At Angel’s Recovery we treat you with Love, Kindness and Respect. Our positive reinforcement program combined with a Serene and Tranquil Environment will secure your success.
Why choose Angel’s? We make treatment feasible by working with your schedule and life circumstances. • Five Star Non Institutional Type Facility • Fully Licensed • Inpatient Treatment • Intensive out-patient services • Angel’s accepts Insurance • Individualized Treatment is Emphasized • Treatment plans customized to address Substance Abuse and Co-occurring Disorders • Medical and Holistic approaches • Programs for Business People who have to stay in the Loop
"Today I am able to be the man, the husband and father, the citizen that God made me to be. I would like to give Angel's Recovery and their amazing team my heart felt thanks for the many gifts I have been given. I hope any addict or alcoholic reading this will give themselves the opportunity to get the help needed to lead a life as blessed as mine." Thank you for my new life.
• Pet kennels and horse stalls available
To learn more visit our site www.angelsrecovery.com Call now for a FREE Detox by referral: 877-634-8488 2
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A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Readers, I would like to thank everyone who has helped make our first issue a huge success. The feedback has been truly amazing and I hope to continue to help providing different resources and options that are available. My e-mail address on the publisher’s page was incorrect in the March issue, and has since been corrected. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. I welcome you to The Sober World magazine. The reason you are receiving this magazine is because a family member or close friend living with you has been arrested due to drugs or alcohol. Many petty thefts are also drug related, as their need for drugs causes them to take desperate measures in order to have the ability to buy their drugs. Drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions throughout the country. Florida is one of the leading states for drug use in the country. People come from all over to obtain pharmaceutical drugs from the pain clinics that have opened virtually everywhere and are still opening as you are reading this. The availability of prescription narcotics is overwhelming and as parents our hands are tied because we are told it is “legal”. We have to sit back and watch while doctors write out prescriptions for drugs such as Oxycontin, and Oxycodone (which is an opiate drug and just as addictive as heroin) to young adults in their 20’s and 30’s right up to the elderly in their 70”s, thus, creating a generation of addicts. Addiction is a disease but it is the most taboo of all diseases. As family members affected by this disease, we are often too ashamed to speak to anyone about our loved ones addiction, feeling that we will be judged. We try to pass it off as a passing phase in their lives, and some people hide their head in the sand until it becomes very apparent such as an arrest, or even worse an overdose that we realize the true extent of their addiction. I know that many of you who are reading this now are frantic that their loved one has been arrested. No parent ever wants to see his or her child arrested or put in jail, but this may be your opportunity to save your child or loved ones life. They are more apt to listen to you now then they were before when whatever you said may have fallen on deaf ears. This is the point where you know your loved one needs help, but you don’t know where to begin. I have compiled this informative magazine to try to take that fear and anxiety away from you and let you know there are many options to choose from. There are Psychologists and Psychiatrists that specialize in treating people with addictions, there are Education Consultants that will work with you to figure out what your loved ones needs are and come up with the best plan for them, there are transport services that will scoop up your resistant loved one (under 18 yrs old) and bring them to the facility you have chosen, there are long term programs (sometimes a year and longer) as well as short term programs (30-90 days) there are Wilderness programs To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
and there are sober living housing where they can work, go to meetings and be accountable for staying clean. Many times a criminal attorney will try to work out a deal with the court to allow your child or loved one to seek treatment instead of jail. I know how overwhelming this period can be for you and I urge every parent or relative of an addict to get some help for yourself as well. There are many groups that can help you. There is Al-Anon, Alateen (for teenagers), Families Anonymous, Nar-Anon and more. This is a disease that affects the whole family, not just the parents. These groups allow you to share your thoughts and feelings. As anonymous groups, your anonymity is protected. Anything said within those walls are not shared with any one outside the room. You share only your first name, not your last name. This is a wonderful way for you to be able to openly convey what has been happening in your life as well as hearing other people share their stories. You will find that the faces are different but the stories are all too similar. You will also be quite surprised to see how many families are affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Addiction knows no race or religion; it affects the wealthy as well as the poor, the highly educated, old, young-IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. This magazine is dedicated to my son Steven who graduated with top grades from University of Central Florida. He graduated with a degree in Psychology, and was going for his Masters in Applied Behavioral Therapy. He was a highly intelligent, sensitive young man who helped many people get their lives on the right course. He could have accomplished whatever he set his mind out to do. Unfortunately, after graduating from college he tried a drug that was offered to him not realizing how addictive it was and the power it would have over him. My son had 7 months clean when he relapsed and died of a drug overdose. Whatever you decide to do, or wherever you decide to send your child or loved one, I beg each and every one of you. Do not give up on your child. Do not enable them but do not give up either. Please don’t allow your child to become a statistic. They have a disease and they need help. There is a website called the Brent Shapiro foundation. Famed attorney Robert Shapiro started it in memory of his son. I urge each and every one of you to go to that website. They keep track on a daily basis of all the people that die due to drug overdoses. It will astound you. I hope you have found this magazine helpful. Sincerely,
Patricia
Publisher Patricia@TheSoberWorld.com
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IMPORTANT HELPLINE NUMBERS 211 PALM BEACH/TREASURE COAST
211
www.211palmbeach.org
FOR THE TREASURE COAST www.211treasurecoast.org FOR TEENAGERS
www.teen211pbtc.org
AAHOTLINE-NORTH PALM BEACH
561-655-5700
www.aa-palmbeachcounty.org
AA HOTLINE- SOUTH COUNTY
561-276-4581 www.aainpalmbeach.org
FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE
1-800-962-2873
www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/abuse/
AL-ANON- PALM BEACH COUNTY
561-278-3481
www.southfloridaalanon.org
AL-ANON- NORTH PALM BEACH
561-882-0308 www.palmbeachafg.org
FAMILIES ANONYMOUS
847-294-5877
CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS
1-800-254-1333
www.pbcoda.com
COCAINE ANONYMOUS
954-779-7272
www.fla-ca.org
COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING
800-426-7711
www.gamblinghelp.org 800-458-TIPS (8477)
CRIMESTOPPERS
www.crimestopperspbc.com
CRIME LINE
www.crimeline.org
NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
www.suicidology.org
DEPRESSION AND MANIC DEPRESSION
954-746-2055
www.mhabroward
FLORIDA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
800-500-1119 www.fcadv.org
FLORIDA HIV/AIDS HOTLINE
800-FLA-AIDS (352-2437)
FLORIDA INJURY HELPLINE
800-510-5553
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
800-891-1740
www.ga-sfl.org
www.ga-sfl.com
HEPATITUS B HOTLINE
800-891-0707
JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILD SERVICES
561-684-1991
www.jfcsonline.com
LAWYER ASSISTANCE
800-282-8981
MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS
800-766-6779
www.marijuana-anonymous.org
ONLINE MEETING FOR MARIJUANA
www.ma-online.org
NARC ANON FLORIDA REGION
888-947-8885 www.naranonfl.org
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS-PALM BEACH
Lotus12, Inc. 6699 N. Federal Hwy #103 Boca Raton, Florida 33487 561-999-3600 F- 561-999-8853
800-423-TIPS (8477)
A. C. Rosenblatt, MD provides medical treatment for both medical and psychiatric patients. He is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine and Lotus12, Inc. provides a comprehensive care program including, therapy, coaching, nutrition consulting, group sessions and medical concierge programs. Please contact us to see how we may assist you in obtaining a healthy lifestyle.
561-848-6262
www.palmcoastna.org
NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD 800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
www.1800runaway.org
Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services
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561-852-3333
www.ruthralesjfs.org THE
ADDICTION
REACH HOME IN YOUR HOME CONCIERGE ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT If discretion is essential, convenience is key and comprehensive treatment imperative... addictionreach.com
info@addictionreach.com
Complimentary in Home Evaluation
561.427.1900 To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
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What Treatment Options are available with the Florida Marchman Act? When a person is court ordered to treatment via the Florida Marchman Act, the treatment is either paid for privately or through personal health insurance plans. If the Respondent or their family cannot afford to pay for private treatment, options are limited to state or county funded programs. There are definitely advantages to private treatment if one can afford it. The government funded beds are often limited in availability which may result in delays of the Marchman Act process. ASI will make recommendations for treatment based on both clinical and financial factors. We have a network of treatment facilities who have agreed to reduce rates for our clients as well as making payment plans to accomodate them. Substance abuse treatment is either paid for privately (cash) or through personal health insurance plans. If neither the Respondent nor the Petitioner has the ability to pay for treatment, the only treatment alternative is typically the use of a county or government funded indigent program. The Client must recognize that the use of any treatment program that is not paid for privately or through insurance may result in a delay of the Marchman Act process. County or government funded treatment programs typically have limited bed availability and treatment capacity, which may result in the Respondent being placed on a waiting list for a bed for detox or residential treatment. ASI will enforce compliance by the Respondent of the rules and regulations of the government run program; including sobriety, while waiting for an available bed. However, the client must recognize that any delay in providing immediate treatment influences the overall chance for immediate success. Should the Client have the ability to pay for treatment privately (cash) or utilize insurance, ASI will present this alternative treatment option to the family and the court as an alternative to the potential delays of an indigent-based state or
CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH TREATMENT CENTER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
We are here to serve and always available to answer any of your questions about the Florida Marchman Act or substance abuse treatment options. Myles B. Schlam, J.D.,CAP,CCJAP Advocare Solutions, Inc.- Executive Director (954) 804-6888 SunsetHouse-Ads_Layout 1 2/17/12 3:31 PM Page 2 www.marchmanact.org
Sunset House is a licensed, residential treatment program for men struggling with chemical dependency. We are committed to helping our men develop the skills necessary to lead sober and productive lives. Our goals are to safely and effectively transition our residents back into their communities with all of the tools necessary to maintain long-term, meaningful sobriety. Our clients are men looking for an affordable alternative to intensive inpatient treatment.
954-804-6888
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
ASI is specially licensed by DCF in Case Management and we place very stong emphasis on this component of treatment. Case Management entails monitoring all phases of treatment and maintaining the “Continuum of Care”. For example, we take all available measures to ensure that a client who completes residential treatment is immediately placed into an intensive outpatient program or a sober living facility when appropriate.
Helping Men Free Themselves from Addiction
Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional Individualized Assessments
CLINICAL TREATMENT COORDINATOR
Each addict will be evaluated by ASI on an individual basis to determine what is the most appropriate and affordable modality of treatment. Not every treatment center will be right for every client. Recent studies show that over 80% of drug addicts suffer from other mental disorders, known as “Co-occurring Disorders” in the field (formerly called “dual-diagnosis”). If these other disorders are not addressed and properly treated, there will be little chance of successful long term recovery of the Addiction. Some of ASI’s network treatment facilities specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders in conjunction with treatment of the Addiction. Our thorough assessments ensure that every ASI client is placed in a facility that will address the individual needs of that client.
SUNSET HOUSE
Choosing a treatment center is an important decision-one that you should not make alone! I can help you with: Placements • Consultation • Case Management Services • Client Advocacy • Court Liaison Services • Interventions • In-Custody Evaluations • Expert Testimony • Alternative Sentencing• Marchman Acts. Call me today for a free consultation.
Myles B. Schlam J.D., CCJAP
county-run treatment program. ASI works with a large network of private treatment providers, some of whom have agreed to grant discounted rates to our clients or in the alternative, create affordable payment plans to accomodate them.
voirdire34@yahoo.com www.treatmentguy.com
Our 2-acre campus is located in Palm Beach Gardens, just minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, numerous places of employment, 12-Step meetings, and public transportation. Amenities include an on-site laundry facility, gym, and Recovery Library with internet service.
Early recovery can be a difficult experience; our program is intended to aid residents in body, mind and spirit at every step of the way. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call Sunset House today at 561.627.9701 or email us at darthur@sunsetrecovery.com.
SunsetRecovery.com
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Recovery Starts Here
• Recovery Therapy, • Holistic Spiritual Therapy, • Life Coaching and more.. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches treats our clients with the dignity and respect they deserve. We are a licensed, accredited drug rehab and medical detox center for the treatment of drug dependency, alcohol problems, and mood disorders. Our residential and extended care treatment programs employ an innovative and clinically oriented, multi-phase, 12-step approach that is tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
For more information, visit our website or call us toll-free at:
(800) 251-9445
www.bhpalmbeach.com
Specializing in: co occurring disorders 55 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 306 Delray Beach, FL 33444 ~ 9900 W. Sample Rd, Suite 300 Coral Springs, FL 33065
A New Day Therapeutic Services, LLC Daniel Schimmel LCSW, CAP Phone: 954.547.0788 Fax: 561.900.3344 E-Mail: schimmel34@aol.com Web: anewdaytherapeutic.com
A ONE COACHING Helping you move your life forward
Laura KeLLey, CrSS Certified Recovery Support Specialist
Professional Life and Recovery Coach Is your life changing or troubled? Are you undecided which path to take? Do you need help determining the resources necessary to move forward? You need never again feel that you are alone
in your decision making! ART#: 193650_BHOPBindd PUBLICATION: Sober World I will help you find your own direction, SIZE: 3.75x5 set goals and move your life forward. D: sd
Call (561) 577-3083 www.aonecoaching.com aonecoaching@yahoo.com 8
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Spirit, Mind, and Body (SMB) It is time to do something radically different in the area of substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, mental health treatment and holistic wellness. The question I continually ask myself is, “are we human beings having a spiritual experience or are we spiritual beings having a human experience?” I am referring to Spirit, Mind and Body or SMB. When I say spirit, I do mean spirituality but more specifically, the engaging of the spiritual part of each person which is known as the spirit or the soul.
is not served on a silver platter. The desire has to be within that person. We have better outcomes with people that are ready to change, whether information is presented through psycho-education or therapeutic techniques. Are they sick and tired of being sick and tired? Metaphorically speaking they are standing on a bridge; are they going to jump off the bridge or are they going to walk over to the other side and start a new beginning? That’s where the mind has to be trained or taught to make those life altering decisions.
This is not just as a technique to help people heal from different problems, but a model to teach them that it can also be a way of life. Our approach is like a hybrid between coaching and therapy. We can identify the sickness, we can identify the negative behaviors, but at the same time and perhaps more importantly, we are still going to focus on the love in the person’s heart.
The Body It is important that the body be in alignment with the spirit and the mind being that the body is the container that houses them. Therefore the next logical step is to look at holistic ways to help the physical body heal such as exercise, nutrition, relaxation techniques, meditation and prayer, yoga, hobbies/interests and returning to activities from our childhood which is a pathway to reconnecting to our inner child and authentic self. A healthy adult knows how to play like a child. We are not only dealing with the person’s decision about their body; we are dealing with the body in a physical manner.
If we lose the love that is the part of God that lives in everyone’s heart; then what’s the point? It’s not a surface thing; it goes much deeper. What we are talking about is somebody who got away from the love that we are all born with. SMB is essentially a technique of not only meeting the client where they are, while being client focused and client centered; but it is also about being able to focus on anything that is a negative behavior or negative outcome that brings them back to the undesired behavior which is or can be: substance use, mental health relapse, mismanagement of medication, excessive sex, gambling, workaholism, etc. All of which take us out of our self, and takes us away from our authentic self or inner child which is where we get lost. We separate the person’s authentic self from the behavior. Our goal is to strengthen the ego by encouraging the person from a positive perspective. Our intention is never to lose the person’s trust, the person’s faith or the belief that they are going to be well. The Spirit The spirituality: the twelve steps, the mosque, the shrine, the church, the synagogue or that place where you worship. That part of God that lives in all of us; in our intuition; in our soul. In Judaism, we call it the “ne’shama”; in Christianity, we call it the spirit. We are all born with a soul. Some people believe in reincarnation, some people don’t, but the bottom line is that there is a spiritual piece that lives in all of us. Even in the most misbehaving or sick person in the world, to the best behaved or the person with the best life in the world. When we talk to those two types of people we can’t deny that we are all connected to something greater. Not in our belief system; but within our bodies. In the essence of spirit; this is what we are referring to. The Mind In the mind there is the psychiatric, the psychological, left brain/ right brain; the right brain being more creative; the left brain being more analytical. This is the part of the person that is going to make decisions. One of the most significant premises of helping people is, “if we change the way we see the world then the world we see will change.” (Dyer) When we focus on the mind, we realize that it is about getting the client to change the way they see the world but even bigger is getting them to see that change is ever-present and change is ever-possible. We can’t stress that enough. When someone comes to us for change they have to be ready for it, it To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
Through this holistic process if we get you better and you believe you are better but everything around you is not going well; you set yourself up for failure. Number one; we take a look at the love and the God within the person; number two we see where they are with respect to their willingness to change and we help shape the way they see the world; and number three we help them heal their bodies through nutrition; proper decision making; managing their finances, creating a healthy living environment and more. The bottom line is that we focus on healing the entire person. Substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, cancer and financial issues or any negative issue we come across; these are not psychiatric problems, these are not mental health problems, these are not substance abuse or addiction problems, these are all human problems. Simply put spirit, mind and body is treating the whole human being. When people ask, “what is your specialty?” I answer, my specialty is healing human beings. We don’t do the healing, but we facilitate it through the spirit which lives in each and every one of us. Gustav Shakefoot states in his book how, “very few people have a clear understanding of themselves and how their triune nature: spirit, mind and body function in harmony as one.” We aim at working with the inner child and authentic self to make these three meet and become harmonious. It is our sincerest hope that through this belief of working with the spirit, mind and body you see that it is really about love. As a person heals it is helpful to teach them to go inward toward self-love and upward to a higher power or God. Always remember the most powerful force in the universe is LOVE :) By: Dan Schimmel with Jacqueline Sosa For questions about outpatient therapy, co-occurring disorders consulting, training/workshops for professionals and students, supervision for MSW’s, mentoring, Life Coaching, or Sober Coaching and Wellness Seminars for businesses, institutions, and organizations, please call Dan Schimmel, LCSW, CAP at 954-547-0788 or go to www.anewdaytherapeutic.com. 9
Involuntary Commitment under Florida Law A Brief Overview by Douglas J. Rudman, Esq.
In Florida, the law allows for two different types of involuntary commitment. Involuntary commitment of a loved one who is suffering from ‘mental illness’ or ‘substance abuse’ is always a difficult decision to make. Many times, loved ones will turn to substance abuse in an attempt to “self-medicate” as a result of underlying mental illness. These types of patients are referred to as dualdiagnosis, identifying the need for mental health as well as substance abuse treatment. The first type of involuntary commitment is structured to address ‘mental illness’. The law applied in this case is routinely called the “Baker Act” and the criteria for this examination can be found under Florida Statute §394.463. Florida law dictates that a person may be taken to a receiving facility for involuntary examination if there is reason to believe that the person has a mental illness and because of their mental illness the person has either refused voluntary examination or is unable to determine for themselves whether an examination is necessary. Once determining if the person qualifies under the first part of the statute, it must be determined if they meet the criteria set forth in the second section of the statute: • Without care or treatment, is the person likely to suffer from neglect or refuse to care for themselves; or • If there is a substantial likelihood that without care or treatment the patient will cause serious bodily harm to themselves or others in the near future, as evidenced by recent behavior. Upon conclusion of the evaluation, if it is determined that your loved one meets the requirements for involuntary commitment under this section, the court shall hold the hearing on involuntary inpatient placement within 5 days. The hearing shall be held in the county where the patient is located and shall be as convenient to the person as may be consistent with orderly procedure. The second type of involuntary commitment falls under Florida Statute §397.675 and is routinely referred to as the “Marchman Act”. This act addresses those individuals that suffer from substance abuse and is a means of providing an individual in need of substance abuse services with immediate and emergency evaluation, detention and treatment. An involuntary admission can take place under Florida law when it is demonstrated that there is a good faith reason
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to believe the person impaired by substance abuse and, because of such impairment, they have lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use; and either has: • Inflicted, attempted or threatened to inflict, or unless admitted, is likely to inflict physical harm on themselves or another; or • The person’s judgment has been so impaired because of substance abuse that they are incapable of appreciating the need for substance abuse services and of making a rational decision in regard to substance abuse services. There are many different ways in which an involuntary commitment under the “Marchman Act” can be initiated. A private mental health practitioner, the person’s spouse or guardian, any relative of the person, the director of a licensed service provider or the director’s designee, or any three (3) responsible adults who have personal knowledge of the person’s substance abuse impairment or, in the case of a minor, the minor’s parent, legal guardian, legal custodian or licensed service provider can file an Involuntary Marchman Act Petition. Moreover, pursuant to Florida Statute §397.677, a law enforcement officer may take a person into protective custody when an individual appears to meet admission criteria and is either brought to the attention of law enforcement or is found in a public place. In closing, it is important to note that the individual being committed has due process rights and may contest this involuntary commitment in court when the temporary commitment order comes up for judicial review. Remember that this is just a brief overview. It is strongly encouraged that you contact an attorney experienced in handling these matters, or, read the laws regarding these acts in their entirety before deciding whether or not either of these statutes is appropriate for your situation. Douglas J. Rudman is licensed Florida attorney and a former prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County, Florida. Now in private practice, he has dedicated himself towards defending those who are charged with crimes. Attorney Rudman advocates for sentencing alternatives to jail or prison especially for those who are suffering from drug, alcohol and/or dual diagnosis disorders. He has addressed numerous schools, community groups and programs in order to educate both young adults and adults about the criminal justice system, domestic violence and the penalties associated with drug and alcohol related crimes.
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Miracles DO Happen HOPE. BELIEVE. RECOVER.
A STRUCTURED, WOMEN-‐ONLY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA Millie Tennessee, Executive Director 561-‐302-‐9584 Theresa Rafferty, Director of Admissions 561-‐767-‐2603
www.miracles-‐do-‐happen.net
To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
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ABUSED! It’s Not OK
Marion Stamm, LCSW, MSW, MS License #00003471 Psychotherapy Delray Beach/Boca Raton 561-750-9710
MEDICARE ACCEPTED and most insurance plans Providing treatment for: Abuse Counseling Substance Abuse Anger Management Psych Evaluations
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When Am I Ever Going to Use This Again? By Corrine Barner, M.A.
I’ve spent the past four years working at Sober College to develop what seemed like the impossible at times, an integrated academic program with transferable on-site college courses. Trying to find a solution that would suit both the treatment world and the world of academia started to feel like we were on a quest for the Holy Grail. We have finally found a true solution and partner in Woodbury University and attained exactly what I described above, but it made me really stop and think about why this process was so difficult from the treatment prospective. There seems to be a controversy within the field of addiction treatment about the role and benefit of academics for young adults in early recovery. As the Academic Director at Sober College, a residential treatment center for young adults, I can tell you that based on my experiences I firmly believe in the benefits of an academic program for our student population. Here’s why. What we offer is not the one-size-fits-all type of education that many of us are familiar with. The education that truly effects change in my students is experiential individually tailored and fully integrated into the treatment curriculum. With this style of education the age-old question “when am I ever going to use this again” becomes obsolete because the tools that students are gaining are clearly beneficial to them as a whole. Through a program with those components they are building self-esteem, independence and accountability. These skills benefit them in every area of their lives. In addition to the benefits of the program I think it’s important to look at the consequences of ignoring a productivity component in treatment for young adults. It is important to understand that for many families the early twenties is the time when young adults begin to gain financial independence and/or go to college. By not addressing these issues within a treatment setting it creates a discrepancy in realistic treatment planning for young adults and could therefore not adequately prepare them for life after they discharge. Performance in academics is not only a vehicle for students to gain understanding about themselves, but also serves to benefit the clinical and counseling staff by offering unique insight into what a students’ behavior can look like when they interact in a “real world” type setting. In this case the setting is a college classroom with true college expectations and consequences. The behaviors that many of our students exhibit while in courses at Sober College provide a window into some behaviors they will engage in when they leave our care. We are able to clearly see those students who are unwilling or afraid to ask for help, or who struggle to make it to class at all. Young adults who are abusing substances during the formative years of their adult lives typically end up leaving a trail of wreckage from their previous school and work experiences. This often results is a negative attitude towards school or work, accompanied by a lack of insight into their previous failures. They have developed a habitual response to school… avoidance. Our job, as treatment providers and educators, becomes helping them to gain the insight they need to become To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
productive members of society. This is where academics in treatment are crucial in helping young adults to experience the very success that they do not believe they can achieve. It provides an experimental setting for them to try school out with a solid safety net to fall back on. This setting provides a low-pressure place to gain self-esteem by facing challenges and receiving positive reinforcement when genuine effort is made regardless of the results. The goal for my students is to help them re-learn their study skills and work habits, while building life skills, gaining time in sobriety, maintaining, physical health and engaging in therapy to support the whole person. The end result is someone who has an improved sense of accomplishment, self-esteem and some college credits or work experience to back it up. At Sober College we are fortunate to be in partnership with Woodbury University, a private liberal arts college in Burbank, CA. Through them we are able to offer our students five college courses that provide a Certificate of Completion in General Studies from Woodbury University. The on-site Professors are in constant communication with counselors and therapists in order to understand learning disabilities, mental health challenges and other relevant information that will help them connect to their students’ unique struggles. Recently a student came to Sober College one semester away from graduating high school. He was only three courses shy of graduation and was ready to throw in the towel. He felt completely overwhelmed and was unable to tolerate the slightest frustrations. His low frustration tolerance made it difficult for him to remain consistent throughout his work. Throughout the time that he was with us, a total of six months, our teachers continued to hold him accountable and provide specific resources for his educational needs. Much of this was making sure that he was achieving in all aspects of our program, such as therapy and physical fitness to lower his anxiety level and allow him to attend more fully to his schoolwork. At the end of the six months he had completed a full semester of college courses, using three of those courses to graduate from high school and was accepted to a small private college in the Pacific Northwest. He is a perfect example of why academics belongs in treatment, for without it this student would never have been able use the momentum of coming into our facility to help him reach his tangible goal of attending college so soon. He would have to face the challenges of a school environment without the resources offered to him in treatment, the very resources that provided him the skills to work through his challenges. Or he would have had to undergo treatment and then look for assistance in academic completion. Let’s talk further about the full integration aspect of academics I mentioned earlier. On its own an academic program is not enough for a young adult substance abuser to have a corrective experience, the real change comes from the counseling (continued on page 14) 13
When Am I Ever Going to Use This Again? (continued from page 13) and therapy that is done parallel to their schoolwork. The expectations of these young adults as students allow us direct access to their deficits in areas such as time management, organization, frustration tolerance, etc which influence all areas of a young adult’s life as they begin to actively interact with the adult world around them. They start to see successes in other areas of their lives as they become more responsible and aware of their strengths. What about traditional college campuses instead? While this option may seem to provide the same parallel treatment benefits while the student is transitioning to a school environment, it still does not tailor the education to the student– in-recovery’s unique needs. This is a vital part of the process in order to help them understand their strengths and weaknesses. At Sober College Academic Coaches work with students daily, helping them to create systems to manage their deadlines, master the writing process and minimize their stress level. Rachel Sanders, the Assistant Academic Director at Sober College stated that academics “Give our students a future goal to look forward to while giving them a sense of accomplishment.” Another example of the benefits of academics in treatment is one of our alumni, Mark. Upon admission to Sober College he stated that he did not want to go to college, he wanted to work on his recovery and then become a mechanic when he
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completed his time here. We did not push him to do otherwise; we supported this decision and started researching the career path of a mechanic with him. After a couple weeks, he started helping other students with their essays and was a big support for them; he also started to enjoy watching his peers complete their assignments and felt confident that he himself could do that as well. He approached his academic coach, asked to join classes and enrolled in one course. He admitted later that he didn’t believe he was capable of meeting the demands of school and was really surprised at his ability to do well and receive good grades. He ended up completing three courses while at Sober College and transferred to a community college. Now his goal is to go on to four-year College and get his degree. This transformation would not have been able to take place if Mark had not experienced an educational environment that was different from his prior experiences in school. It allowed him to correct his view of what an academic setting could offer and motivated him to take an academic course. Not all of our students go on to attend four-year colleges; many of them seek careers in creative fields such as music or substance abuse treatment, or as drug and alcohol counselors. Everything that the students learn as they face their fears will benefit them as they move forward in their lives regardless of their career or educational path.
THE
Out-Patient • Intensive Out-patient • Day/Night Substance Abuse Treatment
Toll free (855) TRN-1212, phone (561) 822-3620 fax (561) 318-8136 www.totalrecoverynow.com To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943
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THE
P.O. Box 880175 Boca Raton, Florida 33488-0175
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At Recovery Road, we don’t believe that any two individuals are alike, nor do we believe in one-sizefits-all treatment plans. In fact, we think that each person in our care deserves a treatment program that speaks to his own unique needs and circumstances. Recovery Road treats only a small number of people at a time, and it has one of the most generous staffto-patient ratios among recovery programs in the nation. This level of staffing makes it possible for our excellent clinical staff to get to know each individual and create personalized treatment programs • • • • • • • •
Individual Therapy Group Therapy Family Therapy Spirituality Meditation Yoga Nutrition Life Skills Development
• • • • • • • •
Acupuncture Art Therapy Hypnotherapy Twelve-Step Groups Patient Education Physical Fitness Massage Therapy After Care Planning
If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, contact us at:
888.899.8301 - recoveryroadfl.com 4362 Northlake Boulevard, Suite 109,Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410