FEATURED STORY:
“I used drugs at a very early age. I learned how from my dad. He was my supplier in the beginning. It started as a relief and thrill. Slowly but surely it turned into an obsession and compulsion. Getting and using drugs became a career for me. I found myself out of control chasing after the next hit of crack and bottle of beer. Breaking the law and lying to those who loved me became a daily practice. I reached my bottom when I was homeless for the second time. I was truly broken and couldn’t live like that anymore. I managed to accumulate two open court cases during this time. When the police came and got me I was truly ready to go. I didn’t fight or argue because I truly wanted to stop using. I ended up spending my first 16 months clean in jail. There I had the opportunity to go through a drug program. I did a lot of praying, reading spiritual things and making Narcotics Anonymous meetings while incarcerated. I came home on work release and I managed to continue to stay clean. I completed work release and was put on parole. This was when I started at the EAC Network Outpatient Clinic. I was very scared at first being home and confused with different issues and relationships in my life. It was in Outpatient that I talked about them and got my feelings out. I also received feedback from my group to help me make some decisions and set some boundaries up. I had two great counselors Cecily H. and Deborah C. However it was during my one-on-one counseling sessions that I really was able to open up and talk about my inner fears. Cecily listened which really meant a lot and she gave me direction which I trusted and followed. I don’t think I could’ve made it without their help. I’m clean today I have my family back in my life, I have true friends in my life, I now have a total of sixty college credits and I have been accepted into the School of Social Work at Adelphi University. It truly is possible to stop using drugs.” – L.P.
Chemical dependencies are treatable diseases which can have positive outcomes. Recovery is a process that is effective and not only heals individuals but also families and communities. It also saves money and other scarce resources in health care, judicial, workplace and other settings. The EAC Outpatient Clinic offers a broad range of services that begins with a comprehensive assessment to determine the level of care and ensure that each client receives the treatment that they need.
EAC Network’s Outpatient Clinic is designed to assist individuals with the disease of addiction to begin their recovery in a safe, full service treatment environment. The program also assists the patient’s family and significant other to cope with the patient’s disease and its effects on themselves.
Clients can participate in this program under their own initiative or are referred by the criminal justice system. They are monitored one-on-one with the goal of attaining and continuing abstinence from substances while vocational/educational goals are identified and support is provided to attain them. Group therapy includes specialized groups for men and women.
The program targets women, homeless individuals, persons with co-occurring disorders, persons living with HIV and AIDS, those involved in the criminal justice system, and those who are in need of detoxification, medical and social services.
Download our brochure: Outpatient Clinic brochure