WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR LOVED ONE HAS BEEN ADMITTED

The Family Department at Seabrook House is here for you – the family.  As your patient is cared for here at Seabrook House our Family Department is here to care for you.  As you are reading this, chances are your loved one was just admitted into our facility.  You may be feeling frightened, angry and confused.  To help you to better understand the process of treatment, we ask that you read the folder provided you upon admission. This packet has important information for you and may answer many questions. The packet also has a Family Questionnaire that needs to be completed and returned in the self-addressed envelope. If you did not receive a folder, please contact the Family Department at the numbers listed below.

The first seven days is the blackout phase – the patient is to have no contact with family members or other significant relationships. This allows the patient time to adjust and to focus on their treatment and it allows the family to catch its breath.  Within 72 hours of admit the patient is assigned to a clinical team comprising of a family therapist and a primary therapist.  The family therapist will be the family’s contact person during the patient’s treatment at Seabrook House. The family therapist will reach out to family members during the first week of treatment to answer any questions and concerns. (For medical updates during the detox phase please call the nursing department at 1048.)

During the patient’s stay at SBH, families will receive weekly progress reports.  We appreciate that this is a difficult time for families, but please limit your calls to us to one per week.  The Family Department can be reached at ext. 2023.  If you leave a message for any family therapist, your call will be returned in 24 hours. (Do not call the main switchboard as you will only be routed back to ext. 2023.)

Throughout the patient’s stay at Seabrook House, designated family members are expected to be involved in the treatment process by attending the Family Education Program (see below), engage in a private session with patient and family therapist, and to participate in aftercare discussions.  These ‘designated’ family members are invited to be involved by the patient.  Patients choose the family members they want participate in their recovery.  All patients are encouraged by Seabrook House to invite family members who have been most impacted by the addiction. (The clinical team will make determination regarding the appropriateness of the invitations.)

Seabrook House is the beginning of the family’s journey into recovery.  Aftercare is a crucial next step in the treatment process. Families do not need to worry about aftercare planning as SBH provides case management for our patients and families members will be a part of this discussion as they attend the Family Education Program.

Seabrook House makes specific aftercare recommendations based on the needs of the patient and the needs of the family.  The family’s influence at this stage of treatment can be a powerful tool in assisting the addicted person to follow through with treatment.

We appreciate the trust you have placed in us to care for your loved one and we look forward to assisting you in reclaiming your family from the ravages of this disease.  The hope for families is in recovery and everyone in the family deserves recovery!

Sincerely yours,
Eddie Luker, MA
Director of Family Services Extension 2023

The Family Education Program Visitation Policy

Please read the following information very carefully

ALL NEW PATIENTS HAVE A  7 DAY BLACKOUT PERIOD

 **Family members must attend The Family Education Program on Friday, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm AND Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm in order to visit on Saturday from 3:30 pm to 4:50 pm. Two (2) family members ages 13 and older may attend the Family Education Program but must be pre-approved by the clinical staff. Please remember that all new patients have a 7 day blackout period.

The following is a list of Seabrook House rules for family members. Please help maintain order by observing them. Any breaking of these rules will result in family members being asked to leave the premises.

1. On Fridays, family members are expected to arrive between 2:30pm and 3:00pm. On Saturday, family members are expected to arrive between 8:30am and 9:00am.  Upon entering Seabrook House grounds, you will be checked in by our Security staff. They will confirm that you are on the approved list. Parking areas will be monitored and anyone found in unauthorized areas will be asked to leave the premises. All cell phones must be left in your vehicle
2. If you have packages or other items you are bringing for patients, please give them to Security personnel at check in. All items must be in bags and labeled with the patient’s name. All packages will be searched before they are given to the patient.
3. After the Security check in, please go directly to Founder’s Hall and register with our receptionist.
4. Our receptionist will ask you to sign in and provide you with a badge. Please wear this badge in a visible location above the waist while you are on the premises. This is necessary so that no unauthorized persons are on grounds.  Patients have wristbands, employees have identification badges and all visitors must have badges. **A family member is defined as anyone whose life has been impacted by the disease of addiction.
5. ANY OPENED PACKS OF CIGARETTES WILL BE CONFISCATED. PATIENTS ARE PERMITTED ONLY UNOPENED PACKAGES OF CIGARETTES. Chewing tobacco is not permitted.
6. Please do not bring any potted plants, stuffed animals, food, candy, soda or over the counter medications with you. This policy enables us to maintain the health and safety of our patients.  We are sorry for the inconvenience but there are no exceptions to this rule.
7. After the family education program on Saturday, visiting is permitted in Founder’s Hall and in the patio and  garden areas directly behind Founder’s Hall only.
8. When leaving Seabrook House, we ask that you say goodbye to your
   loved one in the lobby of Founder’s Hall.  Patients are not permitted to walk you to your car or into the parking lot.
9. The smoking area for family members is located in the gazebo in front of Founder’s Hall. Please do no smoke in any other area. Patients are permitted to smoke only in their assigned area and not with family members

Anyone not on our approved family member list will be turned away by security. We appreciate your cooperation in following the above rules.  We believe that if we work together, it will make your visit more enjoyable for you and your loved one.  Family involvement is a welcome and required component of care at Seabrook House.  Adherence to these standards will support quality care for your family. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

PATIENT CONTACT

Patients are not permitted to receive incoming telephone calls or electronic mail due to Federal confidentiality laws. Patients do however have limited telephone privileges to make outgoing calls on designated days.

You may send mail to patients at the following address. We ask that you do not send food or candy of any kind, however, flowers or small gifts are permissible. No potted flowers or plants, only cut flowers.

Seabrook House c/o Patient's Name

PO Box 5055 , 133 Polk Lane
Seabrook, NJ 08302-5905

Accommodations Recommended By Seabrook House

For those visitors needing accommodations, Seabrook House recommends the Wingate By Wyndham located a short 15 minute drive from the main Seabrook House campus.

For a more luxurious hotel experience, Seabrook House recommends the Rittenhouse Hotel in central Philadelphia, PA. Located only a 45 minute drive from the Seabrook House main campus