Cottonwood Tucson, located in Tucson, AZ, is an inpatient holistic health center focused on treating mental health and substance use disorders. With over 35 years of experience, Cottonwood Tucson combines clinical and holistic modalities to provide comprehensive care, including medically supervised detox, residential care, and intensive outpatient programs.
Cottonwood Tucson's mission is to improve the lives they touch, recognizing individuals' experiences with pain and suffering. This center is CARF accredited and was recognized as one of Newsweek's America's Best Addiction Treatment Centers in 2023.
- Utilizes a blend of holistic and clinical treatment methods for comprehensive care.
- Specializes in treating both substance use disorders and primary mental health conditions.
- Offers trauma-specific therapies, alternative pain management, and family programs.
- Provides individualized treatment plans developed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
Cottonwood Tucson treats addictions to alcohol, opioids, and cocaine, along with process addictions like gambling and video games. Services cater to individuals seeking help with depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
- 2+ Accreditations
- 36 Conditions Treated
- Insurance Accepted
- 5 Levels of Care
- Speaks English
- 38 Therapies & Programs
Accreditations
NAATP

CARF
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.
Staff
- Melissa HetzelChief Executive OfficerMember of the Cottonwood Team since 2020
- Stefanie LockeryDirector of Clinical ServicesMember of the Cottonwood Team since 2015
- RandallPrimary CounselorMember of the Cottonwood Team since 2015
Conditions and Issues Treated
Substance Abuse + Addiction Treatment
Substance abuse refers to the intensive and inappropriate use of psychoactive substances. These include illegal drugs, alcohol, and even the excessive use of prescription drugs. Overuse of these substances leads to severe physical or psychological dependence.
Substance abuse is treatable and the duration of treatment and most successful sobriety can require weeks or months of professional care at Cottonwood Tucson in Tucson.
Opioid + Opiate Addiction Treatment
Opioid addiction treatment facilities like Cottonwood Tucson support people struggling with opioid dependency, which covers illegal and prescription opioids. People often abuse prescription opioids to get high instead of adhering to a medical provider’s directions. Addiction forces people to crave for opioids impulsively without factoring in the dangers these drugs bring to them.
Most opioid addiction treatment plans include detoxification and subsequent medications to ease the process. However, that’s only the beginning. Behavioral therapies and counseling are also necessary to resolve the root cause of addiction. This overall approach decreases the likelihood of falling off the wagon. In some instances, therapies can be done at home.
Dual-Diagnosis
Addiction is often caused by an underlying issue. Mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder could lie at the root. A dual diagnosis by Cottonwood Tucson aims to treat the addiction as well as the cause of the addiction. This ensures the patient will not fall back on old ways after treatment is complete.
Levels of Care
This center offers a variety of custom treatment tailored to individual recovery. Currently available are Aftercare Support, Detox, Drug Rehab, Dual-Diagnosis, Residential, with additional therapies available as listed below.
Detox is the stage of recovery where the drugs or alcohol are fully removed from your body. As you stop using, your body metabolizes the last dose or drink and starts sending triggers to your brain to get more. These cues lead to cravings. If additional substances are not obtained you begin to go through withdrawal. Your body begins to reset chemical pathways and other metabolic processes begin which can be extremely uncomfortable.
There are two different ways to detox, with medications and without. Depending on your level of addiction and what you are using, you may need medical supervision. For many drugs and alcohol, the acute phase of detox can be completed in a number of days. Cravings and certain longer-term withdrawal symptoms may remain for longer as your body completely rids itself of the drug and relearns how to function without it.
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient’s individual requirements.
Aftercare support plays an important role when sustaining a patient’s full recovery at Cottonwood Tucson. Patients also receive assistance in making living arrangements in halfway houses. Career counseling is available for those who want a fresh start. There are also local community programs in Tucson, AZ such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Cottonwood Tucson‘s Therapies & Programs
Couples therapy reduces the dysfunctional behavior in a relationship that may cause addiction. It can help one or both members of the couple. It targets addiction and it can make for a healthier relationship.
Patients who receive generous support from their loved ones have better chances of completing their recovery. Genetics play a role when it comes to addiction, so it’s better to approach the problem as a unit. Family members can help an individual avoid addiction triggers and guide him or her in making lifestyle changes.
Group therapy is a type of counseling at Cottonwood Tucson in Tucson, AZ that occurs between a bunch of strangers. The goal of group therapy sessions is to foster hope and a sense of belonging. It also helps to have people who can relate to what you’re going through. Good behaviors can also be contagious.
As a means of managing pain that has plagued them in the past, many individuals turn to drugs and alcohol. Assault, negligence, the loss of a loved one, and other unfortunate events may involve trauma. This treatment, offered and administrated by Cottonwood Tucson in Tucson, AZ provides individuals the resources to cope with past traumas healthily.
Dialectical behavioral therapy focuses on eliminating negative thoughts such as suicidal thoughts. It is useful in the treatment of patients with uncontrollable emotions. The term “dialectic” means the integration of opposites. In the substance abuse context, DBT refers to accepting the patient’s addiction.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a form of psychotherapy at Cottonwood Tucson in Tucson, AZ that treats trauma or injury. The patient undergoes various eye movements and bilateral stimulation that place them under REM sleep. This helps the brain remember traumatic incidents. EMDR reduces the intensity of the traumatic event and makes the patient achieve a state of tranquility.
Alcoholics Anonymous is the original 12-Step program that established the model that other 12-Step programs, like Narcotics Anonymous, follow. 12-Step programs are support groups that are led and run by members of each group. These groups use the “Big Book,” which contains the 12-Step philosophy of recovery and ongoing abstinence from drugs or alcohol.
Nutrition Therapy focuses on improving the emotional and physical health by diet, or Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). A diet low in certain nutrients can contribute to feelings that can trigger addiction or relapse. To cure the body and discourage addictive behavior, diet therapy encourages healthy eating.
Contingency Management (CM) is based on the principle that consequences influence the behaviors of an individual. It promotes desired behavior by giving rewards while discouraging unwanted behaviors. CM is used for individuals who need therapy for more than 3 months. It has the advantage of being implemented by family members.
Patient Experience
Creative Arts
In creative art therapy, the therapist encourages the patients to express themselves through activities like sketching, painting, sculpting, coloring, collaging. The therapy helps patients to handle stress and anxiety in a better manner. It improves their communication skills and ability to process past traumatic events.
Experiential Therapy at Cottonwood Tucson
Experiential therapy involves having patients work through mental issues by engaging in real time activities. It moves away from traditional talk therapy having patients role play or use props to explore their issues and emotions. This treatment process, available at Cottonwood Tucson, helps people process trauma and emotion in a healthier fashion eliminating the need to turn to drugs and alcohol.
Equine Therapy
It’s not easy to incentivize adults to make the most out of their stay in addiction recovery treatment programs. Therefore, treatment facilities needed to get creative. Equine therapy or horse-assisted therapy has been introduced as a type of experiential treatment for patients suffering from substance addiction. Horses have become symbolic of emotional growth.
As patients at Cottonwood Tucson work on establishing rapport with the animal, their confidence level and self-sufficiency spring up. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) also gives patients an opportunity to learn impulse control, enhance social skills, and form connections. To be clear, this type of treatment at Cottonwood Tucson doesn’t require patients to have horse-riding skills; rather, they learn how to groom, feed, and lead these animals under the supervision of a trained therapist (and a horse professional).
Fitness Therapy
Fitness therapy is a part of the holistic approach and comprehensive care provided in substance abuse treatment. It does not involve the vigorous exercise regimes used in fitness programs. Fitness therapy targets attaining the benefits of exercise to the brain.
Payment Options
For specific insurance or payment methods please contact us.
Is your insurance accepted?
Ask an expert, call (888) 674-0062
Location & Contact

4110 West Sweetwater Drive
Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone Number
(520) 214-0669
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Tucson, Arizona Addiction and Treatment
Arizona has some of the highest rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States. Methamphetamines, heroin and morphine are among the most commonly abused substances. Prescription pain relievers were prescribed to 348 million people in 2012, enough to medicate every adult in Arizona for 2 full weeks. The number of people with substance use disorders in Arizona has remained relatively constant over the past few years.
Tucson, a city in southern Arizona, boasts a rich history and stunning desert landscapes perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. The vibrant arts and entertainment scene offers museums, theaters, and annual events for all interests. However, Pima County has seen a significant increase in opioid-related deaths, from 16 in 2016 to 207 in 2020, with fentanyl contributing to the highest number of overdose deaths for three consecutive years.
Treatment in Nearby Cities
- Sun City, AZ (115.3 mi.)
- Chinle, AZ (281.2 mi.)
- Holbrook, AZ (188.4 mi.)
- Tolleson, AZ (107.0 mi.)
- Yuma, AZ (210.5 mi.)
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