Tag: Alpharetta

DUI SCHOOL MARIETTA, DECATUR, AND ATLANTA-GA

Testimonial: _”OMG! This was way more informative than I thought it would be and the 20 hours went by so fast.”_

Listen, like the testimony from a former client above stated, don’t let the name fool you. DUI School is also called the Risk Reduction Program (RRP) because it is an all-encompassing program that discusses the impact of alcohol use, drug use, and the consequences of making high-risk choices. The focus of the program is centered around “high-risk choices” and the facilitators are only here to inform, never to judge. At the end of the day, for many people, the class is part of a consequence and the behaviors/ arrests have already happened- there isn’t a discussion about right vs. wrong.

The way the program works is that you complete a computerized assessment, and it’s best for you to be honest. After the assessment, then you attend a three (3) day class that is a total of 20 hours. “The 20 hours went by so fast” is a fair testimony when all the students participate! During the class, our facilitator shares evidenced-based information that has been collected through research and there are videos from people who have lived through some dramatic and maybe traumatic experiences. Upon completion of the 20 hours you are given a certificate that can be used for probation, court, or license reinstatement depending on the nature of your requirements. But do not let “getting in trouble” be the reason why you take the class. If you are a parent of a new driver, enroll them in the class so they have a full understanding of the dangers and the privilege of driving.
If you have been driving for a while and just need a refresher, take the class.

I have seen people after the class and they have commented on how much easier life has been after making some subtle changes. Many of them continue to reference the workbook and one of the videos in particular.

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SAP EVALUATION FOR DOT AND CLEARINGHOUSE

The “SAP” in SAP Evaluation stands for “Substance Abuse Professional.” If you find yourself in need of one of these evaluations, it is more than likely you have been hoping to be cleared to return to duty or “RTD” for short. Situations that would warrant such an evaluation typically come in the form of a failed random drug screen during your employment. Failing a drug screen can feel very much like having the rug of your livelihood pulled right out from under you. Not every one that fails these tests is an alcoholic, drug addict, or a “bad” person. Often times a lapse of judgment or a momentary temptation can result in a dramatic uprooting of your ability to provide for yourself.

I will refrain from detailing the circumstances involved in a failed drug screen as it pertains to an actual alcoholic or drug addict and will give an example I have run in to lately where many workers under DOT(Department of Transportation) have failed tests and do not know why. Lately, in the United States, there has been a massive influx of both advertisement and positive marketing pointed to the CBD industry. CBD comes in many forms including oils, tinctures, pills, inhalants, and smokable versions to name a few. Many of these brands of CBD profess to contain 0% THC. For the worker who is suffering from a variety of physical ailments, this might seem like a godsend and a natural homeopathic way to ease some of their sufferings. What the companies do not inform you about is the fact that these 0% THC brands still contain a small percentage of THC which the FDA considers negligible in its ability to cause any psychoactive effects. Unfortunately, when a test of sufficient strength is administered invariably the worker will test positive for THC.

This is when an SAP Evaluation can be extremely useful. The SAP Evaluation will determine the course necessary to deem you fit Return To Duty (RTD). Recommendations will be based on the history involved, the situation which brought you to the SAP Evaluation, and a variety of other areas that will be monitored and reviewed by the Evaluator.

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FVIP Classes Atlanta, Decatur, and Marietta

Tensions have been rising over the last few months. Small arguments have turned into shouting matches. The fights calm at the end of the night and are stuffed away and replaced by physical touch as an attempt at forgiveness. The cycle continues day in and day out. The tension is reaching a boiling point. After a stressful day at work, or dealing with the kids, a glass of wine, or maybe a few beers, is all you are looking forward to in order to unwind. A few drinks in and another argument starts. This time it is different. A button gets pressed, a person brought up, a text message read, a phone number seen; the shouting is not enough. The only way you are going to be heard is if you make yourself heard. A glass tossed across the room, a slap across the face, a nail breaks the skin… blood is drawn, a bruise formed, a siren heard in the distance…

Maybe this story sounds familiar to you. It is a story I hear often when a person first starts an FVIP course. It is the story of unmitigated emotion and passion loosed in a fit of fury. This even momentary violence can land someone in a program for 6 full months of FVIP. FVIP is a class meant to bring an understanding to not only what happened on the fateful event, but what happened the days before, the months before, and the misunderstandings even years into the past. Your FVIP instructor is there to hopefully take the blinders off your eyes. FVIP is meant to show you a new path to understanding your emotional states and the consequences of being unaware. Trust me we understand. There can be guilt and shame and hurt involved in the process and there can also be resentment toward the person involved in the incident. Instead of looking at FVIP as a sentence try to see it as an opportunity to really look at your life with brand new eyes. FVIP can be the first step in a new life.

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ALCOHOL AND DRUG EVALUATION GEORGIA

Because of some unfortunate circumstances, do you have to complete an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation?

An Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Decatur is a brief compilation of assessments that allow you to get a better understanding of how alcohol substance use has may or may not have affected your life or contributed to you coming into contact with a representative of the Criminal Justice System (Police, Sheriff, District Attorney, etc.) or (Jails, Detention Centers, Prisons, Probation).

Oftentimes, clients look at the evaluation as a “punishment”, but wouldn’t you like an objective point-of-view of how things seem to be working? Our Alcohol and Drug evaluation Marietta are conducted by certified and licensed Addiction or Mental Health Counselors who have specialized training in human behavior.

This is how it works; you schedule an appointment and then you meet with an evaluator one-on-one and they will ask you questions related to your Physical/ Medical History, Alcohol and Drug History, your Social History, Legal History, and other background information to get a snapshot of who you are and where you are up to this point in your life.

Remember, this is a “snapshot” so it isn’t the full picture. We believe that you are much much more than your experiences and our goal is to tap into who you truly are.

Now, there are times when a recommendation for education or Counseling is issued when the evaluation is completed. Listen, wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry? Wouldn’t you want to know how to stay safe and reduce your high-risk choices?

We also want to give you an opportunity to tell your truth and take full control over the story that is YOUR LIFE. We welcome this opportunity to meet you and help you get to know yourself.

We have evaluators that help you recover starting with Alcohol and Drug Evaluation located in or near Atlanta, Decatur and Marietta, GA and their surrounding communities.

Intensive Outpatient Program Decatur-Georgia | AACS Atlanta

Atlanta Counseling Center also known as AACS is the premier agency for the Intensive Outpatient Program in Georgia. AACS is accredited by The Joint Commission and the Department of Community Health.

We offer counsel for co-occurring disorders such as mental health and substance use disorders. Our mission is to help each individual regain a healthy balance of life and return to normalcy. With over 30 years of experience in the field of recovery, our staff is uniquely diverse and highly trained in cutting-edge Counseling modalities to ensure multicultural sensitivity and understanding.

Programs and Services

 In addition to the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), we offer lower-level care of the Outpatient Program (OP) and an extended aftercare program. Our programming is designed with flexible sessions six days per week. our weekly curriculum offers psychoeducation and psychotherapy on CBT, DBT skills, relapse prevention, coping skills, codependency, trauma, healthy relationships, and spirituality.

Atlanta Counseling Centers offers comprehensive programming for individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Located in Marietta, near Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta Counseling Centers provides a full spectrum of care, offering lasting recovery. Our structured programs are centered on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Effective Learning, and Holistic Integration. We hold true to the definition of addiction provided by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and by integrating the spiritual, emotional, mental, biological and physiological wholeness of each individual; we can provide appropriate assessments and work collaboratively with all healthcare professionals to produce improved outcomes.

Length of Stay

  • 30 days – IOP
  • 90 days – Aftercare

Note: Upon continued assessment, participants will experience in Counseling intensity. Further assessment will determine if Counseling should be extended.

Our team of professionals comprises of the following:

  • Medical Director
  • Relapse Prevention Specialist
  • Peer Support
  • Licensed Professional Counselors
  • Masters-Level Clinicians
  • Anger Management Specialists
  • Certified Addiction Counselors.

Alcohol and Drug Clearinghouse Evaluation – SAP for DOT

The Department of Transportation has instituted a new procedure for drivers with violations. The clearinghouse SAP Evaluation is mandatory for individuals who test positive for alcohol or drugs while on the job. The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation.

The driver must register on the FMCSA Clearinghouse and contact an SAP professional to begin the process. The SAP professional provides an assessment and recommendation to facilitate the process to return to work as soon as possible.

Here is the new process for SAP

MRO verifies a positive drug test or refusal.  Or employer verifies a positive alcohol test or an employer-determined refusal

  • MRO (or employer) enters the violation on the driver’s record, using the CD# that is now required to be on the CCF
  • The driver receives a notification (e-mail or text, according to the driver’s preference) that information has been entered on his record
  • A driver goes to his record, views the violation, and enters the name of the SAP he wishes to use
  • The Clearinghouse now kicks out a notification e-mail to the SAP, indicating that the SAP has an “invitation” from the driver
  • The SAP goes to his/her record on the Alcohol and Drug Clearinghouse Evaluation and will see an invitation message on the SAP’s dashboard with the driver’s name
  • The SAP clicks on “Accept Request” or “Deny Request”
  • If the SAP clicks on “Accept Request”, the SAP will now be able to access the driver’s record
  • After the SAP completes the assessment and tells the driver what the SAP’s Counseling recommendation is, the SAP enters the date of the final assessment meeting
  • After determining that the driver has successfully complied, the SAP enters the date of the determination, which means an employer (either the previous employer or a new employer) can order a return-to-duty test
  • The SAP is now done.  Close the file!

Nothing will happen until the MRO enters a drug test result or refusal, or until the employer enters an alcohol test result or refusal.  Entering that information on a driver’s record is the necessary first step in order to start the whole process.

Important considerations:

  1. An MRO has 2 days in which to report a drug violation.
  2. An employer has 3 days in which to report an alcohol violation.

That means the driver may be in your office before the violation has been recorded on the Clearinghouse, and therefore the driver hasn’t been able to invite you to be his/her SAP.

When the driver enters your name, it must be exactly the name that you used when you registered on the Clearinghouse.  If you are Deborah Jones, and the driver enters Deb Jones, it won’t go through.  Be sure that the driver knows the exact name that is in your Clearinghouse record.

WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND THE DRIVER’S RECORD?

If the driver tells you he/she has registered, and if the date of the violation was January 6 or after, then the violation should be on the Clearinghouse.  If it was a drug test, and more than two days have passed since the MRO talked to the driver, you could call the MRO’s office and ask if they entered the violation.  If they tell you it’s been entered, the driver might not have looked at his e-mail to see the instruction about inviting an SAP.  If they tell you they haven’t entered the violation, you could ask when they will enter the violation information on the driver’s record.

Remember:  There is a 2-day window for MROs and a 3-day window for employers.  No wonder you can’t find it on his record.  In that case, you won’t be able to enter the assessment completion date until the violation has been entered.  Yes, this gets complicated.

NOT EVERY DRIVER MUST REGISTER ON THE CLEARINGHOUSE

FMCSA makes this statement frequently.  It’s deceiving and confusing.  But it’s not a loophole.  If a driver never ever applies for a job with a new employer, and that same driver never has a violation, there’s no reason for the driver to be on the Clearinghouse, because no future employer would be checking to see if he has a violation.  Also, when his current employer conducts an annual query on his record, it wouldn’t come up, because he doesn’t have a violation.

For an expedited appointment so we can get you back to work as soon as possible. Our direct contact is 800-683-7745.

FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM ATLANTA

Domestic violence has multiplied and more victims and perpetrators are being identified in America. On average, 3 women are murdered by their partner during a domestic violence dispute or thereafter in the U. S.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Family and domestic violence are abusive behaviors in which one individual gains power over another individual.

  • Intimate partner violence typically includes sexual or physical violence, psychological aggression, and stalking. This may include former or current intimate partners.
  • Child abuse involves the emotional, sexual, physical, or neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, custodian, or caregiver that results in potential harm, harm, or a threat of harm.
  • Elder abuse is a failure to act or an intentional act by a caregiver that causes or creates a risk of harm to an elder.

According to a 2019 study by the CDC, Domestic violence, spousal abuse, battering, or intimate partner violence is typically the victimization of an individual with whom the abuser has an intimate or romantic relationship. The CDC defines domestic violence as “physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression (including coercive acts) by a current or former intimate partner.

Domestic and family violence has no boundaries. This violence occurs in intimate relationships regardless of culture, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. All healthcare professionals must understand that domestic violence, whether in the form of emotional, psychological, sexual, or physical violence, is common in our society and should develop the ability to recognize it and make the appropriate referral.

REASON ABUSERS NEED TO CONTROL

  • Anger Management issues
  • Jealousy
  • Low self-esteem
  • Feeling inferior
  • Cultural beliefs they have the right to control their partner
  • Personality disorder or psychological disorder
  • Learned behavior from growing up in a family where domestic violence was accepted
  • Alcohol and drugs, as an impaired individual may be less likely to control violent impulses

We offer a State Certified 24-week family violence intervention program that addresses these abusive behaviors we seek to replace controlling behaviors such as intimidation, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, threats and coercion. Call us at 800-683-7745 for an expedited appointment.

DUI SCHOOL MARIETTA

DUI SCHOOL ASSESSMENT IN JUST FEW STEPS

Obtaining a DUI evaluation and enrolling in DUI School are the initial steps in complying with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and a possible court requirement.
The Evaluator gathers all information to make an objective recommendation. A detailed interview is completed gathering substance use history, criminal history, driving records, and any prior arrest history during the DUI evaluation, a urinalysis is also completed. After the assessment, an appropriate course of action is recommended.  Some individuals may not need any further action, but the 20-hour Risk Reduction course is an absolute requirement by the Department of Driver Services. Other individuals may need Counseling to address issues such as substance abuse, excessive alcohol use, or underlying addiction issues. The Counseling recommendation consists of either a short-term program (six to twelve weeks) or a long-term program (seventeen to fifty-two weeks) ASAM Level I program. Some individuals may be recommended as ASAM Level II and above, which is a higher level of care and requires a longer period of Counseling.   Recommendations could vary. An individual may be referred to attend NA/AA 12-steps groups.

THE DUI SCHOOL IS VERY SIMPLE AND IT CONSISTS OF A FEW STEPS.

One – Complete a Needs Assessment

Two– Attend and complete 20 consecutive hours of the Risk Reduction
Program (RRP)

Three – Obtain a certificate of completion

Four– Submit an original certificate to the Department of Driver
Services

HOW DUI EVALUATIONS HELP

Given that DUI Evaluations, along with the Counseling recommendations provided, are often used to minimize and alleviate court sentences, individuals are highly encouraged to undergo evaluations as soon as possible, which demonstrates to the court and prosecution your willingness to take responsibility for your actions and follow-thru with the suggested Counseling plan. Please make sure you discuss your situation with one of our Clinical Evaluators to determine the best course of action for your case.

Family Violence Intervention Programs

The Family Violence Intervention Program FVIP allows for personal, emotional and psychological development in the area of responsiveness to feelings of anger, violence and maladaptive reactions. Most adults were not taught how to respond to situations, feelings, and emotions. Our partnership will allow you to learn these new skills rather quickly, so you can communicate with your loved ones in a loving and healthy manner. For Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP)class, pleas call us at  800-683-7745.

“The Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP)is a 24-week course that is created to rehabilitate individuals by holding them accountable and prioritizing victim safety. The thinking, feeling, and behaviors of individuals are reflected in efforts to stop the violence in their families and relationships. Family Violence Intervention Programis focused on assisting individuals to learn new ways to interact with one another without the use of abusive and violent acts. Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between household members that includes sexual assault, physical harm or fear of physical harm. Spouses or former spouses, dating relationships, adults related by blood or marriage, and biological or legal parent-child relationships are all included in family or household members. Probation, protection orders, criminal sentences, and even bond conditions can require the completion of a Family Violence Intervention Program course. Most research tells us that participants who complete FVIPs are less likely to commit new acts of violence or to violate restraining orders”

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is a forceful way that an individual utilizes to keep a loved one under control and dominate while creating a state of constant fear. Physical abuse is the primary form of abuse in most relationships. Of course, not all relationships begin with physical abuse, however; the signs could be there early on. The need to control and dominate becomes evident when the victim shows signs of independence or considers personal growth and development. Physical abuse gets worse when the victim vocalizes frustration or considers ending the relationship.

Physical violence includes: using or threatening to use weapons, hurting the victim verbally first, hitting the victim or children, punching, kicking, slapping, strangling, smothering, shoving, throwing things, destroying property, and denying medical Counseling.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is prevalent in abusive relationships. It is uncommon to discuss or report sexual abuse. Many abusers deny sexual abuse and tend to use shaming and humiliating tactics to control the victim.

Sexual abuse comes in many forms and it may include: physically forcing sex, making the victim feel fearful about saying no to sex, violence or name calling during sex, forcing sex with other partners, forcing prostitution, and forcing the victim to participate in demeaning or degrading sexual acts.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is widely used method by abusive partners seeking control. It is an effective way to manipulate the victim and cause extreme psychological damage. Emotional abuse can lead to lower self-worth and self-doubt. It is common for the victim to begin feeling responsible for the abuse and submit to continued torture. Some victims suffer serious mental health consequences and remain afraid to report their symptoms out of fear.

Emotional abuse comes in a variety of forms: criticisms, name calling, minimizing and rationalizing the abuse or shifting blame for the abusive behavior, threatening andisolating the victim from society and loved ones, jealously, and complete control over who the victim can communicate with.

Financial Abuse

Most victims don’t even realize the extent of financial abuse. It is a powerful way to keep the victim in a vicious cycle. The abuser will take control over all household finances including the victim’s earnings. The abuser will have the sole authority on all finances and make the victim beg for money.

Domestic Violence is Serious

“Red flags” include someone who:

  • Wants to move too quickly into the relationship.
  • Early in the relationship flatters you constantly, and seems “too good to be true.”
  • Wants you all to him- or herself; insists that you stop spending time with your friends or family.
  • Insists that you stop participating in hobbies or activities, quit school, or quit your job.
  • Does not honor your boundaries.
  • Is excessively jealous and accuses you of being unfaithful.
  • Wants to know where you are all of the time and frequently calls, emails, and texts you throughout the day.
  • Criticizes or puts you down; says you are crazy, stupid, and/or fat/unattractive, or that no one else would ever want or love you.
  • Has a history of abusing others.
  • Takes your money or runs up your credit card debt.
  • Rages out of control with you but can maintain composure around others.

DUI Driving School Georgia

DUI Driving School and DUI School are used interchangeably. Attending A DUI Driving School is the best way to get your driver’s license back and comply with all court and state requirements. We provide the 20-hour Risk Reduction Course at our Atlanta location and our Marietta location both located conveniently with easy access to public transportation.
If you have been charged with a Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or if the DUI charge was reduced to reckless driving, the state of Georgia will most likely require you to attend a 20-hour Risk Reduction Program. Most people refer to this program as DUI School.  The Risk Reduction Program at our DUI Driving School is scheduled for nights and weekends. It is designed to avoid work or school interruptions. Our bas`ic schedule is as follows:

Friday –    6 pm to 10 pm

Saturday – 9 am to 6 pm

Sunday –   9 am to 6 pm

We recommend that you call us in advance to verify the weekly schedule to avoid missing any sessions. The course must be completed in three consecutive days. All participants are required to arrive on time. Tardy participants will be allowed into sessions and will be required to attend the 20-hour Risk Reduction Program in its entirety.

DUI School is a court-mandated program that offers the 20-hour Risk Reduction Program. The program is designed to assess high-risk behaviors. The curriculum is prepared the Prime for Life institute and it presents the prime solutions book for the 20-hour course. For an expedited appointment please call us at 800-683-7745.

DUI Driving School is meant for participants to learn more about their offense so that towards the end of the course they will be able to take full responsibility for it. Mandatory alcohol education, assessment and Counseling laws require attendance at DUI Driving School to help with alcohol education or therapy. Acknowledging that it was their alcohol and/or drug use that resulted in the consequences of a DUI offense. The DUI Driving School is a dedicated program that will help participants commit to ending the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Helping them develop a plan for the future to avoid continuing their disruptive behavior including how to avoid relapses with better and healthier choices. Normally after completion of all the courses in the DUI Driving School, a follow-up interview is conducted to assess the level of completion for goals and to reinforce strategies to avoid drinking and driving. Alcohol prevention programs can often replace and reduce harsher penalties in drunk driving cases such as court fines, license suspension, and jail time.

Driving Under the Influence is against the law and can result in serious consequences

Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. Not only are you putting your life at risk but others as well. We all tend to make mistakes that we later find ourselves regretting in the long run. Drinking and driving is one of those mistakes that we underestimate and repeat often.  I’m sure many of us have experienced making decisions without taking a moment to consider the consequences of our actions. Pairing your decision-making skills with alcohol is just asking for a disaster.

Excessive consumption of alcohol not only misconstrues your decision-making ability but it can affect your personality, too.  Drinking too much alcohol not only opens the door to irrational choices that could possibly lead to poor decision-making after a night of drinking and getting behind the wheel. We highly recommend that you ask yourself when it will ever be enough? When is it time for me to make a change? Ask yourself, will you learn from your consequences? Will you actively assess your behavior? Will you begin the process of making sound and safe choices? Or will you continue the vicious cycle and start to lose your grip on life and become comfortable in your mistakes?

We are here to help you with those questions. We’re not here to judge your DUI we’re here to give you the information you need to open the door of sobriety. The first step to that open door is being interviewed by one of our certified Counseling providers. This interview is known as a DUI evaluation. A DUI evaluation is ordered by the court when a person is arrested for a DUI. This interview is used to determine the presence and extent of a possible alcohol problem. The evaluation also helps with the development of a Counseling plan to help assist you better with your recover.

Counseling is an option

Substance abuse almost seems to be as old as mankind. Although substance abuse often begins with pleasure-seeking, self-medication, exploration, or other reasons, its dependency often creeps up without alarming. Legal for use with certain stipulations, alcohol is one of the major addictive illicit drugs; second, only to cigarette smoking. Driving under the influence is also one of the leading causes of death, worldwide. While access to illicit substances is not so easy, alcohol is a socially acceptable and a legal drug; however, the problem of alcohol and drug abuse is huge, receiving Counseling is difficult.

Some of the reasons hindering Counseling were lack of facilities, poor access, lack of trained professionals, cost of Counseling, and more. Even incarceration and recidivism have strong links to substance abuse. In the past alternative, Counseling was not usually offered to those facing legal charges. However, now certain alternatives to incarceration programs are offered in many cases since they have been known as helpful in lowering the rate of recidivism; and, effective in substance abuse Counseling. Due to their effectiveness, certain groups or individual therapy classes are also a part of some probation and correctional pretrial services.