FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions Families Ask Before Admitting Someone to AMAR Home
Most families come to us with the same fears. They worry about cost, about what happens inside, about whether their person will be safe, and whether they made the right call waiting as long as they did.
This page answers those questions directly. No vague reassurances, no sales language. Just honest answers from 13 years of working with families in exactly your situation.
If you do not find what you are looking for here, call us directly at +8801976-131313.
FAQ CATEGORIES NAVIGATION
To help you find answers fast, the questions are grouped into six categories:
ADMISSION AND ELIGIBILITY
How do I admit someone to AMAR Home?
Start with a phone call to +8801976-131313. Our admission coordinator, Dr. Tasmima Hossain Disha, will speak with you directly. She will ask about the patient’s addiction history, current physical and mental state, and family situation.
After that initial conversation, we assess whether AMAR Home is the right fit for this person. If it is, we walk you through what to bring and what to expect on the first day.
You do not need to fill out forms online or prepare a file before calling. Just call.
Can someone be admitted against their will?
For the Long-Term Program, yes. A guardian can arrange admission for someone who is unwilling, provided the guardian commits to keeping the patient for the full program duration and agrees to our clinical rules.
The Intensive Program (17-day program) is different. It only accepts voluntary admissions. The 12-Step Facilitation model that drives this program depends on the patient’s willingness to engage. It does not work for resistant patients.
If your family member is completely refusing and you are unsure what to do, call us. We have guided many families through this situation.
Does AMAR Home treat both male and female patients?
No. AMAR Home’s residential programs currently serve male patients only. Our facility, staffing structure, and treatment environment are built around male patient care.
If you are seeking treatment for a female family member, contact us and we can suggest appropriate licensed centers.
What is the minimum age for admission?
We admit male patients aged 18 and above. We do not have a formal upper age limit, though our patient population is predominantly between 18 and 50 years old. If you are enquiring about a patient outside that range, discuss the specifics with our team during the initial call.
What documents are required for admission?
You will need:
- National ID card (NID) of the patient
- NID of the guardian or responsible family member
- Passport-sized photographs of both the patient and guardian
- Any existing medical records, prescription history, or prior treatment records if available
If the patient has a history of psychiatric treatment or is on current medication, bring those details. It helps our medical officer and psychiatrist assess the right approach to detox.
What happens on the first day of admission?
The patient arrives with the family. Our admission coordinator completes the intake process, which includes reviewing the patient’s addiction and health history and signing the admission agreement.
The patient then meets our medical officer for an initial physical assessment. Based on that, the detox protocol begins. The family leaves after the intake process.
No phone contact is permitted from this point until day 45. This is explained clearly before admission.
My family member is addicted but claims he does not have a problem. What should I do?
This is one of the most common situations families face. Denial is a clinical feature of addiction, not stubbornness or bad character.
The first step is getting a professional assessment, even if the person refuses to participate willingly. Call us and describe the situation. We can advise on how families typically handle this and whether involuntary admission is appropriate given the specific circumstances.
Do not wait for the person to agree on their own. In many cases, that agreement never comes without a structured intervention.
COST AND PAYMENT
How much does treatment at AMAR Home cost?
The Long-Term Program costs 40,000 to 60,000 BDT per month, depending on the clinical needs of the patient.
The Intensive Program (17 days) costs 150,000 BDT total.
The Dope Test is priced separately. Contact us for the current rate.
Why does the Long-Term Program have a price range instead of a fixed fee?
Because not every patient needs the same level of clinical support. A patient with severe heroin dependency requiring intensive medical detox monitoring needs more hands-on psychiatric oversight than a patient with a shorter cannabis dependency history.
After the initial assessment, we confirm the exact monthly cost before any commitment is made. You always know the full number before signing the admission agreement.
Can the cost be reduced?
We do not offer standard discounts. Our pricing reflects the actual cost of running a medically staffed, 24-hour residential facility with qualified clinical staff.
If your family has a genuine financial hardship, raise it during the initial consultation. We evaluate these situations individually and will be honest about whether any arrangement is possible. We cannot cut the cost by reducing clinical staffing or program quality.
Do I have to pay the full program fee upfront?
No. The Long-Term Program is billed monthly. You pay at the start of each month.
The Intensive Program is a single fixed payment of 150,000 BDT made before the program begins, since it runs for only 17 days.
What payment methods are accepted?
Cash, bank transfer, and bKash are all accepted. Discuss the specific details with our team during admission.
What is not included in the fee?
The following are charged separately from the monthly program fee:
- External diagnostic tests (blood work, imaging, specialist referrals to partner hospitals)
- Prescription medications beyond standard program medications
- Emergency hospital transport if required
- Personal laundry or grooming services
- Any personal purchases or expenses
Everything included in the core fee is confirmed in writing before admission starts.
If the patient leaves early, do we get a refund?
No. If a patient exits before completing the program, the family pays for the days already completed. There is no refund for unused days, and no penalty charge beyond the time already used. This is stated clearly in the admission agreement.
TREATMENT AND PROGRAMS
What treatment methods does AMAR Home use?
Our clinical programs use a combination of evidence-based therapies and holistic practices:
Clinical therapies:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- 12-Step Facilitation
- Life Management Program (LMP)
- BioPsychosocial Model counseling
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) where clinically indicated
Holistic components:
- Yoga and physical activity
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Sound healing and music therapy
- Nutrition-focused meal program (Dopamine Diet approach)
- Spiritual practice and prayer time
For more detail on the full treatment journey, see our Long -Term Program page.
What does the detox phase involve?
Detox is the first 15 days of the Long-Term Program. It is medically supervised by our resident medical officer and paramedic team, with psychiatric oversight from our consultant psychiatrist.
During detox, the patient’s body clears itself of the substance. Withdrawal symptoms vary by substance and severity of addiction. Some are uncomfortable but manageable with medical support. A few substances, including alcohol and benzodiazepines, carry genuine medical risk during withdrawal. That is exactly why medically supervised detox exists.
Families do not need to manage this process. That is our responsibility during this phase.
How long does treatment take?
The Long-Term Program takes approximately four months from admission to the end of structured aftercare:
- Medically supervised detox: 15 days
- Residential therapy: 2 months 15 days
- Intense meditation and stabilization: 10 days
- Structured aftercare: 2 months
The Intensive Program runs for 17 days.
The right duration depends on the substance type, severity, and the patient’s response during treatment. Some patients benefit from extending their stay. This is discussed with the family based on clinical progress.
Which addictions does AMAR Home treat?
We treat all major substance addictions including:
- Yaba (methamphetamine)
- Heroin and opioids
- Alcohol
- Cannabis and marijuana
- Sleeping pills and sedatives (benzodiazepines)
- Prescription drug misuse
- Multiple substance use (polysubstance dependency)
Yaba is the most common addiction we treat. Around 45% of our current admissions involve yaba dependency. If your family member is using more than one substance simultaneously, tell us during the initial call. Polysubstance cases require a more complex clinical plan.
What is the difference between the Long-Term Program and the Intensive Program?
 | Long-Term Program | Intensive Program |
Duration | Approx. 4 months | 17 days |
Cost | 40,000 to 60,000 BDT/month | 150,000 BDT total |
Admission type | Voluntary or guardian-arranged | Voluntary only |
Best suited for | Moderate to severe addiction | Early-stage, self-motivated patients |
Main method | CBT, DBT, 12-Step, LMP, MAT | 12-Step Facilitation |
Aftercare included | Yes (2 months structured) | No formal aftercare phase |
If you are unsure which program is more appropriate, our admission coordinator will recommend one after the initial assessment.
Will my family member be forced to take medications?
No. Medications are only used where clinically indicated and appropriate. Our psychiatrist makes these decisions. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is one tool in the clinical plan, not a default for every patient.
Any medication administered during the program is discussed with the patient’s guardian, particularly during the detox phase where pharmaceutical support is most commonly needed.
Is there a risk of violence from the patient during treatment?
This is one of the most common fears families have. Especially with yaba, where aggression during withdrawal is well-documented.
The center is staffed 24 hours a day specifically to manage this. Our medical team has managed thousands of detox cases since 2012. Behavioral crises during detox are expected, not exceptional. We are clinically prepared for them.
Other patients in the facility are protected by our internal structure. The residential program has clear rules around behavior. Patients who become acutely violent to the point of posing a safety risk are referred to hospital-level care if required.
Can a patient use a computer or phone during treatment?
Phone use is not permitted during the first 45 days. This applies to all patients without exception.
For patients who are employed and concerned about professional obligations, this is a clinical boundary that cannot be moved. Recovery requires removing the external triggers and pressures of daily life during the most vulnerable phase. The first 45 days is that phase.
After day 45, limited phone contact with family is introduced in a structured way. Computer use for work purposes can be discussed on a case-by-case basis after the initial residential phase, based on clinical progress.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND VISITING
When can we visit the patient?
In-person visits are permitted from day 45 onward. Before that, no visits or phone contact with family members are allowed.
This is not a punishment. The first 45 days are the most psychologically fragile phase of recovery. Outside contact during this window disrupts the clinical environment and significantly increases the risk of dropout. It is the same reason most structured residential programs worldwide follow a similar rule.
Can we send food or items to the patient?
Once visits begin from day 45, families may bring approved food items. What is and is not permitted will be communicated by your case manager before the first visit.
During the first 45 days, nothing external enters the patient’s environment. All meals and necessities are provided by the center.
Who do we contact if we have questions after admission?
Each patient is assigned a case manager at admission. That person is your single point of contact throughout the program. You will receive their direct contact details on admission day.
Do not call the general number for updates after admission. Work through the case manager. This structure ensures that information is accurate and consistent.
How are families involved in the treatment?
Family counseling sessions are held monthly from the point the patient enters the residential therapy phase. These sessions are run by our counseling team.
The purpose is not just to update you on progress. It is to help the family understand addiction, rebuild communication with the patient, and prepare for the patient’s return home. What happens at home after discharge is one of the strongest predictors of relapse or sustained recovery.
My son refuses to call us or speak to us during visits. Is this normal?
Yes, and it is painful. In the early phase of recovery, patients often feel shame, anger at themselves, and complicated emotions toward family members.
This usually changes as the program progresses and the therapeutic work creates space for reflection. Our family counseling sessions often help bridge this gap before it gets worse.
If you are concerned about a specific interaction or your family member’s emotional state, speak to the case manager. Do not try to resolve family relationship issues during early visits. Let the clinical process work.
What happens if there is a medical emergency during treatment?
Our resident medical officer and paramedic team are on-site 24 hours a day. For emergencies beyond what our facility can manage, we coordinate directly with our partner hospitals in Uttara, including Ibn Sina Hospital and Popular Diagnostic Centre.
The family is contacted immediately in any genuine medical emergency. You will never be the last to know.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY
Is the admission kept confidential?
Complete confidentiality is maintained for every patient. No information about whether a patient is admitted, what they are being treated for, or any aspect of their treatment is shared with anyone outside the designated family contact without explicit written consent.
This includes neighbors, extended family, employers, and any third party. Confidentiality is non-negotiable and applies from the moment of first contact.
Can someone else call to check on a patient?
Only the designated guardian or family contact listed at admission can receive information about the patient. If someone calls claiming to be a relative or friend, we do not confirm or deny the patient’s presence without verifying they are the registered contact.
This protects your family member from unwanted exposure and protects the integrity of the treatment environment.
Is there a risk that other patients will know personal details about my family member?
Group therapy is part of the program. Patients share personal experiences in a group setting as part of the clinical model. However, the group environment is governed by strict confidentiality rules. What is discussed in group stays in group.
Patients do not know each other’s surnames, home districts, or contact information unless they choose to share it independently. The Brotherhood Program, which connects patients with alumni, operates on the same confidentiality principles.
Will information shared during treatment ever be used against the patient legally?
No. The information shared by patients and families with our clinical team is protected by medical confidentiality. We do not cooperate with law enforcement inquiries about individual patients without a formal legal order.
Seeking addiction treatment is not a legal liability. It is a health decision. We treat it entirely as a clinical matter.
My son refuses to call us or speak to us during visits. Is this normal?
AMAR Home is privately owned and operated. It is licensed by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), Government of Bangladesh, which is a regulatory requirement, not an indication of government ownership or funding.
The center is privately funded through program fees. It is not affiliated with any government department, political organization, or NGO. Our accreditations page provides full details of our licenses and certifications.
AFTER TREATMENT AND RECOVERY
What is the recovery rate at AMAR Home?
Since 2012, we have treated 1,154 patients. Our follow-up team contacts every discharged patient by phone every two years. As of 2024, our measured sobriety rate at the two-year follow-up point is 55%.
We state this number as it is. 55% is not 100%. Addiction is a chronic condition and relapse is a clinical reality, not a moral failure. What this number tells you is that more than half of the people who went through our program, checked two years later, are no longer using substances. That is the real number. No inflation.
What support exists after the program ends?
The Long-Term Program includes two months of structured aftercare. During this phase:
- Daily online community meetings run through the Brotherhood Program
- The patient can contact their case manager for guidance
- Alumni peer support through Brotherhood Program connections continues
- Family counseling support remains available
Two years after discharge, our team contacts each patient for a follow-up call. This is how we track outcomes and maintain accountability to results.
See our AMAR Home Community page for more on the Brotherhood Program and aftercare community.
What happens if the patient relapses after discharge?
Relapse does not mean treatment failed. It means the disease reasserted itself, which is clinically common, particularly in the first year after treatment.
If a patient relapses, the family should contact us immediately. We will assess the situation and discuss whether re-admission is appropriate or whether outpatient support is a better first response.
Do not wait to see if it resolves on its own. Early intervention after relapse gives a much better chance of getting back on track quickly.
Will the patient be more aggressive or violent after returning home?
This is one of the most common fears families express before admission.
The answer depends on where the patient is in their recovery. Immediately after discharge, some emotional volatility is normal as the patient adjusts to real-world stressors without substances.
Our aftercare program and family counseling sessions specifically prepare both the patient and family for this transition. Families learn practical strategies for the home environment that support stability rather than triggering relapse.
Patients who complete the full program including aftercare are significantly better equipped to manage these moments than patients who discharge early.
Can the patient go back to work or studies after treatment?
Most patients return to employment or studies after completing the program. The timeline depends on the nature of their work, how the employer or institution has been managed during the absence, and the patient’s readiness as assessed by our clinical team.
During the aftercare phase, re-entry into work or academic life is actively supported. Our case manager can advise on pacing this transition based on the individual patient’s progress.
How do I explain the absence to employers or the university?
This is a privacy question that families handle differently depending on their situation. We do not provide letters for employers or institutions unless specifically requested and agreed.
Families have handled this in many ways. Some cite “medical treatment.” Some use planned leave. What we can tell you is that we will not provide any information to an employer or institution without your explicit written consent. The choice of how to explain the absence is entirely yours.
Is addiction fully curable?
This question deserves an honest answer, not a reassuring one.
Addiction is classified clinically as a chronic brain disorder. It is not like a bacterial infection that clears completely with the right treatment. For some people, one good treatment program changes the trajectory of their life permanently. For others, sustained recovery requires ongoing effort, community support, and vigilance about high-risk situations for years.
What treatment achieves is giving the person the clinical tools, psychological insight, and community support to manage the condition and build a life where substance use is not part of it.
That is what AMAR Home builds over the course of the program. Not a cure in the absolute sense. A real, working foundation for lasting sobriety.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION WE DID NOT ANSWER?
Call us directly at +8801976-131313. Our admission coordinator handles every initial call personally.
You can also email pr.amarhome@gmail.com or visit us at House 46, Road 2, Sector 9, Uttara, Dhaka-1230.
If you are ready to take the next step, you can book an appointment or simply call. There is no wrong way to start.