I was initially intrigued by the hiring process of a drug rehabilitation facility, due to the obvious standards of care it would take to be qualified. But in asking for a "typical" story I was caught off guard.
"The most compelling story is mine... My name is Christopher Ross and I am the son for whom this facility was founded. I was an addict for over a decade of my life. I had lost everything that was near and dear to my heart; family, friends, houses, cars, jobs, businesses, the list goes on and on. I went to numerous treatment centers trying to recover. If I found a solution then any one struggling can find a solution."
How did you find a solution?
"I struggled as an addict for several years and went to traditional 12 step type programs such as Betty Ford and Hazleton. Those programs were not a good fit for me. My father researched and found that there were non-12 step modalities available so I went. I found success with this approach. Once I had recovered, my parents wanted to offer families a program based upon our family's experiences with treatment centers. We knew what didn't work and knew what did."
Your parents started a facility?
"What was their home is now a beautiful beach side treatment center. We have handpicked a team of clinical and medical professionals with over 125 years of combined experience dealing with substance abuse and mental health problems. Over the past decade we have modified our program to reflect what has been proven to be scientifically effective. We have a wonderful successful program where we give our clients the ability to control their thoughts feelings and emotions. We also specialize in treating the mental health co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and Trauma."
And you've dedicated yourself to this?
"I have dedicated my life to being of service to others. This is not a job but more of a calling. I have the ability to help and that's what I do on a daily basis at Blu By the Sea. I have been sober for over a decade and I would like to take this moment to thank my parents who supported me through the most difficult times in my life. I would also like to give a bit of advice: if you have a family member or a loved one who is struggling please get them help. Never quit trying to offer help. Even if they are at first standoffish to the idea, you are fighting for their lives!"
Do you see other recovered addicts take this path?
"During the past 5 years there have been former employees that have opened centers based on our unique philosophy: I guess imitation is a form of flattery. All I know is you have to have a sincere desire to help others in order to open and run a treatment facility."
What drives you to continue?
"What drives me are the Christmas cards I receive every year from past graduates of our program as well as their families. To get the news that a client has gone back to college and finished their degree, got a new job, got married or is expecting a child. These Christmas cards are the reason I get up every day and continue my quest to help others and restore families."
"We have been here for over a decade helping restore over 1,000 families and I pray that we will be able to continue to help another thousand clients. I know that I can make a difference in this world by saving lives. Most recently a wife had researched facilities and decided on sending her husband here. The reason was simply that what we offer is unique. Most treatment centers preach the 12 steps as a solution. I am not anti-12 step; but know that there are much more effective means to help a client gain control of their lives."
Any final thoughts or advice for those this may have touched?
"Don't ever give up! Give yourself a break and ask for help, or call the facility and I can explain what we do here and how you can have your life back! God Bless."
Note from the author: I didn't get to the hiring process here, for obvious reasons, like the tears rolling down my face! But search Hiring Guru on Huff Post or for valuable information on hiring, team building and employee retention check out my book The Naked Interview: Hiring Without Regret.
Interview by David Jensen for The Huffington Post