Stepping Stone Center FAQs

Stepping Stone Center FAQs

Where are you located?

Stepping Stone Center for Recovery is located in Jacksonville, Florida. The facility is just minutes from the city’s famous beaches, is in close proximity to the airport, and near several hotels, hospitals, restaurants, banks, and shopping areas. Families coming from out of town to visit or to attend our family program enjoy the convenience and comfortable surroundings of Jacksonville. The year-round pleasant weather provides ideal conditions for spending time outdoors, as well as a much-needed break from the harsh winter weather in other parts of the country.

What is your confidentiality policy?

We protect all personal health information in compliance with the standards of the national Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We only release health information with the signed consent of patients. The only exceptions to this rule are if a patient reports suicidal or homicidal intentions, physical or sexual abuse or neglect of oneself, a minor or an elderly person. In these instances, our staff is required by law to contact the authorities.

Why does my loved one have to travel to Florida for treatment?

One of the benefits of going away to inpatient treatment is that it removes your loved one from the environment where they were using drugs and alcohol.

People, places, and things can trigger an individual to want to use again. Passing by a liquor store or drug dealer’s house can be very difficult in early recovery. The familiarity and ease of access can be a powerful temptation. Even running into acquaintances in treatment or at the local 12-step meetings can pose a problem. These triggers can be avoided by traveling out of the area.

It is also much harder to leave treatment (against medical advice) when there are no friends or family close by. We find patients have a much greater chance at success when they distance themselves from home.

In addition, traveling out of the area gives you access to the best treatment in the country. Florida is known for its exceptional programs and tends to attract the best employees from all over the nation. We distinguish our self in many ways, from specializing in dual diagnosis treatment to offering our own on-site medical detox unit.

Can I talk to my loved one while in treatment?

Yes. Telephones are available, and patients can call family and friends to stay in touch. The only exception to this is when a patient first arrives and is in the detox phase. We will make a phone call with the patient to their family and notify them of the patient’s arrival. We find it is best for patients to stabilize medically before they begin making regular phone calls.

We want to keep patients focused on their recovery as much as possible, so we keep phone time limited to short calls. Please keep your conversations light and positive – this is not the time to bring up heavy issues or cause the patient any unneeded stress.

You can also call and leave messages for your loved one. Because of privacy, we will never confirm or deny a patient’s presence, but please feel free to leave them a message. We will make sure they receive it as soon as possible. To leave a message, call 866.957.4960.

How successful is your program?

Our program is very successful when patients complete treatment and follow our recommendations for aftercare.

Often, treatment centers will quote 70 or 80 percent success rates for their patients, implying that all one has to do is come to treatment and there is a good chance they will be cured. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Treatment, and recovery, is about being willing, taking suggestions, and following through with them on a daily basis.

A good analogy is the person that goes to their doctor for an infection and is prescribed an antibiotic to take three times a day, every day. Instead, the person takes it once a day, every three days. The infection is probably not going to get better.

So again, patients that complete the treatment program, live in a sober environment, attend 12-step meetings, get a sponsor, and follow all the other suggestions they receive have an excellent chance at remaining clean and sober.

What is the food like?

Our chef and dietician work together to create wholesome, nutritious, and comforting meals. Hot meals are prepared and served three times a day. There is a fresh salad bar available, too. We offer milk, juice, and soft drinks. We also offer freshly baked desserts, as well as a mid-afternoon ice cream snack.

What kinds of activities are available?

Recreation is very important in recovery, and we take time every day to offer activities in which everyone can participate. Every day we have the gym, ping-pong, volleyball, board games, and walks available. Every Saturday we take the patients for an off-site activity, which may include:

  • Spending a day at the beach
  • Going bowling
  • Taking a class at a dance studio
  • Visiting a park
  • Making pottery

We introduce patients to fun, sober activities so they realize there are good times to be had without drugs or alcohol.

Do you take insurance?

Yes, insurance is welcomed. The majority of our patients use private health insurance to pay for treatment. We are an in-network provider for many major health insurance plans, and we are an out-of-network provider for most PPOs. We also accept all major credit cards for those that want to pay cash.

Can I send mail or packages while they are in treatment?

Yes, you can send letters or cards to your loved one – we deliver them to patients every day at 4:30. You may also include appropriate photos.

We also will deliver small packages. Some things you may send are shoes and clothing and recovery-related reading material.

Our mailing address is:

Stepping Stone Center for Recovery
1815 Corporate Square Ct
Jacksonville, FL 32216
ATTN: [Patient’s Name]

Do they need money while in treatment?

We provide for all of our patient’s needs, so they do not have to worry about bringing money. We provide all of their meals, we cover any off-site activities that require money, and we pre-arrange for medication charges. However, patients may bring a small amount of money for items like cigarettes and vending machines.

What can I do to help?

It is very helpful for a patient to know they have family and friends supporting them. To best help your loved one, you should:

  • Fill out the family packet we mail you
  • Be available for any phone calls with your loved one and their therapist
  • Mail supportive cards or letters
  • Attend local support groups for friends and family of alcoholics and addicts, including Al-Anon and Codependents Anonymous
  • Offer to help with day-to-day responsibilities while your loved one is away, such as picking up mail or watching pets
  • Avoid arguments, drama, or heavy conversations.
  • Follow any suggestions made to you by your loved one’s therapist

Is visitation allowed?

Visitation from immediate family members can take place at the approval of a client’s therapist. When a family member arrives at Stepping Stone Center to visit a loved one, he/she will have a family session with the therapist for visitation approval. Stepping Stone Center also offers an exceptional family counseling as part of its addiction treatment plan. We understand that addiction does not only affect the afflicted individual, it can damage relationships and wreak havoc on the lives of everyone in the family.

What are the accomodations like?

In the first two phases of treatment, clients have spacious, semi-private rooms with attached bathrooms and clean, modern furnishings. There are common areas located in the facility where they can watch television, read, play games, and socialize with others.

For the final two phases, patients reside in our recovery apartments, located a mile “off-campus.” Here clients of the same sex share a typical two-bedroom apartment, each with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living area with television. There are staff members on-site 24 hours a day to check on the apartments and handle any patient needs that arise.

Clients are shuttled to and from our facility for treatment during the day, as well as taken to local 12-step meetings. The recovery apartment provides a nice transition from our inpatient facility and whatever living situation we recommend following treatment.

If you have any other questions, or if you need help or advice about a drug or alcohol problem, you can call our free Addiction Helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 866.957.4960. You can also reach our Helpline by using Live Chat or through our Contact Us form.

How do I get/transfer medical records?

If you are a provider and need to send us a patient’s medical records or you need to request a patient’s medical records from Stepping Stone Center for Recovery, fax us at 904-446-4397.