Friday, January 18, 2008
Spy Games - Intelligence
The network of communications at STC is the key to its effective functioning. To ensure that information between staff members runs smoothly, there are countless intelligence reports, memos and briefings. Meetings are held continuously throughout the week to discuss each client's progress and treatment plan. Each Case Manager, along with other staff members who are a part of the team, has earned a California Addiction Treatment Certificate from an accredited college. This means that in addition to having knowledge the recovery process, each one also has two years of specialized training and education in drug and alcohol addictions. This advanced education, coupled with the Case Manager's own experience in recovery, is what enables STC to succeed in treating the alcoholic and addict where others have failed, even though they hold multiple advanced medical degrees and graduate degrees in psychiatry and psychology.
It is important to note again that 90% of the staff are former clients at STC. They know the routine, and they know most of the people in the local recovery community. So when clients attend meetings at the Club, they are surrounded by people who were or are clients or staff members at STC.
Clients are still required to get the usual AA sponsor, or mentor, outside of STC. The recovery community in Newport is the largest in the country according to Alcoholics Anonymous' Central Office in New York. Orange County, specifically Costa Mesa, has more recovery houses than any other place in the world. Because of the enormity of the community anonymity is almost nonexistent, which is another anomaly of STC. Everyone seems to know everyone else, if not by first name, than by face. If someone were to attend one of the thousands of recovery meetings that happen every day in Orange County, even for the first time, he/she would find it impossible to go unnoticed. There are "regulars" at every outside recovery meeting in the area. STC sends its clients to an outside AA meeting I will refer to as the Club.
It is important to note again that 90% of the staff are former clients at STC. They know the routine, and they know most of the people in the local recovery community. So when clients attend meetings at the Club, they are surrounded by people who were or are clients or staff members at STC.
Clients are still required to get the usual AA sponsor, or mentor, outside of STC. The recovery community in Newport is the largest in the country according to Alcoholics Anonymous' Central Office in New York. Orange County, specifically Costa Mesa, has more recovery houses than any other place in the world. Because of the enormity of the community anonymity is almost nonexistent, which is another anomaly of STC. Everyone seems to know everyone else, if not by first name, than by face. If someone were to attend one of the thousands of recovery meetings that happen every day in Orange County, even for the first time, he/she would find it impossible to go unnoticed. There are "regulars" at every outside recovery meeting in the area. STC sends its clients to an outside AA meeting I will refer to as the Club.
Labels: Spy-Games
