Congratulations on taking this step on your road to recovery! This is an exciting time as you embark on your journey of recovery. To help ensure you are best prepared for treatment, there are a few things you should do.
1. Identify and prepare an appropriate space
a) Find a quiet, safe, and private location where you can attend the virtual group and individual sessions. It may be difficult to focus if you are distracted by other people or noise.
b) Use headphones for better communication, to help block background noises, and increase your privacy.
c) Dress code, business casual.
2. Ensure your internet connectivity is strong
a) Since all of your sessions are held virtually, it is important to ensure that you have a reliable internet connection.
b) Choose a central location for your router to provide better coverage. Move your router offer the floor: walls, floors and metal objects can interfere and weaker your route’s wireless signals.
3. Download Zoom and Test Audio/Video
a) To ensure your technology is working well and you are ready to attend your admission and virtual sessions, please download and install the Zoom client and register for a Zoom account. You can download the Zoom client here.
b) Step-by-step instructions and additional support for installing and testing Zoom and getting ready to use Zoom for the first time can be found here.
c) Attendance in group with camera on is a group norm and expectation. Test out your built-in webcam’s audio/video to learn if an external webcam is needed.
4. Avoid the use of mind-altering substances before programming
a) Sobriety is a requirement of participation in each day’s group sessions. You can expect our staff to maintain a safe, inclusive, and controlled group experience.
b) If you are having difficulty meeting this requirement, offer yourself grace knowing that change takes place incrementally. Please feel comfortable opening a conversation with your counselor and we can create a plan to support you.
c) If you feel prescribed medications, for example narcotics or benzodiazepines, may or are interfering with your program participation please bring this concern to your counselor. Visiting a RAAM clinic or scheduling a medication review with a GP are steps that can be taken in consultation with your counselor.