1 | Tom Fitzgerald

December 1st, 2009 at 5:47 pm

I challenge your assertion that large numbers of people attempting to get clean and sober in one geographic area equals disaster.

As a professional located in Delray Beach your post brings up some valid points and thus reasons we founded Life Skills Case Management, the first and only DCF Licensed case management and transition specialists in Florida.

We deal with the transition of clients from the protected structured environment of treatment to the real life environment. Your point about what happens to someone who relapses is huge. But it starts way before that regardless of their destination.

People who successfully complete a treatment program are given a discharge or continuing care plan that outlines key points to follow for success. However once they leave who is there to help with fulfillment and accountability of that plan. Certainly not the halfway houses they are sent to. We extensively investigate transitional housing based on criteria obtained through experience and have developed a tier rating system for transitional housing that goes beyond the brochures, websites and claims. We compare the individuals needs to the appropriateness of the housing. How about med compliance, continuing with counseling, job searches, drivers licenses, managing money etc? All factors that contribute to progress and success.

It is widely agreed that the longer one can be engaged it the treatment continuum, the better the chances for successful outcomes are. For a long time there has been a missing link. That is where our type of services come in.

Your point that if someone in Delray relapses it would be “…worse then if they happen in other areas of the country” is absurd. Your statement “An addict will have no problem finding another addict who likes to “party” the way they do in the Delray Beach area.” is just as naive! An addict in NJ will find his drugs and people to use with. An alcoholic in California can find a bar and people to drink with. In fact Delray can be more challenging a place to relapse and go unnoticed. There are people in recovery everywhere. Restaurants, stores, the beach. Does relapse happen here? Yes it does. But is the occurrence or severity worse here. Emphatically NO!

If relapse does occur who is there to intervene? That is not an exclusive question to Delray. However, in Delray we do! Some transitional housing allows them to stay, after a relapse, some want them out. What is the best next step for the person? As client advocates involved with the referring treatment center, the family, local counselors, we utilize a team approach to address the next step. We are here to assist the individual and the family (who most often are in another state) to take the next step. Most people deposited to transitional housing without our kind of support then have to rely on their own judgment. The very thing that got them in the jackpot to begin with, or contact family a long distance away. We are here.

Delray offers a huge opportunity for success. More 12 step meetings per ca pita in a small geographic footprint than anywhere I’m familiar with.

If one is considering a location for a family member or client to discharge to, Delray offers an abundance of recovery supports. One primary reason for recommending a person go somewhere other than back home after treatment is to detach them from their familiar surroundings (triggers) and let them develop a new foundation, in recovery.

Wouldn’t it however be a logical step to contact an independent local resource familiar with the landscapes attributes and pitfalls to enhance the newcomers chances for success?

Again, I challenge your assertion that large numbers of people attempting to get clean and sober in one geographic area equals disaster.

Tom Fitzgerald
Life Skills Case Management
Delray Beach, Fl

2 | John Warner

December 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Tom,
I love how you plugged your case management business. Very Classy move.
When I read the original blog by the writer it appeared as if he clearly said that if connected to the right group of people Delray Beach can be a fantastic place for recovery.

I think that it is important that we are honest with ourselves and the environment that surrounds us. Of course addicts and alcoholics can go and get what they want when they want it no matter where they are. However, I vaguely remember in the not to distant past a certain paper (new york times) writing a cover page article on Delray Beach and the number of overdoses and drug related deaths. They also talked about the possible dangers of people in early recovery being around each other.
So lets be honest with ourselves, was your response to the writer of the blog just a way to promote your Life Skills case management company?