One of the biggest concerns that we hear from clients is since alcohol is everywhere, how are they supposed to avoid it when they get home.

“Where do you expect me to eat?  Just at Cracker Barrel or Waffle House?”

As tasty as these two places might be, that is not very practical and probably not very healthy.

So what’s the answer?  As with most questions dealing with choices, the best solution or plan for each person lies within each person.  Through counseling, introspection and the camaraderie that forms between only six clients, each individual will develop the plan that works best for him or her.

Well, tonight I threw myself straight into the proverbial fire.  Normally, any of tonight’s circumstances would give me pause on their own.  Well, combined they made a perfect storm.  Here is what was going on:

• St. Patrick’s Day
• Spring Break
• Saturday Night with good friends from out of town
• JoJo from Widespread Panic playing at one of my old “playgrounds”
• Locals celebrating the arrival of “season”

I’d be lying to myself and you if I said that I wasn’t nervous or apprehensive about going out tonight.  For me, a little apprehension is healthy.  Complacency and false confidence are my enemies.  The times I am most comfortable or cocky are usually the times when the opportunity to relapse is either most appealing or so sneaky that I never see them coming.

So the outcome of tonight was that all of these “reasons” to use became the mitigating factors of why I didn’t.  I still had fun.  The music was still great.  The ladies were still dancing. The bathroom was a little dirtier than I remember.  My bar tab consisted of a Red Bull, not shots and vodka drinks.  I didn’t have to pay for a cab ride home.  I will wake up refreshed in my own bed remembering the whole night.  It was a great evening and now I will actually have memories.

Hang in there!  Being sober doesn’t have to suck!

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Score 98!!!!!  Congratulations to Megan, Jeff and Team Bayshore!  by Judy (the mom)

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

At Bayshore Retreat we just had our annual inspection from the Florida Department of Children & Family Services. Our score was 98… bragging rights, for sure. You may compare this to a score on an exam that takes two days to complete. One, where every little detail is examined.  Imagine taking an Operation’s Manual of more than 500 pages and going through it page by page, then checking every employee  and client file for details and services, plus other licenses, building, etc. … all of this is examined and the best possible score is 100 – we scored 98.

To you the person who’s looking for a quality rehab, it means that we’re following the rules to ensure that our clients receive the treatment prescribed by the law. Of course, we know that, but it’s always nice to see that others recognize it. Especially when it’s the governing body which controls the licensing of such a business. To the person who’s investing his/her time and money into rehabilitation, it’s important to know that you’re doing so with a rehab facility that meets those standards to the highest degree possible.

Our results speak for the care we give, not just the score, but the clients – that’s the important part.

Check out our Testimonials page for client comments.

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Bang Bang Therapy by Jeff

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Today’s weather reminds me why I live, work and play in Northwest Florida.  Temperatures in the high 60s and cloudless skies practically scream that the outdoors be enjoyed.

Days like this usually mean a trip to the gun range.

Frequently, I am asked, “Why in the world do you take clients to the gun range?  Isn’t that dangerous?”  My reply is usually, “Yes, and that is exactly why we go.”

Well, the logic behind these excursions is pretty sound once the initial shock wears off.

As addicts, we get used to behavior that has three recognizable traits;  it’s destructive, it’s deadly and it exacts a high cost.  Firing semiautomatic weapons at paper targets in a regulated and safe environment, believe it or not, addresses each of these traits.

                1.    Addiction is destructive.  Everyone’s life touched directly or even indirectly by addiction is irrevocably changed.  No one will deny this. High-powered rifle and pistol rounds tear up paper targets quite well also.

               2.    That there are only three inevitable results of addiction – jail, rehab or death – is a widely accepted fact.  As we are a rehab and don’t want our clients in jail or dead, we go to the gun range.  You must be sober when handling firearms.

                3.    The price of addiction is incalculable when everything is factored.  However, even if just the actual cost of the alcohol and/or drugs is tallied, the number quite often surprises the addict more than the loved ones.  Clients usually appear shocked also when they realize how much a trip to the gun range costs.  They are gently reminded that their addiction cost them and their loved ones a whole lot more.

Finally, an added bonus of these trip is the aggression release.  I never ask who or what the clients visualize as their targets.  I only know that every ride back to Bayshore is characterized by lots of laughter, big smiles and, hopefully, some beginnings of inner peace.

Bayshore Retreat has a very casual environment.  We recommend that you bring the following clothes and supplies.  It’s also suggest that when you are packing, you include personal items from home (family pictures etc) to make your living area familiar and more comfortable.

1. Casual clothes (t-shirts, sport shirts, shorts, jeans, jacket or sweaters – seasonal clothing)
2. Gym/workout clothes
3. Tennis shoes, shower slides (flip flops)
4. Swimsuits for sauna – no thongs, please (2 or 3)
5. Appropriate underwear
6. Eyeglasses/Contact lenses & accessories
7. Cosmetics for personal hygiene (shampoo, soap & razors)
8. Ipod or personal MP3 device with headphones
9. Cell phone and laptop (available for use with counselor’s approval during personal time)
10. Alarms clocks
11. Personal reading material, crosswords or puzzles
12. Paper, envelopes, cards & stamps
13. Insurance and prescription cards
14. State issued picture i.d., driver’s license or passport
15. All medications (in original bottles)
16. Vital contact information for your primary care physician, attorney and other key individuals
17. One (1) credit or debit card or cash for personal expense account
18. Cigarettes (if you smoke) or smokeless tobacco

Remember, we’re a home with a washer and dryer at your convenience… so bring enough for a week, not 30 days. You’ll be able to do laundry as needed. Likewise, we have really good shopping in the area, should you forget something.

In order to get the best results out of the program, the following items are forbidden to bring:

1. Weapons-knives
2. Valuables (including jewelry)
3. Pornographic items or materials
4. Over the counter drugs-bring only medication prescribed by your doctor
5. Aspirin, Tylenol or  any type of pain reliever
6. Mouthwash or other products containing alcohol
7. Automobiles (cars or trucks), motorcycles or scooters
8. Bedding and towels
9. Provocative clothing (including but not limited to short shorts, low cut tops, heels or dressy clothing and shoes
10. Clothing or other items that promote sex, drugs or alcohol or with possible offensive messages on them
11. Addicting or narcotic medications including, but not limited to: Subutex, Suboxone, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin and Adderall
12. Pets

Please don’t drive your vehicle to the center unless loved ones are with you to drive the vehicle back.  No client vehicles are allowed at or around the center.  We suggest that you either ride with someone to the center or fly into one of the areas airports and we we’ll pick you up. 

If you have any questions concerning what to bring or anything that might relate to your stay at Bayshore, please don’t hesitate to call 850-687-6831 anytime. We’ll be happy to help with any questions.

Saturday, January 28, 2012    by Jeff Jenks

Today’s weather reminds me why I live, work and play in Northwest Florida.  Temperatures in the high 60s and cloudless skies practically scream that the outdoors be enjoyed.

Days like this usually mean a trip to the gun range.

Frequently, I am asked, “Why in the world do you take clients to the gun range?  Isn’t that dangerous?”  My reply is usually, “Yes, and that is exactly why we go.”

Well, the logic behind these excursions is pretty sound once the initial shock wears off.

As addicts, we get used to behavior that has three recognizable traits;  it’s destructive, it’s deadly and it exacts a high cost.  Firing semiautomatic weapons at paper targets in a regulated and safe environment, believe it or not, addresses each of these traits.

1. 1.    Addiction is destructive.  Everyone’s life touched directly or even indirectly by addiction is irrevocably changed.  No one will deny this. High-powered rifle and pistol rounds tear up paper targets quite well also.
2. 2.    That there are only three inevitable results of addiction – jail, rehab or death – is a widely accepted fact.  As we are a rehab and don’t want our clients in jail or dead, we go to the gun range.  You must be sober when handling firearms.
3. 3.    The price of addiction is incalculable when everything is factored.  However, even if just the actual cost of the alcohol and/or drugs is tallied, the number quite often surprises the addict more than the loved ones.  Clients usually appear shocked also when they realize how much a trip to the gun range costs.  They are gently reminded that their addiction cost them and their loved ones a whole lot more.
   

Finally, an added bonus of these trip is the aggression release.  I never ask who or what the clients visualize as their targets.  I only know that every ride back to Bayshore is characterized by lots of laughter, big smiles and, hopefully, some beginnings of inner peace.

MONDAY-FRIDAY

7:15 AM-Breakfast

7:45 AM- Optional AA meeting.  AA is not right for everyone, but for some, it’s essential to their long term recovery.  At least one meeting is mandatory for all clients.

9:00 AM- Mandatory gym time.  Recovery is about healing the body, as well as the mind, and staying physically fit or beginning a fitness routine will help you to feel better about yourself.

10:00 AM- Sauna Therapy is a staple of our program as it helps rid the body of toxins that have been built up over years of alcohol and drug abuse.

12:00-1:30- Lunch break and free time.  Enjoy a gourmet meal prepared by our chef and then take a moment to relax by the pool or meditate.

1:30 PM- Life Skills Course.  A daily course on how to deal with life’s day to day stresses.  Anger management, communication skills, problem solving and resume building are just a few topics covered in this daily class centered on self-improvement and relapse prevention.

3:00-3:30 PM- Snack and free time.

3:30-5:30 PM- Life skills course continued or Individual Couseling.

5:30-7:00 PM- Dinner break and free time.

7:00-8:30 PM- Group therapy session. These counselors lead sessions that can become quite emotional as client’s share their experiences and dig deeper into addiction itself.  Sharing openly with others helps provide an understanding that the individual isn’t alone.  Since our groups are small everyone participates and can share his/her ideas and thoughts about addiction and ways to aid in relapse prevention.

8:30-11:00 PM- Free Time.

11:00 PM- All clients to their rooms.

In addition to these daily services, additional services such as individual counseling sessions, hypnotherapy sessions, yoga, and therapeutic massages are also scheduled for clients.

On the weekends, clients enjoy supervised off-site outings such as dinning out, movies, golf, deep sea fishing, or local attractions to illustrate that it IS possible to have fun without the aid of drugs or alcohol.

It’s important to learn how to relax, enjoy the company of others and activities without the aid of drugs or alcohol. Many clients come to Bayshore thinking that they are uninteresting without a stimulant such as drugs and/or alcohol. They soon discover that this isn’t the case at all and the revelation goes forth with them as they return to work or home a new person. Confidence, determination and with a sense of accomplishment are only a few of the goals at Bayshore Retreat.

It was a Spring afternoon in 2011 when I reached out for the last time.  I had gone through a lot in the past few months.   I had ended a 13 year relationship with the “love of my life.”  I had been laid off from a job that could have only been described as the provider of my soul and reason to live.  I had also been in the hospital and/or jail more times in the previous six months than I have fingers.

When I first spoke to Jeff, I remember feelings of embarrassment, depression and humiliation… He quickly sliced through all that and made me feel like the past didn’t matter, only that the future did.  The passion he possessed in getting me help was like nothing I had seen.  He helped me begin to see small rays of hope on the horizon…

I was hopeless.  I thought that the drinking gave me courage and that it also helped me to forget the pai.  But I was only fooling myself.  Only when I was smashed did I feel like I “fit in” or that I mattered.  It took the great support system of professionals at Bayshore Retreat to help me see that that was not the case.  I am so thankful that now I am able to live my life without the noose of addiction tightening around my neck…

Today I am living back in my house. I have gotten my dream job.  I learned at Bayshore that the easiest thing to change is people, places and things, but that is not always a viable option.  The best thing, for me, was to live a simple and humbling life for a while.  I cut out all the b.s. and drama that my life had become and got back to the basics.  Once I began to do that, I could really concentrate on me and what my recovery needed to be.  Bayshore Retreat helped me to do just that.

It’s amazing to look back on life and not regret my past but to respect it.  It made me who I am today.  Bayshore Retreat helped me to see that I am not the person my addiction made me think I was, and that my life is worth living!  Sobriety is the best drug out there and I am truly indebted to Bayshore for helping me realize that!

Kelly P.

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Rehab never sounded like the place for me.  I thought I could beat this on my own … It took years of broken dreams and relationships before I finally reached a point to consider rehab.

As I’m not one to invest my money or time frivolously, I started doing research.  Many appeared to meet my requirements of what I was initially looking for.  Only one, however, seemed sincere in their desire to accommodate my needs.

I really liked Bayshore Retreat’s philosophy.  I own my own business and needed the freedom to handle the inevitable situations that arise while continuing to work on myself.

The supervised outings also sounded like a revolutionary idea. When one is working so hard on healing himself, it’s important to have a break.  I learned to enjoy life sober with people who care about me as a human, not just the bottom line.

That meant a lot to me that an owner of this company would put me first.

If you truly want help with and education about your addiction, then this is the place!  If you just want to blend in and get through your rehab experience, I’d suggest somewhere else.

A special thank you is extended to Jeff, Megan and the wonderful staff of Bayshore Retreat.   It’s comforting to know that, if needed, you guys are just a text or a phone call away.

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Once I entered Bayshore Retreat, I finally realized just how close I was to losing everything I loved and even some things I did not realize I loved.  I knew I had to overcome my addiction to alcohol.  I also knew that rehab was the way to do it.  I was scared and ashamed of the situation I had put myself in.

The night I arrived I instantly felt like family. I was physically beaten up from a car accident and broken emotionally as well.  The staff at Bayshore Retreat made me feel comfortable immediately.  Here was an environment where it was easy to share and be myself without fear of judgment.  In a matter of only thirty days I saw my emotional wounds begin to heal along with my physical wounds.  Though we spent a lot of time in group and talking to the counselors one-on-one, we also spent time finding new hobbies.  Every weekend we tried something new, from deep-sea fishing to sunset dolphin cruises to target practice at the shooting range.  These activities gave me opportunities to find out what really interested me.  I am healthier today than I have been in a long time.  I continue to enjoy activities and practices I learned at Bayshore like fishing, working out daily and meditating.  While I was there, they also helped me find a job, a car, and a place to live knowing I could not go back to my life as it was.

I could go on for hours about the kind of grace, love, patience and flexibility that was shown to me.

To this day I consider the people at Bayshore Retreat my family.  They will always have a special place in my heart as the first people who got to see the real me.

Love you guys!!!

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Bayshore Retreat provides an atmosphere that is comfortable, inviting, and safe.

The location makes you feel as if you are tucked away; however, they offer a huge array of off-site activities for clients to do. The House has all the comforts of one’s own home and has some amazing amenities.

You can tell that the staff truly cares about each individual client as they tailor the program to each person’s own needs.  I couldn’t have asked for a better staff and location in a time when I needed to put my life back together.  I will always be thankful and blessed that I was able to be a part of Bayshore Retreat’s program.    C.

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I’ve been to several rehabs. Most of them were large and impersonal. I couldn’t wait to leave and basically just went through the motions.

When we found Bayshore it was like nothing I ever experienced. They cared about what I liked to eat, asked me how I felt about things and treated me like a regular person, not some ‘screw up’ or something. I really wanted to do better – they worked so hard for me I couldn’t help but want to work as hard for myself. There were some tough times, but we had fun times and all in all it was a great experience. I felt like I was in a family.

I’m back at the work I love and I know that I can pick up the phone and call Jeff anytime and he’d be there.  I now have true friends who just want the best for me, who care what happens to me and I don’t want to disappoint them or my family any longer. It feels good to know someone cares about me for me, not for what I can do for them. Thank you guys at Bayshore.   D.

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My family decided to have an intervention with me. What a surprise… they ganged up on me and someone came there from Bayshore to help with it. Basically after crying and screaming at each other I was told to pack my bags I was going to Destin. I had no choice in the matter. My kids needed me to be sober and my life was not supportive for them. That I couldn’t deny.

So I had 30 minutes to pack and I was off. I hated the whole idea and pretty much let everyone at Bayshore know it. I threatened to leave everyday for the first two weeks. Finally I realized, that they weren’t going to give up on me. I decided to stay an additional four weeks because I wasted the first two with my pissy attitude. Now my life’s better than it’s ever been. I’m happy, I’m sober and my kids actually like me. I owe so much to my parents for being so insistent and to the folks at Bayshore for understanding and working so hard to help me, even when I didn’t want to help myself.   R.

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Fear is the main reason that many people do not get the treatment that they need for drug and alcohol addictions. We understand this and aim to take the fear out of recovery. Addicts have usually suffered tremendously by the time they seek treatment. We believe that rehabilitation should not be a punishment. We call ourselves a retreat because we nurture the mind, body and spirit of our clients. Our center offers luxurious amenities, including yoga lessons, sauna therapy, water views from every bedroom, medical supervision around the clock, gourmet meals from our executive chef, gym membership, flat screen TVs in each room, private bathrooms and individual and group counseling. These features make us the best choice for drug addiction treatment in Florida. We try to make our clients as comfortable as possible and even allow our clients to bring and use their cell phones and laptops. Our goal is to help our clients focus on their own wellness, rather than focusing on the number of days until they can leave treatment.

Environment is an extremely important factor in recovery from addiction. We have clients from all over the world because they understand that drug addiction treatment in Florida gives them the opportunity to improve themselves in a safe and comfortable environment, free from people, places and things that are related to their past life of substance abuse. Our center allows clients to escape from the pressures of their daily lives and focus on improving their health physically, mentally and spiritually. As part of our therapy, we offer off-site excursions that allow clients to begin building new life experiences that don’t involve drugs and alcohol.

One of the first steps for someone suffering from addiction is for that person to recognize that he or she is an addict. This can be very difficult, but it is something that the person must do in order to begin on the road to recovery. The next step is to contact us in order to begin treatment. Addiction is one of the most difficult diseases to treat, but with our drug addiction treatment in Florida, we focus on respect, dignity and getting the results that our clients need. You may call us at our toll-free number or fill out the short form and one of our staff will contact you. Make the choice today to let Bayshore Retreat help you on your journey of recovery.

At Bayshore, we understand that the disease of alcoholism has four main features and four primary causes. Alcoholics experience an intense craving for alcohol, an inability to control their alcohol intake and symptoms of withdrawal when not drinking. Over time, they also deal with a tolerance to alcohol that requires them to need increasingly greater amounts of the substance to experience the same effects. These problems can be caused by past life events, a chemical imbalance in their bodies, ineffective mechanisms for coping with stress and life situations, or untrue belief systems. Often, several or all of these issues are involved in the problem at once. During our florida alcohol rehab program, we address all of these factors in small, six-person group sessions.

We prefer a 90-day program at Bayshore because that is the amount that studies have proven to be the most effective in treating alcohol addiction. During this program, we will help you heal the physical problems associated with your alcohol problem through healthy meals provided by our in-house chef, yoga workouts, dry sauna sessions and massage therapy. We will also work on healing your mind from the thought patterns that are contributing to your alcoholism, using 20 different treatment options. We will blend all of this with a spiritual healing program that will allow you to discover your own spirituality or improve your spiritual connection, and we will also include many different outings to help you have fun, relax, and integrate into the real world after the program is over.

Bayshore’s florida alcohol rehab program is different than any other alcohol rehab program in existence. Instead of using a sterile, hospital-like facility, it takes place in a home with a view of the ocean, a private dock, and a reading nook. We strongly believe that the best way to help you obtain permanent sobriety is to involve you in your own healing, so all of our alcohol rehab programs are individually tailored. We talk with you about your needs, and we work with you to develop a program that will be the best for you. We do not require everyone to attend the same sessions, and we do not force you to go to classes that are useless to your goals. This is a revolutionary concept in alcohol rehabilitation, but we believe that it is much more effective than any other method. In spite of all of this, our alcohol treatment program is very affordable, and we provide more value for your dollar than any other treatment facility available.

Addiction leaves in its wake fractured relationships, broken promises, physical and mental trauma, and a great loss of self-esteem and confidence. At Bayshore, all areas of recovery are addressed by certified, licensed professionals who have years of experience in this specialized field. Traditional individual, group, and family therapeutic techniques are integrated with a unique holistic addiction treatment program that looks at every aspect of the addict, from childhood or past difficulties to spiritual needs. Bayshore Retreat is a luxury addiction treatment center because all of this difficult work is done within healing and beautiful surroundings. The center is not in a hospital or institutional setting; instead, patients reside in a 3800-square-foot home with waterfront views from each bedroom. They have access to flatscreen TV’s and DVD players and are allowed to use cell phones and laptops. In all ways, patients at Bayshore are treated as the adults they are. Furthermore, Bayshore does not take in hundreds of patients. Because they value quality over quantity, there can only be a maximum of eight at any given time.

When patients come to stay at Bayshore, their programs will be individually customized to fit their unique needs. Lasting 30, 60, 90 or more days, they will cover all aspects of recovery. In addition to participating in the traditional therapies, patients will eat gourmet meals prepared by a renowned chef, benefit from sauna therapy, and be encouraged to go on outings such as golf, deep sea fishing, and kayaking. Reintegration into the wider world is also a part of the treatment, and trips are frequently taken to movies and restaurants in the area. Although other rehab centers discourage contact with family and friends, those who stay at the Bayshore Retreat are given the opportunity to contact their loved ones.

As a luxury addiction treatment center, Bayshore also concentrates on ensuring that patients will have the tools to maintain and enhance their successes after leaving these idyllic surroundings. To this end, the staff provides extensive help with housing, resume-writing, and vocational assistance, all depending on the patient’s individual needs. From the moment patients walk into Bayshore’s gracious home, every second will be spent working toward genuine healing and recovery. All the while, they will be treated with the respect they deserve, in surroundings both breathtaking and therapeutic.

Our treatment facility is located in beautiful Florida. People entering a 90 day alcohol rehab program can be assured that they will enjoy their stay with us. It is important to us that our patients realize our treatment facility is not a punishment, and we believe that our patients should feel comfortable and safe. Our facility combines topnotch medical care with a relaxing, retreat feel that offers several accommodations, such as a reading nook, private dock, and four bedrooms each with their own private bathroom.

Our staff is made up of caring professionals who have personally fought alcoholism. We understand the disease and how it can harm you and the people that love you. People who decide to receive treatment at our facility can be assured that they are joining a safe, comfortable environment that will never judge them and their disease.

The Bayshore Addiction Treatment Retreat 90 day alcohol rehab program is one of the best in the country. From the moment a patient first arrives at our facility, they will feel welcomed by our caring staff. Unlike other addiction treatment centers, our staff believes that patients should be completely involved with their treatment. Our counselors will work with our patients to develop a counseling and Life Skill Training plan that may focus on several different things, such as relapse prevention, BUDDING (building up to drinking and drugging), employability skills, honesty, openness and codependence. Once a treatment plan is outlined, our patients can be assured that their treatment is specified to their needs, thus increasing the likelihood of success.

Alcohol addiction is a disease that can afflict anyone. More than seven percent of the population has some type of alcohol problem and 2/3rds of the population consumes alcohol. If you find yourself struggling with a drinking problem or alcoholism, help is just a phone call away. 90 day alcohol rehab programs is proven to help people overcome their drinking problems. People who wish to take the step and improve the quality of their life should immediately call our treatment facility. The peace of mind that comes with being alcohol-free is only a phone call away.

Relapse rates are high when treating addiction, sometimes as high as 80 percent. Drug rehabilitation in Florida often involves a series of stressful and expensive trips to rehab—a heartbreaking process for both those struggling with addiction and their families. Large recovery centers often can’t give residents enough personal attention to ensure their success in recovery. Therapists dealing with dozens or even hundreds of clients simply don’t have the time and resources to give each person the treatment they need. At Bayshore Retreat, we only take six residents at a time. Clients and staff live together in our lovely house on the bayou, and each individual has a treatment program tailored to his or her needs. We help clients heal their entire life and make a new start: emotional, physically and spiritually. We enjoy our clients and love having them here, but we don’t want them to have to come back. Bayshore Retreat is designed to give clients the tools they need to stay sober and avoid getting caught in a frustrating cycle of relapses and recovery centers.

Many treatment centers across our state claim that they can treat addiction in just a couple of weeks, but we believe drug rehabilitation in Florida takes longer. Our clients stay with us for 30 days, and during that time they undergo intensive one-on-one therapy. Clients have the same councilor for their entire stay, and they work with that counselor to design a treatment program that meets their specific goals and needs. The impersonal, institutional atmosphere of larger treatment facilities is replaced at Bayshore Retreat with gracious home living, comfortable beds, private bathrooms and healthy meals prepared by a professional chef. We have a pool, whirlpool and sauna on site and a reading library available in the house. Clients can relax and focus on addressing their issues instead of counting down the days until they go home. We believe that those struggling with addiction have faced enough ugliness and discomfort in their lives, and that successful treatment begins with feeling nurtured, safe and comfortable.