Bayside Model
The Bayside Model was designed specifically for Bayside Marin by former Clinical Director, Roland Williams. Roland is an author, a therapist, a teacher and a trainer. He has been teaching addiction studies and developing and managing Substance Abuse Programs since 1987. The Bayside Model is the result of years of experience and a belief that effective treatment requires a truly individualized model, an interdisciplinary staff, a willingness to allow the client to find his/her way in Recovery and a strong continuing care component. The Bayside Model is divided into Six Phases of Care and clients move through the phases at their own pace. In addition to the Six Phases of Care, clients are given a journal at time of admission and encouraged to use it daily. This allows them to monitor their progress, express themselves and document this pivotal period of their lives.
At Bayside Marin the average total length of stay is 30 to 60 days. However, due to the comprehensive nature of our program we do require a minimum commitment of 30 days. This allows each of our residents to achieve the full benefit of the therapy, support, education, structure and discharge planning.
The Bayside Model recognizes the effectiveness of 12 Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, but we do not teach the 12 Steps as part of the treatment protocol. Residents are able to do that 12 Step work at meetings or with a sponsor, and we prefer not to charge for something that is so readily available for free. Even though we have several on-site 12 Step meetings per week, The Bayside Model recognizes that the 12 Step programs don't work for everyone. Some clients are interested in exploring alternatives to AA, so we make the literature available and take those clients to other meetings like LifeRing and SMART Recovery. Our intention is that clients develop a sober support system that represents a philosophy and structure that will work for them for the long term.
Phase Work
The Phase Work is one of the many components that set Bayside Marin apart from other programs. Instead of 12 Step paperwork, and in addition to an individualized treatment plan, clients are given a series of five written assignments that must be completed in order to successfully complete the program. This is a very important component of our treatment and one of the cornerstones of the Bayside Model. The Phase Work is designed specifically to improve the awareness, motivation, insight and preparedness of each client to maintain long term Recovery. Phases are written by the client, reviewed by staff and presented by the client to their peers for comments and questions. This is powerful clinical work and clients report an enormous amount of personal satisfaction from doing it. Below is a brief summary of each Phase:
Phase One: Incentive
Goal: To help the client identify personal rationale for getting and staying clean and sober.
Clients are lead through a series of exercises and treatment activities designed to determine their primary motivation and incentive to get clean and sober. We help clients to look at their substance use history, negative consequences, positive reinforcement, and other factors that influence their decisions to drink and abuse drugs. This phase is designed to make clients stop and think about the possibilities of their future, with and without substances. We consider collaborative information from family members, healthcare providers and other key individuals in the client's life. At the end of this Phase clients have a clear and specific concept of why they want to get clean and sober and what the consequences are if they continue to use.
Phase Two: Awareness
Goal: To increase insight and awareness about self and the nature of addiction.
This phase continues throughout the course of treatment. Clients are provided education regarding a variety of topics pertinent to Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery. Clients are educated on issues including Drugs of Abuse, Process Addiction, Dual Diagnosis, Relapse Prevention, Family Dynamics, Sober Socializing, Communication Skills, Mood Management, Anger Management, Cognitive Distortions, Developing and Utilizing a Sober Support System, Medications in Recovery, Pain Management, Codependency, Parenting, Workaholism, Identifying High Risk Situations, etc. Clients are taught clinical techniques that they can utilize themselves to intervene on behalf of their own Recovery. One of those techniques is to empower the clients to be part of their own solutions. This is done by helping the client to identify a topic that is pertinent to their own Recovery, research that topic and share their findings with the community. This is an amazing process and clients teach and learn lessons that help them and their peers for years to come.
Phase Three: Support
Goal: To develop and utilize a sober support system that has permission and encouragement to give the client feedback and direction.
The purpose of Phase Three is to develop the initial sober support network. By starting this process midway in the treatment episode we are able to identify strengths and weaknesses in this area. This Phase requires that clients identify specific individuals, organizations, therapists and support groups that will become their primary support system upon discharge. Clients are assisted in locating resources in their own communities that will provide support services. We take into consideration the client's lifestyle, vocation, living situation, family issues and any personal challenges. During this phase, we also help clients identify those people in their lives who are enabling them to continue their use of drugs and alcohol and how to change or end these relationships.
Phase Four: Vigilance
Goal: To determine specific triggers that can lead to relapse and develop a solid Relapse Prevention Plan.
This phase requires that clients identify specific people, places and things that pose a threat to their Recovery. Clients are led through a series of exercises designed to help them to understand the relapse process, identify personal relapse triggers and develop an action plan to avoid relapse. When clients transition from this Phase they have an increased awareness of what it takes to succeed in Recovery and what exactly can threaten their Recovery. Clients will develop a list of Relapse Triggers that are specific to their lifestyle, personality and history. They will then develop a Relapse Prevention Plan that addresses these triggers and gives the client a strategy to avoid relapse.
Phase Five: Preparation
Goal: To develop a concrete, specific and measurable Discharge Plan that really addresses the clients issues and provides the most opportunity for continued Recovery.
All clients will have a comprehensive Discharge Plan prior to completing the program. We assist the client in developing an initial three month plan that outlines weekly Recovery Activities complete with times, locations, names and phone numbers. Clients present their Discharge Plan to the staff, their Sober Support System and the other residents to get feedback and suggestions. Each Discharge Plan is scrutinized by the entire clinical team; key members of the Sober Support System and the client's peers, and must gain clinical approval prior to discharge from treatment. When clients leave Bayside Marin they have a concrete, specific and measurable Discharge Plan.
Phase Six: Accountability
Goal: To provide continued support, direction and accountability for three years post discharge from treatment.
At Bayside Marin we realize that the first three years are the most challenging in Recovery. We know that it is relatively easy to stay clean and sober while in treatment, however it can be very difficult following discharge. We continue to work with clients for at least three years after completing the program. We do not refer to our post treatment Phase as aftercare instead we call it "Continuing Care". We will contact each client for follow-up and support on a monthly basis. Also each client is encouraged to return every three months for the first year following discharge to present their Discharge Plan to the staff and the current residents. They will be able to share what part of their plan has been successful and what part needs modification. We call this a "Tune-Up" when clients get feedback from the staff and residents to develop a new three month Recovery Plan. Clients will return and repeat this process every three months in year one, every six months in year two and once in year three In addition to the phone support and tune-up revisits, we offer a weekly facilitated Alumni Support group. We will attempt to locate a similar group for those out of the area clients. Bayside Marin will always provide phone and email support to clients who have successfully completed the program.
