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Impaired Professionals Program FAQ -About Our Recovery Program for Healthcare Professionals
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 What age patients would be assigned to the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: Generally men and women (26 years & older) struggling with alcohol or chemical addiction/abuse and/or a dual diagnosis. Generally these professionals face specific issues and challenges due to their field of endeavor, expectations from superiors and the public. Professionals who are admitted to the Impaired Professionals Program come from a variety of fields including but not limited to: medical doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, attorneys and pilots. Enrollment in the Impaired Professionals Program is determined by age, professional status and by the individual treatment requirements of each patient.
- What will be the Average Length of Stay (LOS) in the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: 14 weeks is the average LOS but each patient's actual length of stay will be determined by that patient's treatment requirements and progress through treatment. Inpatient detox and assessment and/or stabilization are not included in that 14 weeks.
- What is the cost for the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: The cost of treatment will vary with each patient's length of stay (LOS) and individual treatment requirements. Please call the Talbott Recovery Intake Department (800.445.4232) and speak with one of specialists who will help you to determine the costs for your patient.
- Do you accept insurance for the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: Please call the Talbott Recovery Intake Department (800.445.4232) and speak with one of specialists who will assist you to get the best utilization of any available insurance benefits.
- What are the levels of treatment offered in this recovery program?
A: Levels of treatment for our Impaired Professionals Program include: Detoxification & Stabilization, Partial Hospitalization (PHP - Primary Treatment with residential component), Mirror Image, Intensive Outpatient (IOP with residential component), Outpatient and structured living (non-Talbott Recovery / outside facility) as indicated
- Do you offer assessments?
A: Yes. Following admission into the Impaired Professionals Program, each patient will undergo a thorough evaluation and will be given a treatment plan. The evaluation will assess the patient's physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and family needs to determine the most appropriate level of care. Some Professionals Help Programs or state licensing authorities may require a 96 Hour Assessment before admission. 96 Hour Assessments are available to these prospective patients. When clinically indicated, a 96 Hour assessment may be recommended to help facilitate decision making by other prospective patients, family members and referents.
- What types of professionals are appropriate for treatment at Talbott Recovery?
A: Talbott Recovery' Impaired Professionals Program accepts patients with a multiple disease states, such as addiction with a concomitant depression, unresolved grief, personality problems, etc. All of our patients have a chemical abuse problem, but we address the whole patient in their disease. We screen the health status of all potential patients to make sure we are the proper facility for care. This usually involves a review of any medical history and records by a member of the medical staff at Talbott Recovery, and an intake screening assessment with our Intake Department.
- What types of Professionals are not appropriate for Talbott Recovery?
A: Patients with a primary psychiatric diagnosis, who are suicidal, with medical conditions that require inpatient care or patients with behavioral problems such as violence or flight risk.
- What makes Talbott Recovery' Impaired Professionals Program different from receovery programs at other treatment centers?
A:
- Separate program designed to specifically meet the treatment requirements and discharge issues and challenges of professionals
- Treatment designed to address the challenges professional face in their field
- Low patient to staff ratio
- Six full time physicians (all addiction medicine specialists including 3 psychiatrists)
- Family Program & Workshop
- Extended Therapeutic Leaves
- Post discharge monitoring and support groups
- Return Visit Program
- Why would I be successful in your Impaired Professionals Program when I haven't been successful at getting clean and sober at other programs?
A:
- Paul H. Earley, M.D., FASAM - Talbott Recovery Medical Director
"Short term treatment of addiction is like throwing seeds into the ground and hoping they take root. Intermediate care, such as that provided by the Talbott Recovery treats the personality, because the personality is the soil in which recovery is planted. Our job is to tend that soil; to make a patient's personality fertile so that recovery will grow deep roots and recovery blossoms."
- G. Douglas Talbott, M.D. - Talbott Recovery Founder, Medical Director Emeritus
"Professionals should be treated with their peers. The shame and blame professionals experience goes well beyond what other alcoholics experience - we're supposed to know all the answers. To recover, we need to be in the presence of other professionals."
- See answer to Question #9
- Where do patients live?
A: Patients in the Impaired Professionals Program live in a structured living environment. Patients live four to an apartment (two bedroom / two bath) located approximately three miles from Talbott Recovery treatment facility.
- How will I get from the residences to campus every day?
A: Until patients have earned staff approval to have a car on campus and for patients who do not have cars, Talbott Recovery provides for patients' transportation needs.
- Who will be involved with my treatment in the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: Each patient is assigned an attending physician upon admission to Talbott Recovery. The physicians at Talbott Recovery are Psychiatrists, Internal Medicine specialists or Addictionologists. All are certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The other members of a patient's treatment team are:
- Case Manager
- Family Counselor
- Continuing Care Coordinator
- Spiritual Counselor
- Clinical Associate
- How often will I see a physician? Therapist (Case Manager)? Family Counselor?
A:
- Physician - 1 time / week (minimum)
- Case Manager - Daily
- Family Counselor - 1 time / week
- What does the day's activities look like?
- What education, groups and sessions are offered to help me understand the disease of addiction/dual-diagnosis?
A: Patients and their families participate in psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic groups designed to help them explore addiction and dual disorders as well as the impact this disease can have on the family.
Treatment Modalities include:
- Group therapy
- Medication management (of mood disorders)
- Individual therapy
- Procedural learning on how to use the 12-Steps
- Psychoeducation group
- Impaired professionals issues group
- Profession-specific groups for medical doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, attorneys and pilots
- Life skills
- Spirituality group
- Family therapy
- Family Program
- 12-Step recovery meetings on campus
- Relapse prevention
- Gender issues group
- Sexual Issues (Male / Female)
- Grief Group
- EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) for trauma issues
- Meditation and mindfulness training
- What will I do in the evenings?
A: Evenings are times when patients:
- Attend 12 Step Meetings (on and off campus)
- Participate in Community Meetings (at the residences)
- Attend alumni groups (on campus)
- Work on program assignments
- Continue to work on socialization skills
- Read, relax, watch television or listen to music
- What will my weekends look like?
A: On weekends, patients will attend a group at Talbott Recovery. They will also be required to attend a 12 step meeting. Talbott Recovery staff will provide recreational activities and patients will have time to take care of personal needs: grocery, pharmacy, free time, treatment assignments, etc.
- Who will be providing my meals during the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: Talbott Recovery founder, Dr. Douglas Talbott's treatment philosophy was that patients must learn to be responsible for their own lives and for their sobriety. As soon as patients are stable, they are moved to the patient residences where they cook their own meals (along with their roommates) in each apartment. All apartments are equipped with required cooking equipment, dishwashers and washer / dryers.
- Will I be interacting with the opposite sex during the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: Yes, with staff supervision only
- May I bring a car?
A: Once patients have completed detox, stabilization and have earned staff approval, they are encouraged to have a car on campus if possible. Patients are only allowed to utilize their automobile in the company of two other staff qualified patients.
- May I bring a Cellphone to treatment in the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: No. Patients in the Impaired Professionals Program are not allowed to have a Cellphone during treatment.
- Will I be able to communicate with my friends and family? How often?
A: Patients can write letters or email friends based on the recommendations of their treatment team. One goal of treatment is to keep the patient focused on their treatment and new recovery. Too much outside contact can defocus the patient.
- How will my family be involved with my treatment in the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: Family is a very important part of the patient's recovery. During treatment, each patient / family will be assigned a family counselor who will do a detailed assessment with the patient and also with the family members to determine each family's unique needs. Then, throughout treatment, the family counselor will have weekly family counseling sessions, which can be done on the phone or in person, if the family lives locally. We also have a family support group each Tuesday evening from 6:15-7:30 for any family members who would like to attend. The patient's physician will be in contact with the family as needed to discuss course of treatment, progress and aftercare recommendations.
Sample Family Program Schedule
| Time |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. |
Registration /
Welcome-Orientation |
8:45 a.m.
Lecture |
8:45 a.m.
Lecture |
8:45 a.m.
Lecture |
| 9:45 a.m |
Lecture |
|
|
|
| 10.00 a.m. |
|
Lecture |
Lecture |
Lecture |
| 11:30 a.m |
Group |
Group |
Group |
Group |
| 12:30 p.m |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m |
Lecture |
Lecture |
Lecture |
Lecture |
| 3:00 p.m |
Group |
Group |
Group |
Group |
| 4:00 p.m |
|
4:30-5:30 p.m. /
Reception |
Free time with patient to include 12-Step meeting |
4:00 p.m. /
Community /
Meeting/AA |
| 5:00 p.m |
Al-Anon
Meeting |
6:15 p.m.
Group
(Spouses/SO) |
|
|
| |
6:00 p.m. /
Free time with patient |
7:45 p.m. /
Free time with patient |
|
6:30 p.m.
Free time with patient |
| 10:30 p.m. |
Curfew |
Curfew |
Curfew |
Curfew |
- If I am on medications, how will the medications be dispensed?
A: Medications are distributed at Talbott Recovery for the patient's first week of treatment. After the first week, the patient is responsible for picking up and paying for medications at the Publix pharmacy near the patient residences. Patients are given medications in weekly or monthly doses as determined to be safe by the physician.
- What happens when I am discharged from treatment?
A: The Talbott staff will help each patient develop an appropriate aftercare plan. This may include outpatient therapy, family counseling and structured living (non-Talbott Recovery / outside facility). Random drug screens may be recommended. All elements are determined by the clinical team in the patient's best interest for recovery.
- What aftercare or continuing care services are provided?
A: Medications are distributed at Talbott Recovery for the patient's first week of treatment. After the first week, the patient is responsible for picking up and paying for medications themselves at the Publix pharmacy near the patient residences. Patients are given medications in weekly or monthly doses as determined to be safe by the physician.
- Will I have to live in a halfway or ¾ house once discharged from treatment in the Impaired Professionals Program?
A: The treatment team will work with the patients and their families to determine what will be the most effective plan for each patient.
- Will I be allowed to go on Extended Therapeutic Leaves (ETL's) as part of the recovery program?
A: Yes, to set up aftercare, if returning to a home not in the local Atlanta area.
- Will I be able to participate in Return Visits as well in this recovery program?
A: Yes
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