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Latest Update: August 3rd, 2020
As we continue to deliver safe, individualized, non-12 step drug and alcohol treatment, we are thankful for the success we have achieved in keeping our guests and staff safe during this crisis, but our work doesn’t stop. I am pleased to announce that we now have testing available and are requiring that each person entering the facility undergo a COVID-19 test to ensure not only their safety but the safety of other guests and our staff. We will continue to constantly disinfect surfaces and require regular hand-washing in a never-ending effort to maintain and improve upon our successes. “As CEO of Gulf Breeze Recovery, my number one job and commitment is the safety and wellbeing of our guests, staff, and community; everything else is secondary. I urge each person reading this to please take precautions during these unusual times. Those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction can be especially vulnerable.”
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIH) warns that COVID-19 could, “hit some populations with substance use disorders particularly hard.” NIH goes on to say that, “the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or marijuana or who vape. People with opioid use disorder and methamphetamine use disorder may also be vulnerable due to those drugs’ effects on respiratory and pulmonary health.”
Drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t go away during a crisis – and neither will we. Over a month ago before the virus started to have an impact on the U.S., we made a choice to “get ahead” of the virus by training staff on what the coronavirus is and does, along with the steps necessary to keep our guests and staff safe. A few days later we started requiring everyone, including staff and vendors, who entered the building to immediately wash their hands. We then established a rigorous disinfecting schedule and started training the guests on proper hand-washing procedures.
I moved my office location to an area surrounded with sliding glass windows near the front door so I can personally see and make sure everyone entering the building is complying with our hand washing policy. We made the decision to accept a small number of people into our residential program and to use Telehealth services in our intensive outpatient and outpatient programs. A few days later we made more adjustments limiting the number of people allowed in the center to staff, two vendors and postal service. We then lowered the number even further to mostly one vendor and the postal service.
To keep the exposure to our residential guests and staff down, instead of going on outings in the community, we are taking full advantage of the amenities our treatment center’s location has to offer. Our guests are enjoying catching fish on the private fishing pier, relaxing by or swimming in the pool, playing volley ball or horseshoes in our white sand area, or just sitting in our outside “common” area facing the water. The most important thing is that they are learning to live a happy drug-free life in a safe environment.
Unfortunately, addiction doesn’t wait. Many who are struggling or has a loved one struggling with addiction may have to face some hard choices in the weeks to come. If you are one of those facing a difficult choice, feel free to call us. We are here to help anyway we can. We can work with you in providing options that may help with your decision, even if those options do not include attending our center. Please be safe and avoid any unnecessary risks.
Sincerely, Barnett
Added: April 9th, 2020
According to Riley, one of the upsides about being quarantined during treatment was being able to spend more time with everybody, especially when new people came in. You get to understand more about who they are, you’re able to figure out activities to do together, and it was really cool to be able to make stronger bonds.
With the virus, they have great precautions, they’re sanitizing everything, and constantly keeping an eye on us washing our hands, making sure we’re not touching our face, strict procedures for new guests coming in so we can protect ourselves, and protect them.
The health and safety of our guests, their families and our staff are everything to us, which is why we have all the up-to-date protocols to combat COVID-19 in place. We are committed to providing the highest level of care no matter the circumstances. We will always continue to provide our comprehensive treatment services responsibly and with sensitivity. Gulf Breeze Recovery has well-established practices, policies and procedures aimed at keeping our guests and community safe. Some examples of standard precautions include:
- Requiring EVERYONE who enters the center to immediately wash their hands
- Having mandatory infectious disease prevention training for all staff members
- Training in the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials
- Maintaining exceptionally high standards of cleanliness
- Requiring infection control education for our guests.
The good news is that our efforts are working and there have been no reports of COVID-19 at the center or with our staff. Gulf Breeze Recovery is well prepared to address any issues. We are constantly monitoring the directives and guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as local health officials.
Actions taken by Gulf Breeze Recovery:
Actions taken by Gulf Breeze Recovery:- Increased regular sanitation and disinfecting of entire area
- Prior to admission and then again during admission asking all potential new guests if they are experiencing any cough, fever, flu-like symptoms, if they have traveled or been around anyone who has recently traveled out of country and if they have been in contact with anyone who is confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19
- Increased measures to train staff and guests about ways to prevent the spread of germs
- Prevent visitors from entering the facility
- Only allowing vendors into the center and requiring that they wash their hands immediately
- Discouraging shaking hands and encouraging using the “elbow bump” instead
- Keeping abreast of any recommended changes by the CDC, WHO, Joint Commission and our licensing authority.
Our objective is to provide our guests a “sanctuary” so they can focus on learning to live happily without the need to use drugs and alcohol.
We will continue to update the community through our website, emails, and if you have any questions or need further information, please contact us directly, call: 833.551.2304