WELCOME TO GENESIS HOUSE
Chances are, this is a difficult time in your life. We want to help. We have this handbook to give you an idea of
what to expect in treatment and make the transition to recovery a little easier for you.
GENESIS HOUSE: Established in 1976, Genesis House recognized the unmet needs of men suffering with
alcoholism and other addictions. Recovering alcoholics joined together to develop a safe place for men to start
their recovery and learn how to live life in contented sobriety.
Program Goals: Alcoholism, other drug dependence, and compulsive gambling are diseases, which affect people
socially, physically, mentally, behaviorally, and spiritually. Recovery is about making changes in these areas of
your life. Our treatment program is designed to help you make these changes. While you are here, whether it is
for primary residential treatment or transitional residential treatment, you will experience educational lectures,
several types of group therapy, individual therapy, and family sessions. You will be living in a community of
people who are also trying to make changes in their unmanageable lifestyle, which develops out of this disease.
This recovery community is living by a set of house rules and expectations, which are designed to help you make
changes behaviorally as well.
What to Expect When You Meet with Your Counselor: At some time during your first few days at Genesis House
you will have an individual session with your treatment counselor (your counselor will let you know when and
where). In this session you and your counselor will review your Bio/Psycho/Social Assessment and Problem Areas
of Major Concern sheet in order to help determine what goals you can work on to help bring about your recovery.
These goals become part of your goal plan, also known as your “treatment plan.” Your progress on this goal plan
is one of the ways you and your counselor can chart your progress in treatment.
Individual sessions are your chance to discuss issues of hope and concern on a one-to-one basis. The issues you
share with Genesis House staff are kept confidential. In your individual sessions you can expect to talk about your
thoughts and feelings, discuss your goal plan progress, review assignments, and do recovery exercises. It is a good
idea to think ahead and know what issues you would like to discuss with your counselor.
Group Therapy: There are several types of groups you will be attending. Some groups have a specific focus, such
as spirituality group. Others are more open to give you a chance to discuss whatever is on your mind. It is not
always easy to talk about what you are thinking and feeling, but we encourage you to do it anyway. Group
therapy is your opportunity to express yourself freely and openly in a safe atmosphere. It may help to think
ahead about what you want to discuss in groups.
Focus on the Family Program: Addiction is a family illness. It not only affects the person using the chemicals, but
family and friends as well. Genesis House holds a family education program once a month off site. You will be
expected to attend this program with family or support people to enhance your program. This is an opportunity
for you and your family and supportive friends to learn how addiction impacts relationships, and how they can
access services and support for themselves, as well as how to support you in recovery.
Resident Staffings: Occasionally we will want to officially review your progress in treatment. These sessions are
called resident staffings and they usually occur weekly for those in Primary Inpatient Treatment and monthly for
those in Transitional Residential Treatment. You may have a staffing more frequently if the need arises.
Medical Staffing: All residents will have a chance to discuss any medical questions and concerns with the medical
director of Genesis House. This will happen during the Inpatient or Orientation portion of your stay.
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Visiting Hours: Visiting hours for residents are at specified hours. Family and friends may drop off items for you at
any reasonable time during the week. Please let staff know if someone needs to bring something for you, and
remember, drop-offs are not visiting time. Staff will search through any items brought in for you during
treatment.
Recreation: Once each week those folks in Primary Inpatient Treatment will have a chance to leave the Genesis
House with staff and have a bit of fun in the community. Recreation activities commonly include going to stores,
taking a walk or hike in a park, special trips to hear lectures in the community, or going to a movie.
Take Care of Yourself: During these first few days of treatment we encourage you to take especially good care of
yourself. Eat right, get plenty of sleep, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It takes time to adjust to your new
surroundings and schedule - it’s not unusual to feel a bit confused for the first few days. Remember easy does it –
but do it!
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Genesis House
Rules & Expectations
Residents are expected to follow the rules and expectations of Genesis House. They are
designed to assist residents in their recovery program and living with a sense of unity
with fellow residents. Violations of rules may result in consequences such as house
restriction, loss of privileges, etc., up to and including discharge.
1. Clean & Sober: You are expected to remain clean and sober while in residency at Genesis House.
This needs to be a safe environment for all people learning how to work a recovery program. Use
or possession of alcohol or other drugs including other substances of abuse such as K2 or
anything used to obtain a high may result in your immediate discharge. NO resident can remain
in the program if they are under the influence of a mood altering substance. Random drug tests
and room searches can be conducted at any time by staff.
2. Recovery Meetings: In Transitional Residential Treatment, you are expected to attend 5
community recovery meetings per week.
3. Recovery Sponsor: In Transitional Residential Treatment, you are expected to obtain a recovery
sponsor within the first month of residency.
4. Weapons/Violence: Possession of Weapons, the use of or threats of violence or destruction of
House or personal property of others will result in immediate discharge.
5. Drinking or using environments: Bars, nightclubs, liquor stores or liquor sections of stores/gas
stations, and drug houses/locations are off limits to residents.
6. War Stories: Residents are to refrain from “war stories”, glorifying and bragging about their
drinking and drugging experiences as it provokes “euphoric recall” and increases the desire to
drink or use.
7. Discrimination: No racial or sexual or other discriminatory remarks or gestures will be tolerated.
8. Illegal Activity: No illegal activity, including driving without a valid license, unregistered or
uninsured vehicle, etc.
9. Smoking/Chew: This is a tobacco-free facility. Smoking or chewing is only allowed outside.
Dispose of cigarette butts, etc. in safe butt-can provided outside.
10. Retaining Wall: Climbing up, jumping off, or driving on retaining wall is not allowed
11. Personal Hygiene: Residents are expected to maintain good personal hygiene.
12. Bedrooms: No resident is allowed in another resident’s bedroom. No visitors allowed on second
floor except to use the bathroom.
Bedrooms are to be kept neat and clean on a daily basis! Hang your clothes up in the closest, or
put them away in the dressers or under storage of your bed. Beds are to be made daily and
dresser tops are to be tidy. Dirty laundry needs to be kept in a laundry basket in your room.
Corkboards are provided for posting of personal items. No use of nails, tape glue, or tacks in
walls, dressers, ceilings, etc. Rearrangement of bedroom furniture is not allowed.
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13. House Chores and Cleanliness: Residents are required to maintain facility cleanliness throughout
the week. Please pick up after yourself. Chores are assigned on a weekly rotating basis. Chore
times are listed on the Genesis weekly schedule. Chores must be checked by one of the House
Leaders immediately upon completion. Chores are not to be sold or bought between clients.
14. Electronics: No computers, TVs, or stereo equipment allowed in bedrooms. Clock radio is ok. If
you have a lap top and need to use it for business, or legitimate reason you must obtain
permission from a staff member and use it at the dining room table. Laptops must be kept in
the office when not in use. There is a 2 hour limit on computers during the course of weekdays,
including the House computer. There is no viewing of inappropriate websites. The House
computer is only to be used for job search, checking email, and news/weather. The House
computer is not to be used for CCAP, Facebook, YouTube, games, or any other entertainment.
Music can be listened to at a level not intrusive to others. Absolutely no vulgar, inappropriate
music at the House, including by use of headphones.
15. Television: During the week The T V is to remain off between 8:00 am and 4pm. You may watch
TV between 5:00 am to 8:00 am on a news channel only. TV is not to be on during dinner or
during group therapy. Following groups in the evening you may watch TV until 11:00pm. TV on
the weekend can be viewed at any time between 5am and 12am. No rated X movies. Sexually, or
violently explicit, or verbally foul/offensive language or programs are not allowed. When in
doubt the decision is left up to the discretion of staff.
16. Money: Borrowing or lending of money between client and client, or client and staff is
prohibited. Gambling not allowed on premises.
17. Curfew: Residents are required to be back to the House at 5:00PM Sunday through Friday.
Clients cannot leave the facility before 5am unless approved by staff. Friday and Saturday curfew
will be determined by your phase level. If you are on House Restriction you will not be able to
leave the premises.
18. Visitors: You may have visitors at Genesis House during designated times. Any and all visitors
need to be approved by staff and sign in on the confidentiality agreement sign-in sheet. Visiting
hours are from 10:00 am to 11:00am Monday thru Friday, and 11:00 am to 3pm on Saturday
and Sunday. Visiting is allowed only in the den, living room, dining room, or on the porch.
19. Meals: Food is available for all meals and snacks. The evening meal is prepared by the residents
on a rotating basis and is served family style at 5:30PM Monday through Friday. All residents are
required to be at the table together at 5:30PM for the evening meal for at least 15 minutes, even
if you are opting not to eat. All residents need to clear their own dishes from the table.
20. Cooking: Cooking can only be done in the kitchen at the posted hours. Exceptions will be made
based on work hours.
21. Food and Beverages: are not allowed on the second floor, or in the basement. Eating is only
allowed in the kitchen and dining room except for the following snacks that can be consumed in
the main living room: Water, chips, (any type), no dips. Cookies, crackers (no toppings), popcorn,
peanuts. No soda, milk, juice or coffee allowed. Snacking allowed in living room Monday –
Sunday from noon to 11pm.
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22. Telephone & Cellphones: No cellphones are allowed in Primary Treatment, or in the Orientation
phase of Transitional Residential Treatment. If you need to make a call, you may use the office
phone.
During Transitional Residential Treatment (following Orientation phase), cellphones are allowed
but must be turned off during meals and groups, and must be turned into the staff office
overnight.
23. Cameras: No cameras or video equipment allowed. No pictures are allowed to be taken by
residents of other residents on the premises.
24. Mail: Residents are not to handle mail. Staff will distribute mail to residents.
25. Medications – Prescriptions and over the counter (OTC). All prescription medication and over
the counter medications are to be turned in to staff. You are not to have any medication in your
room, in the house or on your belongings. Any medication, even over the counter medication
must, by licensing requirements, have a written order from a physician. There are forms for OTC
that you can get from your counselor to have a doctor fill out.
26. ‘Sharps’: OSHA classifies all disposable razor blades, sewing needles, straight pins, etc., as
‘sharps’. They are not to be thrown in the garbage containers in the facility. Bring them to the
office for disposal.
27. Individual counseling, family sessions, and Program Groups/Activities: Residents are to keep all
scheduled appointments with your assigned counselor. No less than one individual session a
week. All residents are to attend all scheduled groups and program activities.
28. Attire: All residents are to be fully clothed, including footwear, when not in your bedroom. No
inappropriate sexual, gang, violence, or drug/drinking logos or advertisements on clothing.
Sunglasses are not to be worn while in the house. Hats, caps, bandanas are to be removed at
meals and during groups/individual/family sessions..
29. Employment: Those in Transitional Residential Treatment are expected to obtain a 1 st or 3rd shift
job within the first month of residency. Any exception to this will be made on a case by case
basis.
30. Relationships: Residents are discouraged from getting involved in romantic relationships during
the course of residency. Relationships often create a high risk potential for relapse in the first
year of recovery.
31. Passes: Weekend day passes or overnight passes are allowed based on your phase level and your
counselor’s approval. When filling out a pass request you must include a “safety plan” that will
describe your plan to prevent relapse.
32. Restriction: In Transitional Residential Treatment, Resident Restriction is sometimes utilized as a
consequence for a rule violation(s), or if we are concerned about your safety, sobriety, physical
or mental health. The terms of this restriction are determined on a case by case basis, and will
be discussed between you and your counselor.
33. Office: Is off limits unless staff is present. Please respect the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign when the
office door is closed, except in the case of an emergency. All clients should be afforded
uninterrupted 1 on 1 sessions, if at all possible.
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Building Security
At 11:00pm Sunday-Thursday and 12:00am on Friday and Saturday, all doors are to be locked. If you are
on pass and coming back to the facility after hours, come to the office door for entry.
1)
If, at night, you feel a need to go outside and have a cigarette, locate the midnight shift staff
person (he or she may not be right in the office area, but may be elsewhere in the building
making rounds, cleaning, putting away linens, etc.) With staff permission you will be escorted
outside on the staff porch to smoke. Smoking after hours is at the discretion of the staff
member on duty.
2)
If you have a visitor, he/she needs to sign in at the staff office. Be aware that staff may request
I.D. from your visitor.
3)
If someone approaches you to get into the building, direct them to see staff at the staff office.
4)
If you see someone enter the building and wandering around, feel free to approach them and let
them know you will go and get a staff person. The visitor can wait in the small living room area
by the staff office. If, on any occasion, you see someone in the building who you do not think
belongs here, notify staff at once. Nearly all the time a staff person will see visitors right away,
but there are occasions where a staff person is making rounds, doing a room search, busy in the
office with another resident, etc.
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RECREATION
As a community based residential facility, Genesis House offers a variety of recreational opportunities to
residents. As a large part of recovery entails developing new activities and interests, it’s important that
you take an active part in making good use of your free time by trying out some new recreational
activities.
Everyday time is set-aside for you to use the recreational/leisure activities at Genesis. This is signified on
your schedule as FREE TIME. In addition, once each week special time is designated as RECREATION.
During these times, you may engage in the following activities:
In basement level: Free weights
On main floor: TV, movies, cards, board games, playing an instrument such as a guitar if you have one,
reading, and use of Genesis House Resident computer.
In your room: Reading, drawing, and listening to music.
Outside: (weather permitting): Riding a bike, taking a walk, playing basketball, frisbee or softball at the
park across the street - with permission from staff.
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GENESIS HOUSE GROUP DESCRIPTIONS
Recovery Education
The purpose of this group is for residents to learn about various facets of recovery through the use of video tapes. Various
topics are covered.
Lecture/Discussion
The purpose of this is for residents to be exposed to a number of topics related to addiction through staff presentations.
There is also time for discussion after the presentation.
Process/Experiential Group
This is an intense 90-minute group therapy, requiring participation by all in attendance. We look at a “life-changing
experience” which has taken place early on in ones life, and relate this to the thoughts, behaviors, and feelings we are
experiencing today.
Exploring Spirituality
Spirituality is a concept misunderstood by many people. This group will aid people in exploring their own spirituality in a safe
environment in which to discuss any spiritual, religious or ethical topic. Respect for everyone’s religious freedom is required,
and it promotes spiritual wholeness and well-being.
Family Dynamics
This group is designed to allow the residents to gain knowledge of how their addiction has affected their family by looking at
their family roles, codependency and enabling. Family Impact letters will be shared in this group.
Therapy Groups
These are designed for residents to work on important intra/interpersonal issues in treatment through counselor/group
feedback and support.
Community Group
Designed for residents and staff to present, negotiate, and resolve personnel, personal, and program issues. Chores are also
assigned at this time. The group is mandatory, and all residents must attend.
Specialty Groups
This category is for the various groups that we offer to enhance your treatment here. This could include music therapy, art
therapy, guided imagery/relaxation, and at times other treatment methods are also introduced.
Relapse Prevention
The purpose of relapse prevention is to explore topics that would help aid people in their recovery efforts including:
Exploring warning signs, identifying addictive behaviors, identifying high-risk situations, and assisting clients in identifying
healthy supports.
SRS/ORS Group
Genesis House utilizes two scoring instruments. The first instrument is called an Outcome Rating Scale (ORS). The ORS is
designed to give us information about how your life is going. The second instrument used is called a Session Rating Scale
(SRS). This instrument is used to help understand how effective your treatment is.
Each Monday morning there will be an ORS group. This group will be to assess how you feel circumstances of your life are
going. This information will be used to assist in making healthy decisions that can be most useful to you.
Each Thursday morning an SRS will be done. This is to make sure that the goals of your treatment plan are meeting your
needs. It is to assist in making sure the treatment team is doing everything they can in order to make your treatment stay a
benefit.
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Primary Treatment
What is Primary Residential Treatment? Primary Treatment is for those who are newly entering
recovery. This may be someone who is entering treatment for the first time or someone who is making
a new recovery effort following a relapse. The idea of Primary Treatment is to halt the disease process
of addiction. Persons entering the Primary Treatment program must be medically detoxified before
entering treatment.
The Primary Treatment program is 21 days in length. During these 3 weeks you will attend groups and
lectures each day, participate in recreation, attend in-house Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics
Anonymous/Cocaine Anonymous meetings, have individual sessions with your counselor, participate in a
family weekend program, and complete various assignments and exercises. The main goal of Primary
Treatment is to focus on you and the effects your relationship with alcohol and other drugs has had on
your life. During Primary Treatment you will spend all of your time at Genesis House with Genesis House
staff. Toward the end of your treatment stay you and your counselor will discuss ideas and alternatives
for continuing your recovery. Transitional Residential Treatment is one of these alternatives.
Additional rules for primary residents:
1. Don’t leave the premises unless accompanied by staff. Exceptions may be made for community
recovery meetings.
2. If you take more than one sick day, those days will be added onto your Primary Treatment.
EXAMPLE: If you take two sick days, instead of 21 days, you will do 22 days of Primary
Treatment.
3. When taking a sick day, you are expected to stay in your room unless you are eating, going to the
bathroom, or having the occasional cigarette. This means that you cannot play cards or
participate in recreational activities in the evening.
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Welcome to Primary Treatment at Genesis House
This folder and its contents are designed to allow you to focus on yourself and your addiction. The basic
ingredients necessary for your recovery are already in your possession and came through these doors
with you. They are honesty, open-mindedness and willingness. It is up to you whether you choose to
use these or not. We cannot know whether or not you will be successful in your recovery. We can only
present you with the tools necessary for that to happen. That is our goal and our mission for the next 21
days. Good luck to you – give yourself the gift of recovery!
Listed below are recommended assignments to be completed within the first week of your placement.
Please read carefully and follow instructions.
1. Go through your folder and familiarize yourself with its contents.
2. Read the program Rules & Expectations.
3. Read the schedule and keep it handy for future reference.
4. Complete the ‘Problem Areas of Major Concern’ sheet.
5. Complete the Bio/Psycho/Social Assessment and return it to your counselor.
6. Within your first two days in treatment, give your counselor the names and addresses of the people
you want to invite to the Family Program and who you will invite to write a Family Impact letter.
7. Begin working on your autobiography, to be shared in group. It should be completed within the first
week here.
8. Begin working on your ‘Step 1’ assignment. Get the Step 1 packet from your counselor. It should be
completed and shared in group by the end of your 3rd week of treatment.
9. Watch required treatment videos.
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Transitional Residential Treatment
What is Transitional Residential Treatment? After completing Primary Inpatient Treatment (either at Genesis
House or another facility), you may elect to enter Transitional Residential Treatment. The length of
Transitional Residential Treatment is determined on an individual basis, with the average stay being 90 days,
and is designed to ease your transition into a sober lifestyle. The idea is to have your recovery “up and
running” before you return home. During Transitional Residential Treatment residents live at the Genesis
House, but venture into the community during the day. There are minimum requirements for attending
groups and recovery meetings, but when and where you attend is left up to you. There are also house
expectations, which you will need to continue to meet such as completing daily chores. Some kind of
community involvement is required for Transitional Residential Treatment residents. This includes job
seeking, employment, schooling, or volunteer work for those who cannot work or attend school.
Additional Rules for Transitional Residential Treatment:
1. Attend a minimum of five (5) community recovery meetings (AA/NA/CA) per week.
2. You may apply to your counselor for a weekend or overnight pass after you have been in Transitional
Residential Treatment for six (6) weeks, minimum. Passes are a privilege for those who:
a) Are doing well in their recovery program.
b) Are following rules and expectations of the program.
c) Have a safe and reasonable destination for the pass.
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Welcome to Transitional Residential Treatment at Genesis House
Orientation phase
***If you are entering Transitional Residential Treatment immediately following Primary Treatment at Genesis
House, you will not go through an Orientation phase.***
The first portion of your stay here is called Orientation. The purpose is for you to become familiar with our
program, schedules, rules, staff, and the other residents in the facility. It also provides us with an opportunity to
become acquainted with you, your history, your present situation, and your needs in recovery.
During Orientation, you’ll be following the Orientation schedule. The average length of time needed to complete
Orientation is approximately 2 weeks. During this phase, you cannot leave the premises unless accompanied by
staff or a senior resident (if approved by staff).
Listed below are recommended assignments to be completed within the first week of your placement.
Please read carefully and follow instructions.
1. Go through your folder and familiarize yourself with its contents.
2. Read the program Rules & Expectations.
3. Read the schedule and keep it handy for future reference.
4. Complete the ‘Problem Areas of Major Concern’ sheet.
5. Complete the Bio/Psycho/Social Assessment and return it to your counselor.
6. Within your first two days in treatment, give your counselor the names and addresses of the people
you want to invite to the Family Program and who you will invite to write a Family Impact letter.
7. Begin working on your autobiography, to be shared in group. It should be completed within the first
week here.
8. Begin working on your ‘Step 1’ assignment. Get the Step 1 packet from your counselor. It should be
completed and shared in group by the end of your 3rd week of treatment.
9. Watch required treatment videos.
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TRANSITIONAL RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT - EMPLOYMENT EXPECTATIONS
After completing orientation, residents in the Transitional Residential Treatment Program (who are free
of physical disabilities which preclude paid employment) are expected to seek and gain employment
within 4 weeks. If employment is not obtained, residents are expected to acquire a volunteer position
within the 5th week, while continuing to search for gainful employment.
Once you complete orientation and until you are employed, you are expected to be out of the building
and engaged in work search from 10:30am until approximately 4pm. You may return to the house for
lunch from 11:30am until 1:30pm for only one hour. You are required to use job search forms to
document your daily work search.
Remember that you will be attending evening groups from 6:00pm until 7:30pm. Your work schedule
will have to accommodate these treatment needs. If you are working 3rd shift, you will have the option
to attend either the morning (8:30am-10:30am) or evening group.
If you have difficulty with any phase of the work search process, see your counselor. Genesis House
staff can assist you by helping with completing job applications, putting together a resume, and directing
you to various employment resources, staffing agencies, etc.
Any resident who is fired from a job or who quits a job is expected to secure another job within 10
working days or staffing for discharge from the facility will occur.
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