Our Admissions Process

Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital is located a short drive from many major Arizona cities, including Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, and Scottsdale. In our inpatient programs, we provide care for adolescents ages 11-17 and adults age 18 and older who are suffering from the following mental health concerns:

• Depression
• Psychosis
• Anxiety
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Self-harm
• Suicidal ideation

We also provide treatment for adolescents and adults who have addictions to substances such as:

• Alcohol
• Prescription painkillers
• Heroin
• Benzodiazepines

In addition to our adolescent and adult programs, we have a senior adult unit for adults age 55 and older. In our senior adult inpatient program, we deliver care for those who are struggling with age-related concerns like memory problems, caregiver challenges, and loneliness.

Our inpatient programming is designed to help those who may be a danger to themselves or others or who need detoxification services. In inpatient programming, our goal is to help our patients stabilize so that they can return home or step down to a lower level of care.

Our Arizona inpatient hospital is a state-of-the-art, 100-bed treatment center in the Phoenix area. In our inpatient programming, we provide crisis stabilization services for adolescents, adults, and senior adults who are experiencing disruptive symptoms of behavioral health concerns. Those who participate in our inpatient programming can enjoy a beautiful therapeutic environment featuring natural light and outdoor courtyards in every unit.

Patients who take part in our inpatient programs are typically in our care for about five to 13 days. During this time, they follow customized treatment plans that are designed by our team to include the therapies and services that can best suit their needs. Inpatient program treatment plans at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital may include detoxification services, basic medical care, medication management services, and group therapy sessions.

Participating in our inpatient programming can help patients learn new skills and form a foundation for ongoing healing. Our patients receive care from diverse professionals, including:

• Psychiatrists
• Nurse practitioners
• Licensed clinical social workers
• Behavioral health specialists
• Licensed professional counselors
• Licensed practical nurses
• Certified recreational therapists
• Dietitians
• Yoga instructors

These professionals provide medical care and evidence-based therapies designed to help our patients heal. Our therapists and counselors use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in group therapy sessions to help patients identify and alter negative thought processes. Group therapy also allows patients to meet and support each other. Group sessions cover topics like:

• Relapse prevention
• Education
• Goal setting
• Life skills
• Coping strategies

For patients age 11 and older who arrive at our facility with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines in their systems, we provide detoxification services. Our detox program typically lasts seven to 10 days. During this time, our team ensures the safety and comfort of our patients as they go through the withdrawal process.

We offer personalized inpatient care in a safe environment for adolescents, adults, and senior adults who are suffering from mental health concerns and substance use disorders.

Our admissions process is streamlined so that each person can be connected with effective care that can help them heal. In general, we admit patients who meet the following criteria to our inpatient programs:

• Adolescents ages 11-17, adults age 18 and older, and senior adults age 55 and older
• People who are experiencing disruptive or unmanageable symptoms of mental health concerns
• People who have substance use disorders
• Those who are a danger to themselves or others
• Those who need detoxification services

This list offers a general overview of our admissions criteria. However, it is not a complete list, and anyone who believes that they could benefit from receiving inpatient treatment can complete a screening by contacting our admissions team. If you want to learn more about our programming, we encourage you to call us. Our admissions coordinators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have or to help you begin the admissions process. Anyone can complete the initial screening anytime, at no cost.

Patients complete the following steps before participating in our inpatient programming:

• Initial screening: To begin the admissions process, please call our admissions team, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Over the phone, we can help you complete an initial screening that allows us to determine whether our programming can meet your needs. If we decide that we may be able to provide care that can help you, we can move forward with the admissions process. If we believe that another level of care would be better for you, we can provide an appropriate referral.
• Intake: When you arrive at our hospital, you can complete intake paperwork, which includes providing information such as your name, address, and insurance details.
• Assessment: Before we admit you to our care, you’ll complete a thorough assessment that allows us to gather information about your medical background, presenting symptoms, existing support systems, current medications, past substance use, and therapeutic goals. Our registered nurses and clinicians will use that information to determine whether you meet the criteria for our inpatient programming. If our team decides that we can provide the treatment you need, we can admit you to our care.

We can use the information we gather in the evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan for you. Your treatment plan at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital may include:

• Basic medical care
• Detoxification services provided by an addictionologist and a medical team
• Medication management services, including daily meetings with a psychiatrist
• Counseling sessions

Our goal is to guide each patient through the admissions process every step of the way. If you have questions about what to expect or how programming works, please don’t hesitate to ask. We know that it can seem overwhelming to begin the treatment process, and we want to make it as fast and easy as possible for you to receive the care you need and deserve.

If our admissions team determines that one of our inpatient programs would be a good fit for you, you can begin preparing for your stay. For the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, we have specific requirements and restrictions regarding the things patients should and should not bring with them to our facility. We ask that patients who are participating in our detox or inpatient programming bring the following items:

• Three days’ worth of comfortable clothing
• A list of prescription medications they are currently taking
• Identification and insurance information

Our hospital provides toiletries, so patients do not need to bring their own. Additionally, patients should not bring the following prohibited items:

• Any item that could cause harm, such as sharp objects
• Belts, shoelaces, clothing that has strings or straps, or any item that poses a ligature risk
• Drugs and alcohol

We also strongly encourage patients to leave expensive jewelry, electronics, and large amounts of money at home.

At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we understand that it takes courage to receive addiction and mental health treatment. Our goal is to offer effective care that can help our patients make life-changing improvements. During the admissions process, we provide patients and their families with helpful materials like handbooks, printed rules, and other appropriate paperwork.

At our treatment center, we strive to provide accessible care, excellent customer service, and premier programming so that we can help our patients make life-changing improvements. If you have any questions about the admissions process or the treatments and services we offer, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. We look forward to helping you every step of the way so that you can receive the treatment you need to progress in your healing journey.

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital.