What to Expect at The Right Step Houston

Now that you’ve decided to begin treatment at The Right Step Houston, it’s time to prepare for your stay. Knowing what to bring, what to leave behind and what to expect at the facility can help you feel more comfortable and prepared as treatment begins.

What to Bring

Please bring no more than two suitcases due to limited storage. Pack comfortable, practical items that will support you throughout your stay.

Documentation

• Picture ID
• Insurance card
• Prescription or pharmacy benefits card

Financial Items

Avoid bringing large amounts of cash. Prepaid debit cards, such as prepaid Visa or American Express cards, are preferred.

It may also be helpful to notify your financial institution that you will be away from home.

Medications and Medical Devices

Your care team will review your medications when you arrive. Bring:

• A complete list of all current medications, including supplements and over-the-counter medications
• Current prescription medications in their original, labeled prescription bottles
• A CPAP machine, if applicable

Medications brought to the facility must remain in their original, labeled prescription bottles and will be secured by the nursing department. The medications taken during treatment will be determined by your physician and may not include everything you were taking before admission.

Clothing

Dress comfortably and pack approximately:

• Seven comfortable shirts, such as T-shirts
• Two sweatshirts, pullovers or sweaters
• Seven pairs of jeans, slacks or shorts
• Seven pairs of yoga pants or sweatpants
• Seven pairs of socks
• Seven to 10 pairs of underwear or undergarments
• Two sets of sleepwear or robes
• One or two pieces of season-appropriate outerwear
• Two pairs of comfortable shoes, including one pair of tennis shoes and one pair of slip-on shoes, sandals or slides
• One pair of shower shoes

Please leave sheer or revealing clothing, expensive jewelry and other valuable items at home.

Washers and dryers are available for patient use, and basic laundry supplies are provided. Contact the facility before admission if you require a specialized detergent.

Personal Care Items

Keep toiletries and cosmetics to one bag when possible. All products should be alcohol-free and arrive unopened or sealed.

Recommended items include:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Deodorant
• Body lotion
• Hairbrush or comb
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Alcohol-free mouthwash
• Shaving razors
• Hair dryer, if desired
• Sanitary napkins or tampons, if applicable
• Cosmetics and other items used in your regular personal care routine

Items with cords and sharp grooming items, including razors and tweezers, will be kept in locked storage and signed out by staff when needed.

Do not bring glass containers, personal mirrors, mirrored compacts or products that list alcohol among the first five ingredients. Hair dye and hair-cutting tools are also not permitted.

Tobacco Products

Patients who smoke or vape may bring:

• Standard cigarettes
• New, unopened, non-rechargeable disposable vapes in their original packaging

Bring enough permitted tobacco or vaping products to cover at least the first 10 days after admission. A staff member conducts a store run for necessities and tobacco products once per week only.

Staff cannot purchase tobacco products for patients under age 21.

Other Recommended Items

• A written list of phone numbers for people you may want to call
• Postage stamps, envelopes and mailing addresses
• Photographs of loved ones

Laundry and Linens

Washers and dryers are available for patient use, and basic laundry supplies are provided. Personal linens and pillows are not permitted.

What Not to Bring

For safety reasons, do not bring the following items.

Clothing and Footwear

• Clothing or pictures containing references to drugs, alcohol, pornography, political content, discriminatory content or other inappropriate material
• Sheer or revealing clothing
• High-heeled shoes or wedge heels higher than two inches

Staff may require closed-toe, flat shoes for certain activities.

Toiletries and Personal Care Products

• Hair dye or hair-cutting tools
• Nail polish or nail polish remover
• Aerosol products
• Products that list alcohol among the first five ingredients, including alcohol-based mouthwash and hand sanitizer
• Glass bottles or containers
• Personal mirrors
• Mirrored compacts
• Picture frames containing glass

Weapons and Fire Hazards

• Weapons of any kind, including pocketknives
• Candles
• Incense

Tobacco and Related Items

• Refillable or rechargeable vapes
• Vape pods
• Hand-rolled cigarettes
• Cigars
• Cigarette papers
• Refillable lighters

Electronics

Do not bring:

• Computers or laptops
• Kindles or other e-readers
• Music players
• Radios

Personal cell phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices brought to the facility will be securely stored for the duration of treatment. Personal computers are also not permitted. Patients who need computer access may be able to use a computer through their counselor when approved.

Food and Beverages

• Outside food or beverages of any kind
• Food sent in care packages, including candy and cookies

Medications

• Prescription medications that are not in their original, labeled prescription bottles
• Over-the-counter medications or substances that are not in sealed manufacturer packaging

Laundry and Bedding

• Laundry detergent, unless specialized arrangements have been made before admission
• Personal linens
• Personal pillows

Other Items

• Specialized workout equipment, including personal weights

Mail, Packages and Belongings

Friends and family may send patients letters, cards and approved care packages. Appropriate care package items may include:

• Coloring books
• Colored pencils
• Self-help books
• Positive messages
• Cards

Do not send food, candy, cookies or other edible items.

Mail and packages should be addressed as follows:

The Right Step Houston
C/O Patient Name
12350 Wood Bayou Dr.
Houston, TX 77013

Family members and friends may also drop off necessary belongings, such as clothing or unopened permitted cigarettes, during designated times. Contact the facility in advance to confirm when drop-offs are accepted.

A staff member will receive the belongings upon arrival. Belongings drop-off does not include an opportunity to visit the patient.

Travel Details

The Right Step Houston can provide facility transportation for patients arriving by Greyhound bus. Patients using this transportation option should coordinate their arrival with the facility in advance. Patients arriving by Greyhound should wait on the bench outside the front of the building for pickup.

The facility may request a photograph before arrival so staff can identify the patient during pickup.

Phone Use

Personal cell phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices will be securely stored for the duration of treatment. Facility landline phones are available during free time and after scheduled programming has ended. Phone use is not permitted during scheduled treatment programming.

The Facility

The Right Step Houston is a traditional addiction treatment center located at 12350 Wood Bayou Drive in Houston, Texas. Serving the Houston community since 1994, the facility has a long-standing reputation for providing structured, supportive care to adults working toward recovery from substance use disorders.

The facility offers a comfortable, straightforward residential environment centered on treatment, peer support and recovery-focused daily routines. Adult men and women receive care at the same location, with gender-specific housing and gender-specific treatment groups providing additional structure and support throughout their stay.

Amenities and Activities

Activities and amenities at The Right Step Houston may include:

• A small fitness center
• Physical fitness activities
• Walking
• Tai chi
• Meditation
• Mindfulness activities
• Journaling
• Expressive therapy
• Art activities
• Music activities
• Group recreational outings

Available activities depend on the treatment schedule, clinical appropriateness and facility programming.

Food

Meals are prepared by an onsite chef. Special diets may be accommodated when approved by a physician. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

Sleeping Arrangements

The Right Step Houston offers gender-specific residential housing. Patients may stay in private or semi-private rooms. Private rooms are not guaranteed, and requests for private rooms are not accepted. Patients share a restroom with one neighboring patient.

A Day in the Life

Daily treatment at The Right Step Houston centers on structured substance use treatment and recovery programming.

Depending on the patient’s level of care and treatment plan, the day may include group counseling, individual support, recovery education, evidence-based therapies, 12-Step-oriented programming and activities focused on physical and emotional wellness.

Free time may provide opportunities for approved phone calls, exercise, walking, journaling, mindfulness or other recreational activities.

Types of Therapy

Treatment and recovery programming at The Right Step Houston may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Trauma-informed care
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• Expressive therapy
• Art-based activities
• Music-based activities
• Mindfulness
• 12-Step-based treatment

Family and Support Visits

The Right Step Houston does not currently offer in-person visitation.

Off-Site Visits

Patients may participate in supervised group outings as part of recreational programming.

As patients progress through treatment, they may also become eligible to request approved passes away from the facility. These privileges are based on clinical appropriateness and patient progress.

The facility generally considers a four-hour pass during the second week of treatment and an eight-hour pass during the third week when clinically appropriate.

Smoking Policy

The Right Step Houston permits:

• Standard cigarettes
• New, unopened disposable vapes in their original packaging

Cigars, clove cigarettes, refillable vapes, vape pods, hand-rolled cigarettes, cigarette papers and refillable lighters are not permitted.

All nicotine use must occur outdoors in designated, gender-specific smoking areas.

Patients who smoke or vape should bring enough permitted products for at least the first 10 days following admission. A staff member conducts a store run for necessities and tobacco products once per week.

Because staff cannot purchase tobacco products for patients under age 21, patients ages 18–20 who use permitted tobacco products should plan accordingly before admission.

The Treatment Process

Treatment at The Right Step Houston is individualized according to each patient’s clinical needs, progress and insurance coverage.

Available substance use treatment services include:

• Medical detox
• Residential substance use treatment
• Partial hospitalization
• Virtual intensive outpatient treatment for Texas residents
• Aftercare

The residential program follows a 30-day treatment model. The average stay is approximately 23 days, although actual treatment length varies according to clinical needs and insurance coverage.

Partial hospitalization may be used as a stepdown from residential care or as a direct level of care. Intensive outpatient treatment is provided virtually and is available to Texas residents.

Medically Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, combines medication with counseling and behavioral support as part of a comprehensive approach to recovery. For some patients, MAT can help manage withdrawal symptoms or cravings and support continued participation in treatment.

The Right Step Houston offers MAT when clinically appropriate. Each patient is evaluated individually, and the treatment team determines whether medication-assisted treatment should be included in the patient’s care plan.

Alumni Program

At The Right Step Houston, we have an alumni program that provides our clients with the support and resources they need to continue in their recovery journey. Our alumni programs are tailored to meet the individual needs of each client. It will provide them with a sense of community to help them stay motivated in their recovery.

Our Staff

The Right Step Houston’s leadership team includes:

• Sarah Goldman, Executive Director
• Dr. Mustafa Tai, Medical Director
• Tatenda Perry, Clinical Director
• DeShauna Washington, Director of Nursing

Insurance and Your Obligation During Treatment

Many health insurance plans require out-of-pocket costs in order to access your healthcare benefits. These expenses may include Deductibles, Co-Pays, Coinsurance and Maximum Out-of-Pocket Expenses (collectively, the “Patient Responsibility”).

Your individual Patient Responsibility may vary based on a number of factors including:

• Your individual benefits plan
• Length of stay at the facility
• Type of services received during treatment
• Other services offered at the facility, but not covered by your insurance provider (such as lab tests, non-covered prescriptions, etc.)
• Reasonable boarding fees should you decide to stay with the facility for treatment at outpatient levels of care.

A staff member will review your Patient Responsibility with you at the time of admission or as soon as possible once you are medically stable. They will explain that the deductible is due upon admittance to the facility and the co-insurance amount and out-of-pocket balance will be billed and paid for after treatment once services are complete. On-site financial counselors will again review your financial responsibility during treatment with case managers who can help you navigate FMLA.

It is your responsibility to check with your insurance provider prior to being admitted at The Right Step Houston to understand your individual benefits plan. Please note that your insurance plan may not be a “participating provider” with The Right Step Houston. You are responsible for all non-covered and out-of-pocket costs related to your treatment stay.