Tag Archives: Clinical Director. Drug rehab florida

Drug and alcohol rehab center in Florida

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Our clinical director on Marchman act.

The Marchman Act: Court-Ordered Rehab?

Posted: 05/04/2012 12:48 pm

Addiction and Recovery , Addiction and Recovery , Addiction and Recovery , Addiction Therapy , Addiction and Recovery , Marchman Act , Marchman Act Addiction , Marchman Act Florida

If you ever wished for a legal way to somehow lock your loved one up in rehab, the state of Florida just may have the statute to make your wish come true! I recently suggested the concept of “Laying down the law with love,” rather than acting out of pure emotion when trying to deal with a loved one battling an addiction. One of the most powerful tools to actually help accomplish that goal just might be the Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act of 1993, or more commonly referred to as the Marchman Act.

The Marchman Act essentially provides for emergency assistance and temporary detention for individuals requiring substance abuse evaluation and treatment in the state of Florida. When properly applied to a well-balanced, long-term plan, the Marchman Act has the potential to help an individual reach a healthy bottom by putting into place a court-ordered framework to help support their recovery.

The Marchman Act is initiated by filing a petition for involuntary assessment in the county court where the impaired individual resides. The petition must be filed in good faith by a person recognized by the court to do so. The petitioner must have reason to believe, and/or direct knowledge that an individual has lost the power of self-control with regard to substance abuse and that there exists the likelihood that the individual has the potential to inflict harm upon themselves or others unless they get help. Furthermore, it must also be demonstrated that the impaired individual is without the capacity to make rational decisions with regard to appreciating the need for treatment.

Once all relevant testimony has been heard by the court, it may enter an order for involuntary assessment to assess and stabilize the impaired individual for a period not to exceed five days. The findings of that assessment are then reviewed with the court which may then enter an order for involuntary treatment for a period not to exceed 60 days. Keeping those proceedings in mind, in the hands of a well-trained professional interventionist, working with the support of likeminded professionals within the legal community, the Marchman Act can be introduced by the friends and family of the impaired individual as a healthy boundary to actually help them break through their own level of resistance.

But before you go ahead and book your brother’s flight to Miami with the intention of luring him into some kind of therapeutic beachfront intervention trap, you should definitely consult with a trained professional to explore. The Marchman Act and how it can work in your particular situation. As with any court-related matter, it often boils down to what you can prove, rather than what you know. Even though you may have seen your brother get as high as a kite in college, or fall flat on his face at the family reunion, when he gets to court, he may appear as cool as a cucumber and as clean cut as Clooney.

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Fighting addiction with tough love by our clinical director.

Posted: 04/27/2012 12:10 pm

Addiciton Therapy , Addiction and Recovery , Addiction and Recovery , Addiction Intervention , Addiction and Recovery , Addiction and Recovery , Intervention , Impact News,drug rehab florida
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Before you throw them out of the house, try laying down the law with love. It looks like it is 5 o’clock in the morning, I am almost certain that it is Friday, and I am already sitting in Terminal Three with a much needed cup of coffee, waiting to catch an early flight out to New York. I have to admit, I am still pretty tired after spending a good part of the night speaking with my client, trying to help alleviate her anxiety and to help her get rid of some of her doubt heavily infused with guilt and shame.

The majority of last night’s conversation centered around the death of her husband two years prior, and the impact of his loss on the entire family. She confided in me that her eldest son, the person that I am on my way to help, took it the hardest. Up until the time of her husband’s death, he was reportedly more of a weekend or recreational user. It now appears that for the past two years, he has been unsuccessfully working to numb out the pain of his loss by using both opiate-based painkillers and heroin on a daily basis.

My client ultimately reached out to me with guarded apprehension after one of her friends recommended that she seek out the help of a professional interventionist. Right from the beginning, she told me that she had just about given up hope on her son, and that I represented more of a last-ditch effort before she had to kick him out of the house and begin “planning for a funeral.” The first thing I told her after hearing that, was that she would probably not have to plan for that funeral as long as she was prepared to lay down the law with love.

As I stated in my previous blog, the success of the intervention process lies almost exclusively within the collective loving power of the family to hold and uphold healthy boundaries. So therefore, in order for me to do my job effectively and help an individual get up onto the proverbial road to recovery, I have to understand exactly what those boundaries are. When it comes to establishing the healthy boundaries to be applied to anyone who may demonstrate the need for help during the entirety of the intervention process, I usually start off by trying to figure out who are the most important people in that person’s life and what are the things that matter most to them. With that information, I am then able to construct a carefully-coordinated plan to effectively bypass most of the denial by dismantling the bulk of the resistance. By embracing this approach, the intervention becomes far more than just trying to get someone to agree to enter into treatment. Now, strategically fueled by love and understanding, the potential long-term benefits of the intervention process are held firmly in place with a more sturdy foundation.

It is almost like going into a battle. In order to win the war, or in this case, to help save the life of someone who may have lost the capacity and/or the courage to face another day, I have to understand the terms of engagement. However, unlike modern warfare, when it comes to planning for an intervention, there is no Geneva Convention to hold anyone accountable for their actions. Therefore, I always have to be ready for the unexpected twist and turn, and of course, be able to control the collective fear of the unknown with calm and composure.

Well, it is time to board my plane. Hopefully, I will be able get some rest on the flight up to New York. My client warned me that her son can be fast on his feet when he is not busy nodding off. So I better get as much rest as possible before I hit the ground in the Big Apple. On a more personal note, my father passed away when I was 15. He was and will always be the most influential man in my life. There is no doubt in my mind that his death, and my own subsequent unsuccessful efforts to self-medicate my own pain, was the driving force behind my current career path. Beyond the dark shadows of addiction, I know the pain of losing a loved one. With that in mind, it is almost time to get this young man on his way to treatment, so that he can begin to mourn his own loss, while he learns to recover with dignity and without drugs. I just have to make sure that his mother is actually prepared to lay down the law with love. I will keep you posted.

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My first intervention

It all started with my old friend asking me to check up on her son a few months ago.  I came with urine tests, but looking at his veins, I knew they were not necessary.  Her 22 year old child was in total denial and actually demanded the test which proved Oxycontin presence.  Mom was shocked and asked for help. The problems started way back but with each turn they grew more and more vivid.

I remember myself over six years ago, all the people around me were there the problem… not me.  I did not see the problem, I could not understand why they could not let me be and fix my life myself.

Last night friends, relatives and my clinical director a professional interventionist decided who will take turns in telling the young man about how we care and are  concerned about his life.    We offered him a gift of a treatment for as long as it will take.   Nope, not at IntoAction yet because we are still pending license, but this could not wait so his mom made a great choice by selecting a 90 day program in Ocala.  This program is known for good support and a structure called ‘Refuge”.

So here we are this morning driving to the motel sitting down in front of the sick person.  All goes well; lot’s of hugging, kissing and wiping tears.  Then all of a sudden when it came time to gather his belongings (after he already agreed and said yes a number of times) he says “let me share for a minute”.  Off course my director says yes and he starts rambling on and on about his life and choices and only he knows how to cure himself from his long time depression.   Our “hero” gets up and puts his backpack on his shoulders and slowly walks away as if nothing happened.   My director Evan, myself and a few other men follow him a few blocks to the beach listening to the outrage at his mom and the whole world “babysitting’ him.  After five or six more blocks, his mom calls the cops and they come and take him aside.  The car is here waiting to take him to Ocala and voila he is ready and willing!

I have come to notice more and more, like sales you have to break a wall.  It’s the same kind of resistance you get with the addicts/alcoholics when trying to convince them to do something for themselves.  The more resistance you get the more drastic changes are to occur and the more significant the agility and willingness to go with the work later emerges up.  Time after time I see that what we are doing is not in vain and I am SO grateful that Into Action and its personnel.   We will be able to help so many people recover from the disease and I look forward to our doors officially opening!

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We have a new clinical director!

Things are moving and definitely in the right direction as the book says there’s something intuitive that moves us after a while and becomes automated.   Feels that way: from the whole team to the sponsorship choices and loud polemics, to the help line phone room possible addition to the plans of the detoxification center.  The letter from the CEO will be live tomorrow, live chat is done, we have over 1150 Facebook likes and got ways to go:)

Wonderful Thanksgiving awaits….
A few notes from last weekends Shoens lecture on the definition of the Archetypal Evil  It is nonredeemable and can not be transformed, not organic, can not answer to psychic life, just destruction Tanatos moved, unregulated by itself, does not stop until destroys all, irresistible, abuses freedom, free will run riot, chronic betrayal of ones cherished values, in order to stop needs something extraordinary, masquerading on freeing one, inducing alter state, grips in the state of possession, state of the whitchman, can not be reasonable, unrecognized spiritual need, narcissistic injury…those are just a few subjective notes taken.

into action treatment move forward

Moving Forward

Ben Brafman the owner of the Destination Hope school for the CAP sent out to all the students a question to outline the difference between sobriety and recovery, the next day me and my clinical director had an interesting conversation on the same topic…and I would like to put my opinion out:

As I wrote to Ben it is pretty darn simple for me: sobriety is just abstinence it is a temporary change when you are still holding on to old thoughts, patterns and habits just not using or drinking. Recovery is a permanent change in thinking, mindset and outlook on life where is its no longer about craving or obsession it is more about living in 10,11 and 12 on the daily basis.

I would like to finish with this beautiful words sent by www.angelaperegoff.com:

“If you take anything away from today’s blessing, let it be that evolution equals growth, development and transcendence. Its trajectory — its direction — is always toward higher and higher levels. Apply this undeniable principle to everything in your life, especially your consciousness.Seek the information you need to evolve, to expand your awareness and to grow and develop your consciousness. The self-development experienced through searching for this knowledge allows you to make sense of the universe and your own life and gives you the expansion of meaning and purpose that you’re looking for. It doesn’t get any better than that! It’s never too late. You can tweak your approach to living. A shift in consciousness is all it takes.”

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Videomania or Marketing One on One

 

Met with my sisters husband earlier today and asked him to film me in both Russian and English about Into Action intro for the site and social media… Went out it started drizzling, went to Acqualina on the ocean found great spot. Recorded six minutes of me bubbling in English – that was lots of cheddar… Russian came out pretty well for the exception in the end I started laughing like I was stoned out of my mind. Thing is I have been clean and sober for almost six years, but my crazy laugh still there and is a real reminder about my past. So we had to repeat and then the camera’s battery died, so tomorrow we have a  chance to meet up again. This time I am ready since I have put all on paper to make it clearer and concise.

This week me and Rhonda(our clinical director) have hit Karen Reiners lunch meeting for the treatment services providers in the area, where to my shame I have had a monetary lapse of thinking and when it came my turn in the speed intro just mumbled that I am the co-founder of the new center to be opened in November… Well, guess, if we go to Mr. Fraud-will see shame for parents,or maybe some underlying fear that we are not completely realdy yet?

Interesting, is there ever that complete, cause, it only seems that ones you finish one thing another shows up we must do CPR and HIV education as well as aggression reports and criminal backgrounds, can not wait to apply for the occupational license, must finish up the brochure and start on the Russian version, head is spinning, but my God, how excting this spin is?!:)

P.S. Or maybe I am just talking too much and all it was just a fear of public speaking. With that, good night or day, whereever you might be.

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Sunday mumble

 

“The only limitations we got are those created in our own mind” I see that for the past almost years more and more. If someone would have told me I will get as good as I am today in regards to obsessions and desires for drugs and alcohol? I would have not even smiled. Cause it would have not been fun to be lying to my straight face-I have always thought I’m a the greatest face reader and human psychology fan. And then something happened was it a gift a desperation? Or maybe just a glimpse of hope? Or maybe just that word “avos” the Russian word that stands for “what the heck, maybe?” Am not sure to this day, but once got introduced to the clear cut directions I ave jumped right in and do look back today with astonishment. Yee, all about me here, but why is that I write to reflect that there are millions of people exactly the same way hopeless. Ok hopeless is not correct just those that don’t see the way out and even more so predetermined that can not even accomplish a thought that theres might be another way.

Like that person that only sees the answer in suicide and none else… Well, we are alive and do know theres that else. However our why is what determined what we are going to do with that “else”.

I have met a woman that still keeps me in awe state Dr. Silverlain is someone I have dreamt to have on my team, I can only call this a law of attrraction in action. My new clinical director introduced us and once I have emaled her she sent me an email right back (prompt to the T) and then we met. Business meeting was today Sunday and both, of us me and my partner have gotten a great confidence in professional approach of our new licensing advisor and coordinator. On top of that we have had four interviews back to back for the new team which went off very smooth.

World Update

World update

Recent questionnaire in Russia pointed out that overwhelming 60% of respondents claimed #1 problem in country drug addiction and alcoholism. Not a corruption, not a desperation between rich and poor, not the medical and educational needs, sees that when majority voices this – it really is a disaster.

And this is an excerpt from the article my clinical director just sent me:

By Bob LaMendola, Sun Sentinel4:59 PM EDT, September 4, 2011
 
‘Florida pain clinics are banned from selling narcotic pills, but some operators are trying to preserve their main source of cash by opening pharmacies.

Pain clinic owners have flooded the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency with requests to start small drugstores. In the first six months of the year, Floridians filed more than 215 applications for federal controlled-substance registrations, half of the nation’s total.

DEA and state health officials said they are trying to weed out proposed pharmacies tied to pill mills, and they have blocked dozens of applications. Businesses must get a pharmacy license from the state before seeking federal approval.

The effort aims to dry up pill-selling profits that fueled more than 300 rogue pain clinics in South Florida in recent years, turning the area and later other parts of the state into the single biggest supplier of narcotic tablets in the Southeast.”

It would have been really funny if it was not that sad to know that two office spaces on the plaza where our center is at holds one of this pill mills that has steady lines of people going in and out the whole day. With very inviting signs on family therapy and anti-aging procedures on the windows… No wonder our goal  is to take over the plaza as soon as possible.

I am currently working on marketing material and building the team: business cards, videos, brochures, have just hired billing coordinator earlier today-Jeff-a different man to  say the least, just like pretty much everybody that is very unique in our entire team.

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We got clinical director and going round the clock :)

Rhonda is an exceptional individual that is on the same “notebook” with us for sure. Thirty years of experience to the table and non-acceptance of regular rehab approach to treatment of desease of alcoholism and addiction, our mutual agreement that drastic steps must be taken in order to create vital changes in ones life. Holistic viewing of the program. Our team is enhancing and it is a very healthy growth. I have a meeting tomorrow Sunday with our GC on the scope of work to be done in order for us to ontain occupational license this month and am buying a gong(!) to signify the start and the end of the group sessions tomorrow as well. Really am thinking about recording a video of myself of the site/youtube intro for the treatment..