Banyan Treatment Center Sets a Standard for Quality and Ethical Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Florida
Recently there have been several negative news broadcasts sweeping through millions of televisions across the nation. One in particular was aired on NBC news with Journalist Megyn Kelly on June 25, 2017. The segment’s focal point was uncovering the illegal activities of a sober home which led to a former client’s death. The title of the news article published on NBC’s website which recapped the segment was titled, “Florida’s Billion-Dollar Drug Treatment Industry Is plagued by Overdoses, Fraud.” After reading and watching the family’s story about losing a loved one, there is no doubt something needs to be done about the predators out there looking at these patients
However, the segment failed to include several important issues which I believe would have made for an unbiased, objective and resolution-focused piece.
For one, the message of this segment depicts that Florida addiction treatment is corrupt, which I am afraid positions Florida as a whole, in a negative light. The connotation with Florida is crippling good providers’ reputations who are treating clients with respect and compassion. There are thousands of clinicians and counselors who dedicate their life to the field of addictionology, and studied for years to make a difference in someone’s life. Can you believe it? There are good providers out there that actually do help clients and don’t look at their health insurance card like a credit card.
We rarely hear success stories when too much focus is on the negative.
We still live in a society where talking about drug treatment is somewhat taboo. If simply discussing the topic at the dinner table is uncomfortable, imagine the what the people who are in need of help must be thinking when they come across this broadcast. It’s already hard enough to be open and accepting of treatment.
To add fuel to the fire, it doesn’t encourage someone to come forward and seek treatment, especially now in Florida. I’m afraid it deters people from getting help because negative attention is now cast upon all addiction treatment centers.
Secondly, what about the success stories and where is the solution? It’s time we give a voice to those banding together; we should speak up and take a stand against any kind of illegal activity, fraud or exploitation of clients. Alyssa Valentin, Director of Digital Marketing & Technology at Banyan Treatment Center comments, “It truly is unfortunate that Journalists will only speak on half of a story, and that half is typically the one that sells the story better. It is easy to forget that treatment does not cure an individual. This is a chronic progressive disease. Addiction is similar to diabetes; this is something that needs to be continuously maintained and relies on hard work from the individual.
There are thousands of individuals that have recovered thanks to the help of hard working providers, and have created a great life for themselves in South Florida, me being one of them. I can personally say if it wasn’t for the facility that I went to and the community of amazing individuals I met in South Florida, I would not be alive today.” Seeking treatment for a loved one should be treated as a person looking for a surgeon. Do you go with the first person that will get you in for a consultation and offers you a huge discount, or do you do some research on the individual? Families should be on the lookout:
- Read reviews on all platforms of the facility you are inquiring about.
- Do they offer a staff page on their site? Do some research on individuals that will be treating you or your loved one.
- Are they incentivizing you to admit into their program by waiving deductibles and copays? All insurance providers require deductibles and copays to be paid by clients.
What does Banyan do differently to ensure quality care and ethical treatment?
At Banyan, all of our Clinical staff members undergo rigorous training and coursework to be certified through the Florida Certification Board. Each and every level of care is licensed through the Department of Children and Family Services. Our call center representatives are physically at our location and are available 24/7.
At any time, family can call our center and we are happy to answer any questions they may have with full transparency and no hidden agenda. If we can’t admit a client due to medical criteria, insurance or any other factor, we will continue to help find a facility that would be a fit for the client. Our network is vast and we work with many other facilities so we can best place a client looking for help. The end goal is to be a resource for anyone needing help, no matter who they are or where they end up receiving care.
The Alumni program at Banyan Treatment Center is extremely active in the community providing ongoing events, activities, meetings and field trips to keep our clients in a strong supportive sober community. Once a client discharges from our facility, it’s not simply goodbye. We are involved with their aftercare, weekly follow ups and we encourage each Alumni to stay connected in our Alumni Program.
At Banyan Treatment Center battling the disease of addiction is our passion, however we can help the cause is what we aim to do. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone.
Call us anytime at (888) 280-4763, we are here to help.
