New Life Recovery is a 10 bed, 24 hour-per-day, 7 day-per-week residential treatment facility offering services to individuals 18 years of age or older, who have a primary diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder.
Length of stay is determined by ASAM criteria and New Life Recovery (NLR) can serve some individuals that are ordered up to 90 days treatment. The program also provides treatment to individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses. The individual must be stable psychiatrically, and taking medications as prescribed. Individuals requiring this level of care have significant difficulty with treatment, incur negative consequences; need skills to prevent continued use; may be living in a dangerous environment and require a highly structured 24-hour setting.
MISSION STATEMENT Our mission at NLR is to provide assessment, residential, outpatient services, and case management services to individuals and their families who suffer from the effects of substance use disorder and any co-occurring disorders.
To help individuals, significant others, and families have the quality of life they so richly deserve – as well as help them regain their dignity, self-worth, confidence, and most of all hope, that their lives can be different.
To support and encourage all affected by substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders so that they may become productive members of society while managing their disorders.
GOALS The program is dedicated to the education, rehabilitation and support of individuals who have the desire to attain recovery from alcohol and/or other substances. Our program is based on the philosophy that a Substance Use Disorder is a chronic, progressive disease that impacts the physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being of affected individuals, and that while we provide the therapeutic environment for recovery, it is the individual who is ultimately responsible for his/her recovery from substance use.
The goal of NLR is for each resident to acquire the necessary recovery tools to maintain a healthy drug-free lifestyle, to acquire tools to rebuild relationships with themselves and others, and by understanding the impact of co-occurring disorders, to develop a recovery plan that maximizes management of both disorders.
OBJECTIVES Abstain from all mood-altering chemicals while involved in treatment at NLR, as indicated by random drug screens. To comply with medication and/or other interventions that address co-occurring disorders.
Work toward securing employment or returning to their previous employment.
Establish a recovery network, including attending all 12-step, Celebrate Recovery, SMART Recovery or other such self-help meetings each week. , an active relationship with a sponsor, or some other recovery activity, as evidenced by meeting attendance documents and self-report. Comply with all medications, if necessary, to treat any co-occurring disorders and keep all psychiatric appointments.
Attend and actively participate in all programming, including group therapy, individual sessions, educational groups, physical health and nutrition groups/activities, recovery groups, relapse prevention groups/activities, acupuncture, medical appointments, and medication compliance.
Complete household chores, eating well-balanced meals, participating in feedback during weekly community meetings, and adhering to all rules and policies. All of these behaviors are documented by the staff and other residents.
Complete all recovery task assignments.
REFERRALS Individuals may be referred to NLR from NRVCS, other Community Services Agencies, private agencies, Probation and Parole, other court services, social services, hospitals, and self-referrals. Referral information will be sent to NLR via U.S. mail, email, telephone, or by fax.
Individuals must meet enrollment criteria.
Staff will complete all necessary documentation.
No admission to NLR will be done after 3pm, Monday through Thursday. No admissions on Friday. Exceptions to this procedure must have supervisor permission.
Individuals appropriate for the program and having completed the necessary paperwork will attend treatment activities for the remainder of the day.
Appropriate authorization for release of information forms, signed by the individual, must be acquired for the disclosure of information, which indicates specific information to be disclosed, to whom information can be released, and the specific time period of the information released. If the individual has HIV positive status, that information must be specifically addressed in the consent.
The following information is acquired if available for the records of the individual: – Medical and psychiatric history, performed by qualified professional – Physical Examination performed by qualified professional (i.e., MD, Nurse, Psychiatrist), including the following: – Physical examination, paying particular attention to medical aspects relative to addiction and possible concurrent medical or surgical problems. – TB screening – Records showing current medications.
ENROLLMENT CRITERIA 1. Individuals who meet criteria for substance use disorder
2. Individuals who require residential care due to inability to remain substance-free in the community with less intensive types of treatment
3. Must be age 18 or older
4. Substance use disorder is currently primary over co-occurring disorders
Also meets specifications for 3.5 in these ASAM six dimensions:
1. Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal a. The individual has no signs or symptoms of withdrawal, or withdrawal needs can be safely managed; OR b. Current biomedical condition is not severe enough to warrant inpatient treatment, but warrants medical monitoring, which can be provided by the program or through an established arrangement with another provider.
2. Biomedical Conditions and Complications a. Biomedical problems are stable and the individual is capable of self-administering medication; or b. The condition requires medical monitoring, which can be provided by the program or through an established arrangement with another provider.
3. Emotional/ Behavioral or Cognitive Conditions and Complications a. If significant emotional, behavioral, or cognitive conditions and impairment are present, the patient must be admitted to a co-occurring capable or co-occurring enhanced program.
4. Readiness to Change a. The intensity and chronicity of the SUD or the patient’s mental health problems are such that he or she has limited insight or little awareness of the need for treatment or continuing care; OR b. Despite experiencing consequences of the SUD or mental health problem the patient has marked difficulty understanding the relationship between his or her SUD, addiction, mental health or life problems and impaired coping, or blaming others for his or her addiction problem; OR c. Patient demonstrates passive or active opposition to addressing the severity of his or her mental or addiction problem, or does not recognize the need for treatment; OR d. Patient requires structured therapy and a 24-hours programmatic milieu to promote treatment progress and recovery, because motivation interventions have not succeeded at less intensive levels of care; OR e. Patient’s perspective impairs his or her ability to make behavior changes without repeated, structured, clinically motivated interventions developed in a 24-hour milieu; OR f. Despite recognition of a SUD and understanding the relationship between his or her use, addiction, life problems, the patient expresses little to no interest in changing; OR g. Patient attributes his or her alcohol, drug, addictive, or mental problem to other persons or external events, rather than to a substance use or addictive or mental disorder.
5. Relapse, Continued Use or Continued Problem Potential a. The patient requires 24-hour monitoring and structured support. Patient does not recognize relapse triggers and has little awareness of the need for continuing care and is, therefore, not committed to treatment. His or her continued substance use poses an imminent danger of harm to self or others in the absence of 24-hour monitoring and structured support; OR b. Patient’s psychiatric condition is stabilizing; however, patient is unable to control his or her use of alcohol, other drugs, and/or antisocial behaviors. The patient has limited ability to interrupt the relapse process or to use peer supports when at risk for relapse; OR c. Patient is experiencing psychiatric or addiction symptoms, insufficient ability to postpone immediate gratification and other drug-seeking behaviors. Poses an imminent danger of harm to self or others in the absence of 24-hour monitored support; OR d. Patient is in danger of relapse or continued use, with dangerous emotional, behavioral, or cognitive consequences, as a result of a crisis situation; OR e. Despite recent, active participation in treatment at a less intensive level of care, the patient continue to use alcohol or other drugs, or to deteriorate psychiatrically, with imminent serious consequences; OR f. Patient demonstrates a lifetime history of repeated incarceration with a pattern of relapse to substances and uninterrupted use outside of incarceration, with imminent risk of relapse to addiction or mental health problems and recidivism to criminal behavior. The patient’s imminent danger of relapse is accompanied by an uninterrupted cycle of relapse-reoffending-incarceration-release-relapse without the opportunity for treatment.
6. Recovery Environment a. Patient has been living in an environment that is characterized by a moderately high risk of initiation or repetition of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or substance use so endemic that the individual is assessed as being unable to achieve or maintain recovery in an less intensive level of care; OR b. Individual’s social network includes regular users of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs, such that the individual’s recovery goals are assessed as unachievable; OR
c. Patient’s social network involves living with an individual who is a regular user, addicted user or dealer of alcohol and/or other drugs, or the living environment is so invested in alcohol and/or other drug use that his or her recovery goals are assessed as unachievable; OR
d. Patient is unable to cope, for even limited periods of time, outside of 24-hours
INTAKES • The individuals must not present with significant withdrawal symptoms (as assessed in the ASAM criteria).
• Length of stay is dependent on individual need, and may continue for up to 90 days.
• Admission intakes are scheduled between 8:30am and 3pm, Monday through Friday. The individual will be expected to arrive at NLR thirty minutes before the intake is to take place. If the individual misses his/her intake appointment time, another intake time will be scheduled as soon as possible.
• The individual shall bring his/her belongings to the intake and be prepared to participate in treatment activities at that time if the individual is to enter that day.
• All new individuals will be administered a drug screen and/or breathalyzer at the time of admission. If the individual refuses to comply with the breathalyzer or declines to provide a sample for drug testing within 24 hours of admission, he or she will be automatically discharged from NLR. Generally, no exceptions are made to any of the admissions criteria, but each individual is considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Individuals must have appropriate medical clearance if they have any reported medical conditions.
• NRVCS prohibits discrimination regarding services for consumers on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender expression. Staff reserves the right to accept admissions under special circumstances. Exceptions will be made based on need, availability of bed space and professional scope of the current staff.
ORIENTATION • Upon entrance to the program, each client completes a tour of the facility and is introduced to staff and other residents of the program.
• They are assigned a bed, roommate, shower time, laundry time, and any other house duties as part of their orientation process.
• Forms are completed and signed by the resident that document items received in their orientation process (bedspread, sheets, etc.) and that they completed the tour and were oriented appropriately to the program and its participants.
SERVICES Services provided to the individual will include assessment to identify any co-occurring disorder, individual counseling, group counseling, case management services, acupuncture, self-help and other support programs, psychiatric services, medication monitoring, and referrals to other levels of care, if NLR is not the individual’s least restrictive alternative.
Services may include: • Individual therapy • Group therapy and education • SA Case Management • Attendance at 12 AA/NA (SMART Recovery or similar support) meetings weekly • Aftercare Groups meeting twice weekly for 18 weeks • Relapse Prevention Groups meeting weekly for 6 Months • Psychiatric Services through NRVCS • Acupuncture • Interactive Journaling
Medical care services will be available to the program and provided either by telephone or in-person consultation with a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. Physicians or Nurse Practitioners shall provide screenings for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as well as routine medical care (physicals and wellness checks).
TARGET POPULATION • Adults, age 18 or older, who meet the criteria for Substance Use Disorder, with or without co-occurring mental illnesses, who are in need of residential care.
• Pregnant women who meet the criteria for Substance Use Disorder with or without co-occurring mental illnesses.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA • Violent criminal history • Medical condition which requires outside ongoing treatments during the stay in residential treatment • Inability to be self-sufficient in self-care needs • Inability to comply with admission drug screen • Relative or spouse already in the residential program • Relative working at New Life Residential Program • Unwilling to abstain from nicotine products during residential stay • The New Life facility is not totally handicap-accessible. Should mechanical assistance be required to ambulate, staff will work with the individual to find a referral source for substance use disorder treatment that will meet the individual’s particular physical needs.
WAIT LISTS Individuals are placed on the waiting list when all 10 beds are occupied; when a bed becomes available, it is filled according to individual needs. Other treatment modalities are offered if New Life is at capacity.
Individuals seeking entrance to NLR must complete a phone screening with New Life staff. That screening must be reviewed by clinical staff to ascertain appropriateness for our program. If the person is found to be appropriate for entrance, and a bed is available, the individual is notified of their entrance date. If a bed is not readily available, the individual is placed on a waiting list.
Individuals may have their bed date changed due to triage of individuals based on need. Individuals that are pregnant, IV drug users, opioid users and individuals coming out of a detoxification facility or hospital and those in danger of continued use because they are not in a safe environment take priority over individuals in jail or who have sufficient support to keep them safe until their bed date.
Individuals are given the opportunity to enter another SUD program in case there is a long wait list for entrance to NLR, to ensure some support for their SUD issue.
Entrance is also based on whether the bed available is designated for a male or a female. NLR staff will change male beds to female beds and vice versa depending on demands for availability as indicated on the waiting list (i.e., several open male beds and a long wait for female bed availability).
If an individual does not enter on their designated date, and does not make other arrangements for entrance, their name is removed. The individual’s phone screen is kept active for 90 days in the ‘No-show Phone Screens’ binder and is then shredded.
DISCHARGE • Successful completion of the requirements of the program
• Leaves New Life Residential ATA
• Repeated violation of program rules
• Positive drug screen while in the program
Voluntary Discharge: The Supervisor, Case Manager, and Clinicians will work together to help the resident find another treatment modality if that individual desires.
Involuntary Discharge: 1. The staff at NLR will review cases considered for involuntary termination. (Refer to the rules for dismissal from the program to consider involuntary termination.)
2. If involuntary discharge becomes necessary, the resident will be given notification and will have 1 hour to make arrangements and be out of the facility. If the individual refuses to leave, the police will be called to remove the resident for trespassing.
For all Discharges: 1. The Service Providers or designated staff will inventory the resident’s clothing and property and match them to the admission inventory to ensure that no items are left behind, or items belonging to the program are not removed.
2. The resident will leave a forwarding address and current phone number documented by the staff at the facility at the time of discharge.
3. The Supervisor, clinician, or designee, will complete necessary discharge documentation.
4. If an individual leaves the facility for any reason without taking belongings, the emergency contact will be called to come pick up individual’s belongings. The items will be packed up with the individual’s roommate present to ensure that proper belongings are packed. Any missing items will be the responsibility of the individual, not NRVCS or any of its staff. If the individual’s belongings are not retrieved within 3 days, the items will be donated to Goodwill, or added to clothing box for indigent individuals.
STAFFING Staff are a multi-disciplined team of Master-level clinicians, case managers, direct services providers as well as peer support staff to assess, treat and manage various addictions. Staff are knowledgeable and skilled in the areas of bio-psychological disorders of addiction, mental illness, women’s issues, high risk individuals and personality disorders. In the event of a staffing shortage, the Program Supervisor, in coordination with Program Manager or Program Director, will assess the services that will be allowed to continue.
If there are not enough staff to offer the full range of services, plans will be implemented to ensure that individuals receive services that promote their recovery efforts. Included in these services will be 12-step, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery or other such self-help meeting attendance, Relapse Prevention services, Employment and/or Housing Assistance, and minimizing behaviors that could lead to returning to active substance use.
PROGRAM EVALUATION Program Manager or Program Director, in conjunction with other staff, are responsible for on-going program evaluation. Residents complete a satisfaction survey at discharge, and results are used in the evaluation process. Improvements are implemented in response to needs of individuals receiving services, evolving best practices, and agency requirements.
