You have just made a very important decision, one that will affect the rest of your life. In order that you come prepared and know what to expect, The Watershed has compiled the following information that will be helpful in planning for your treatment experience.
Patient Rights
The Watershed believes in respectful treatment of patients, family members, and staff while providing a safe and supportive environment. The Watershed provides a system to ensure that the patients' and family members' rights are preserved and protected. These rights are outlined in the patient handbook given to you upon admission.
Confidentiality
The Watershed's commitment to each patient's confidentiality is ensured by our legal responsibility as mandated by state and federal law. Each staff member is dedicated to upholding these standards in all communications and records.
What To Bring
Clothing (inappropriate clothing will be shipped home at your expense):
Dress for therapy should be casual and in good taste. Clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, or sports teams (or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff) is not allowed.
Appropriate attire: jeans, casual slacks, sportshirts, skirts and dresses that are knee-length or longer, jogging suits, and appropriate-length shorts such as Bermuda/walking shorts (covering 3/4 of the thigh).
Open shirts, swimwear, etc. are allowed only for recreational and fitness activities and are considered inappropriate for therapy, meals, or meetings. Please do not bring form-fitting clothing, including Lycra tights or biking or running shorts. No low-cut tops, blouses with spaghetti straps, or tank tops. Bare midriffs are unacceptable. Jeans and clothing must not have suggestive tears or cutouts.
Bathing suits for women should be appropriate. No high cut legs, thongs, or revealing tops.
Bathing suits for men must be the boxer-type.
Undergarments are required for all patients, (i.e., bras, underwear, and athletic supporters), as indicated.
Lightweight jackets and sweaters are recommended for eveningwear year-round. A heavier coat or jacket is recommended for winter months.
We recommend that you bring a limited amount of clothing (limit 2 suitcases and 1 carry-on). Laundry facilities, including supplies, are available for patient use. Irons and ironing boards are accessible, but we suggest that wash-and-wear clothing will be more convenient. Dry cleaning services are not available.
Flat-soled or tennis shoes are recommended. Shoes and/or slippers must be worn outside your room.
Insurance card and identification (Driver's License).
Living will or healthcare Power of Attorney.
If you smoke cigarettes, please bring your own (a carton, etc.).
Sunglasses and hat or visor. (Sunglasses are to be worn outside only.)
Reading material is limited to recovery-related topics. All books are subject for review by the patient's primary therapist.
Any electrical items, such as hair dryers, curling irons, or electric shavers will be checked for safety.
DETERMINATION OF INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE WILL BE AT STAFF'S DISCRETION.
What To Leave At Home:
Upon admission, our staff will examine you and check your belongings. A search of your belongings is done to protect our patients from drugs or contraban entering the facility. Please do not bring the following:
Exercise equipment, craft materials, musical instruments, or irons.
Reading material not related to recovery. Novels, magazines, or publications may not be brought in. Books relevant to treatment will be assessed upon arrival.
Shoe polish, soap, detergent, or bleach.
Glass items.
Straight razors, razorblades, pocketknives, knitting needles, crochet hooks, or metal hairpieces.
Aerosol products, including deodorant and hairspray.
Suntan oils or baby oils (substitute with lotions).
Food, chewing gum, breath mints, candy of any kind, sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
Illegal substances or mood-altering drugs.
Firearms and/or supplies.
Clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff. No bare midriffs, low-cut tops, form-fitting clothing (including Lycra tights or running or biking shorts). Jeans and clothing must not have suggestive tears or cutouts.
Prescription medications other than a 3-day supply will be returned upon discharge. However, all controlled substances will be destroyed unless the prescription is ordered by a The Watershed physician.
It is recommended that you lock up any valuables not in your immediate possession. A safe is provided for this purpose. The Watershed staff cannot be responsible for your valuables.
Medication
It is important that you advise your Intake representative of all medications you are currently taking. Include the name of the medication, the dosage and frequency administered, as well as the name of the physician who prescribed the medication. Please bring only a 3-day supply of the medication in the appropriately labeled prescription bottle. If you are taking medications for HIV, organ rejection, cancer, or other special medications, please bring them with you in the appropriately labelled prescriptions bottle. Remaining medications will be returned upon discharge. Controlled substances will be destroyed, except with a written order by a The Watershed physician. Each patient's attending physician will manage medication through The Watershed's pharmacy supply. Please do not bring over-the-counter medications (i.e., Advil, Tylenol, etc.), vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements.
Tobacco Use
The policy of The Watershed is to not deny a patient's entry into treatment because of the use of nicotine, but to address this as an addiction. During Intake, patients will be told of our goal to support them in becoming nicotine-free. However, for those who do smoke, there are certain limited designated areas, outside only, where smoking is permitted.
Visitors
Patients may have visitation on Sundays and designated holidays after they have met with their primary therapist and appropriate visitors have been authorized. Visitors are required to check in at the main reception desk upon arrival and must follow the guidelines for appropriate attire. Guests are asked to not bring any food, candy, soda, gifts, magazines, etc. to any patient, and all packages will be checked. In order to ensure confidentiality, cameras and picture-taking are not permitted on the grounds of The Watershed. Visiting hours on Sundays are from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Telephone/Mail
In order to ensure a therapeutic environment, patients are encouraged to make phone calls only after the first 3 days of treatment. Upon admission, patients are allowed to call (under nursing supervision) a significant other person to advise of their safe arrival.
Telephones are available during certain hours each day.
Mail should be sent to the following address: Patient's name
c/o The Watershed Addiction Treatment Programs
200 Congress Park Drive
Delray Beach, Florida 33445
No mail order packages will be delivered to patients while they are in treatment unless authorized by their primary therapist.
Travel Arrangements
For your convenience, The Watershed has established an independent on-site Travel Department to assist patients and family members in making their plans. The travel personnel of this department are sensitive to your needs and familiar with our procedures. They work directly with The Watershed's Intake representatives to coordinate arrival times and make any necessary travel arrangement changes.
If traveling by plane, bus, or train, The Watershed will meet you at the gate when you disembark. We will need a physical description, so we know for whom to look.
Family Program
The Family Program at The Watershed is designed to create a recovery foundation for you and your family or significant others. This program aims to expand self-awareness and knowledge of family dynamics as well as increase communication skills. This process introduces family members to a variety of self-care tools and provides resources for continuing care.
During the Intake process, you will complete an Invitation List for the Family Program so that your family/significant others can be contacted and given program information. A family therapist will call the family member(s) when the list has been finalized after your arrival. It is necessary that those planning to attend confirm their plans no later than the Monday prior to the beginning of the Family Program. Please bring addresses and phone numbers for all family members/significant others whom you may be inviting to the Family Program.
We hope the preceding information answers any questions you might have. If you have additional questions, please feel free to call the Intake Department at: 1-800-861-1768
We look forward to welcoming you into The Watershed's ever-growing family!
