Comments on: A Few Words Of Encouragement http://armme.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/175/ Information, opinions and news stories about Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opiate addiction in Maine (and the rest of the world!) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:56:57 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: armme http://armme.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/175/#comment-98 armme Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:32:55 +0000 http://armme.wordpress.com/?p=175#comment-98 YOu know Billie, this always bugs me about clinics! If you miss an appointment WATCH OUT. But how many of us have gotten all the way to the clinic at a certain time only to find out our counselor was out sick, or needed to reschedule? UGH! Kristan YOu know Billie, this always bugs me about clinics! If you miss an appointment WATCH OUT. But how many of us have gotten all the way to the clinic at a certain time only to find out our counselor was out sick, or needed to reschedule? UGH!

Kristan

]]> By: billiesowers http://armme.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/175/#comment-87 billiesowers Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:56:04 +0000 http://armme.wordpress.com/?p=175#comment-87 I just wanted to let you all know that I didn't do the radio thing. When I got there last Friday they told me it wasn't going to happen because it was just too expensive. I'm not sure who was suppose to sponsor it, but I guess it cost too much. Bummer. I was actually looking forward to it!! I had read and reread the script 50 times!! And the people at the clinic never even called me. I had to go in and then they told me. Oh well. I only live about 5 miles from the clinic... I just wanted to let you all know that I didn’t do the radio thing. When I got there last Friday they told me it wasn’t going to happen because it was just too expensive. I’m not sure who was suppose to sponsor it, but I guess it cost too much. Bummer. I was actually looking forward to it!! I had read and reread the script 50 times!! And the people at the clinic never even called me. I had to go in and then they told me. Oh well. I only live about 5 miles from the clinic…

]]> By: armme http://armme.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/175/#comment-65 armme Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:36:11 +0000 http://armme.wordpress.com/?p=175#comment-65 This is WONDERFUL Billie...and I am so glad you have the courage to step up and speak out! So many of us stay hidden in the shadows about our addiction and our treatment. It's unfortunate that the only "voice" methadone treatment usually has is the "voice" of a bad press story or a rumor mill story about a "friend of a friend's mothers brothers girlfriend's kid" that was on methadone (and a bunch of illegal drugs) and he "aint doing so well". Everytime we speak up and stand up for ourselves we change the way people think about medication assisted treatment. You are proof that we have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of! Kristan This is WONDERFUL Billie…and I am so glad you have the courage to step up and speak out! So many of us stay hidden in the shadows about our addiction and our treatment. It’s unfortunate that the only “voice” methadone treatment usually has is the “voice” of a bad press story or a rumor mill story about a “friend of a friend’s mothers brothers girlfriend’s kid” that was on methadone (and a bunch of illegal drugs) and he “aint doing so well”.

Everytime we speak up and stand up for ourselves we change the way people think about medication assisted treatment. You are proof that we have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of!

Kristan

]]> By: billiesowers http://armme.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/175/#comment-63 billiesowers Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:35:52 +0000 http://armme.wordpress.com/?p=175#comment-63 That is too bad you have no patient advocate at your clinic Kris. Everyone that works at my clinic involves me in most everything a patient advocate should be involved in. I don't work, so I have a lot of extra time on my hands. If they told me they were doing away with the patient advocate I would be devastated!! There's a few patient's who think just because I'm the advocate and am doing so well in treatment that, "I Must Be One Of Them," quote unquote. I actually had a patient say that to me!!! I couldn't believe it. They think I get special treatment. Could it possibly be that I've worked my a** for the last 3 years to get where I am today?!? Thank you for commenting, I needed the kind words. September 5 is the day. I let you all know how it goes.... That is too bad you have no patient advocate at your clinic Kris. Everyone that works at my clinic involves me in most everything a patient advocate should be involved in. I don’t work, so I have a lot of extra time on my hands. If they told me they were doing away with the patient advocate I would be devastated!!

There’s a few patient’s who think just because I’m the advocate and am doing so well in treatment that, “I Must Be One Of Them,” quote unquote. I actually had a patient say that to me!!! I couldn’t believe it. They think I get special treatment. Could it possibly be that I’ve worked my a** for the last 3 years to get where I am today?!?

Thank you for commenting, I needed the kind words. September 5 is the day. I let you all know how it goes….

]]> By: Kris http://armme.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/175/#comment-62 Kris Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:11:23 +0000 http://armme.wordpress.com/?p=175#comment-62 I only wish my clinic had a patients advocate. LOL They don't take a very proactive role in recovery. In fact, I am usually the one to tell them what month is National Recovery Month, I supply them with up to date info regarding Methadone, I bring HCV pamphlets in and even been asked to speak to new counselors who are green when it comes to addiction. So, I would be tickled pink if they ask me to do what your doing. I get nervous when public speaking too but what you have been asked to do is so important to all of us in MMT. I advocate when I see NIMBY and other sorts of prejudice in other states because if it can happen there it can happen where I am. Recently I contacted the Bangor city council and have petitioned so hard for them to oppose Counselor Stones proposal to place decisions in the hands of the city concerning MMT clinics (meaning denying access to them) that most people assumed I lived in Bangor. Truth is I have never been to Maine! LOL However, discrimination is like a plague that must be stopped quickly or it spreads like wildfire. My clinic doesn't face a lot of discrimination but it is because they hide and don't want people to know they exist. Not necessarily a good thing. LOL So be proud! Be Confident! And Picture everyone listening in their underwear! Heck, since its radio they probably are! LOL I only wish my clinic had a patients advocate. LOL They don’t take a very proactive role in recovery. In fact, I am usually the one to tell them what month is National Recovery Month, I supply them with up to date info regarding Methadone, I bring HCV pamphlets in and even been asked to speak to new counselors who are green when it comes to addiction. So, I would be tickled pink if they ask me to do what your doing. I get nervous when public speaking too but what you have been asked to do is so important to all of us in MMT. I advocate when I see NIMBY and other sorts of prejudice in other states because if it can happen there it can happen where I am. Recently I contacted the Bangor city council and have petitioned so hard for them to oppose Counselor Stones proposal to place decisions in the hands of the city concerning MMT clinics (meaning denying access to them) that most people assumed I lived in Bangor. Truth is I have never been to Maine! LOL However, discrimination is like a plague that must be stopped quickly or it spreads like wildfire. My clinic doesn’t face a lot of discrimination but it is because they hide and don’t want people to know they exist. Not necessarily a good thing. LOL So be proud! Be Confident! And Picture everyone listening in their underwear! Heck, since its radio they probably are! LOL

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