Preparing for Your Stay

Residents are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to Tucson.

If traveling by plane, bus, or train, Sierra Tucson will meet you at the baggage claim area when you disembark. We will need a physical description, so we know for whom to look.

When you arrive on our campus, you will be welcomed by one of our very friendly staff members in our reception area. There will be some paperwork to complete (there’s always paperwork to complete, isn’t there?), and you’ll also meet with members of your treatment team, be given a brief tour of our facility, and be escorted to your room.

At Sierra Tucson, we place a premium on providing respectful treatment of residents, family members, and staff in a safe and supportive environment. We have systems in place to ensure that the rights of our clients and their family members are preserved and protected. These rights are outlined in the resident handbook that will be given to you upon admission.

Our commitment to each resident’s confidentiality is ensured by our legal responsibility as mandated by state and federal law. Each member of the Sierra Tucson team is dedicated to upholding these standards in all communications and records.

• Limited amount of clothing (limit 2 suitcases and 1 carry-on). Laundry facilities, including supplies, are available for resident use. Irons and ironing boards are accessible, but we suggest that wash-and-wear clothing is more convenient. Dry cleaning services are not available.
• Flat-soled or tennis shoes are recommended. No high heels over 2″ are permitted. Shoes and/or slippers must be worn outside your room. Bare feet are not permitted, except in the pool area.
• Lightweight jackets and sweaters are recommended for eveningwear year-round – a heavier coat or jacket is recommended for winter months.
• Electric razor/shaver is the only type allowed. (Note: All electrical items, such as hair dryers, curling irons, or electric shavers will be checked for safety.)
• Insurance card
• Detailed list of all medications you are currently taking. Include the name of medication, the dosage and frequency administered, name of physician who prescribed the medication, and the reason for the medication. Only bring a few days’ supply of your prescribed medications when traveling to the facility for admission.
• Appropriate reading materials (books and magazines)
• It is recommended that you lock up any valuables (such as credit cards, keys, and jewelry) not in your immediate possession. A safe, located in the business office, is provided for this purpose. Sierra Tucson staff cannot be responsible for your valuables.

When you are admitted to Sierra Tucson, a staff member will examine you and check your belongings. Please do not bring the following items:

• Prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements. (Only bring a few days’ supply of your prescribed medications when traveling to the facility for admission.)
• Excessive or expensive jewelry
• Any electronic equipment, including radios, iPods/MP3 players/CD players/tape recorders, tapes/CDs, any type of portable media players, electronic address books, audio/video equipment, TVs, or cameras.
• Exercise equipment
• Craft materials
• Musical instruments
• Stuffed animals
• Shoe polish, liquid soap, detergent, or bleach
• Glass items
• Disposable razors, straight razors, razorblades, pocketknives, knitting needles, crochet hooks, or metal hairpieces
• Aerosol products, including deodorant and hairspray
• Products containing alcohol (i.e., mouthwash, aftershave, facial toner, perfume, perfumed lotions, etc.)
• Food, chewing gum, breath mints, candy of any kind, sugar, or artificial sweeteners
• Insulated coffee cups
• Smokeless tobacco, cigars, rolling tobacco, or pipes
• Illegal substances or mood-altering drugs
• Firearms and/or supplies

The goal of the dress code is to promote modesty and help residents stay focused on treatment goals. The appropriateness of attire is determined at admission and is non-negotiable.

• Clothing deemed inappropriate will be safely stored until discharge.
• Leggings, tights, and tight pants are permitted if worn with an appropriate length top.
• Low-cut tops and tight clothing are not permitted.
• Modest spaghetti straps are permitted or must be worn under another top.
• Undergarments must be worn; a sports bra may be worn as an undergarment when exercising at the gym.
• Undergarments are not to be visible.
• Bare midriffs are not acceptable.
• Shorts and skirts must cover 3/4 of the thigh for women and men.
• Jeans that are clean and neat are permitted.
• Flat-soled or tennis shoes are recommended. Shoes must be worn outside your room. Bare feet are not permitted except in the pool area.
• High heels over 2″ are not permitted.
• Swimsuits for women must be modest, appropriate, and not over-revealing.
• Swimsuits for men are to be the boxer-type.
• T-shirts, hats, sweatpants, shirts, and other clothing that depict alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, and/or gambling are not permitted.
• Clothing illustrating musical bands is not permitted.
• Sunglasses or hooded sweatshirts are not permitted indoors.

It is important that you advise your Admissions Coordinator of all medications you are currently taking. Include the name of the medication, the dosage and frequency administered, as well as the name of the physician who prescribed the medication. Each resident’s medical provider will manage medication through Sierra Tucson’s pharmacy supply. Please do not bring prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements.

We suggest that you bring approximately $200 for spending money. Our bookstore sells toiletries, books, stamps, greeting cards, T-shirts, etc. The bookstore accepts all major credit cards.

Please bring a supply of toiletries to last your entire stay, as only a limited selection is available.

Residents may cash one check in the amount of $100, through Admissions only. No cash back on debit or credit cards. The maximum amount of cash to be carried at one time is $100.

Limit of Cash: Cash stored in a safe bag is limited to $500 per resident. Funds exceeding this amount will be applied to the resident account as payment or refunded following discharge.

Sierra Tucson is not responsible for lost cash.

The policy of Sierra Tucson is to not deny a resident’s entry into treatment because of the use of nicotine, but to address this as an addiction.

During the admissions process, residents will be told of our goal to support them in becoming nicotine-free.

However, for those who do smoke, there is a designated area, outside only, where smoking is permitted.

Residents will not be able to purchase cigarettes; it will be necessary for you to bring what you will consume during your stay. Smokeless tobacco, cigars, rolling tobacco, or pipes are not permitted at Sierra Tucson. E-Cigarettes are allowed and the same guidelines as cigarettes apply. Any E-Cigarette supplies must be in new and unopened containers.

Sierra Tucson is not responsible for lost cash.

In order to ensure a therapeutic milieu, residents will not have access to their cell phones while in Copper Sky. Upon admission, residents are allowed to call (under nursing supervision) a significant other person to advise of their safe arrival. Residents are able to use the phones in Copper Sky (requires pre-paid phone card) and will have limited access to their cell phones after the first 7 days in Residential. These policies are applicable unless otherwise indicated by a medical provider’s order.. Phone cards are available for purchase in the bookstore.

Mail may be sent to the following address:

Resident’s name
c/o Sierra Tucson
39580 S. Lago del Oro Parkway
Tucson, AZ 85739

No mail order packages will be delivered to residents while they are in treatment unless authorized by their unit therapist.

Visitation is allowed on Sunday’s between 1-4pm with prior notification and approval from Sierra Tucson staff.