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Newsletter
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February 28, 2007 |
Some Reminders |
Some Helpful Numbers |
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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 |
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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)
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.
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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 |
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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:
- The availability of your primary counselor
- Availability of Dr. McDaniel
- Availability of nursing services for doing lab work, etc.
- Prescription medication (antibiotics, etc.) authorized by
Dr. McDaniel.
- 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.
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."
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Mothers Against Meth-Amph. |
866-293-8901 |
www.mamasite.net |
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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 |
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Texas Workforce Commission |
972-288-2703 |
Baylor College of Dentistry |
214-828-8440 |
Recovery Month |
www.recoverymonth.gov |
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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."
*************
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Dr. Candace McDaniel
8021 East R.L. Thornton Fwy, Suite A
Dallas, Texas 75228
Call (214) 328-4848 or
for more information
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