Because FSM is a private nonprofit agency requiring payment for service, Fresh Start depends on outside contributions to maintain the program.

The in-house program serves male individuals 18 years of age and older and focuses its marketing efforts primarily within the state of Florida. However, admission is not geographically limited.

Program Design
The mission of the FSM program is to heal men damaged by substance abuse such as alcohol or drug addiction and to treat the consequences of the addiction such as poor health, collapsed finances and ruptured relationships by rebuilding a man from the inside out. This "regeneration" process uses a strong biblical foundation to teach communication and relational skills, hearty individual and family values and the foundation of the Christian life, thereby strengthening their moral and social values.

Facilities
The Fresh Start residential community is in the College Park area of Orlando. This is where clients live and practice their newfound knowledge. Each person is required to obtain and maintain full-time employment while in the program. Fresh Start's program is for those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired and who are ready to turn their will over to God to allow for up-close and personal accountability and who are serious about getting help for their addiction.

Fresh Start believes that the following three major stages lead to recovery:

1. Detoxification: The body is freed from the physical presence of chemicals. Typically using medical supervision.
   
   
2. Rehabilitation: Using routine living as the basis of the new life, attention is paid to ensuring a body that is drug free and is maintained with proper nutrition and other good health practices. These practices are learned and incorporated into daily living. During this phase the focus is also on the client's employment and financial practices. As physical and emotional stabilities return, other counseling is provided that is designed to modify addictive behavior. This integral counseling often yields the benefit of restored relationships and long-term recovery.
   
   
3. Confrontation: Individually and in groups, FSM counselors begin to confront the client with the impact that his addiction has had on his life and the lives of those close to him. This embedded dysfunctional lifestyle has significant repercussions on the life of the substance abuser and the lives of those around him.

Using the principles of discipleship Fresh Start then introduces the redemptive love of God. This in-turn produces regeneration, creating new attitudes from which flow new and better functional behaviors. The Fresh Start program goes beyond the addiction and deals with those behaviors and emotional issues that have caused the substance abuser to become an addict in the first place.

Fresh Start's program is a one-year commitment by the individual, allowing time for recovery and stabilization before the man attempts to live outside of a structured environment. During the year, the FSM program works through three phases. These phases "grow" a man through his addiction and his lifestyle changes while working to restore his relationship with God and his family.

Hours of Operation
FSM discipleship house provides service to residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The major portion of treatment is provided between the hours of 3:30 PM and 11:00 PM, Monday through Friday, when the full complement of professional staff is present and readily available. Daily evening programs are provided. Continuing aftercare services for former clients seeking to maintain a healthy lifestyle is provided.

Initial Screening
Initial screening for admission occurs prior to the admission itself. The FSM staff does a prescreening phone interview with discussion of the presenting problem, history of previous treatment, amount and type of substance used, physical, medical or psychological limitations, ability to meet financial obligations, and, most important, motivation for treatment. Initial screening is a process which begins upon initial contact and which may involve several administrative personnel. The Director reviews all the initial contacts before approving admissions. Initial screening may be done by telephone and/or office visit(s).

Admission
Admission is usually by appointment after initial screening. You can now apply to the program through our online forms. In crisis situations or walk-in contacts, provisional admissions may be approved according to established procedures.

FSM's Aftercare Program
It is strongly suggested that as a part of the overall aftercare planning developed by the primary counselor and the client, the client remain active at the weekly support group meetings and aftercare sessions, held at FSM for at least one year after the successful completion of treatment.

Note: This is for general information only. Details and program specifics must be obtained directly from Fresh Start Ministries of Central Florida, Inc. at (407) 293-3822. You can now apply for the program through our website.