Frequently Asked Questions

Why would a parent want to purchase this service?

Parents are in a challenging position. They want to be supportive and provide for their children’s success. However, participation in treatment and aftercare planning to address problems related to substance use can create an uncomfortable role for some parents. This is due to the uncertainty around the issue of treatment compliance. Parents frequently comment that they do not want to be placed in the position of determining whether drug screening is necessary or checking-up on aftercare activities. SGS performs this role as neutral party, allowing the client and family members to continue the process of rebuilding trust.

Is monitoring only for people who are addicts?

No, we like to approach this role from the responsible health care model. Let’s use the example of diabetes versus unstable blood sugar levels. When an individual is taking medication and following a food plan to control blood sugar levels, the process of monitoring helps to provide information, guiding adjustments in the care plan. In the case where an individual had a test indicating high blood sugar level absent other indicators of a disease process, responsible health care would include diet recommendations and monitoring to inform the treatment plan in the absence of improved test results. In the example of substance abuse versus addiction, monitoring helps to maintains healthy behavior following treatment. The client’s ability or unwillingness to maintain abstinence is significant information in the treatment process. The use of substances will likely impact the client’s ability to maintain stable behavior whether substance abuse is a primary or secondary condition. Agreeing to a period of abstinence as part of an aftercare plan is a reasonable plan for a responsible healthcare partner.

What happens if there is a negative development like a positive UADS?

The monitoring activity is only part of a comprehensive aftercare plan. SGS follows a procedure outlined in our services and agreed to with the client and support people. Preparation for the possibility of relapse behavior is part of aftercare planning and should be part of the discussions. SGS monitoring allows for early intervention with relapse behaviors and reinforces the plan for sustainable progress.

Who is included in the monthly reporting schedule?

The interested person(s) are determined by the client and can include a healthcare professional like a therapist, physician, educational consultant, addictions counselor for example. Some clients include a family member or a close friend who agrees to act as an accountability partner to this group. The reporting process is designed by the client and flows the guidelines stipulated by federal confidentiality law.

How does monitoring differ from other services like coaching, mentoring or transition-care services?

SGS is a monitoring service for clients with a history of substance use as one focus of primary treatment. Our role is to develop accountability for abstinence through a time limited relationship by monitoring a specific schedule of activities (including drug testing at no additional fee). We are available to our clients as a resource but are not providing coaching or case management. Our role is one of providing the structure and documentation for monitoring an aftercare plan and communicating indicators consistent with relapse process. In many cases we are working in partnership with mentoring or transition care. We also work directly with primary care providers and other professional case managers.

What is the significance of your company name - Sheep Gate?

The picture of a Sheep Gate comes from the Bible. In the book of John, chapter 10; Jesus refers to himself using the example of a shepherd. Later He identifies Himself as the gate for the sheep. During Jesus’ time, shepherds protected their flocks with their own bodies. The sheep pen was built from a wall of loosely connected rocks with a single entrance. At night the shepherd would lay across the entrance so that his body literally became the protective boundary, keeping the sheep from their own straying and guarding against attacks. The body of the shepherd kept the sheep from wandering out and getting hurt and kept animals and bandits from entering the pen. We see this as a picture of the relationship when monitoring a newly recovering person. We see it in the elements of the aftercare plan; the loosely connected rocks are the plan, the professional relationships, the family and recovery partners. We believe the gate is the power of love.