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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, please bring all medications you’ve been prescribed. The staff will keep your medications locked and secured, and we have trained medication aides on staff to distribute your medications to ensure medication is taken as prescribed. We will work with you and your doctor if we see specific medications having negative side effects.

Wayside offers individualized, culturally responsive treatment to every woman who walks through our doors. This includes access to providers representative of your community and referrals for additional services you may request to support you while in our care. Currently, women who identify as Indigenous or African American represent the two largest cultural communities that access services at Wayside. Learn more about our culturally responsive care at Comparing Treatments.

Yes, you can. You must show proof of insurance, and a valid driver’s license. You may not be allowed to use your car all the time. This will be determined with your counselor.

Yes, Wayside is one of only five providers in the state that offers family treatment. Women can enter treatment pregnant and with children up to age 11. Women can also be working towards reunification while in treatment and receive support to have custody re-established. Learn more about our Family Treatment Center.

Yes, we encourage exercise and healthy eating.

Yes, we have licensed staff able to provide Comprehensive Assessments, or Rule 25 Assessments, on site. Contact Wayside Intake at (651) 242-5540.

Yes, if a different level of care is appropriate, women can transfer from one program to another.

Overnight passes are not permitted while in residential treatment.

Wayside Recovery Center has dedicated staff who will assist you in setting up visitation with your children in either of our residential programs. At our Family Treatment Program, children 11 and under can either live on-site or visit. Children of all ages can visit during our visiting hours. Please note, due to COVID-19 visiting hours and policies may change. Learn more about our current visiting policies.

Yes. If you attend one of our Outpatient Programs or longer-term residential treatment, then you certainly can arrange school, work, and other life-related obligations around your appointments and programming.

Yes, if a woman lives outside of Minnesota she can still receives our services.

Yes, each woman has a dedicated counselor who you will meet within 24-72 hours of entering treatment. From there, you will meet with your counselor once a week.

Yes, our Women’s Treatment Center and Family Treatment Center both accept clients receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and taking Suboxone and Methadone. We also have an onsite psychiatric and medical team who can help you manage your MAT medications and treatment plan.

Wayside provides psychiatric and medication management services through our onsite qualified professionals who work closely with you, our medical team and Wayside preferred psychiatric clinics to meet all your psychiatric needs.

Wayside Recovery Center does have a Supportive Housing Program. In addition, our Recovery Services team helps provide women with resources to various sober and supportive housing opportunities.

Yes, Wayside has a Primary Care Team including a Medical Doctor, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist and nursing staff available for clients. We also have many referral partners to meet your individualized medical and dental needs. Wayside’s medical staff can also provide medication-assisted treatment and assist with medication management.

Yes, we provide childcare during the day while mothers are in programming at our Family Residential Treatment Center. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, we currently offer on-site Children’s Groups. We will be transitioning back to daycares in the community when COVID-19 precautions allow it. At our outpatient Wellness Center, we assist in coordinating off-site childcare for times when mothers need to attend program groups or sessions. 

Wayside welcomes visits from family, friends, children and other loved ones during residential treatment. Learn more at Visiting Wayside.

Wayside accepts women regardless of their ability to pay for treatment and will work with you on what payment/insurance option is right for you. Your method of payment will be discussed during your intake assessment. Wayside accepts all major insurance providers and Medicaid. If you are someone with limited income or resources, you may be eligible for public assistance and/or MNsure, (link to MNsure). Wayside staff is here to help you navigate to find your best payment option. Learn more about Payment Options.

Wayside is committed to providing the care each woman needs, for as long as she needs it. The average length of stay is 60-90 days. We know that longer lengths of treatment creates the best long-term outcomes for our clients.Your length of stay will be based upon your unique needs. Before admitting into services, you will receives comprehensive and diagnostic assessments and then a customized treatment plan will be created just for you. Residential treatment is typically followed by outpatient treatment, which lasts for approximately 12 weeks.

Wayside has two levels of intensity. In our high intensity program, women receive 30-40 hours of treatment per week. In our medium intensity program, women receive 15-30 hours. Outpatient provides high intensity programming. Women can receive up to 14 hours a week.

Note: Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, passes are allowed on a limited basis and primarily for urgent medical needs.
It depends on what phase of the program you are in. If you are in intensive residential treatment, you will be allowed to go on passes after 30 days of living at Wayside. If you are at the low to medium intensive residential treatment, you can usually leave the building after 72 hours and after one week, you can go out on your own.

Currently, group therapy is available to women enrolled in residential treatment at Wayside. We do offer group and individual therapy as an outpatient service.

Yes! You do not need to be enrolled in a residential treatment program to use Wayside’s individual therapy services. Please call our intake line at 651-242-5540 to inquire about openings.

Yes. We are committed to respecting and supporting the health of individuals across the spectrums of gender and sexuality. We recognize that cisgender women, trans women and non-binary people have mental health and recovery needs that our programs and services address. Only recently have women’s behavioral health needs been recognized as unique and requiring a different treatment approach than the standard treatment developed by and for men in the majority culture. We specialize in gender-specific care in recognition of these needs, but our treatment and services are inclusive of all people and gender-affirming. 

Wayside’s staff are skillful, compassionate, and caring. They have extensive experience working with substance use disorder, child protection issues, mental health, the legal system and life skills such as employment coaching and budget planning. In fact, some of them have many years of their own sobriety, which means they can relate to the challenges and the rewards of the recovery process. At Wayside, our dedicated staff ensures that women are empowered with the skills they need to prevent recurrence of use and the strength to build a healthier life.

Wayside Recovery Center has a recovery services department, which includes case managers and peer recovery specialists who will work closely with each woman to develop a thorough aftercare plan, and provide housing resources before leaving treatment. Wayside has a superb recovery maintenance program to support women after they leave the residential treatment setting. Learn more about Recovery Services.

We understand that coming to treatment can be very overwhelming. Our Residential Program doors are not locked from the inside, and you are free to leave at any time. We do encourage all clients to try to stay for at least a week to give it a chance and to share any concerns they may have with their counselor.

If you are looking for someone with a warrant, who might be in treatment at Wayside, you should contact that person directly. Federal Confidentiality Regulations advise that a warrant for arrest is not enough reason for us to give out confidential information. If you want to know if someone is here, you will need a court order signed by a judge.