Every day we learn how
different Novus is from other detox
facilities. We learn this not from a book or
visiting other facilities but from our
patients. Many of our patients have gone to
other detox facilities before coming to Novus and
they are the ones that sing our praises the
most. They have something to compare Novus
to in the real world. (To date, the highest
number of detox facilities to which a patient has
gone before Novus is eight.)
Expecting to find a
detox facility like the other ones they've
visited, these "veteran" patients tell us how
different our environment is and how they feel
safe and immediately at ease when they come
through the door. They tell us how great the food
is and sing the praises of all the staff-medical,
counselors, kitchen and housekeeping.
Frequently, we are asked, "How
did you find these people for your staff?
They are all great and they really care." We
are all amazed that other staff at other detox
facilities don't treat their patients courteously
and with respect because that just makes sense to
us, but our patients just shake their heads and
say that is not the way it is. One of the
more common statements from a "veteran" is that
they never expected to be treated as adults and
not be made to go to bed and get up at set
times.
They are very
impressed with the vitamin IV's that they receive
and often demand not the three required by our
Medical Director but one every day that they are
here. They are often amazed at how much
better they feel after getting assists. We
are asked, "Why isn't it required that all detox
facilities do this instead of just giving you
another drug?" We tell them that we believe
that it soon will be.
Some of our patients
watch DVD's and others work on their
computers. Some like to take walks on our
grounds or work out in the gym. Basically,
Novus tries to provide an environment for people
to safely and comfortably start on the path to a
drug-free life.
The inspectors from
the Department of Children and Families recognized
that our approach was producing some very
remarkable results and have recently issued Novus
a permanent license. We shared this
information with you in a recent newsletter.
Well, we have some
additional news. The Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration "SAMHSA" is
a federal government agency that is part of the
United States Department of Health and Human
Services. This is the agency that oversees
substance abuse treatment in the United
States. On July 31, 2007, Novus received a
letter from Dr. Anna March who is with the
Department of Health & Human Services.
The letter stated:
"I am writing to let you
know your facility has been approved for inclusion
in the Federal Government's Substance Abuse
Treatment Facility Locator. The Locator is an
online directory of drug and alcohol abuse
treatment facilities and can be found
at:
It is maintained by
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) as a public service."
While our facility will not
be listed until the next update of their website,
it is significant that people seeking drug detox
will be able to locate Novus and our unique
treatment approach through the federal government
substance abuse website.
We are very proud of
what we have accomplished and are eager to
continue to raise the standard for all detox and
treatment facilities while we help more and more
people to a drug-free life. At Novus there
are no addicts but just people who may have made
some bad choices.
We believe it is time that a
person's decision to change a pattern of behavior
that was leading to destruction be properly
acknowledged and validated. It is time for
substance abuse detox and treatment facilities to
really address the real needs of the person and
validate the person's basic goodness and
rightness.
We think that the sign
each of our staff and patients see on our wall
every day represents the true purpose of
treatment, "How many have we helped today?"
