UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Powell Chemical Dependency Center

Information

Number of patients waiting reflects the current number of patients waiting to be seen. This number changes frequently and is not exact.

Hours and Directions

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed


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About Us

Powell CDC Medallion.jpg
The Powell medallion, given to patients when they complete the program.

Powell Chemical Dependency Center (CDC), located at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, is a safe and supportive setting where individuals can face their drug and alcohol abuse and learn to recover. We offer services to adults, age 18 and older. Powell CDC allows individuals to work with their families and significant others to rebuild their lives and the lives of others affected by the uncertainty, pain, loss, helplessness and fear created by drug abuse. It is possible to live life substance free. Powell Chemical Dependency Center is licensed through the Bureau of Substance Abuse with the State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Our purpose at Powell Chemical Dependency Center involves several important individual and community goals:

  • Provide the highest quality alcohol and drug addiction treatment in central Iowa
  • Teach the basic skills needed for recovery
  • Connect people with the best social supports needed to remain sober
  • Treat the whole person: body, mind, and spirit
  • Provide individualized treatment planning for every patient based on his or her own unique needs
  • Contribute positively to the Des Moines area and the treatment and recovery community of central Iowa
  • To continuously strive to meet these objectives

View fast facts about Powell CDC treatment.

 

Powell CDC 50th Anniversary Celebration Video

Quality Care Through Experience

Since opening in 1973, central Iowa has come to depend upon the quality and confidential care given at Powell Chemical Dependency Center. Our dedicated staff of professionals continues to lead the field in providing substance abuse services to individuals and their families. One step, one day at a time, we help those who suffer from addiction by facilitating change so they can reclaim their lives.

Because addiction is a treatable disease, our treatment program has helped countless individuals change their lives and the lives of those they love by becoming alcohol and drug-free.

We treat a wide variety of addictions, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Cocaine
  • Prescription stimulants
  • Heroin
  • Inhalants
  • Kratom
  • LSD
  • Marijuana
  • MDMA
  • Methamphetamine
  • Dextromethorphan (DXM)
  • PCP
  • Prescription Opioids
  • Synthetic Cannabinoids

Additional Services at Powell CDC

Evaluation and Assessment
To begin the evaluation and assessment process, individuals should call Powell CDC to schedule a session to evaluate the seriousness of their substance abuse. Please call (515) 263-2424.
Treatment

Several treatment levels are offered:

  • Residential treatment in a hospital setting
  • Day treatment
  • Evening outpatient
  • Relapse specified outpatient
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Intensive Outpatient, Extended Outpatient, and Outpatient treatment
  • Specialty groups (public education class, alcohol related liver/kidney disease group)

Patients move from one level of care to another, based on their clinical need. All treatment is provided by a skilled interdisciplinary staff team.

Are you a patient wondering what to pack for residential treatment? Check out this packing list.

Family Support Program

Powell CDC provides a treatment program for concerned persons who have been negatively affected by addiction. By understanding chemical dependency and receiving support, concerned persons can better cope with the stress caused by addiction. Without treatment, the family illness can continue to progress. Recovery for family members can occur even if the chemically dependent person keeps using.

Please contact Powell CDC at (515) 263-2424 for more information about families participating in the treatment process.

Family Support Meeting Time

  • Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 PM, Conference Room A/B, second floor at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, 700 E. University Ave., Des Moines, IA.
Family Recovery Program

There is no fee for concerned persons whose loved one is currently in treatment at Powell CDC. At Powell CDC we are dedicated to teaching you what you need to know to be educated on addiction as well as your own personal growth.

  • As a family member, have you ever been embarrassed, fearful or hurt by a family member's use of alcohol or other drugs?
  • Have you attempted to cover up their behavior?
  • Do you find yourself trying to control behaviors and problems created by their use?
  • Are you constantly checking up on them and worrying that they will get into some sort of trouble that you won't be able to control?
  • Are you finding yourself isolating from others, loosing trust, and trying to maintain an illusion of a happy home and relationship when you are dying inside?
  • Are you having money problems or employment troubles due to use?

Powell CDC understands what you are going through, and we are here to help you.

We will help teach you:

  • How to set boundaries
  • How to let go with love
  • To communicate without the tension and the arguing
  • Communication skill building

The Family Recovery Program meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM for twelve sessions. Families come together for an educational group and then split up into small support groups. Individual and family therapy sessions are available as well.

Continuing Care
Continuation of care includes counselor-led therapy groups, peer support groups, individual therapy and co-dependency education. 
Aftercare
Powell CDC offers eighteen, volunteer-led, aftercare growth groups with people in recovery to stay connected on a regular basis with others who are recovering too. Aftercare groups are held at Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Methodist West Hospital. Groups are available during the day and evening hours. Please contact Powell CDC at (515) 263-2424 for more information on aftercare groups.
Education and Consultation
For public information, counselor education and internships, please contact Powell CDC at (515) 263-2424.
Powell CDC Bookstore

Powell Bookstore, located on the fourth floor of Iowa Lutheran Hospital, offers books for the recovering family and individuals seeking answers. There are books from healing to remedies to stay clean and sober. There are books analyzing various addictions to explaining rehabilitation. You will find topics from abuse to dependence and neglect of oneself to the feelings of enslavement because of an addiction.

Some of the materials sold in the book store include:

  • Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book
  • 12 Steps and 12 Traditions
  • Alateen books and meditation books for those teenagers living in a household where there is alcoholism or other drugs.
  • Books for those affected by various addictions of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling, sex and other compulsions.
  • CD's and DVD's on addictions. Dr. Weis' DVD on addiction is sold here as well.
  • Large print big books and 12 Steps and 12 Traditions
  • Calling cards with sobriety sayings on them
  • Medallions for sobriety anniversaries and leather cases
  • Sobriety greeting cards
  • Al-Anon and Alateen books, workbooks, and meditation books for the spouses, significant others and children and friends of those addicted.

Powell is a complete abstinence based program. We ask patients and clients to refrain from using any type of drugs and alcohol other than prescriptions, that are non-addicting and non-habit forming as well as any behavior that is addictive or exhibits addicting behavior, such as gambling as it can lead to relapse. For in-patient clients who use tobacco products, they may be offered nicotine gum, nicotine patches, as well as referrals for smoking cessation as we strongly encourage patients to quit all tobacco products as well.

Group of people holding support meeting.jpg

I'm Ready for Help

If you have decided to quit your addiction, but aren't sure where to start or what to do. First, know that you are not alone. Second, you can quit. Even though it seems impossible and when the times get really hard - you can still quit.

If you would like someone from Powell CDC to contact you, please complete the contact form.

Contact Powell CDC

Treatment Team

The treatment team includes a nurse practitioner, nurses, certified alcohol and drug counselors, licensed mental health therapists, care managers, counselor/patient care technicians, unit clerks and clergy.

Powell CDC Alumni and Friends Association

Powell Chemical Dependency Center (CDC) Alumni and Friends Association is an organization that has been in existence since 1975, whose primary purpose is raising money to help Powell CDC patients in need of financial assistance. We are led by a committee of volunteers, and we work to sponsor fun, clean and sober activities for all of our alumni.

Committee Meetings

Committee meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 461 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. Everyone is welcome to attend the committee meetings, whether you are alumni of Powell CDC or a friend of someone who attended Powell CDC. We encourage everyone who is interested in a sober lifestyle to attend our meetings.

Events

Fun is the name of the game! Powell Alumni Association sponsors four major events throughout the year as well as periodic smaller events. Life can be enjoyable with sober people in sober surroundings. This can be a hard concept to sell to an alcoholic or an addict when newly sober. That is why the Alumni Association is here making the transition easier. The hard work is done for you. All you have to do is show up!

Powell CDC Alumni and Friend Annual Banquet

The Powell Annual Banquet is a popular tradition, held in April of each year at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines. We serve more than 700 guests each year with an informative and entertaining guest speaker. We have had nationally-renowned comedians and leaders in the substance abuse field speak at our banquet. We hold a fundraiser the same night to raise money for the Powell Association and the patient assistance fund. It has proven to be another great evening to spend with sober friends.

Powell Picnic
The Powell Picnic is usually held in late summer or early fall. Live music, fun contests and children's activities are all a part of this fun day.
Phone-A-Thon
Powell's Phone-A-Thon, held each fall, is our major fundraiser, where alumni volunteer to call other Powell alumni and friends and ask for donations. A sense of camaraderie among the volunteers brings folks back year after year to help support the place that we all love. Giving back to a place that helped us so much is an important lesson we learn in recovery.
Sober Under the Stars

Sober Under the Stars is a fantastic New Year's Eve event for sober people in the metro area! This event is always well-attended by our alumni, friends and family members. There is a dance with a DJ, jump houses, a petting zoo, AA/NA/Al-Anon Meetings, and lots of food and soft drinks.  With upwards of 1,000 people in attendance every year, you can imagine the enthusiasm and excitement among the crowd. 

Become a Volunteer with Powell CDC Alumni

Anyone who has been sober for any length of time will tell you that service work is an important part of their sobriety; this is how we we stay sober. We help others. Powell has many opportunities for volunteer service. Check back, as our volunteer opportunities change due to the time of year, position availability, etc.

Opportunities:

  • Powell Committee 
  • Representative from your Aftercare Group for the Committee Meetings
  • Help with the Annual Banquet Auction
  • Help with Sober Under the Stars
  • Facilitate Aftercare Groups

Connect with Us

Powell CDC Motivational Messages

We have daily motivational messages on our Facebook page, in addition to updates on events that are happening at Powell CDC.