Addiction Services

Mayo Clinic's Intensive Addiction Program is a primary, dual-disorder enhanced, residential substance use treatment program for adults 18 years or older. Treatment is individualized and based on the latest research findings regarding effective treatment interventions for substance use problems.

Individuals stay at Mayo Clinic for 30 days of treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction (including illegal drugs, narcotics and other prescription medications), and coexisting mental health disorders and medical problems.

All patients have access to referrals for other specialists as needed.

While in the Intensive Addiction Program, you're exposed to many different types of treatment, including:

• Motivational enhancement.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Relapse-prevention techniques.
• 12-step facilitation.
• Medical options used to promote and maintain recovery.
• Spiritual support and mindfulness techniques.
• Relaxation and alternative therapies.

The addiction psychiatrist may recommend anti-craving medication in addition to traditional counseling therapies for treatment of the substance use disorder.

Private bedrooms and bathrooms

Mayo Clinic's Intensive Addiction Program emphasizes respect for the individual. Each patient has a single, private room with an individual bathroom. Use of personal computers and cellphones are allowed in private rooms.

Structured, full-day program

A regular day schedule in the Intensive Addiction Program is structured with group therapy, individual sessions with a counselor or psychiatrist, education therapies, special programs, and personal time. Evenings include programming, recreation and involvement in community self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Activities may vary from day to day and include:

• Morning mindfulness practice.
• Process and focus groups (addiction group therapy).
• Structured groups (addiction education).
• Craving group (craving scale and trigger discussion).
• AA or NA meetings.
• Depression, anxiety and coping skills groups.
• Referral to individual chaplaincy sessions as needed.
• Referral for nutritional guidance as needed.
• Referral for smoking cessation counseling and support as needed.
• Recreational therapy.
• Evening programs.
• Alumni meetings.

Family day

The Intensive Addiction Program Family Day is for family members or others who are significant in the lives of the patients in the Intensive Addiction Program. Goals include helping family and other loved ones to:

• Learn about addictions.
• Strengthen their coping skills.
• Learn problem-solving techniques in interacting with the person who has a substance use problem.
• Have questions answered.
• Have hope and confidence in the recovery journey.

This full-day session is offered every other week (except holidays). It's held in the Intensive Addiction Program unit in the Generose Building.

Family members may attend more than one session. Each session's focus may vary, depending on the questions and topics that arise. Due to the complex nature of family needs in recovery, these sessions are designed for family members 18 years or older. For families with younger children, a family session may be scheduled with the primary counselor.

For more information or to register, contact Addiction Services at 507-255-4151.

Continuing care

Completing the Intensive Addiction Program is just the first step on the road to recovery. After completing the first phase of addiction treatment, patients are encouraged to proceed into continuing care programs, either at Mayo or closer to home.

Mayo Clinic's team will help select appropriate follow-up care and coordinate transition to the program of your choice to ensure that you stay on track in recovery. Participation in self-help groups such as the AA 12-step program or equivalent options is strongly encouraged, and the Mayo Clinic team can help you search for options in your local area.

To monitor progress and offer support during your recovery, the Mayo Clinic addictions treatment team offers follow-up mail or phone contact with you every three months for one year after completion of the intensive program.

Learn more about continuing care at Mayo Clinic