1. Confidential inquiry
A prospective patient, family member, clinician or referral professional initiates contact. The future admissions team should explain the program, collect only the information required for screening and avoid making guarantees about outcomes.
2. Clinical pre-screen
A qualified clinician should review current substance use, withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric history, medications, suicidality or acute risk, prior treatment and other factors that may affect level of care.
3. Appropriateness and medical planning
If a patient appears appropriate, the center should determine whether detoxification or other medical stabilization is required before residential admission. Patients who need a higher-acuity service should be referred accordingly.
4. Financial disclosure
Before travel, the patient or responsible party should receive written pricing, inclusions, exclusions, refund/cancellation terms and any separate medical costs. The goal is to minimize financial ambiguity during an already stressful decision.
5. Travel and arrival
The planned service model may include arrival coordination from José María Córdova International Airport (serving Medellín), subject to the exact site and operating model ultimately selected.
6. Discharge home
International discharge planning should begin early. The center should coordinate ongoing therapy, medication continuity, recovery support and family expectations in the patient’s home country whenever feasible.