CHOICES PROGRAM COMPONENTS

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT: Comprehensive Medical, Psychiatric, Addiction, Culturally Specific, Physical, and/or Mental Learning Needs, within a Biopsychosocial framework.

TREATMENT PLANNING: Utilize information gathered through Evaluation and Assessment.

DETOX: 24 Hour Supervised, Six-bed non-medical detoxification program with medical treatment referrals available if necessary. Assessment, Evaluation, Treatment Planning, and Treatment Implementation phases all start during Detoxification.

DRUG TESTING, REPORTING, AND MONITORING: Testing done on a random, targeted, or scheduled basis, Results can be shared with third parties as allowed by law.

AOD TREATMENT PROGRAM¹: This is a multi-phased, multi modality, program that focuses on and is inclusive of “specialized” population groups with various program “tracks”, i.e., programs with 30 day, 60 day, 90 day, and 6-month periods. Residential, Outpatient, and Outpatient Rehabilitative Day Program options.

ENHANCED SOBER LIVING RECOVERY HOME: A multi-phased sober living residence providing prepared on-site meetings, AOD counseling, meals or food card options, 24-hour supervision, and medication monitoring. Providing Choices residents treatment step-down, recovery housing, medication monitoring, and outpatient participation within CPM licensed outpatient program.

SMALL BUSINESS WORK INCENTIVE/EXPERIENCE PROGRAM:

Choices Sober Living is in the process of creating a formal work experience program with an emphasis on vocational, continuing education.

However, on-the-job-training is currently offered within Choices by allowing many residents to participate in maintaining Choices facilities, making necessary repairs and renovations. This allows the participant to develop appropriate work disciplines and provides an environment to refine such employable skills as grounds maintenance, carpentry, electrical repair, painting, and clerical and computer. These projects build self-esteem and provide a way of earning extra money.

PRE-ENROLLMENT OUTREACH:

• Alternative Sentencing

• In-Custody Screening

• Program or hospitalization Interviews-Assessment

• Vocational screening

• Job placement assistance

AFTERCARE - ALUMNI PROGRAM:

The Choices Program Model has developed a network of community partner agencies. These are available to our residents and include medical, mental health, and alternative treatment therapies. Aftercare planning is a vital part of post-treatment transition. Choices has available both long and short-term (three phased) transitional living. This allows residents to grow in responsibility and associated freedoms at a performance based pace.

We will establish a free Alumni Group as part of our Aftercare Program. It will meet weekly and Alumni Members should arrange to bring panels in for current patients and for possible sponsorship.

FAMILY EXPERIENCE:

One day per week, possibly Friday or a weekday, will be “Family Day” and family members and significant others will be incorporated into the treatment process. Conventional wisdom seems to agree that family involvement dramatically increases the patient’s chances of success. There will be a separate group for family and friends only to ask questions, vent their anger, and gain support. Additionally, we will strongly encourage Al-Anon involvement. There will also be a combined patient-family group in which we will teach communication skills and practice new communication tools and options in guided exercises.

AA/NA PANELS: will be invited in and scheduled regularly as well.

STEP ONE/LIFE STORY - POWERLESSNESS SESSION:

A cornerstone of the treatment experience should be the writing and presentation of a Step One/Life Story. A format of questions should be followed to get to major life difficulties, troubles, and pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization due to drug and alcohol use. The patient will write this out and present it to the group in a process group format. This always marks a tremendous turning point in the patient’s growth.

An innovative approach we use is the Powerlessness session. I believe it can be useful to us here as well. When there is significant trouble with a participant, the entire Choices recovery community will assemble. The participant is placed in a chair in front of the whole group and must hear their concerns, fears, confrontation, and loving support. This is often a turning point for the participant because it becomes clear that, now, they must make a change and get with the Program or go. It can be extremely positive for the participant and sometimes even more so for the rest of the community. The key word is Willingness.

TREATMENT TEAM, STAFF MEETING, AND TRAININGS:

In some cases, especially with the more difficult clients, individual sessions will be of highest importance. Studies have shown that the most significant healing element of any therapeutic experience is the relationship with the counselor. This is only more important when trust is such a difficult issue, as with you and difficult clients. Sometimes a group is just not enough to reach them.

We will tailor treatment interaction to the individual needs of the participant utilizing the assessment, treatment plan, and supervision requirements. Both therapists and counselors will accomplish these program components. AOD Counselor Interns will undertake general instructional-administrative tasks. Volunteers and clerks will serve as receptionists and office assistants.

All individuals with any responsibility or function of Choices will be appropriately trained and skilled. Choices Recovery Services maintains a staff education and training plan as part of our operational policy and procedures. We will have weekly Treatment Team Meetings in addition to the current weekly Staffing Meetings where all counselors and staff will come together to discuss each participant. All eyes will see different perspectives and we always need as much input as possible. As a team, we will agree on the approach and the next action to be taken. At the next week’s meeting we will meet to review results and repeat the process.

Treatment and counseling include program specific content such as: Decision Making and Problem Solving, Anger Management, Family Re-integration, Relapse Prevention, and Mental Health, Medical Education and Addiction including HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C, Goal Setting and Education, Issue Specific Counseling, Recovery and Legal Ramification, Animal Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Didactic lecture, Videos, Reading and Writing Assignments, Socialization Referrals also to Family outpatient therapy.