Recovery-Oriented System

At Phoenix Programs we believe that everything we do and say while interacting with clients and family members encourages personal recovery.  While during breaks in another treatment center clients might take “smoking-breaks”, our clients interact with case managers, faith representatives, peer specialists, and recreational coaches to spend those informal times in between treatment groups engaging in activities which promote recovery.

Outside of the facility, we work with other service providers to create a system of care that embraces and supports people in recovery.

Client-Centered

Our clients know this is not just a slogan, it is witnessed in every interaction.  Staff, many of whom are in recovery, walk alongside clients in their recovery journey instead of confronting and challenging. For individuals who have had negative interactions at other treatment centers or with authority figures, those negative experiences may be frozen in their mind. Our staff will never demean or criticize an individual. We operate from the philosophy that it is more successful to build a positive action than to stop or delete a negative action.

“I was treated with respect and kindness” – Past Client

Strengths-Based

Traditional substance use disorders treatment is based on client problems. Initial interactions, assessments, and treatment plans originate from a problems list.  In contrast, our counselors begin their work with clients using a strengths list. Treatment goals are established through helping an individual build on current skills to realize the highest quality of life thought possible.

Recovery is a Series of Successes

For years addiction treatment has taught clients that failure is an inevitable part of the recovery process. How frustrating to go to treatment somewhere to be told that “relapse” is part of the illness and to expect a number of relapses along the way.  While it is true that substance use disorders are chronic conditions that either improve overtime or deteriorate overtime, most clients find that life in recovery is smoothly achieved.  At Phoenix Programs we work with clients to gain life skills, coping techniques, and knowledge, to allow for the greatest possible outcome while living with a chronic illness.  The focus in treatment becomes more about what each individual may learn and practice that creates the least amount of symptoms, while at the same time growing the length of time in between episodes of difficulty.

Real-Life

Some treatment centers advertise their location as an oasis from which to escape life or as a retreat from the world.  Individuals involved with care at  Phoenix Programs are encouraged to engage with life and test their recovery in experiences which create maximum involvement with others and the community.  From that perspective, families members are involved, cultural and recreational activities are encouraged, and opportunities to volunteer as a way of giving back to the community exist.  There are multiple ways to get involved within the larger recovery community. 

Stigma-Reduction

As clients and family members, staff, and alumni interact with the greater community, each one recognizes an opportunity to educate others about the value of substance use disorders treatment.  While always an individual decision, there are varying ways that individuals can share their recovery story to help educate others and continue their own healing process.  This can begin simply as alumni who are given an opportunity to mentor new clients or speak to an educational group.  It can grow into the experience of testifying before state legislators to encourage financial support for centers that rely on public assistance.  In the past, Phoenix clients have attended recovery rallies together, volunteered at local churches, youth camps, emergency shelters, and community events.  Each experience helps secure a notch in the recovery ladder – because we know that within community lies the seed of recovery support that everyone must have.