SOBER NEXUS Treatment Centers & Sober Livings

ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTERS

Alcohol treatment centers are designed to rehabilitate people who abuse alcohol.

These facilities use a variety of techniques and therapies to educate their clientele to the facts about alcoholism and how to live a life without needing or wanting to drink.

Alcohol treatment centers

There are no known treatment centers for alcohol only. Although there is a difference between alcoholism and drug addiction, treatment centers are designed to treat clients who are either alcoholic, drug addicted or both.

Today, most alcohol treatment centers do extensive evaluation and assessments to help determine as much about the personality of the client as well as any mental problems that might exist. The ultimate objective of alcohol treatment is to help the client see the changes they will need to make in their lives in order to be successful in abstaining from alcohol.

The First Step in an Alcohol Treatment Center is Detox

Alcohol detox is the medical monitoring of the effects of the withdrawal process while the body detoxes itself from alcohol. Unless and until the body has safely rid itself of all the alcohol in it, an individual will be at high risk of drinking.

The Goals of an Alcohol Treatment Center

1) Educate the alcohol user to the facts about alcoholism

2) Teach the person about the changes needed to live an alcohol-free lifestyle.

3) Practice the new behaviors of sober living

4) Raise the client’s level of behavior awareness

5) Create an aftercare plan of action after being discharged

Therapy in Alcohol Treatment Centers

picture of an alcohol treatment center There are a wide variety of models and philosophies in the alcohol treatment industry. Most programs provide counseling, behavioral therapy, lectures, group therapy, discussion groups and other types of services to persons with alcohol use disorders. Many various behavioral models of change and awareness have been shown to help patients achieve and maintain prolonged abstinence from alcohol.

One frequently used treatment is cognitive behavioral and relapse prevention. In alcohol treatment centers, patients are taught new ways of acting and thinking that will help them stay off alcohol. For example, patients are urged to avoid situations that lead to alcohol abuse and to practice alcohol refusal skills. They are taught to think of a relapse as a “slip” rather than as a failure. Cognitive behavioral and relapse prevention has proven to be a useful and lasting therapy. Specific approaches are associated with the particular setting and alcohol treatment center’s philosophy.

A variety of therapy is included in alcohol treatment centers. Much of what happen in alcohol treatment centers is to make the client aware of their alcohol using behavior and the effect it has on their lives and the lives of those around them.

Most alcoholics are in some stage of denial. Denying the amount of alcohol they are consuming and the effect it is having on themselves and others. The next goal of an alcohol treatment centers is getting the client to see they have suffered consequences as a direct result of their alcohol use.

Different Types of Alcohol Treatment Centers

Gender Specific Alcohol Treatment Centers

There are a limited amount of alcohol treatment centers in the United States offering special alcohol treatment centers treatment to men or women only. There are also treatment centers with specific programs and therapy for men or women only. Both of these remove the presence of the opposite sex which can be a distraction or deterrent.

Adolescent Alcohol Treatment Centers

Most treatment centers treat adults, 18 years of age and older. There are a limited amount of treatment centers treating adolescents, under the age of 18. And there are a few set up to treat both adolescents and adults.

Religious Alcohol Treatment Centers

For those who want to incorporate Christianity into their rehabilitation, there are a very limited number of treatment centers offering a program which is Christian based. There are a few others who offer a specialized track which incorporates religion as an optional track.

Non 12 Step Alcohol Treatment Centers

There are several good alternative alcohol rehab programs that are not 12-step based. These use a more self-help, mind over matter model. These alternative models exist for those who have tried the 12-steps, unsuccessfully. They are good for those who resist the spiritual angle of the 12-steps.

Dual Diagnosis Alcohol Treatment Centers

Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders are the term used for clients who have both an alcohol and or drug abuse problem and also have a psychological issue. The psychological issue can includ

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e depression, bi-polar, anxiety, ADHD and others.

Long Term Alcohol Treatment Centers

The average length of stay in an alcohol treatment center is 30 days. For those who have attempted a 30 day program one or more time before there are programs of 60 and or 90 days. For these and ma

The 12-Step Model Alcohol Treatment Centers

Very few people would argue that the emergence of Alcoholics Anonymous has had a profound impact on the alcohol treatment centers industry. The whole AA philosophy and 12-steps seem to address much of what the alcoholic needs. Most alcohol rehabs support AA, in part, because once a person completes rehab, they can go to AA meetings, for free and get much needed support and fellowship to help them not drink.

How to Find a Quality Halfway House

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HALFWAY HOUSES, SOBER LIVING, RECOVERY HOME AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING*

This article is written by Stephen J. Murray, NICD Director for use by individuals, family members, referring agencies, (Treatment Centers, Detox Facilities, Social Workers, Case Managers, Courts, etc.), Halfway House Managers/Owners, and Other Professionals who are looking for a quality halfway house.

The first thing you need to know is that most halfway houses are NOT regulated. Many operate without a state license. Most halfway houses, regardless of whether they are licensed or not,  do a great job at helping a person stay sober, and can assist a person in reconnecting with family, and also becoming a contributor to society. Many Halfway Houses operate without a license simply because the licensing agency and/or the zoning commission prevent halfway houses from operating in their neighborhoods by restricting census (total amount of residents in any single location or house). Few halfway houses can stay open when a licensure agency and/or zoning department tell them they can only have 4 residents in a large 4 bedroom house. Few places can keep their doors open with these unfair and illegal tactics due to the large overhead incurred (lights, electricity, heating, cooling, insurance, mortgage payments, staff, etc.). What is most important is how they go about helping people to stay sober and keeping residents on track- what is their main focus, making money or helping people- this is typically the main difference between a quality run halfway house and a poorly run facility. There are many questions to ask to determine the difference between the two. Are they staying on top of their resident’s sobriety? How do they maintain a clean and sober environment, etc.? Do they have rules? What are the rules? How do they enforce them? Always ask to see a copy of the rules!!! Are they a coed facility? Typically, a male or female only halfway house has better odds at maintaining sobriety and dealing with length of stay issues. You will want to know what happens if you come home drunk at 2 A.M. on a Friday- do they just kick you out of the halfway house into the neighborhood? Do they have protocols for dealing with this and many other possible scenarios? Find out how they deal with situations before moving in. You should definitely be given a complete tour (especially visiting exactly where you are going to be placed), along with explaining all the rules and regulations, as well as a residents responsibilities. Note: Most Halfway Houses require, at least initially, a resident to have a roomate, as this helps make sure a person is accountable by at least one other person besides the House Manager and the General Manager/Owner.

You should take note of how the place looks. A few years ago I was involved in property assessments for a program helping mentally ill patients. One of the first things we would take note of is whether there was grass growing in the cracks of the concrete. Another item was the condition of the landscaping (was the grass mowed, the bushes trimmed, the trees pruned, etc.). We would then move on to how the paint looked, the roof, whether the windows were clean, etc. With this same approach, you should be looking to see how clean the house is. Are the grounds well kept. Is the roof showing signs of possible leaks. How does the entire exterior look. What shape is the room you will occupy, etc.

Another issue you may find at halfway houses are the managers. Most, if not all, are in recovery themselves. There is a big difference between what is called a General Manager and a House Manager. It is very typical, and normal, for a house manager to have only a few months clean and sober. This does not mean the halfway house has poor management. It is not so much time clean, but the quality of clean time that matters most. It is typical that a House Manager will move on to getting their own place by the time they get 6 months to a year clean, so this makes sense why House Managers have little clean time. On the other hand, the General Manager typically has years of sobriety. What’s most important is how many years the General Manager has running a halfway house system as opposed to how long the House Manager has clean. A General Manager that has both years of sobriety coupled with years of experience running a halfway house is a winning combination.

One of the most important factors in whether a halfway house is of good quality is how the General Manager and/or Owner deal with the overall handling of each and every resident. They should be forever vigilant, and firm. They should be able to tell you how often they are around the residents and the house, and if they run more than one house, they should be able to tell you how they stay on top of all their houses- what system is in place so that residents and houses are not left unattended for any length of time. A quality run house should require a length of stay commitment from the potential resident prior to moving in (this is usually anywhere from 3 months to 1 year- the longer the stay, the higher the success rates). All facilities should be set up so that every resident MUST report to the General Manager or House Manager, and that the House Manager reports directly to the General Manager or Owner. A quality run halfway house should have sign in/sign out sheets designating why a resident is going off grounds including where they are going and what time they will leave as well as when they will be back- make sure there is a system in place that checks and verifies this information both before a resident leaves and how they appear upon return. This includes going to work, a job search, (this should include a separate list of places they are applying at and how long they will be at any one given employment office/business), 12-Step Meeting attendance (this should state which meeting, time of meeting, and any other important information), visiting family, (who, where, etc.), visiting a friend (This should be looked at by the General Manager/Owner and not just the House Manager- keeping in mind that certain people and places are off
limits), as well as any other reasons and times for leaving the house- responsibility and accountability are important components at a good halfway house- look for this.

Money is another issue. If a person will be tempted to drink/drug, a quality house should have a safe place to hold a residents money. If, for instance, a resident has another person (family member, case worker, etc.) paying for their stay at a halfway house, this money should go directly to the company/Owner, and not to the resident. Employment may be required as part of a residents stay, and there are certain high-risk jobs that should not be allowed by management. These include driving a cab, working at a bar, graveyard shifts, and working too many hours that the resident does not leave time to engage in their recovery effort. More information on typical fees can be read further down on this article.

Responsibility- Most halfway houses require residents to attend what is called “House Meetings.” House Meetings should occur on specific days at specific times, for the purpose of reviewing how a resident is doing, if they are attending 12-Step meetings, counseling sessions (if offered), and any other issues that may have come up during their stay. Most good halfway houses require residents to attend either or both inside and off grounds 12-Step Meetings (Typically 12-Step attendance is a minimum of  1 per day initially, and  at least 3 meetings per week as a maintenance level- most quality houses require a resident to have a sheet signed by the meeting chairperson stating the name of the meeting, day, date, and time). It is very important how a halfway house handles a residents free time (at least for the first 30 days), as new residents should only be allowed off grounds with a stable resident to go with them, and it should be noted if they are utilizing this privilege without abusing it. Typically, a new resident may be restricted to the unit for the first few days. After between 1 week and 30 days, if a resident has shown responsibility and accountability, a resident will be allowed more freedom, but keep in mind that a quality house should always have curfews in place regardless of length of stay. Most will have specific wake-up times. It is also important to find out how they handle visitations (family, friends, case workers, etc.) Free time includes going to off grounds 12-Step Meetings, working with a 12-Step Sponsor, working the 12-Steps, etc. Free time is extremely dangerous for a newly recovered person, so a good run house should have programs and activities to keep them occupied. Most require a resident to do chores (gardening, sweeping, cleaning, cooking, etc.) and these are usually done without pay. If a resident has a vehicle, it should be either paid for or they are making payments on it- these payments should be verified as being up to date. A resident must be properly and currently licensed to drive it, and the tags should be current as well.

On another note, the level of care at a halfway house can vary greatly. Some offer the bare minimum- a bed with a roof over it. Others provide counseling, 12-Step Meetings, guidance, true random drug testing of their residents, food, and transportation to/from outside meetings, job coaching, training, placement, and many other services. The key is to find a halfway house that is run well, as well as one that meets your needs. Keep in mind that many who choose, or are placed into, a halfway house do get better and can stay sober, but this requires a combination of resident dedication and good management. Also keep in mind that halfway houses are not treatment centers, not a place of luxury, and definitely not responsible for a person’s sobriety. Be aware of so-called “flop houses” which are just places to sleep without any supervision or accountability- these usually have high rates of failure/relapse. Some houses deal with dual diagnosis issues (substance abuse and mental health problems). Most provide a safe place, depending on the quality of the program, a facility manager and/or owner to oversee it, and some basic needs for the person living there. Please don’t start checking out various halfway houses with the expectation of going to a country club, or more importantly, that everybody who is there is happy, healthy, and mature individuals- remember, they too are trying to get their lives together; some for the first time after decades of abusing alcohol and/or drugs- in other words, there is no perfect fit. If you are in need of detox services, this should be done with medical supervision- withdrawal can be deadly without the proper medical care in place- you may need to go to a separate place to detox safely before moving into a halfway house. If a halfway house provides detox, they should have qualified medical staff to deal with this issue- make sure you verify credentials.

It helps to keep in mind why you are going to live at a halfway house… and that reason is, to be at a place that is alcohol and drug free, to be surrounded by people trying to build a better life for themselves, and a place that will keep an eye on you until you start to get on a successful path to making your life better. Keep this on your mind the whole time you are in a halfway house!!! Besides the basics provided, at a typical halfway house, be grateful if they provide anything else for you- remember your purpose for being there (to get a good shot at sobriety) and don’t expect extras. There are many resources within each state to help you obtain a list of halfway houses near you (see resources below this article). Keep in mind that the lists provided to you contain mostly licensed facilities- a licensed facility does not mean they are better- just that they do a good job at paperwork and at paying licensing fees.

Additional Information

A special amount of attention should be paid to the weekly costs and up front monies a particular halfway house charges to their residents. Typical average charges at halfway houses from state to state in the USA run from $90.00 to $150.00 per week. Some will take anybody in without upfront monies as long as the facility is reasonably confident the resident is either employed or employable and will be able to make their weekly rent payments and be able to make up for back rents. Some houses require up front monies prior to admission, a security deposit, and rent paid in advance. This may be a barrier to getting into certain facilities. There are no insurance companies that cover halfway house rents, unless the house provides specific treatment, counseling, etc., and even at this, it is difficult to get insurance companies to commit to extended periods of coverage. Also of concern, is if the resident is able to work- A Halfway House is a business, and overhead plays a big part in whether or not they can keep their doors open. It doesn’t do much of anything if all the right pieces fall into place at a quality house, if they can’t pay the bills. Many facilities go under, not because they don’t care or want to help, but simply because they have too many residents who are not working, not enough residents, some who can’t work, or are unable to cover and/or pay back the rent payments owed and/or the initial move in costs.

So what can you expect for the amount of money you pay to a halfway house? This varies greatly. For some houses it is all-inclusive, meaning they provide everything from phone service, food, counseling, job seeking assistance, etc. For others, they may offer some or none of these services. Much has to do with whether you are going, or sending someone, to a ½ way house, or to a ¾ house, or a sober living environment, recovery home, etc. (see additional information concerning this factor below). Typically, a Halfway House is for those just starting to get their life in order. A ¾ house, sober living house, recovery home, etc. does not provide the intense monitoring of their residents. The residents pretty much go and do as they please, without meetings, UA tests, or signing in and out, as opposed to a quality run halfway house that should monitor all activities and services. It is best to check out what type of house you NEED and are interested in- this includes going to the possible house, talking to current residents, and checking out the outside as well as how the internal accountability (both for residents and managers/owners) factors are carried out on a daily basis.

An additional word should be mentioned about the differences between a halfway house and a ¾ house, sober living home, recovery homes, etc. There is a distinct difference in all of these compared to a typical halfway house operation. First off, a halfway house is typically the place to go to, or be referred to, when someone has been actively using drugs, drinking alcoholically, or has been discharged from a treatment center or a prison for a non-violent drug offenders. It is not a detox ward, (unless they state this service is provided), as detox should be handled only by a medical facility run by professionals, (doctors, nurses, etc.).

So, how do you know you are going to a quality run halfway house? This requires research, asking many, many, many questions directed to the owner and/or halfway house manager. NOTE: If they don’t answer their phone calls or emails, don’t return phone calls or emails, will not give you a tour, or have an attitude of indifference towards you for asking so many questions, it is best to find another place and start the process of finding a quality run halfway house all over again- keep in mind that you are literarily placing your very life into their hands, so you don’t want to get this wrong.

Finally, It should be noted that a good halfway house needs to run successfully- this means not only helping people, but also, meeting the bottom line financially. Residents must meet their full monetary obligations- paying rent (on time and in full) and be actively involved in their own recovery, as this resident accountability factor plays a major role in success or failure. Sometimes a person fails/relapses, so find out what the procedure is for re-admittance- some will never take back a resident who relapsed while in their halfway house program, others may require a period of time clean before accepting a person back. It is the responsibility of the resident to know what happens if they relapse- where will they go, will the halfway house assist them in securing a place to live, what are the options available to them. The bottom line is to ask, ask, ask…

AMBROSIA ADDICTION TREATMENT in Palm Beach, Florida is an affordable Substance Abuse Rehab Treatment Center in South Florida Accepting Insurance, Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, Dual-Diagnosis, etc

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THE FLORIDA TREATMENT CENTER WITH THE BEST CLIENT TO COUNSELOR RATIO!

Ambrosia uses three distinct programs to treat all kinds of addiction including drug addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse and dual diagnosis.

We are an exclusive addiction treatment center with locations in both Port St. Lucie and Singer Island, Florida. We boast a high rate of success due to our limited size of twenty beds combined with our three full time therapists, which creates a client to counselor ratio second to none. We are able to individualize our treatment plans to best fit your needs. In addition, our residences are aesthetically pleasing offering all the comforts of home plus pools at all residences for recreation and relaxation.

We are an adult program accepting both men and women ages eighteen and older.Our clinical staff is second to none, with each member having over 20 years experience treating substance abuse and addiction treatment clients from all walks of life. It is our belief that the key to successful treatment starts with the client’s ability to trust and relate with their counselor, and as a consequence, we aim to keep the client to counselor ratio low in order to give the clients and their counselor’s maximum time together.

We are a holistic addiction treatment center which means that we not only treat the addiction, but we treat the “whole person” in order to resolve the underlying issues that may be causing the addiction in the first place. This also sets us apart from other treatment programs that only focus on the addiction itself.

We are licensed and insured by the State of Florida to treat addictions of all types and have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. We are available 24-hours a day for a phone consultation to discuss care for yourself or your loved one.

INSURANCE: Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, Blue Cross & HealthNet…call us to check eligibility (866) 616-0069

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AMBROSIA ADDICTION TREATMENT SERVICES

• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Counseling with Families
• Substance Abuse Education
• Life Skills Training
• Anger Management
• Relapse Prevention
• Non Verbal Therapies
• Advising in Health Issues
• Mental Health Services

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT

• Intensive program where clients can take advantage of 24 hour a day care and work with their therapist to craft the individualized treatment plan
• Treatment consists of daily group therapy and individual counseling as needed. Patients attend specialized group and private meetings, coupled with holistic education, and AA meetings

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

• Designed to achieve short-term stabilization for patients identified as currently having a substance abuse concern
• Substance Abuse Assessments
• Relapse Prevention Group
• Substance Abuse Education
• Individual Counseling

FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM

• Provides education, guidance and support for families impacted by the debilitating effects of chemical dependency. It is free of charge and available to family members
• Family Education
• Professional consultation
• Multi-Family Group Sessions
• Orientation on Relapse Prevention

NEUROTRANSMITTER TESTING

• We are leaders in the use of neurotransmitter testing which can make assessing a patients levels of vital brain chemicals guesswork free
• In addition to standard therapy and medication management our program uses a treatment team approach combining board certified psychiatrists and therapists to treat our clients

MUCH, MUCH MORE TO KNOW ABOUT AMBROSIA TREATMENT….

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Listed by Sober Nexus – “THE SOBER EXPOSURE ENGINE”

For more information on addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse, treatment, sober living homes, interventions, detoxification, therapy, counseling, chemical dependency, substance abuse, etc., you may visit the following links: SAMSHA Treatment Locator | Society of Toxicology | Society for the Study of Addiction | National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence | National Institute on Drug Abuse | National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers | National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors | The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission | National Institute on Mental Health

SoberNexus is a national directory of drug rehabs and treatment centers and alcoholism treatment centers. Our Site is a free and simple directory providing results for those seeking help regarding alcohol addiction, drug addiction, chemical dependency and substance abuse. Users will find: Drug Rehabs, Treatment Centers, Substance Abuse Treatment and Sober Living Homes in Florida, California, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Washington. See us YouTube, Join our Facebook or Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our Facebook group for Treatment and Recovery Professionals. Selecting a treatment center or drug rehab is one of the most important decisions for those seeking to get into recovery or use the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous. Few of us know what to look for in a quality rehab program or sober living home and not all drug rehabilitation centers are alike. Not all states have monitoring groups like the Sober Living Coalition in the main counties of Los Angeles, Orange County, San Fernando Valley and San Diego. Each drug rehab has its own program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness and all of that can be referenced on SoberNexus. Our blog also has information on addiction and recovery. Our new blog is loaded with education and information of alcoholism, treatment and substance abuse. We also have a page with helpful recovery related resources. Please be sure to check out a copy of “Its All in The Journey” Magazine if you’re in recovery from Alcoholism or Drug Addiction. There is also great info on Sober Sources Website