (or use drugs) and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.”
Less formally, the 12 Steps are a process of self-awareness, awareness of surroundings and social standing, and righting the wrongs and learning how to live a better, more meaningful life.
Step one defines the problem—powerlessness over substances. Steps two and three point to a solution—a higher power (however you define it). Steps four through 12 are the suggested actions to guide you to a life that is happy, joyous and free from addiction.
The 12-steps can be utilized as a guide to living life on life’s terms.
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