Tuesday, January 13, 2015


Best of Tuesday from Choose Help

Dealing with Issues of Confidentiality in Residential Addiction Treatment

Dealing with Issues of Confidentiality in Residential Addiction Treatment
How to improve the overall treatment experience by knowing how to work with and within the federally mandated Privacy Rule embedded deep within HIPPA.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of substance abuse and mental health treatment.It provides the patient with the privacy needed to establish trust and confidence in the foundation of both the therapeutic process and in the providers that have been entrusted to their care.
Maintaining the integrity of patient information and records is therefore a fundamental part of treatment. The Privacy Rule found within The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA as it is more commonly known, is essentially a federally mandated safeguard, that for the purposes of this post at least, helps to support the therapeutic process by establishing guidelines on how private information may be shared with others.
“Unfortunately, I can neither confirm, nor deny that there is a patient here by that name.”
If you have ever been told the above-mentioned phrase by a counselor at a drug and alcohol rehab center, you are probably all too familiar with some potentially significant flaws in the system. I can’t remember exactly where I heard it first, but somewhere early in my career, someone much more seasoned than me imparted, You are only as sick as your secrets.
Although getting someone to admit into a drug and alcohol rehab center is without question a vital part of the recovery puzzle, it may be equally as important to ensure that there is a robust and healthy channel of communication while that person is in treatment.

Maintaining a Channel of Communication

In simple terms, the doctor needs to know the symptoms in order to effectively treat the disease. With that said, the true symptoms of the disease of addiction are sometimes lost and often distorted deep within the dark manipulative mantle of the addict mind.
I have worked with hundreds of families all across the country and throughout the world. From Scarsdale to Calabasas, London, Bogota, and beyond, there appears to be a universal desire among all families to provide drug and alcohol rehab centers with as much collective information as possible so that they “know the truth” and get “the facts straight” while they treat the patient.
I firmly believe that all drug and alcohol rehab centers must carefully consider the significance of this collateral information as part of both the diagnostic and corresponding treatment experience. Given both the long-term organic effects of consuming mood altering substances and the manipulative nature of the addict mind, this information may prove to be a highly transparent window into the truth. In other words, by the nature of the disease itself, the person battling an addiction may not necessarily be able to be the best historian.

Stakeholder Involvement from the Beginning

At the same time, it is also important to keep in mind that sharing goes both ways. Not only do most of my clients want to share important information with treatment providers, they want to receive it as well, especially with regard to ...
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • compliance
  • progress
  • planning
One of the most powerful tools to creating that robust and healthy channel of communication I talked about earlier is to lay out the groundwork for it prior to the admission into treatment:
Before the start of an intervention, for example, I encourage the family to select at least one member to serve as the gatekeeper of information. Once the intervention is underway, the identified person in need of help is then asked to accept both the gift of treatment and the plan to maintain an open line of communication with the treatment center.

Considerations for Finding a Program

In my opinion, rather than trying to find a loophole in the statute so that you can try to give and get sporadic bits and pieces of information, the treatment experience may be significantly enhanced for everyone involved by knowing how to effectively work with and within all of the federally mandated red tape, protection, and privacy found within HIPAA.
So while you are out there looking for the best rehab option for your loved one, now you may want to carefully consider finding a program that ...
  • is genuinely interested in reviewing the collateral information you have to offer
  • demonstrates a willingness to establish a collaborative working relationship with the patient’s primary support system, while at the same time...
  • makes protecting patient privacy a priority

Read in browser »

share on Twitter Like Dealing with Issues of Confidentiality in Residential Addiction Treatment on Facebook


Recent featured articles:

Understanding "Powerlessness" and Why Acceptance Liberates You
Learning to Forgive Yourself and Let Go of Guilt and Shame
New Year's Introspection: About Taking Stock of Our Progress
Hating the Holidays? Tips on How to Stay Clean and Sober
Handling and Preventing Stress: A 3-Step Approach
And, as always, thank you for reading!
All the best to you and yours,


Martin Schoel,
founder of Choose Help
P.S. If you’d like to dive into the conversation, make sure to follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook (40K+ people do).
Do you or someone you know need rehab?
Click or 'Tap' to speak with us now:
(877) 333-5266
Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Pinterest
Copyright © 2015 Choose Help, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of Choose Help or you signed up on ChooseHelp.com.

Our mailing address is:
Choose Help
11301 Olympic Blvd. #351
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Add us to your address book


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 
January 13 CHAP 31 v 10 v 11 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS



I am dying from grief ; my years are shortened by sadness . Sin (addiction) has drained my strength ;
I am wasting away from within. I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors  even my friends are afraid to come near me. 
(GODS BIG BOOK )



Scorn is open disrespect for someone or something. It can also be disrespect coupled with feelings of intense dislike.





STEP 1. We admitted we were powerless over chemical substances—that our lives had become unmanageable .



The Psalm is describing the rock bottom in which I found myself fourteen years ago .The twelve Steps I discovered were going to be the only way I could climb out of this place. Addiction left me with absolutely no strength left to take the first step .Too this day and I cant explain it some super natural unseen power lifted my leg for me and placed it on that step . At the bottom of the steps was nothing but the blackest of darkness. Fear ,  despair , and grief were hands coming through the steps ,holding me in place or tripping me up causing me to fall to the bottom again ,but every time I fell that super natural unseen power put my leg back on that step again and again and again. At the top of the steps was a door that would get me out of this GOD forsaken place. I could see a light coming through the bottom and I wanted desperately to step in to the light and out of this darkness . Anywhere but here is the voice I heard whispering in my heavy heart . Up the steps I went but ,  fear ,  despair , and grief became  hands reaching through the steps ,holding me in place or tripping me up   causing me to fall to the bottom again ,but every time I fell that super natural unseen power put my leg back on that step again and again and again .Climbing those stairs was the most difficult thing I have ever done in life ! I  got to the top and opened the door there was light fresh air and freedom to go anywhere I choose .Freedom for the first time in my life !  Occasionally I pass that basement door and sometimes I hear a whisper that says come inside , but deep down in my heart I know if I open and enter again I might never get out so I say a little prayer and thank God that I am out of the basement. 

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. (GODS BIG BOOK )   By Joseph Dickerson

Monday, January 12, 2015

    
JAN 24th - Life ReScripted with Bob and Vicki
Life ReScripted is a (FREE!) experiential workshop that uncovers and clears unresolved issues that can undermine recovery. There are strong and compelling reasons why these issues persist. A rescripting identifies and transforms the root cause of our self-sabotaging choices & behavior.
About the facilitators: Bob and Vicki met in a 12 step meeting in the late 90's and soon started a monthly gathering with others to augment their recovery. Life ReScripted was continually modified in those early gatherings and became their most effective tool. They found they were able to do deeper work in this safer environment which resulted in less struggle and lasting change. Word spread and they were invited to facilitate at 12 step and other retreats and began hosting weekends and training others to form their own circles. Their goal is for Life ReScripted to be accessible as 12 Step programs worldwide. Training is available for those interested in helping facilitate and/or starting their own circles. Congratulations to Bob on 24 years of sobriety!
Requirements to attend this workshop: at least 3 months of sobriety, a support system and a commitment to be responsible and accountable for your actions and behavior within the group . 

Workshop will be held
at 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Dwier Center
392 Church St Yardville, NJ

To view or respond to the Facebook Event Invite please click link below:

For questions or comments, contact: cityofangelsnj@hotmail.com
JAN 29th Mercer Cty Advocacy Meeting - NCADD
Mission: NCADD-New Jersey works in partnership with and on behalf of individuals, families, and communities affected by alcoholism and drug dependence to promote recovery through excellence in prevention and treatment initiatives.
  
FEB 9th - Health Care & Education Enrollment....

 

 
FEB 20th - ITALIAN NIGHT - A Change for Nick....
FUNDRAISER:

A Change for Nick will host a fundraiser to support its continued operations in North Jersey. As the article below says, ACN was founded recently to help those struggling with the disease of addiction. Nick's mom, Chris Fagan, is a longtime supporter of COA and a Recovery Coach grad. To view the article mentioned above, click on link below: 
GRIEF RECOVERY AFTER SUBSTANCE PASSING



GRASP
 support group meets on the Second Thursday of Each Month from 7:00pm until 9:00pm, at The Raymond Dwier Center, 392 Church Street, Hamilton Twp., NJ. If you are planning to attend for the first time, please call to pre-register: Laurie Latham 609-575-5477 or Sue Fares 609-203-2950.
On COARR 
Let's Talk About Recovery!

With 10 original shows, COARR plays Recovery Talk 24/7/365....past shows are available online atwww.coaradio.com/pastshows.html and in each show's online archive. 

Tune in thru the smartphone app (free in the iphone/droid stores) or on www.coaradio.com to hear what's playing now.....




New show on COARR: Step by Step is a Pennsylvania-based network of recovery homes where recoverees gain support from one another. This show explores what it's like to live in a sober home. If you missed the show, it's now online: click here to listenIt's a great introduction to what sober living & recovery homes are all about!


Listen to past COARR shows any time: 

For "Women & Addiction" with Terri Thomas, click here. 

For "Wellness in Recovery" with life coach Nancy Tilelli, click here. 

For "Journey Thru the 12 Steps with the Life Recovery Bible," click here. 

For "Share Your Scars" with Vicki, click here.

For "Wings Over Water: Creativity in Recovery" with recovery musician Kathy Moser, click here.

For "Laughter & Recovery" with stand up comic Wil B. Kleen, click here. 

For "Relationships in Recovery" with Alexa, click here. 

For "Saving Lives" with COA Director of Interventions Tom Redneck Clark, click here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES



At City of Angels, we were the first-ever "all volunteer community organization", as we established and still maintain a no charge policy for our support services.  We are always looking for caring volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please click the link below:






January 12, 2015


Invitation to Present at NAADAC 2015 Annual Conference


NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, announces the Call for Presentations for its 2015 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The 2015 Annual Conference will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center from October 9-13, 2015, including pre-conference training sessions on October 9th and an Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill onOctober 13th. Regular conference sessions will take placeOctober 10-12th.

NAADAC members and non-members are invited to submit presentations for pre-conference sessions, breakout sessions, and plenary sessions. NAADAC encourages young investigators, researchers, and addiction professionals from diverse organizations and fields to submit.

Deadline: Monday, February 9, 2015








Presentation Tracks & Topics

NAADAC and its partners are calling for workshop proposals that offer unique educational experiences for addiction focused professionals. We are seeking current and relevant information within these seven tracks:
Practice Management & Technology: Health Information Technology (HIT), Electronic Health Records (EHR), Certification/Licensure, Patient Retention, Billing/Insurance, Social Media, Teletherapy, and Ethical, Legal, and Liability Issues.


Co-Occurring Disorders:Integrated Treatment, Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-5, Mental Health Disorders, Trauma, and ICD 10.


Psychopharmacology: Neurobiology of Addiction, Pharmacotherapy/Medication-Assisted Treatment, Opioids, Alcohol, Marijuana, Sedatives, Stimulants, Synthetic Drugs, Tobcacco/Nicotine, and Designer Drugs.


Advocacy: Policy/Regulatory Issues, Affordable Care Act (ACA), and How to Advocate.


Clinical Skills: Evidence-based Practices, Case Studies, Relapse Prevention, Treatment Planning, Screening & Assessment, Counseling Theories, The ASAM Criteria, and Promising Practices.


Cultural Humility: Introduction to Cultural Humility, Addiction-Specific Issues Involving LGBTQ, Racial/Ethnic Groups, Gender, Spirituality, Low-Income/Homeless, and Veterans/Military.


Process Addictions:Gambling Addiction, Sexual Addiction, Internet Addiction, and Eating Disorders.


Education/INCASE: Applications with a post-secondary educational focus, designed for an audience of college level faculty who are seeking to enhance the quality of training and education in addiction studies, to disseminate professional knowledge and share ideas regarding addiction studies, students and scholarship in the field of addiction studies with a creative evidence-based focus. The topics can be as broad as national policy level discussions, and as narrow as creative improvement of a single course--originality is key to acceptance.
Presenter Eligibility

To be considered, presenters must have professional qualifications in good standing with their professional regulatory board, if applicable, possess the technical expertise necessary to present on a subject effectively, and meet one or more of the following:
Be a faculty member of a college or university;
Have received specialized graduate or post-graduate level training in subject of presentation; and/or
Have extensive experience including at least five years of practical application or research involving subject of presentation.
Benefits of Presenting


Presenters will receive a complimentary daily conference pass for the day of their presentation. Admission will include access to all education and networking events, meal functions, and receptions on that day.
Promotion of your credentials on our website, in our conference app, and in all electronic and print marketing materials.
Recognition of your expertise by NAADAC and by other industry professionals
Networking opportunities.
Selection Criteria

Applications will be selected according to the following criteria:
All sections of the application are complete.
Presentation description is clearly written.
Learning objectives are clearly stated.
Session structure and organization are clearly defined.
Presentation is supported by evidence-based data from research or demonstrated results.
Presenters have sufficient experience and knowledge of the subject matter.
Presentation is not used to market products or services, and is free from commercial bias.

Scoring Criteria

The Conference Committee will rank each presentation out of ten points: three points for topic relevance; three points for a compelling description and use of evidence-based practices; three points for unique approach to/or delivery; and one point for being a current NAADAC member.Notification of Selection

Chosen presenters will be notified of their selection by email by March 16, 2015.Additional Questions?

Please email Jessica Gleason with any other presentation-related questions. For general conference-related questions, please contact NAADAC at naadac@naadac.org or 800.548.0497.









NAADAC, 
The Association for Addiction Professionals
1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 201, 
Alexandria, VA 22314