I had been through treatment programs before, but I always went to a program for my wife or family. but this time I finally came to treatment for myself. I finally realized that staying sober had to be my number one priority.
About Al’ta Counseling & Testing
Al’ta Counseling offers comprehensive substance use assessment, education and intervention services. They’re located in Tacoma, Washington. Their services are particularly helpful to judicial-involved individuals needing substance use assessment and education to meet legal requirements. That said, other individuals can also benefit from these services. They offer reliable DUI assessment and DOT-qualified SAP services. The latter includes initial and follow-up SAP evaluations to assess your eligibility for returning to work in compliance with safety rules.
Their SAP understands the alcohol and drug regulations across the six major agencies under the US Department of Transportation. These include FAA, FMCA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA. They also offer an affordable Alcohol and Drug Information School and a Victim’s Impact Panel. Both courses involve eight hours of stress-free and educational sessions focused on decision making. You also get to learn the psychological, physiological and legal implications of addiction. Their A/DIS and VIP are certified by Washington State and fulfill the legal requirements established for court referred clients as well as those seeking addiction knowledge voluntarily.
Deferred Prosecution is another excellent service available at this facility. This five-year program lets you complete alcohol or drug treatment in exchange for having your DUI conviction dismissed. It’s also great that they offer evidence based treatment and intervention services. This lets you fulfill your legal obligations related to drug or alcohol charges and receive corresponding treatment for addiction.
In addition, this makes the program more appealing to individuals not involved with the criminal justice system. What’s also striking is the efficiency of their care personnel. These licensed professionals are grounded in proven therapeutic practices including 12 Step facilitation, motivational and cognitive behavioral therapy. They also incorporate Native American treatment models, which are culturally tailored and holistic.
Latest Reviews
This place is amazing. Don't let the location put you off. The receptionist is awesome. Very kind, communicative and funny. Her lil puppy is the cutest, too! I had Kenny for my counselor, and he did not disappoint. He listened to what I had to say, and didn't make me feel rushed or unheard. I look forward to my time here. Thank you!
Alta really cares about the people who come here, I gave birth 11/19/2022 and started Alta December 2022. Since starting my family has had some medical problems one after the other most recently my 3month old had to have surgery. The staff at Alta has been so supportive, understanding & kind. I m extremely glad this is where I came for treatment, you really can tell they truly care about the people who come here.
The best. I refer all my clients here. Just good people.
Gallery
Location
Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Inpatient 
Intensive Outpatient Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.
Aftercare Support 
12-Step 12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Intervention Services It can be difficult for family and friends to carry out a successful drug intervention in Washington on their own. Intervention services can help. These services typically include education about addiction and enabling behaviors, expert facilitation for interventions, and recommendations for appropriate treatment. Often, the involvement of intervention services can create a smooth transition into rehab.
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Effective drug rehab in Washington integrates care for the whole person, offering comprehensive solutions to addiction. Treatment methods address mental, physical, and relational aspects of substance abuse.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Substance rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction (both illegal and prescription drugs). They often include the opportunity to engage in both individual as well as group therapy.
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Program For Men
Men face specific challenges and concerns when seeking addiction treatment. Gender-specific recovery programs help them tackle these issues head-on in an environment that's focused, targeted, and distraction-free. It also gives them the opportunity to connect with and learn from other men who have been through a similar journey and can offer support for the next step.
Program For Women
Rehabs for women provide a safe, nurturing space for female clients to heal. These treatment programs consider the specific obstacles that women can face during recovery and place a special emphasis on mental, social, physical, and reproductive health. They explore how each woman's experience has shaped the trajectory of their substance use, addressing issues such as sexual abuse and past trauma.
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Hearing Impaired Program
A sensory disability, such as hearing impairment, can compound the challenges of addiction recovery. Drug rehabs that are specially designed to accommodate the needs of persons with hearing impairments will include special accessibility features and accommodations to make treatment as comfortable and effective as possible. This may include access to American Sign Language interpreters.
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
The goal of trauma therapy is to help you heal from the aftereffects of a traumatic experience. Your therapist will provide you with a safe and supportive space to process these trauma memories and develop better coping strategies that enhance your emotional resilience.
One goal of family therapy is to provide a platform where members have a safe place to talk about the challenges that addiction has created in their lives. Using guided sessions, therapists help individual family members develop healthy communication skills and address unresolved issues between themselves to support their loved one's sobriety.
Life skills training in Washington involves relearning how to manage daily living. It boosts your abilities and confidence so you can overcome challenges both big and small, without returning to substance use.
Accreditations
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
State Licenses are permits issued by government agencies that allow rehab organizations to conduct business legally within a certain geographical area. Typically, the kind of program a rehab facility offers, along with its physical location, determines which licenses are required to operate legally.
State License: Washington
License Number: 145100
Contact Information
(253) 473-7586 
1712 6th Avenue
Tacoma WA, 98405
Get Help Now - 800-985-8516
Who Answers?
Who Answers?
Fact checked and written by:
Chika Uchendu
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
