House of Mercy is a wonderful place for starting a new life. Thanks to them I'm free from addiction, and I've got my life and family back.
About House of Mercy
House of Mercy is a comprehensive addiction recovery center for teens and adults in Des Moines, Iowa, specializing in medically supervised detox and inpatient, outpatient, sober living, and aftercare services. They also offer dedicated programs for postpartum women, young adults, military personnel, persons with hearing impairments, and persons with co-occurring mental health disorders. Their primary treatment modalities include trauma informed individual, group, and family counseling.
The experienced clinicians at House of Mercy provide round the clock medical supervision for clients detoxing from drugs and alcohol. They are licensed to prescribe FDA approved medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent potentially life threatening complications.
The inpatient program at House of Mercy is designed to allow clients to focus on their recovery in a safe, comfortable, and highly supportive environment. While in inpatient care, clients attend multiple therapy sessions daily, including a combination of individual, group, and family counseling. They also work on recovery focused life skills to support long term health and sobriety, including courses on coping, stress and anger management, self care, nutrition and wellness, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, and relapse prevention.
House of Mercy’s outpatient programs encompass multiple levels of care to align with clients’ evolving needs. Their intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers more substantive support for clients in early recovery or at heightened risk of relapse. Both IOP and traditional outpatient programs allow clients to continue cultivating their recovery through robust and frequent counseling, education, and training. Likewise, House of Mercy’s sober living programs enable clients who are stepping down from intensive inpatient care to transition into a structured and supportive sober environment while preparing to reintegrate into their homes and communities.
House of Mercy’s full complement of aftercare services are intended to promote sustained sobriety through a substantive continuum of care. Depending on clients’ unique needs, these services may include 12 step program induction, peer coaching, social service referrals, and career counseling.
House of Mercy accepts private insurance, self pay, and Medicaid. Financial assistance and sliding scale payment plans are available.
Fact checked and written by:
Terri Beth Miller, PhD
Edited by:
Quentin Blount
Latest Reviews
Hi , I'm looking at doing inpatient rehab in your facility. I'm in my changes of life and have a drug and alcohol problem. Am I reading this right that you have women and children at the same facility? I'm just asking because I'm not sure if I can handle all that. Thank you
Very friendly staff
This place saved my life! Lisa is incredibly welcoming and helped out tremendously. It's was super easy to walk in and get an assessment done. Karen was very professional and kind. She guided me all of the way and I couldn't be more grateful. Craig has helped me along the way. He is incredibly kind and caring. I looked forward to our meetings every week. He has done so much research for me when I was unable to. Again without this place I have no clue where I'd be to this say. We as a community are very lucky to have this as a resource. Bryon is an amazing therapist and I couldn't be luckier to have him. He has helped me through some hard times and gas gave me very sound advice.
Rehab Score
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5.9 / 10
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.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
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.
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.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
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.
Clients in inpatient rehab reside at the treatment facility for the duration of the program, which may range from two weeks to more than 18 months, depending on unique needs and the program's design. Inpatient treatment typically consists of extensive addiction counseling, which may include CBT, DBT, RBT, and motivational interviewing. Clients may also engage in recovery-focused life skills training and/or evidence-based complementary therapies, such as massage, meditation, and experiential therapy.
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.
Rehab aftercare programs support clients' reintegration into their home, workplace, and community following inpatient and residential treatment. They also promote long-term recovery for clients who may no longer be receiving outpatient treatment. Rehab aftercare services encompass a wide range of modalities and often include various medical, mental health, and social service programs. Case managers and care teams develop clients' customized service plans based on the client's evolving needs and recovery goals.
Many rehabs base their treatment models on 12 step programs, which are often considered a gold standard in addiction recovery. 12 step recovery prioritizes participants' spiritual development as a means to heal the emotional and psychological wounds that have contributed to the addiction. Participants engage in regular, peer-led group meetings, which are free, anonymous, and accessible 24 hours per day, 365 days a year in most communities. Though these programs are spiritually-grounded, religious affiliation isn't required.
Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.
Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.
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.
Drug rehab in Iowa is available in many formats. A variety of inpatient and outpatient options provide programs that are tailored to individual needs, making recovery possible for everyone.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
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 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.
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.
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
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
During cognitive behavioral therapy in Iowa, you'll gain a better understanding of your thinking and motivations. Your therapist will then help you develop new patterns of thinking and behaving that allow you to cope with life's challenges without abusing substances.
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.
Individual therapy sessions offer you a personalized approach that involves an in depth exploration of your life experiences and patterns of substance use disorder. This helps your therapist identify harmful behaviors and thoughts and helps you recognize them so you have a deeper understanding of addiction and make positive changes in your life.
During motivational interviewing in Iowa, the client and therapist collaborate to identify any discrepancies in the client's current situation and future goals. By asking open ended questions and using reflective listening skills, the therapist encourages the client to reach their own conclusions and make a commitment to any needed changes in their life.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Couples therapy in Iowa involves mediation, education, and psychotherapy. Participants learn about themselves and each other and how to successfully navigate challenges in the relationship. Sessions can include both joint and individual meetings with the therapist.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Amenities
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Residential Setting
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Bob Ritz
CEO
Hijinio Carreon, DO
Executive VP & Chief Medical Executive & COO
Kelly Richards
Interim Chief Nursing Officer
Jackie Luecht
Chief Human Resources Officer
Accreditations
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
1409 Clark Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
Get Help Now - 515-349-1544
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