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Lifeline Treatment Services, Inc. (LTS Inc.) is committed to the
efficacy of outpatient Methadone maintenance and detoxification
as a viable and effective therapy for the treatment of
individuals who are physically and psychologically dependent on
opiates as described in DSM IV 304.00 We are also strongly
committed to the use of counseling as a tool in the recovery
process. We will follow regulatory guidelines regarding
minimum counseling, but we will stress the concept that, as far
as counseling is concerned, more is better, as long as it is
directed and sincere. We will offer group counseling in
the areas of relapse prevention, parenting, mentoring, and any
other tool that we can bring to bear on the scourge of
addiction. It is our philosophy and goal to positively
alter lifestyles by utilizing proven medication to alleviate the
physical symptoms of withdrawal, and counseling to help guide
the patients' activities in a more positive direction.
This will not only help the patient and their loved ones, but it
will also be of benefit to the society in general. Less
crime and disease means less strain on our legal system, and
fewer visits to emergency rooms and hospitals.
There is no question that a life free of
illicit drugs of any kind is ideal. But the hard reality
is that there is a significant proportion of our population who
do rely on these drugs. Methadone treatment with
counseling gives the addicted person the opportunity to break
the destructive pattern and the dangers that are inherent in the
acquisition and use of illicit drugs. Ideally, a patient
would receive treatment for a defined period, and he/she would
be "CURED." This is the case for some patients.
However, other patients may need maintenance treatment for a
period that can't be defined by artificial time barriers.
Each patient must be treated based on his/her individual needs.
Of all patients who enter Methadone treatment there is a
proportion who may need maintenance for the rest of their lives,
unless we can devise better treatment options. We would
prefer to see patients come to treatment, and at some point, not
have the need for medication, and that is our ultimate goal.
But we fully understand the reality of addiction and we are
prepared to remain flexible in our treatment policies so that we
can assist more patients. We feel that it is, by far,
better to be in treatment than to be using illicit drugs.
We understand that the patient is not
the only one who is impacted by the use of illicit drugs.
Family members and friends must also be considered. In
consideration of that fact, we will attempt to draw this group
into the process also. We will offer group meetings for
family members, and other concerned persons. We want to
treat the whole patient, and that requires offering some support
and education to the significant others in his/her universe.
So then, we believe that we can, and
will if permitted, demonstrate to the patient the benefits of
personal growth, and increased self-esteem. We hope to
equip the patient with the awareness and tools to rebuild
damaged relationships. If this is going to be successful,
however, we can't simply take the patient off Methadone, and
send him/her back to the same environment and circumstances.
We must strive to have the patient involved in vocational
programs if needed, and have resources available to assist in
job searches. The patient must be convinced that a new
circle of friends must be cultivated. In other words, the
patients' lives must be drastically changed. That can be a
bit frightening. But for our vision to come to fruition, we must
overcome all of these obstacles, which we fully intend to do.
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