Yes. All patients have a urine drug screen (UDS) performed upon admission. After admission, urine drug screens are ordered based on the individual patient’s need, due to suspicion and/or during weekly random testing.

Yes. Mail is generally distributed Monday through Friday at 4 p.m roll call. While mail is not read or censored by staff, you’re required to open all mail in the presence of a staff member. Packages may be searched for contraband. Your family may send mail to you at:

Attn: Your Name
Cumberland Heights
P.O. Box 90727
Nashville, TN 37209

As we all know, the use of the telephone during a patient’s treatment experience can be a way of connection to loved ones or a distraction to the treatment process. At worst, frequent phone calls can be a factor in a patient’s premature departure from treatment. At Cumberland Heights, we want to support our patients’ healing connections to their families and loved ones while giving them the time to settle into the treatment process, seeing and feeling the hope that early recovery can bring. We’ve established the following practices to allow this to occur:

• Patients turn over their cell phones during the admissions process. We are currently exploring ways to introduce the cell phone as a tool of recovery through specialized phone “apps” for that purpose. More on that later.
• There are no phones in the detoxification unit. Patients are strongly encouraged to limit phone calls during their first week of treatment. If patients do not abide by the guidelines, this is addressed with empathy and continuing support for the need to allow themselves time to focus on settling into treatment and their recovery process.
• Patients with urgent phone needs will be directed to their primary counselor or case manager to address these.
• Family members of adults are contacted by primary counselors the next business day after the patient’s admission. Family members of adolescents are contacted within 24 hours of admission.
• Family members are given primary counselor phone numbers as the main point of contact, as well as the numbers of program administrative assistants for general matters. In addition, methods by which to contact staff after hours in case of true emergencies are given.
• Primary counselors encourage patients to make their first phone call to their families with their counselors present to provide support for both patient and family. This also encourages early family engagement in the patient’s treatment process. In addition, family counselors will contact the family members to schedule their participation in family services.
• After the first week of treatment, patients may sign up for phone calls during designated times with a maximum limit of 10 minutes for the call. Phones are located in the patients’ living areas. Phones are not available during scheduled treatment activities.
• We encourage our patients to get the telephone numbers of our alumni and the 12 Step members they encounter at community AA/NA meetings. We want them to get a temporary sponsor and encourage regular phone contact with that person.
• Lastly, we will be encouraging the lost art of letter writing in both our patients and their families. Sometimes, this can be a gentle way to begin to express feelings. It also allows people time to reflect about what they want to say. The Cumberland Heights Book Shop will carry supplies for this purpose.

In a society in which we all tend to be electronically connected much of the time, beginning recovery requires a time apart, a time away. We believe that these practices can allow the patient and family the space needed to begin to heal so that reconnection can occur.

In general, no. Your daily schedule is fairly structured and focused on learning new behaviors and reading and writing related to your goals. Radios, TV’s, DVD players and iPods are not allowed. On special occasions (Super Bowl, etc.), patients may be allowed to watch TV. Recovery and recreational videos are also available for use during personal time.

No. Cellphones & Smartphones (iPhone, Android, etc.) are not allowed.

No. Patients are encouraged to focus on their recovery and treatment assignments. You can bring a Bible or other spiritual material because they support the nature of recovery. No other reading material is allowed unless approved in advance.

Adult patients may smoke/vape in designated areas only. Ask your staff member for details. Youth patients may not smoke or vape. Nicotine cessation groups and counseling are available.

No. However, family members of adult patients can provide them.

Although your daily schedule is fairly structured and focused on learning about addiction, recovery and sober living skills, personal time is built into the schedule. You may spend this time in your room or the community room, talking or playing games with staff or other patients, showering, reading, working on treatment assignments, journaling, napping, etc.

The First Step Program is a combination of a residential stay for detoxification and stabilization as needed, followed by Intensive Outpatient treatment for three hours, four times/week to assist the patient in learning and establishing recovery skills. Length of stay in the residential and intensive outpatient components varies based upon clinical needs and outside support systems. The patient’s treatment team works to determine an individual recommendation for each patient. Family education groups are offered in both program components. Cumberland Heights contracts with a variety of insurance providers. Our staff can assist you and your family in estimating insurance benefits, addiction resources and out of pocket costs.

We recommend that you request to postpone your court date to avoid interrupting your treatment. If this is not possible, arrangements may be made, with your counselor’s approval, for a family member to take you.

No, unless there is a specific need (e.g., a death in the family, doctor or dentist visit, etc.) and the leave is approved in advance by your counselor.

To make your stay with us more comfortable, plan to bring the following items:

• Several days of casual clothes, including athletic clothing and tennis shoes – 3 bag limit
• Sweater or jacket
• Sleepwear and slippers
• Umbrella
• Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, hair dryer, etc.)
• A sealed container of (he) high-efficiency laundry detergent pods, or they can be purchased in the bookstore onsite
• Approximately $10/week for purchasing books, snacks and other miscellaneous items
• Coins for vending machines, etc.
• Any prescription drugs you are taking
• Rain gear / umbrellas optional

Laundry facilities are available on designated days for patient use.

Please leave the following items at home:

• Revealing clothing, tank tops, clothing with alcohol, drug or sexually suggestive images or words
• Cell phones
• TVs, radios, CD/DVD players, iPods, etc.
• Reading material (Bibles and other spiritual material are allowed)
• Musical Instruments (professional musicians excluded)
• No outside food or drinks are allowed

Casual clothes, including some athletic wear and shoes for outdoor activities – 3 bag limit.