Patient Rights & Responsibilities

1. Your Right to Dignified, Non-Discriminatory Care

You have the right to receive care that respects your dignity, privacy, and individuality at all times. Serenity Grove prohibits discrimination in the provision of treatment on the basis of:

• Age, race, ethnicity, or national origin
• Religion, culture, or spiritual beliefs
• Sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression
• Physical or mental disability
• Socioeconomic status or source of payment
• Language or limited English proficiency

This standard is consistent with the Joint Commission Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual standard (RI.01.01.01) and Georgia DBHDD Patient’s Rights regulations (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 82-5-1-.04).

Language access: If English is not your preferred language, you have the right to receive interpretation services at no cost. Qualified interpreters are available by phone, video, or in person. Please notify any staff member of your language needs at any time.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Serenity Grove complies with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you require an accommodation related to a physical or sensory disability, notify any staff member or our Patient Advocate.

2. Your Right to Individualized, Evidence-Based Treatment

You have the right to receive care appropriate to your individual clinical needs in the least restrictive environment available.

Assessment & treatment planning

• Receive a comprehensive clinical assessment as soon as possible after admission, and no later than 48 hours after admission, consistent with Georgia DBHDD standards
• Have an individualized treatment plan (ITP) developed within 10 days of admission, or sooner as clinically indicated
• Be assessed using the ASAM Criteria — the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s multidimensional patient placement criteria — to determine the most appropriate level of care
• Have your treatment plan reviewed at regular intervals and updated to reflect your progress and changing needs
• Participate meaningfully in the development, review, and revision of your treatment plan
• Have your family or support persons involved in your treatment planning to the extent you choose and as permitted by law

Qualified care

• Receive care from staff who are appropriately licensed, credentialed, and trained
• Have access to medical care under the supervision of a licensed physician — Serenity Grove’s Medical Director is Dr. Steve Chesser, MD, a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
• Receive care from a licensed clinical team overseen by Clinical Director Jessica Brothers, MA, LPC, MAC
• Receive continuity of care — whenever clinically possible, you will work with the same therapist across all levels of care

Medication rights

• Be fully informed about any medication prescribed, including its purpose, expected benefits, possible side effects, risks, and alternatives
• Provide informed consent before any medication is administered, except in narrowly defined emergency circumstances as authorized under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 37-7-165)
• Refuse medication, with your refusal documented in your clinical record, subject to clinical safety requirements and applicable law
• Important: Medications will never be used as punishment, for the convenience of staff, or for any purpose other than your treatment and safety.

Restraint and seclusion

• Restraint or seclusion will only be used when necessary to protect your immediate physical safety or the safety of others, and only after less restrictive alternatives have been considered
• Any use complies with CMS Conditions of Participation (Appendix A), O.C.G.A. § 37-7-165, and applicable Joint Commission standards
• You will never be restrained or secluded as punishment or for staff convenience
• You have the right to be free from unnecessary restraint, seclusion, or any other coercive measure

3. Your Right to Informed Consent

You have the right to make informed decisions about your own care. Before agreeing to any significant treatment, procedure, or medication, a licensed clinical or medical professional will:

1. Explain the proposed treatment, including its purpose and how it will be administered
2. Describe the expected benefits and material risks
3. Present available alternatives
4. Allow you sufficient time to ask questions and consider your decision
5. Document your consent in your clinical record

Informed consent discussions are conducted by a licensed independent practitioner (LIP) in accordance with Joint Commission standard RI.01.03.01 and Georgia law. Your consent is voluntary — you may withdraw it at any time, subject to clinical safety considerations. Any withdrawal will be discussed with your care team and documented.

Minors and legally appointed guardians: When a guest is a minor or has a legally appointed guardian, the rights described in this section apply with appropriate modifications as specified under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Title 37) and DBHDD regulations.

4. Your Right to Confidentiality & Privacy

Your health information is protected by multiple layers of federal and state law. Because Serenity Grove holds a DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances — including buprenorphine — for the treatment of substance use disorders, federal law treats Serenity Grove as a “federally assisted” program for purposes of 42 CFR Part 2, regardless of our private-pay status. This means your SUD treatment records carry the strongest confidentiality protections available under federal law.

4a. 42 CFR Part 2 — Enhanced Federal SUD Confidentiality

Under 42 CFR Part 2 (as updated by the 2024 Final Rule, with full enforcement effective February 16, 2026):

• Your written consent is generally required before Serenity Grove may disclose your SUD treatment records to anyone outside the facility, except in the narrow circumstances described below
• A single broad consent (called a “TPO consent”) may cover future uses and disclosures for treatment, payment, and health care operations, streamlining the consent process without weakening your protections
• Counseling session notes that your SUD clinician maintains separately from your main treatment record carry an additional layer of protection, similar to psychotherapy note protections under HIPAA. These notes require your specific, separate consent before any disclosure
• Your records may not be used against you in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceeding without your written consent or a specific court order. No undercover agent or informant may use information obtained through Serenity Grove to investigate or prosecute you
• Disclosure without your consent is permitted only in very limited circumstances: a life-threatening medical emergency; communications within Serenity Grove among your treating staff; mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect as required by Georgia law; and certain regulatory audit and oversight activities
• Breach notification: If your records are improperly disclosed, you have the right to be notified consistent with HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requirements, which now apply to Part 2 programs under the 2024 Final Rule
• Enforcement: Complaints about violations of 42 CFR Part 2 may be filed with the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which assumed enforcement authority over Part 2 in August 2025

You will receive a written Part 2 Notice of Privacy Practices at or before admission, as required by 42 CFR § 2.22. This notice describes in plain language exactly how your records may and may not be used. Please read it carefully and ask your care team or Patient Advocate if you have questions.

4b. HIPAA — Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Serenity Grove is also a HIPAA-covered entity. HIPAA’s Privacy Rule (45 CFR Parts 160 & 164) provides the foundation of your health information rights. Where both HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 apply to the same record, the stricter protection governs. Under HIPAA, you have the right to:

• Receive a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) at or before admission
• Access and receive a copy of your health records in your preferred format (paper or electronic) within HIPAA-required timeframes
• Request corrections or amendments to your records if you believe they are inaccurate or incomplete
• Receive an accounting of disclosures of your health information
• Request restrictions on how your information is used or disclosed
• Request that we communicate with you by specific means or at specific locations
• File a HIPAA complaint with Serenity Grove’s Privacy Officer or directly with the HHS Office for Civil Rights, without fear of retaliation

4c. Georgia State Confidentiality Protections

Georgia law provides independent confidentiality protections for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment records under O.C.G.A. Title 37 and applicable DBHDD regulations:

• Your SUD treatment records may not be disclosed without your written authorization except in narrowly defined circumstances, such as a medical emergency, mandatory child abuse reporting, or a valid court order
• Information you share in treatment cannot be used against you in civil or criminal proceedings except as specifically authorized by Georgia law
• You have the right to be informed of any legally required disclosure of your records
• Serenity Grove staff are also bound by individual professional licensure obligations that independently prohibit unauthorized disclosure of client information

4d. Personal Privacy Within the Facility

You have the right to:

• Privacy during clinical sessions, medical examinations, and personal care
• Have personal mail, telephone calls, and visits handled in a way that protects your privacy
• Be free from unauthorized recording, photography, or observation
• Have your personal belongings stored securely, subject to safety limitations described in Section 7

5. Your Right to Access Your Clinical Records

You have the right to review your own clinical records in accordance with Georgia DBHDD regulations (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 82-5-1-.06) and HIPAA. Specifically:

• You may request access to your clinical records at any time
• You may receive a copy of your records in your preferred format within HIPAA-required timeframes
• You may request that corrections or amendments be made if you believe your records are inaccurate or incomplete
• Your records will be maintained securely and not disclosed without your authorization except as permitted by law

Note: In rare circumstances, access to specific portions of your records may be temporarily restricted if a licensed physician determines that disclosure would be detrimental to your health or safety. Any such restriction will be documented and reviewed promptly.

6. Your Right to a Safe Treatment Environment

You have the right to receive treatment in a safe, therapeutic environment that supports your healing and recovery.

Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation

• You have the right to be free from all forms of physical, verbal, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse or neglect
• No staff member may engage in any sexual activity with any guest — this is an absolute prohibition
• All staff are required to report any incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation immediately in accordance with Serenity Grove’s incident management policies and Georgia law
• Any guest who experiences or witnesses abuse or neglect is encouraged to report it immediately to any staff member, the Patient Advocate, or through the grievance process in Section 8

Safety and security

• Your personal safety will be protected throughout your stay, including during any transport
• Serenity Grove maintains policies and procedures to respond to medical emergencies, behavioral crises, and safety incidents
• You will be informed of facility rules, expectations, and safety procedures at admission

Therapeutic community standards

• You have the right to an environment free from harassment, intimidation, or threats from other guests or staff
• Serenity Grove maintains a substance-free facility environment to support the recovery of all guests

7. Your Right to Personal Property

You have the right to retain your personal belongings. Serenity Grove will:

• Provide individual, secure storage space for your personal belongings
• Respect your ownership of your personal property
• Assist you in safeguarding money and valuables

Serenity Grove may restrict access to specific personal items only for the following reasons, consistent with DBHDD regulations (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 82-5-1-.04(3)):

• To protect your health or safety, or the safety of others
• To prevent an item from interfering with the orderly therapeutic operation of the facility
• To protect valuables at significant risk of loss or theft
• Where the item constitutes contraband as defined by facility policy

Any restriction will be documented, explained to you, and reviewed regularly. Prohibited items will be inventoried and returned at discharge unless prohibited by law.

8. Your Right to File a Grievance or Complaint

You have the right to voice concerns, file a grievance, or make a complaint at any time — without fear of retaliation, punishment, or any adverse effect on your care.

8a. Internal Grievance Process

6. Speak to any staff member, your primary therapist, or your case manager at any time
7. Submit a written grievance to the Patient Advocate using the form available at the front desk or from any staff member
8. Serenity Grove will acknowledge receipt within [X business days] and provide a written response within [X business days]
9. If you are not satisfied with the internal resolution, you may escalate your complaint to the external bodies listed below

8b. External Complaint Resources

You may file a complaint directly with any of the following agencies at any time, independently of Serenity Grove’s internal process:

You will not be penalized, discharged, or treated differently for filing a grievance or complaint, internally or externally.

9. Your Right to Discharge Planning & Aftercare

You have the right to:

• Receive discharge planning services as part of your treatment, beginning early in your stay
• Participate in developing your discharge and aftercare plan
• Receive referrals to appropriate continuing care services, community supports, and resources upon discharge
• Request a discharge against medical advice (AMA), with full information about the clinical risks involved and documentation of your decision
• Receive a copy of your discharge summary and medication information upon leaving

10. Your Financial Rights

You have the right to:

• Receive a clear explanation of fees, charges, and your financial responsibilities before or at admission
• Understand which services your payment method covers and which may result in additional out-of-pocket costs
• Request an itemized statement of charges at any time
• Not be discriminated against based on your source of payment. For questions, contact our admissions team at 844-844-8008.
• Have your financial account information protected with the same confidentiality as your clinical records

11. Your Right Regarding Research & Experimental Treatment

You have the right to be informed if any aspect of your care involves research, experimental treatment, or clinical trials. Specifically:

• You will be told clearly if any proposed treatment or procedure is experimental in nature
• Participation in any research or experimental protocol is entirely voluntary and requires your written informed consent
• Refusing to participate in research will not affect the quality of care you receive
• You may withdraw from any research study at any time without penalty

12. Representatives, Guardians & Advance Directives

Consistent with Georgia DBHDD regulations (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 82-5-1-.07) and Georgia law:

• If you are unable to make decisions for yourself, a legally appointed guardian or authorized surrogate may make certain decisions on your behalf
• A representative may be appointed under O.C.G.A. Title 37 to receive notices and perform other authorized actions on your behalf
• You have the right to designate a personal representative or emergency contact, and to update that designation at any time
• Advance directives: You have the right to prepare advance directives (such as a healthcare power of attorney) governing your medical care if you become unable to communicate. Serenity Grove will honor valid advance directives to the extent permitted by Georgia law and will document them in your clinical record
• You have the right to consult with a private physician of your choosing, who may visit you at the facility at any reasonable time upon your written request

13. Your Responsibilities as a Guest

In addition to your rights, you have responsibilities that support your own recovery and the safety and healing of the entire Serenity Grove community:

• Provide honest, accurate information about your health history, substance use, and any other relevant circumstances
• Participate actively in your treatment plan and engage with the clinical programming
• Treat all staff, other guests, and visitors with respect and courtesy
• Follow Serenity Grove’s facility rules, including the substance-free environment policy
• Notify your care team promptly of any changes in your condition or concerns about your treatment
• Respect the confidentiality of other guests — what you hear in group settings stays in group
• Meet your financial obligations or communicate openly with our team if you experience financial difficulties
• Ask questions and advocate for yourself — if you do not understand something about your care, please ask

14. Acknowledgment of Receipt

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have received, or had the opportunity to receive, a copy of the Serenity Grove Patient Rights & Responsibilities document. I understand that a member of the clinical staff has offered to review these rights with me and answer my questions. I understand that exercising these rights will not affect the quality of care I receive.

Regulatory authority & legal references

Georgia DBHDD Patient’s Rights Regulations, Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Ch. 82-5-1 (O.C.G.A. Title 37, Chs. 3, 4 & 7)  |  42 CFR Part 2, Confidentiality of SUD Patient Records (2024 Final Rule, enforcement effective February 16, 2026)  |  HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 CFR Parts 160 & 164  |  Joint Commission Behavioral Health Care & Human Services Standards, Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual (RI)  |  Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. (DEA registration)  |  Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101  |  Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973  |  O.C.G.A. Title 37 Georgia Behavioral Health Confidentiality Provisions

Document version: May 2026  |  Next review due: May 2027  |  Questions: Patient Advocate, 844-844-8008