Rules for Clients

  1. Sobriety
    • No drinking of alcoholic beverages.
    • No caffeinated beverages on or off the premises. This includes passes.
    • No use of non-prescribed drugs on or off the premises.
    • Any Violation May Result in the Termination of Residency.
  2. Medication
    • Medication (including over the counter medications) may be taken only underthe direction of a qualified physician with full knowledge of the Beacon staff.This includes medications taken on passes.
    • All medications are kept in a locked cupboard.
    • It is client’s responsibility to request staff to open cupboard when it is time fora prescribed medication.
    • Clients must bring water to the medication cabinet and take medication in thepresence of staff.
    • No medication is to be given from one client to another.
    • Morning medications at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
    • Evening medications following closure.
    • Sat and Sun medications at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
    • This policy includes children that reside at Beacon.
  3. Meals
    • All evening meals are planned and prepared by clients.
    • No changing of menu without House Manager’s permission.
    • Each client must be present for the evening meal unless excused by staff.
    • Each client is responsible to prepare her own breakfast and noon meal.
    • Meal hours for breakfast are 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
    • Meal hours for lunch are 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Meal time for dinner is 5:30 p.m.
    • Kitchen area is to be cleaned and dishes put away by bedtime.
    • Between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. cooks are in charge of activity in kitchen.
    • Food supplies are available for clients to fix snacks, etc.
    • All food and drinks are to be consumed only in the dining area or kitchen
    • Absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINK is allowed in the bedrooms, living room,meditation room, group room or playroom (exception – water in plastic seethrough container).
    • No open beverages, food, candy or snacks are to be brought into the facility.No beverages are to be left out on the counters.
  4. Clients' Rooms
    • Each client is expected to keep herself, her clothes and bedroom area clean and neat.
    • Beds made daily.
    • Sheets and pillow cases changed and laundered at least once a week.
    • Clothes put away, floors and furniture dusted weekly.
    • Bathrooms cleaned after use at all time.
    • Do not nail or paste “things on the wall”. Use Bulletin Boards
    • Room checks will be done by staff or VIP daily.
    • Should rooms be repeatedly unkept, all persons sharing the room will be heldresponsible.
    • Clients are not allowed in another client’s room.
    • No visitors are allowed upstairs.
    • Bedroom doors are to be kept open at all times.
  5. Clients' Work Assignments
    • Client work assignment schedule runs from Friday through Thursday.
    • Surface cleaning and replenishing of supplies to be done daily.
    • On Friday afternoon, a complete and thorough house cleaning is expected.Clients must have staff inspect and check off completion.
    • The first Friday of the month is major cleaning.
    • Bedrooms will be cleaned on Saturday mornings. Clients must have staffinspect and check off completion.
    • All clients are required to participate in the rotation of work assignments.
    • Work assignments cannot be changed or traded without House Manager approval.
  6. House Schedule
    • All clients must be up by 7:00 a.m. on weekdays.
    • All clients must be up by 8:30 a.m. on Sat. and 9:30 a.m. on Sun.
    • Clients are allowed to nap between 12:00-1:00 on weekdays and 1:00-2:00 onSaturday and Sunday.
    • Showers, rooms cleaned, bed made and breakfast finished by 9:00 a.m.weekdays and 12 noon on weekends.
    • No one is allowed on the main floor before 5:30 a.m.
    • Clients are expected to be on time for all groups and group activities includingmeditation and closure.
    • Clients must sign in and sign out at front desk when leaving and returning.
    • Clients are expected to return to Beacon by 9:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 p.m.weekends with the exception of attending a NA meeting which typically runsuntil 9:30. Clients returning later need to do a separate closure.
    • To bed by 11:00 p.m. during the week and midnight on Fri. and Sat.
    • Lights in bedroom may be on to read for awhile as long as you are notbothering your roommates.
    • All clients are expected to observe these hours, unless permission to come inlate or leave for the weekend has been arranged with the staff in advance.
  7. Passes
    • A pass is a privilege earned by the individual client, and will be approved ordisapproved by the counseling staff, based on individual program performance.
    • Completion of 30 days does not mean a pass will be automatically granted.
    • Upon completion of the first 30 days of treatment clients are eligible to requesta pass to visit family and friends.
    • Medication (including over the counter medications) may be taken only underthe direction of a qualified physician with full knowledge of the Beacon staff.This includes meds taken on passes.
    • The expectation is that your family members will be involved in the familygroups and/or family sessions.
    • Address and telephone numbers should be written on your pass prior to leaving (the sign in and sign out book must be filled in).
    • Day pass for Sat. is Noon to 9:00 p.m. and Sun. is 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Each client is responsible for filling out a Weekend Procedure form by Tuesday, and handing it in to the office by 9:00 a.m.
    • These are to include passes awayfrom the house and visitors to the house.
  8. Phone
    • A phone is provided for use by all clients.
    • A maximum time limit of 10 minutes per call is required as a courtesy to all clients. Set timer for 10 minutes.
    • The house phone is for house business only and is to be used by clients withpermission of counselor only.
    • The office is off limits without a staff person present.
    • Phone calls are not to be made or accepted Monday-Friday before 7:00 a.m. orSaturday and Sunday before 8:00 a.m.
    • Phone calls are not to be made or accepted Sunday-Thursday after 11:00 p.m.or Friday and Saturday after 12:00 p.m.
    • No phone calls are to be made or received off premises at meetings/YMCA.
    • No cell phones, beepers or pagers are allowed in client’s possession on or offBeacon property.
  9. Visitation
    • Unless otherwise specified, family and friends who are on a pre-approved listmay visit as needed, with prior staff approval, providing the visit does notinterfere with the treatment programming.
    • Saturday or Sunday afternoon between the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. arethe preferred times for visitation.
    • Family members who attend Family Program may visit for 1 hour afterwardsduring restriction period.
    • All visiting must be done on first floor. No visitors are allowed on second floor.
    • There will be no visits allowed on the Saturday of the Family Program if visitorshave not participated in the Family Program day.
    • Doors should remain open at all times.
    • All visitors must leave by 5:00 p.m., unless special consideration is given by thestaff member on duty.
    • Should any visitor exhibit irresponsible behavior, they will be asked to leave.
    • Above rules include sponsors.
  10. Disruptive Behavior:
    • Uncooperative behavior, undermining or fraternization which causesdisharmony among the clients can constitute sufficient grounds fortermination of residency.
    • Illegal behavior will not be condoned.
  11. Client Commitment
    • All clients are asked to make a 90 day personal commitment to treatmentupon entering the Beacon program.
    • Group confidentiality is essential.
    • The first two weeks each client is allowed out only for AA/NA meetings,scheduled doctor appointments, YMCA, court dates, etc. (treatment related needs).
    • No phone calls can be made during the first two weeks, except inemergencies, with staff approval.
    • During the first 30 days, all clients are on restriction. This means youmust have a senior peer with you to go anywhere. This is to providesupport for you in your recovery.
    • After 30 days, you become a senior peer with its privileges andresponsibilities. At this time clients can seek employment or GED testing.
    • Some clients may have their restriction extended at thediscretion of the staff, and based on treatment needs and progress.
    • Contact with family and friends must be staff approved.
    • Upon returning to House, clients need to report to office to have all personalbelongings checked by staff.
  12. Admission
    • Each client will be assigned a counselor during their stay at Beacon. This willallow each client the opportunity to have individual counseling. However,clients may talk with any staff member on duty.
    • On admission, personal belongings will be checked by staff, in the presence ofthe client.
    • Smoking is allowed in designated areas only.
    • Absolutely NO SMOKING IN THE HOUSE! This is a STATE LAW!
    • Please use ashtrays provided when smoking.
    • Ashtrays must be emptied into a coffee can to cool down before disposal.
  13. Client Personal Items
    • Do not borrow, give or sell cigarettes, money, etc. from the other clients.
    • If you are in temporary need of such items, please talk with either yourcounselor or the House Manager.
    • Foot wear needs to be worn at all times.
    • Nail Polish/Remover will be used in Craft Room or outside.
    • NO GAMBLING ALLOWED.
    • No firearms or other weapons are permitted.
    • Any valuables, money, checkbooks, credit cards and checks will be locked upin the client cash box, in the office for safekeeping.
    • Beacon cannot assume responsibility for articles or money stolen from clients’rooms.
    • Anything over $100.00 needs to be put into a savings account.
    • All client’s personal items are subject to search at staff discretion.
  14. TV, Radios, Stereos, Recreational Books, Games, etc.
    • TVs and stereos are not allowed in client rooms.
    • A clock radio is permitted. (Not to be played during program hours)
    • Personal Cassette/CD Walkman’s with headphones may be used to listen toprogram tapes.
    • No personal CD’s, tapes or videos without counselor permission.
    • TVs and stereos are provided in family areas and may be used during non-program times (May not be used from 7:00a.m.to5:00 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday).
    • In keeping with the treatment philosophy of our program, clients are expectedto use free time during the day to work towards goals of your treatment plan.
    • TVs, stereos and radios must be off ½ hour prior to bed times, and when inuse volume must be set at a reasonable level.
    • Reading materials and videos should reflect what you would like to be.
    • No “R/non” rated videos.
    • No movies brought in by clients.
    • Should TV, radio or stereo privileges be abused, disciplinary action will betaken.
  15. Linen Policy
    • Upon admission, all clients will be issued appropriate bedding and towels.
    • The client is responsible for changing linen once a week and for laundry of herlinen.
    • Rooms must be cleaned and linens must be laundered and turned in to staffbefore discharge.
    • All clients are given a laundry day and expected to do their laundry on thatassigned day.
    • Dryers off and emptied by bedtime.
  16. Dating Policy
    • Clients are to follow a “no dating” policy, unless she is already involved in asignificant relationship prior to admission.
    • Your significant other needs to be identified during the initial assessment.
    • Women who are not involved with someone should maintain that statusduring residency, so she can focus her energies on recovery and not become distracted.
    • Infraction of these House rules will result in a verbal warning, then consequence i.e., assignment of extra duties, limiting of privileges, or termination of residency. Any client who does not confront another client’s failure to live up to the House rules is not helping that client recover.

Infraction of these House rules will result in a verbal warning, then consequence i.e., assignment of extra duties, limiting of privileges, or termination of residency. Any client who does not confront another client’s failure to live up to the House rules is not helping that client recover.