Alexandria, 20 minutes south of the District of Columbia, is located on the Potomac River and part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Known for its historic downtown center called Old Town, home to boutiques, restaurants, antique stores and theaters, draws those who live in Alexandria and visitors alike.
Like Old Town, many Alexandria neighborhoods are compact and walkable. It is the 7th largest and highest-income independent city in Virginia.
As you begin the process of searching for the best treatment program for yourself or a loved one, there are a lot of factors to consider. You don’t need to travel out of state to get high quality treatment as there are great options locally in Virginia.
Determining what level of care is necessary can be extremely overwhelming. Talking to a knowledgeable treatment and mental health professional can help assess your needs, and guide you to resources that would be best for you.
Our Virginia office is located in Reston, about an hour from Alexandria. At this location, we conduct our young adult PHP, and teen IOP programs as well our assessments and parent support groups.
2102 University Park Blvd, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80918
719-249-3545Sandstone Care aims to drive positive lasting change in real people. We understand that you have a life, so we offer a more personal experience than you would find anywhere else.
Our commitment to our clients’ lasting success and recovery helps us continually exceed licensing standards of care throughout the industry.
The Continuum of Care
Access a full range of treatments for mental health and substance use disorders. Whether you need a safe transitional living program, inpatient care, or outpatient treatment, we have a program to help.
Marijuana has become a way to self-medicate for underlying issues and it’s easy to become dependent on its use.
Studies have found that binge drinking & heavy alcohol use are problematic for young people.
Opioid misuse occurs when a person uses heroin or misuses prescription pain relievers like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine.
Commonly abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines, and prescription stimulants, like Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta.
The Right Program: A detailed interview and assessment process with a clinical professional. Look for an organization that assesses physical and mental health, as well as qualifications for your loved one’s specific needs. Make sure the organization you’re considering has skilled experience with the the drawbacks your loved on is facing.
If the organization isn’t right for your substance abuse treatment, ask if they have referrals for a more appropriate fit.
Professional Team: Look for a licensed, experienced organization that focuses on a team-oriented approach, working together to support each client and their family. Find a team that includes individual and family therapists, substance abuse counselors, psychiatrists, and dietitians.
A highly credentialed team taking a holistic approach to care is critical to achieving successful outcomes from substance abuse and addiction treatments.
Safety: An organization that focuses on participant safety, both physical and emotional. Many people will discover through the treatment process that abstinence from all substances is the best choice for them. Through this journey, it is important to support participants in staying safe and reducing harm.
Find a support system you trust to aid your substance abuse and addiction treatment.
Mental Health and Trauma Training: Drug abuse and addiction generally co-occur with a mental health or trauma experience. It is important that a treatment program has the ability to treat not only substance abuse but also underlying mental health concerns and trauma.
Ideally, a program would have a psychiatrist on staff, and staff trained in trauma-informed care. A good support system believes recovery and healing are two sides of the same coin, and both are necessary for long-lasting success.
An Individualized Program: An organization that tailors the experience to the individual and their unique needs. Find a team that sees you or your loved one as a person and creates a support program based on what is needed. True change from substance abuse and addiction treatment comes from authentic connection and genuine investment.
Strengths Based: An approach that focuses on what is working and nurtures those activities, patterns, and behaviors to encourage health and vibrancy.
Evidence-Based Care: An organization that draws on research and time-tested practices for the best possible outcome. Research or ask about the therapy methods they use in addition treatment.
Family Oriented: Any large life challenge always affects and is impacted by the surrounding system. Find an organization that supports and integrates the whole family. No one walks the road to recovery alone.
Our 24/7 Medically supervised detox and inpatient program lasts 5-21 days.
We understand that you have your own unique story, so once you are safely stabilized, we listen to you about what has been going on and perform medical and psychological evaluations to get a better understanding of your individual needs.
Our comfortable private rooms and safe, supportive environment help you to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
The teen residential program is 60-90 days of on-site 24/7 treatment.
While in a safe and home-like setting, our highly credentialed and compassionate staff helps teens learn healthy ways to handle their daily struggles.
We equip and empower teens and their families with the tools they need in order to make positive, healthy changes in their lives.
On-site day treatment lasts 2-4 weeks.
Day Treatment helps support teens and young adults struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health disorders who need significant structure.
We use scientifically proven therapies that are guided by relevant data. Patient preferences are prioritized, which means customized treatment plans designed specifically for your unique needs.
IOP lasts 8-12 weeks (on-site or virtual treatment).
Our after-school or after-work intensive outpatient programming helps teens and young adults overcome mental health and substance use challenges, while living at home and keeping up with daily responsibilities.
We provide individualized evidence-based treatment, promote family involvement, & provide you with the tools you need to reach lasting recovery.
Transitional living program lasts 2-6 Months.
Recovery is about more than simply abstaining from drug or alcohol use. It is also about developing a sustainable, balanced, and independent lifestyle.
Our transitional living homes are where young adults find support and structure early in the recovery process. Our homes are gender specific for men and women ages 18-30.
Alexandria has one the country’s oldest farmer’s market, dating back to the country’s first President, George Washington. He would bring his produce from his farm in Mt. Vernon. Another fun fact about the city, is that it has the first established library by John Wise. Originally called The Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge, the group wanted to create a space where people could read and learn about the world. Alexandria is a popular city for tourism and takes in over $800 million a year. But like many cities in Virginia, Alexandria has its own struggles with substance abuse.
Despite being one the best places to live, Alexandria, like so many other cities in the US is struggling with drug addiction and alcohol abuse. The opioid problem in Virginia became so bad that in 2016, a public health emergency was declared. Not only were people dying and overdosing on opioids, the state saw an increase in blood borne pathogen infections (Hepatitis C and HIV) due to the sharing of dirty needles. In 2018 an average of 3 Virginians died of an opioid overdose daily.
In 2013, the leading cause of unnatural death was fatal drug overdose, followed by motor vehicle accidents and gun fatalities. In Fairfax County, the death rate from heroin overdoses has doubled in the past two years, (similar to national trend) especially among young adult males.
Prescription drug and marijuana use has remained consistent among teens and young adults since 2011. On a positive note, fewer teens are smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol than at the start of the century. Virginia legislature is beginning to decriminalize marijuana and make it legal to smoke. This could pose challenges to public health officials who recognize that teen marijuana use can have an adverse effect on the growing brains of teens.
The Department of Community & Human Services in Alexandria offers a wide range of substance abuse treatment services. The Opioid Work Group was created in 2015 to respond to the opioid crisis with a series of initiatives to reduce opioid misuse and its harmful effects throughout the city. The Work Group is a multi-agency partnership comprised of representatives from city services to community partners taking a multi-dimensional approach to attacking the crisis. Those initiatives include:
Since the Work Group began, they have noted several accomplishments. Highlights include the addition of drug take back boxes for used and unused needles, REVIVE! Narcan Trainings, diversion programs from jail to treatment, and staff trainings about opioid overdoses, administering Narcan, and activating the emergency response system.
Virginia Department of Health created Comprehensive Harm Reduction (CHR), which is a set of Public Health strategies intended to reduce the negative impact of drug use including HIV, Hep C, overdose and death among people who are unable or not ready to stop using drugs by creating a needle exchange program where participants can exchange dirty needles for sterile hypodermic needles and syringes. CHR, also called needle exchange, syringe services, or syringe access, can decrease the spread of HIV and hepatitis.
In addition to seeking out support from addiction professionals, having a network of people that will build you up as you continue your sobriety is very important. Organizations like 12 Step Programs and SMART Recovery provide meetings that build up sober individuals and help to create a supportive community.
We understand taking the first step is difficult. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information. We are here to support you in any way we can.
