Recovery Program: The "Intake" Appointment part 1

You made the phone call and have your first appointment. It is commonly called the "Intake" appointment. This appointment is the most important! From my experiences, this appointment is where all info on you is gathered by MULTIPLE healthcare/addiction professionals. These professionals have heard every story so don't leave out any details and please BE HONEST & precise. After all, this is YOUR life! First piece of business is getting your address and a reachable phone number such as your cell number. If you give a second phone number, please specify if it is OK to leave a message. Don't worry, no one will call you mindlessly or call to check on you. It is needed in case your counselor has the flu and has to cancel counseling, in case of fire and the place of business is in a temporary location etc....in other words, for something very important. You will also be asked for at least one emergency contact name and phone number. This is in case you have a medical emergency or injury, so someone close to you can be told. Otherwise, an emergency contact is NEVER called. Confidentiality is taken seriously. The other piece of business is the payment. Programs can't run on love and good intentions. There should be an "intake" fee or it could be called an administrative fee for the admission process. You will also be asked for the first week's payment up front. Yes, that is a big blow to someone who spends all their money, and other people's money on drugs. But it is necessary for two reasons: 1) It is common for addicts to act on impulse by being admitted to a program then not showing up or paying. It is a lot of work to admit someone into a program. It is considered a waste of time and money when this happens. Someone else who is ready for recovery could have come to that appointment. and 2) If you pay a week in advance with your money or borrowed money, you will be sure to show up that first week to get your money's worth, right? Commitment it what it is. That commitment of one week in treatment opens the door to maybe another week, maybe even another month and bingo! You are on your way to a BETTER life and loving it!