Substance Abuse Evaluations (SAE):

Top of the World Treatment Centers- Calgary (TOTW-Calgary) offers industry accepted SAE services that have been designed by the initiator of the term "Substance Abuse Expert" (SAE), Mr. John Streukens. The development of the SAE programs was a response to the United States Department of transportation (US DOT) Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Assessment. Many organizations operating within Canada and a number in the United States did not require the restrictive protocols as outlined by the US DOT program. Moreover, many organizations were requesting a competent fitness-for-work statement to be determined via the professional. Mr. Streukens additionally focused the protocols upon standardized practices as a reduction to potential discriminatory claims. The program is diagnostically centered which ensures standardized treatment recommendations; making sure that all individuals are treated fairly and without bias. TOTW-C is focused in the treatment and recovery of those suffering from Substance Abuse and Substance Dependency Disorders. Substance Abuse and Substance Dependency are formal diagnostics that are internationally recognized and which are arrived at only after the formal SAE has been conducted.

The SAE is typically a mandatory requirement imposed in the following circumstances:

Site Pre-access positive D&A test
Post incident positive D&A test
Just cause - positive D&A test
Self /voluntary disclosure of substance issue;

Our SAE will provide:

Rationale for Assessment
Diagnosis
Recommendations on the employee's need for treatment and if treatment is warranted - determine the nature of that treatment
Fitness for work statements
Liaison with treatment centre and family doctor, if applicable;
Post-assessment substance testing recommendations
Compliance to recommendations and reassessment recommendations for relapses;

SAE services include a clinical evaluation related to an employee’s substance patterns across all substance areas inclusive of alcohol, prescription medications, illicit substances, and OTC substances. The evaluation includes standardized testing and reporting. The assessment service has been standardized to the degree that diagnostics drive the recommendations. This reduces the potential of any grievance based on an allegation of discrimination. We are equipped to provide assessments throughout Alberta.

Relapse Prevention Programs (RP):

In addition to these Assessment services, TOTW-C also has a comprehensive Relapse Prevention Protocol (of up to two years) that can be applied post-treatment as a mean of assuring abstinence compliance. This plan is extensive and based upon effective treatment planning and recovery processes. Our philosophy is that addiction is a bio-psycho-social and spiritual disease. We are an abstinence based model with the inclusion of 12-step recovery resources. Our goal is to treat the whole individual in all aspects of functioning: physical, psychological, behavioral, emotional and spiritual. The RP program focuses upon analysis, acceptance, coping mechanisms, risk-factors, commitment, and relapse.

One-Year Program:
Weekly sessions for the first two months: 8 sessions
Bi-weekly sessions for the next three months post-treatment: 6 sessions
Monthly sessions for the next seven months: 7 sessions
Total Sessions: 21

Two-Year Program:
Weekly sessions for the first two months: 8 sessions
Bi-weekly sessions for the next three months post-treatment: 6 sessions
Monthly sessions for the next seven months: 7 sessions
Quarterly sessions during the second year: 4 sessions
Total Sessions: 25

Psycho-educational Programs for Abuse:

Many individuals assessed in the SAE Program are diagnostically Substance Abusers and not Substance Dependent. At TOTW-C we recognize the importance of providing psycho-educational and treatment services to these individuals. These services are provided in a one-one setting with a qualified clinician in the Substance Disorders field. The goal of these sessions is to focus on the client experience that initiated the abuse cycle. We then focus our psycho-educational efforts in the areas of coping mechanisms, risk-factors, commitment, and relapse. This Program utilizes state of the art, evidence based and holistic treatments that are accessible and client centered. Our goal in this program is to provide every individual the best opportunity for returning to pre-abuse lifestyles.

Independent Psychological Evaluations (IPE):

Corporations today continue to experience escalating disability claims in the area of psycho-social disorders; and if staff have not taken time off from work they are often the walking wounded (we just can't see the wound). Some have referred to this phenomenon as "presenteeism" whereby the staff member arrives for work and is thus physically present yet they are mentally and psychologically disengaged; thus absent. Either of these scenarios drains organizational resources and has a meaningful impact on the bottom line. TOTW-C recognizes the importance of keeping healthy people in the workplace and has designed both a qualified assessment and a stabilization/ treatment program in the area of Performance Management. The use of the term "disability" has a tendency to get and keep people rooted and invested in their illness. We want to keep people focused on health and optimal performance. Our IPE is clinically developed and uses DSM-IV criteria. Qualified psychologists' with training in psycho-metrics and psychopathology perform these assessments. To ensure we adhere to the current privacy legislation and to Canada Human Rights, we have varied reporting structures to ensure corporations receive meaningful and appropriate information.

Innovative Performance Management (IPM):

Our IPM programs are focused upon stabilization and Return-to-Work (RTW), for those individuals who are currently off of work. Some programs seek issue resolution within the "disability" arena; we know that this process can often take years to accomplish. Our clinical team is targeted at issue stabilization and will continue to offer services to clients for issue resolution once there is a RTW. Many of the factors that interfere with ones performance; depressive/anxiety disorders, familial issues, substance disorders, stress concerns, and organizational conflicts respond positively to targeted short-term interventions resulting in a successful RTW. Psychologists' trained in evidence based short-term interventions provide the services within this program. Once stabilization is achieved ongoing recommendations are offered for issue resolution and prevention of relapse states.