About Highland Rivers Gilmer Recovery and Wellness Center
Highland Rivers Health – Gilmer Recovery and Wellness Center is a drug and alcohol rehab located in Ellijay, GA. They provide outpatient substance abuse services.
Addiction-related services available at this facility include outpatient recovery services, mental health care, and case management.
Outpatient addiction treatment
This substance abuse treatment program is based on the American Addiction Treatment philosophy that believes addiction is a treatable issue. SAMHSA’s 10 guiding principles of recovery are used as a guide for individualized recovery plans. Each person learns how to manage their symptoms, copy with life’s challenges, build resiliency, and sustain recovery.
Community substance abuse services
These are community based services for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. They can come to the center, meet with staff, and create a personalized recovery plan to build independence, reclaim their life, and stay sober.
Latest Reviews
Rehab Score
Gallery

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.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
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.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient
Intensive Outpatient
Intervention Services
24-Hour Clinical Care
Medically Assisted Detox
Inpatient
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.
A quality drug rehab in Georgia can help you overcome addiction. This environment is designed to help you address the complex issues contributing to drug dependence. The goal of treatment is to give you the tools you need to make a full recovery.
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.
Addiction treatment programs in Georgia help individuals to address substance abuse problems. With various programs available, including outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization programs, you can find the right level of care for your specific needs. You can generally expect drug and alcohol rehab to incorporate evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), skills training, recovery meetings, and mindfulness-based therapy. When combined, these interventions can successfully help you overcome addiction and continue to enjoy long-term mental health.
In Georgia, specialized dual-diagnosis addiction treatment programs address co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Care levels include outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, or dialectical behavioral therapy, equine therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, skills training, and recovery groups — like 12-step — support you in achieving sobriety and sustaining recovery. Developing the tools to establish a solid support system (or strengthen an existing one) will also increase your chances of long-term recovery success.
While in treatment for a substance use disorder, mental health services are provided, and you have access to a mental health counselor or therapist round the clock. Clinical staff constantly monitor your care, and you receive a number of mental health therapies including individual and group counseling, relapse prevention education, and coping skills training. Other mental health offerings will vary by rehab.
Programs

Adult Program

Young Adult Program

LGBTQ Program

Military Program

Teen Program
Clinical Services
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.
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.
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.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
While cognitive behavioral therapy in Georgia is unique for each person, this therapy follows a standard structure that has proven effective. Clients first learn about their substance use disorder, then learn and practice techniques such as coping, stress management, and resilience to change their thought and behavior patterns.
While each person is unique, the typical length for dialectical behavior therapy is six months to a year. You'll attend weekly hour long individual sessions with your therapist, as well as weekly group sessions. Homework between sessions often includes keeping a diary to track your emotions and behaviors. Your therapist uses this diary to guide the focus of each session.
Amenities
-
Private Rooms
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Melanie Dallas, LPC
CEO
Dena Payne, MBA
COO
Cheryl Lewis, LPC
Chief Clinical Operations Officer
Kathleen Varda, MSW
VP of Community Engagement & Development
Erica Collins, MBA
VP of Human Resources
Marla Flynn, CPA
CFO
Stephanie Bishop, LCSW, CHC
Chief Compliance Officer
Accreditations

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

The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
1179 Progress Rd
Ellijay, GA 30540