Our admissions team is here to help you navigate these requirements. If you have questions about eligibility, please call us, we are here to help, not to create barriers.
General Eligibility Criteria
To be admitted to Alliance Wellness Clinic’s OTP program, you must generally meet the following criteria:
Age
Patients must be 18 years of age or older. Patients under 18 may be considered in limited circumstances with documented parental or guardian consent and additional clinical review, as permitted under federal OTP regulations.
Diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder
You must meet the diagnostic criteria for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This diagnosis is confirmed through our comprehensive intake evaluation, which includes a history and physical examination, clinical interview, and review of relevant records.
History of Opioid Use
Federal regulations require documentation of opioid use disorder for a period of at least one year prior to admission for most patients. Documentation may include:
- Medical or treatment records
- Legal records or arrest history involving opioids
- Discharge records from a prior treatment program
- Clinical attestation based on your intake evaluation
Exceptions to the One-Year Requirement
Federal regulations permit exceptions to the one-year documentation requirement in specific circumstances, including:
- Recent release from a correctional facility (within six months)
- Current pregnancy
- Prior enrollment in an OTP program (readmission)
These exceptions require clinical justification and are determined during the intake evaluation.
The Intake Process
Meeting eligibility criteria is the first step. Before beginning treatment, every new patient at Alliance Wellness Clinic completes a comprehensive intake evaluation that includes:
Registration & Orientation
You will complete intake paperwork, receive information about your rights as a patient, and receive an orientation to our services and expectations.
Urine Drug Screen (UDS)
A urine drug screen is required at intake to confirm recent substance use and guide safe medication decisions.
History & Physical (H&P)
A licensed medical provider will conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation including your medical history, substance use history, mental health history, current medications, and any co-occurring conditions. Vital signs and withdrawal severity assessments (such as COWS or CIWA scores) will be completed.
If you have had a physical examination within the past 30 days, medical records from that visit may be used in lieu of a new examination — please contact us in advance to arrange record transfer.
Psychosocial Assessment
A licensed counselor or intake clinician will conduct a psychosocial assessment covering your social history, living situation, employment, family and legal involvement, prior treatment history, and recovery goals.
Treatment Planning
Based on the information gathered during your evaluation, your treatment team will develop an individualized treatment plan with you. This plan outlines your medication, counseling, and support services, and it is reviewed and updated regularly as your needs evolve.
Informed Consent
Federal and state regulations require that all patients provide informed consent prior to beginning treatment at an OTP. This means you will receive clear information about the medications available, their effects and risks, treatment expectations, and your rights as a patient, before any treatment begins.
Counseling Requirement
Counseling is a required component of OTP treatment under federal regulations. At Alliance Wellness Clinic, counseling is not an add-on — it is integrated into your care plan from the start. All patients are required to participate in individual counseling, with group counseling and peer recovery services also available and encouraged.
Same-Day Treatment
Alliance Wellness Clinic offers same-day assessment and, when clinically appropriate, same-day medication. If you arrive during clinic hours, our goal is to begin the evaluation process immediately and get you started on the path to treatment that day.
Questions About Eligibility
If you are unsure whether you meet admissions criteria, the best thing to do is call us. Our admissions team can walk you through the requirements, answer your questions, and help you prepare for your first visit.
Phone: 952-693-0080
Email: access@alliancewellnessclinic.com
Our promise: The admissions process at Alliance Wellness Clinic is designed to be clear, respectful, and supportive. We are here to help you access treatment, not to make it harder.
