Newsletter

February 28, 2007 Some Reminders Some Helpful Numbers
Road to Recovery
Dosing hours Monday through AA - Alcoholics Anonymous
Friday are 5:30am to 10:30am 214-887-6699
Counseling is available NA - Narcotics Anonymous
5:30 am to 12:30 pm 972-699-9306
  www.dallasareana.org

Recovery is a Journey

Methadone Treatment: Saving Lives, Not Ending Them

Recent headlines involving celebrities and methadone misuse unfairly undermine the long term safety and benefit of this lifesaving medication in treating opioid addiction and reinforce negative public perceptions regarding methadone treatment. The recent article in USA Today and numerous features in local and national media outlets have focused on the negative outcomes of the misuse of opioids by individuals who are not participating in supervised treatment programs. While some reports do acknowledge the legitimate use of methadone in treating addiction, such references are often marginal. Unsupervised prescription and use of methadone for pain management that puts pills in the hands of uninformed patients, is completely different from the supervised and individual approach that is practiced in the medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction.

Numerous scientific studies and evidence-based practices have shown conclusively that methadone, buprenorphine and other federally-approved opioids have proven to be successful treatment options when used appropriately in clinically-approved settings where medication is monitored by licensed professionals, Mark Parrino, President of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), stated. However, the unsupervised use of methadone or other opioids for pain management, obtained illegally or from physicians not specially trained in the use of these medicines, can result in the negative outcomes which surface in the headlines. The truth is that medication assisted treatment helps individuals end the cycle of addiction and its associated destructive behaviors, helps to reunite families, and enhances patients' opportunities to become independent and productive members of their communities. AATOD encourages and welcomes inquiries from all media outlets to focus on the positive role of medication assisted treatment in the practice of medicine and the treatment of addiction.

Adapted from AATOD news release (enews@aatod.org)

STD Screening

The Dallas County Health Department is offering screening for sexually transmitted diseases. The fee is $25. If you can't afford to pay the full amount, a payment plan can be arranged. Please call before 7:45 AM to schedule an appointment. 214-819-2000

"I was so mixed up, I tried to be perfect at avoiding perfectionism."

--Kathryn G.
Clinic hours on Saturday are OA - Overeaters Anonymous
6:00 am to 9:00 am 512-327-2802
Closed on Sunday Problem Gamblers Help-Line
  800-742-0443
Please remember to bring SA - Sex/Love Addicts Annon.
your lock boxes. 800-477-8191

Come to Group

We are Meeting Every
Saturday from
8:30 AM to 9:15 AM


Clinic Service Survey Results

During February, we surveyed our patients, asking about the dollar value of our services. The intent of the survey was to determine if those folks being served by our program believed they were getting a good value compared to our weekly fees. In other words, "What would you be willing to pay for this service, or what is this service worth to you?"

We asked about five of our services at AALCT:

  1. The availability of your primary counselor
  2. Availability of Dr. McDaniel
  3. Availability of nursing services for doing lab work, etc.
  4. Prescription medication (antibiotics, etc.) authorized by Dr. McDaniel.
  5. Acupuncture treatments.

When totaling the individual answers from patients for each of these categories, the average surveyed value was $139 a week. In other words, it appears that our clients believe they are getting a great value for their weekly fees. In fact, 2-3 times the amount of weekly fees. In other words, being in the AALCT program is a good deal.

--Rick B.

ACUPUNCTURE
HERE NOW
The procedure is called auricular acupuncture. It is helpful for a variety of issues that affect those with addictions.
Please see your counselor.

Over the Hill?

They say that our bodies make significant changes every decade. First we get the "paunch" at about 30 years, then the eyes go at about 40 years, followed by the dental problems at 50 years, and arthritis at 60 years, etc., and so on. The use of chemicals only speeds this process along for us.

It is hard to adjust to our age, not just physically, also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It is all such a challenge! So what do you do? Keep going. Stay clean and sober, work an active recovery program, eat right, get some exercise, have some fun, make sure you have a support group, connect or reconnect with your Higher Power. Appreciate the fact that you are still here.

--Rick B.

"It takes about 10 years to get used to how old you are."

Mothers Against Meth-Amph.
866-293-8901
www.mamasite.net
 
Recovery Related Stuff
www.hazelden.org
Hepatitis Information
hepatitisneighborhood.com
APAA
The Association of Persons
Affected by Addiction
www.apaarecovery.org
The Twelfth Step Ministry
214-706-9526
Lots of support groups of
various interests.
Visit their web site.
www.llumc.org
The Network of Community
Ministries
Assistance with food, clothing
972-234-8880
 
 
 
Texas Workforce Commission
972-288-2703
Baylor College of Dentistry
214-828-8440
Recovery Month
www.recoverymonth.gov
 

HIV Testing Offered

Almost every Friday, a member of the HEI department from the Greater Dallas Counsel on Alcohol and Drug Abuse are here to offer free HIV testing. The test is called "OraQuick Advance." The test is based on saliva and you get your results in 20 minutes. The test is 99% accurate. All you do is come in and asked to be tested.

National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)

"We now have several rigorous studies indicating that anesthesia assisted detox - a costly and risky approach - offers no advantage over other methods."

Dr. Ivan Montoya, NIDA notes

Conversations with the Higher Power

I am the wind which rustles your hair. I am the sun which warms your body. I am the rain which dances on your face. I am the smell of flowers in the air, and I am the air which carries the fragrance.

I am the beginning of your first thought. I am the end of your last. I am the idea which sparked your most brilliant moment. I am the glory of its fulfillment. I am the feeling which fueled the most loving thing you ever did. I am the part of you which yearns for that feeling again and again. Whatever works for you, whatever makes it happen - whatever ritual, ceremony, demonstration, meditation, thought, song, word, or action it takes for you to…reconnect - "do this, in remembrance of Me."

*************



Dr. Candace McDaniel
8021 East R.L. Thornton Fwy, Suite A
Dallas, Texas 75228

Call (214) 328-4848 or   for more information