I have witnessed so much manipulation and rude behavior by both counselors and administrative staff. If you confront them about anything I sad before, they do not held accountable for it.
About Desert Star Addiction Recovery Center
Desert Addiction Recovery Center in Tucson, Arizona, offers outpatient treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders. The facility provides a complimentary consultation where you and a trained staff member can talk about your history and your goals and learn more about the programs offered. The levels of care available at Desert Addiction Recovery include traditional and intensive outpatient care, partial hospitalization and the blended program.
Comprehensive Evidenced Based Treatments
I like that you can receive a variety of evidence based treatments to help you overcome your addiction. Clients will participate in individual and group counseling, where the counselor therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
These approaches can help improve your ability to regulate your emotions.
Additional evidence based services provided are psychodrama and mindfulness meditation. Psychodrama can help you let go of any negative thoughts or emotions you hold that may hinder your recovery, and meditation can be an effective stress management tool. Your participation in group counseling will allow you to gain insight and receive support from your peers to further encourage your recovery. Motivational interviewing may also be utilized to increase your motivation to change your behavior.
Care Services at Your Convenience
Some clients may prefer to receive services from home rather than in person. Desert Addiction Recovery Center offers in person and virtual programming options for its services. You can still get the help you need while doing it in your own comfortable setting.
Relaxation in Tucson After Treatment
Outside of your treatment sessions, there are various relaxing nature settings nearby where you can take time to get some fresh air. Just a few blocks from the facility, you can enjoy seeing gardens at Tohono Chul, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can take a hike at Mount Kimball.
Latest Reviews
Desert Star is a strong program supported by a knowledgeable and compassionate staff. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking support and guidance in their journey!
I found Desert Star Recovery Center at one of the lowest points in my life, and I can honestly say that I m walking away as a completely different person. From the moment I reached out, Amy and Nicole were incredibly kind, supportive, and attentive. They made the admissions process smooth and stress-free, ensuring I felt comfortable and welcome from the very start.Once in the program, I had the privilege of working with Susie as my therapist, and I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about her. She is compassionate, insightful, and genuinely invested in her clients healing. Her guidance and support helped me break through barriers I never thought I could overcome.The entire team at Desert Star is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. I am beyond grateful for this experience and for the incredible people who helped me along the way. If you re struggling and looking for a place that truly cares, I highly recommend Desert Star. It changed my life.
I attended outpatient therapy as the last step to my treatment plan. I had appointments twice a week for 9 weeks. I'm forever grateful for the attentiveness of the team at Desert Star. Thank you for taking such good care of me.
Rehab Score
Our Methodology
Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology
8.3 / 10
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Location
Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Intensive Outpatient Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.
12-Step 12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug rehab in Arizona is the process of treating individuals who are dependent on a particular addictive drug. Because addiction is complex, this treatment typically includes a variety of interventions that address the many physical and emotional issues involved.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Creativity is inherently healing, and can help those in recovery express thoughts or feelings they might not otherwise be able to. Creative arts therapy can include music, poetry/writing, painting, sculpting, dance, theater, sandplay, and more. Unlike traditional art, the final product matters far less than the experience of creation and expression itself.
Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and dysfunctional eating patterns. Many psychologists and other mental health professionals consider eating disorders to be food addictions, meaning food is being used in an addictive way (similar to drug or alcohol addiction). Certain substance abuse treatment programs will have treatment for eating disorders as one of the services offered. An eating disorder may also present as a co-occuring disorder or dual diagnosis alongside drug and alcohol addiction. The Mesquite Program is an Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Program tailored for the medically stable adult client who is struggling with a variety of types of eating disorders. To include: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Compulsive Overeating, and Binge Eating. Their specialized eating disorder treatment program is tailored specifically for each individual by their highly skilled multidisciplinary team.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Amenities
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Private Setting
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Richard J. Poppy, MA, LISAC
Owner, Chief Executive Officer
Amy Tilley, PsyD
Chief Clinical Officer
Nicole Velasco, PhD
Chief Operating Officer
Troy Bowers
Administrative Assistant
Judy Hileman, NP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditations
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is a professional association that represents organizations in the field of addiction services. Founded in 1978, NAATP's mission is to advance addiction services and ensure that high-quality addiction treatment is available and accessible.
NAATP Member: Yes
Member ID: 164
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
(520) 638-6000 
7493 North Oracle Road
Suite 203
Tucson AZ, 85704
Get Help Now - 520-428-0475
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Fact checked and written by:
Eric Owens
Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS
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