Patient Information Packet

Structured, Residential Program
for Multi-Diagnosed Patients

Welcome to The Healing Place, LTD. managed by New Start Inc.  Participants in this program are expected to attend all scheduled activities.  These activities include, but are not limited to: didactic lectures, video viewing, group therapy, cognitive therapy, neuropsychological and psychiatric evaluations and services, individual counseling, support group meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) and Brain Injury Survivors (B.I. A. of MI).  Other services such as physical therapy and vocational rehabilitation are also provided and/or coordinated as needed.

In the spirit of providing quality care, we respect all civil rights.  Confidentiality is guaranteed by a written policy.  This means information may not be released to anyone, other than persons responsible for providing direct care, without a written release of information form signed by the patient or their guardian.

Patient Responsibilities
and Program Policies

The learning of self-discipline, self respect, co-operation and consideration for others is essential to each patient’s recovery program and personality development.  Thus, being an active and productive member of the residential multi-diagnosis program is an important part of the learning process.  The following responsibilities and policies are to assist each individual person achieve this goal.

1. Daily Schedule: Patients are expected to be up and dressed by 8:30 a.m. and to remain dressed all day.  To ensure that patients receive sufficient rest, patients are required to be in bed by 11:30 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday.  On Fridays and Saturdays and holidays patients are allowed to stay up until 1:00 a.m.  Throughout each day patients will participate in assigned therapies and other required activities.

2. Meals: Patients are responsible for preparing their own meals and cleaning the kitchen after themselves.  A grocery stipend will be provided for each patient to buy groceries when they are taken shopping once weekly.

3. Visiting: Visiting will be arranged on an individual basis by the therapist, program director or executive director.  Visiting will occur, usually on site, on weekends (special circumstances will be reviewed on an individual basis).

4. Television viewing: Television viewing will be permitted during times when there are no scheduled activities until 11:30 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday and 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.  Radios are permitted during free time, however, patients must use earphones and respect their peers.

5. Use of mood and mind altering substances: The Healing Place, LTD is a drug and alcohol free living environment therefore, any illicit use of mind/mood altering substances may result in immediate discharge.  Staff has the right to request a urine specimen or blood sample to detect these substances.  Refusal to take these tests may also result in discharge.  Rooms may be searched at the request of the program or executive director.  In extreme situations, body searches may be conducted by staff members with immediate notification of the program or executive director.

6. Dress code: Dress and appearance is most important in helping to develop self-respect. Patients are expected to be dressed appropriately when not in their room.  Staff will request that inappropriate dress be changed.  An acceptable level of personal hygiene is expected (shower or bathe daily).  Patients are expected to make their beds daily and change the linen at least once a week.  Laundry facilities are available. The use of these facilities should not interfere with scheduled activities.

8. Tobacco use: The Healing Place, LTD is a smoke free environment.  Smoking will be permitted outside only.  Use of tobacco however, is addressed as a therapeutic issue.  Clinical treatment of such is encouraged.

9. Relationships: Healthy friendship is a gift to be cherished.  Treatment center romances, exclusive relationships and emotional involvements are discouraged.  This situation not only interferes with the recovery process, but can also be harmful and damaging to other patients’ recovery process.  The Healing Place, LTD is a coed program and patients are expected to respect each other and develop appropriate interpersonal relationship skills.

10. Telephone use: Telephones are provided for patient use, however outgoing calls can only be made locally.  If it is necessary to make a long distance call, the patient may use the phone at the New Start Inc. office.  Mail will be distributed through the New Start Inc. office.

11. Daily chores: Daily cleanup and other specific chores will be assigned.  Taking responsibility for cleanliness and appearance of the apartment is a good recovery tool.

12. Support groups: Support group attendances of A.A., N.A. and BIA of MI meetings are an  intricate part of the recovery process.  Patients are required to attend at least five support group meetings per week unless excused by program or executive director.

13. Passes and other leaves: Passes or therapeutic leaves of absences will be considered after a patient has been in treatment at least 30 days, maintains attendance at all scheduled activities and is compliant with program policies and procedures.  Patients must complete a personal pass request form and obtain a signature from the program director.

14. Personal accessories: Personal accessories such as sunglasses, hats or hair-do scarves must be worn at appropriate times and places.

15. Medications: Non-prescription medications will not be permitted unless authorized by the patient’s physician.  All other medications must be taken as prescribed to insure their therapeutic effectiveness. Please notify the program director prior to medications being completely used so refills can be obtained.  Non-compliance with this policy could result in staff monitoring and dispensing of medications. 

16. Gambling, Stealing, or Other Illegal Behaviors: Any illegal behavior such as gambling, stealing of others property or food and any other illegal behavior could constitute grounds for dismissal.  Also, the willful destruction of the apartment and/or its contents would also be considered as illegal behavior.

18. Staff Entry/Presence in the Apartments: All staff will use the utmost courtesy when entering occupied apartments to assure privacy and dignity.  Calling and/or knocking on the door will be utilized prior to entry unless the apartment is vacant or during night hours. Staff is permitted to enter the apartments for the purpose of a search at will, to assure safety (weapons) and a drug/alcohol free environment.  Any other illegal activity would be disrupted as well. When a resident is suspected of drug/alcohol use and/or possession, staff will search the apartments in the presence of the resident when possible and appropriate, otherwise staff conducting the search will be accompanied by another staff person.  All personal property will be treated with respect.

19. Transportation: Patient’s will be transported to all functions by The Healing Place/New Start Inc. staff. Use of personal automobiles is prohibited.  Accepting transportation from others outside of the program is only permitted with staff approval.

20. Pets: Possession of any pets in The Healing Place, Ltd. Apartments/program is strictly prohibited. This policy is enforced to respect the rights of all patients and avoid any potential medical problems.

I acknowledge receipt of the policies and procedures pertaining to my residential placement. Furthermore, I acknowledge that I fully understand all of the policies and procedures and agree to comply with them.

Name of Patient ___________________________________________

Name of Guardian ___________________________________________

Staff ___________________________________________

Date 10/05/00