St. Monica’s

The Basics

Since 1964, St. Monica’s in Lincoln, Nebraska has provided a plethora of treatment services for financially-challenged women suffering from chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders. Their offerings include short and long-term residential treatment, a six-to-eight week Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Next Step, a six-month transitional living community for women who have completed primary care.

Accommodations and Food

St. Monica’s has a 16-bed capacity for clients attending the short-term inpatient program. There are two buildings, including an eight-bed house and a 16-bed building. Typically, clients are paired in rooms, but there are also two rooms that contain four women. Rooms are furnished with twin beds, dressers and shelves for personal items. Bulletin boards are provided, so that clients may pin up cards, photos and other memorabilia. Radios are the only electronic devices allowed on the premises. Clients must leave bedroom doors open, so that the house temperature is regulated.

While residents are responsible for their own food, they usually qualify for food stamps. New clients who don’t have an EBT card are assisted with the process of getting food stamp benefits. EBT cards are turned over to a staff member who purchases groceries. Clients participate in a meal planning group. Taught by a nutrition coordinator, clients learn to plan and cook their own meals. Menus are prepared a week in advance. This class teaches basic life skills necessary for a healthy recovery. Vending machines filled with snacks and sodas are available on the premises.

St. Monica’s maintains a tobacco and smoke-free environment. Since smokers are out of luck here, staff provides nicotine patches, as well as smoking cessation groups. Medications are inspected and administered by staff. Forbidden medications include Ambien, Adderal, Ritalin, Focalin and Flexeril. While residing at St. Monica’s, clients are asked not to engage in body piercing or obtain tattoos. The rehab believes that engaging in body art potentially leads to addictive behaviors.

Treatment and Staff

Due to the sliding scale cost of the program, it is quite popular and there is a four to six-week waiting list. At St. Monica’s, detox services are not provided, but referrals can be made. In order to receive treatment, a potential client must have a comprehensive drug and alcohol evaluation completed by an outside physician. Upon approval, an intake appointment is scheduled. The women receive individualized treatment plans. Treatment length is typically between six to eight weeks.

Treatment includes psycho-educational classes, individual therapy (once per week), daily group therapy, psychological evaluations and parenting education (for women with children). Class topics include co-occurring disorders, grief and loss, domestic violence, fun therapy, medical aspects of addiction, meditation/yoga, coping skills, relapse prevention, relationships, parenting skills, spirituality, family issues and Sixteen Steps to Empowerment, created by Charlotte Kasl. Clients are also required to attend two weekly 12-step meetings in the local vicinity.

The long-term residential program utilizes a therapeutic community model. There are four phases clients must complete, which include an orientation stage, followed by pursuing active employment, community reintegration and finally, aftercare. The length of stay is six months.

At St. Monica’s the IOP lasts six weeks. Weekly treatment includes ten hours of group therapy, individual therapy and psycho-educational groups. IOP and long-term residential programs parallel the protocol found in the short-term inpatient program.

The staff includes a clinical director, residential coordinator, nurse practitioner, nurse, therapeutic monitors, peer specialists and licensed counselors. Therapeutic monitors live on the premises and provide around the clock supervision and support.

Extras

Aftercare includes group and individual therapy. Since clients have individualized treatment plans, protocols vary.

Project Mother and Child is a supplementary substance abuse and addiction treatment program for residents who have their children. Generally, clients participate in an inpatient or outpatient program, and receive additional services that include parenting education and support, as well as enlightenment on domestic violence.

At St. Monica’s, exercise is encouraged. Besides yoga and meditation, exercise classes and videos are provided. Some clients take daily walks, allowing themselves additional time for reflection and a chance to get some fresh air.

In Summary

St. Monica’s offers an affordable  variety of comprehensive services for women on a sliding fee scale. This place has everything from the 12-steps to other recovery support options, thus allowing clients an opportunity to have more choices regarding their recovery. On a case-by-case basis, women are also allowed to bring their children to residential treatment. While there is a four to six week waiting period, and an in-depth screening process, treatment at St. Monica’s is worth the wait.

St. Monica’s
120 Wedgewood Drive
Lincoln, NE 68510-2431

St. Monica’s Cost: Sliding scale (30 days). Reach St. Monica’s by phone at (402) 441-3768 or by email. Find St. Monica’s on Facebook, Google+ and YouTube

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