Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:19:53 -0800WeeblySun, 19 May 2013 13:56:44 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/national-hepatitis-testing-monthIn  2011 the U.S. Department of Health
& Human Services released Combating
the Silent Epidemic of Viral  Hepatitis: Action Plan for the Prevention, Care
& treatment of Viral  Hepatitis.   The  plan calls for a national
campaign to educate people about viral hepatitis and  encourage people to get
tested. As part of the educational initiative, May 19th  has been designated as
a national “Hepatitis Testing Day” in the United States.


The  CDC will use the second annual
Hepatitis testing Day on May 19, 2013 as an opportunity  to remind health care
providers and the public who should be tested for chronic  viral hepatitis. 
Millions  of Americans have chronic hepatitis; most of them do not know they are
  infected. Thus, the CDC has established a quick five minute self- assessment 
tool for any patient who wants to determine their risk for hepatitis infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/RiskAssessment


]]>Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:01:55 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/update-your-phone-numbersPlease update your phone numbers as changes occur. We conduct medication recalls and if we are unable to contact you we may have to discontiue take-home medicat]]>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:28:51 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/holidays-and-griefHolidays
often magnify the feelings of grief. It is important and natural to experience
the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of it. It is unhealthy to block
those avenues of expression. Therefore, the balance beam of the holidays on one
side and grief on the other needs to be reckoned with.




Dealing with Grief in the Holiday Season

Grief is an
unwanted journey. It is a journey that demands tremendous energy,
  self-discipline, fortitude, courage and a boatload of patience. Especially at
  the holidays, when you have mental pictures of how things should be and then in
  a stinging towel snap, you are flung back into the present reality. No sooner
  do you think you have it all under control when the gripping vigor and
  unrelenting stress of the holidays unsteady you. Holidays often magnify the
  feelings of grief. It is important and natural to experience the emotional,
  physical and spiritual aspects of it. It is unhealthy to block those avenues of
  expression. Therefore, the balance beam of the holidays on one side and grief
  on the other needs to be reckoned with. Trying to keep your sanity while
  dealing with your grief and the stress of the holidays is difficult. Now what
  do you do?

Holiday time rates high on the stress scale under normal
circumstances. Add in a pinch of grief and you have a whole new standard of
stress. If the grief is new, the holiday's can be excruciating. Most of us,
under normal circumstances, spend our holidays trying to remind ourselves it is
all about giving and getting along. It is the time of year when we try to rise
above the Aunt who still pinches your 50 year old cheeks on any area of the
body, the Uncle who drinks way too much and the other naughty family members who
may have assigned themselves as the official family gossip or the critical
doomsdayer. Yet, when you have grief or shadow grief overwhelming you, this
situation becomes unbearable. It is sort of like being a Bopper Doll. With every
unwanted comment, unwanted touch or demand you feel the full blow of a punch.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to take an active role in getting
through the holidays and not feel like an emotional punching bag. The following
are important for maintaining some kind of sanity while dealing with everyone
else's joyful or bah humbug holiday spirit.


 

• Take time for yourself.

Don’t
over burden yourself with too many chores. Take time to plan and time to prepare
for the day. Be careful not to isolate yourself. Don't cut yourself off from the
support of family and friends.




 


 

• Rest. Practice relaxation     techniques to help the stress
  level. Trying to weave your grief into your     life is a difficult and a
  formidable task. You need rest to help you make     it though tough times.
  Emotionally, physically and psychologically, the     holidays are draining. You
  will need your strength.

 

• Shield yourself. Protect yourself     from events and gatherings
  that are too much to handle. When asked to a     gathering, ask who will be
  there and what they will be doing. Plan as much     as you can for the
  approaching holidays. Be aware that this may be a     difficult time with
  difficult people. The additional stress may affect you     emotionally,
  mentally, and physically. It is important to be prepared for     these feelings.
  Do holiday shopping early or give IOU's out and do the     shopping when you
  feel more comfortable.

 

• Back sliding. Allow yourself to     back slide. You can’t always
  be making headway. Sometimes grief comes in     waves. One week you feel like
  you are doing great and then the next you     feel like you did when the loss
  first happened. Give yourself a break and     don’t demand too much from
  yourself. It takes time and backsliding is part     of working your way through
  your grief.

 

• Goals. Thinking about goals shows     you are healing. Set small
  goals just for a day and then move on to setting     a goal for next week and
  then next month. Goals are avenues of hope for     tomorrow.
  

 

• Small delights. Take pleasure in     the small delights of the
  day as often as you can. Laughter is a wonderful     delight. Remembering a
  wonderful time with your loved may bring tears and     laughter at the same time
  as well as warm your heart.

 

• Keep a log of the decisions that     come up in your life. Do
  like Ben Franklin and make a list of the pros and     the cons for each
  decision. Also prioritize and determine if there are any     things you can
  delegate. Imagine your decisions will affect no one but     you. If you isolate
  the decision to that level, it will make it easier to     understand the direct
  impact the decision will have on your life.
  

 

• Realize that to choose something,     you are usually giving up
  something. So decide which would you least mind    
  sacrificing?

 

• Don’t second guess. Once you have     made up your mind become
  committed to yourself and the decision.

 

• Hold on to your wallet. Sometimes     grief can play havoc with
  the purse strings. People will spend more in     times of depression so be
  careful. It is satisfactory to give IOU’s to     people and you can shop under
  better circumstances. If shopping is     overwhelming, try using catalogues or
  shop during off hours.

 

• Change something. Changing     traditions may be helpful. It
  doesn't mean you toss out the old     completely. Small changes may make you
  feel more in control and less     stressful. Recognize that holidays won't be
  the same. If you try to keep     everything as it was, you'll be disappointed.
  Doing things a bit     differently can acknowledge the change while preserving
  continuity with     the past. Open presents Christmas Eve instead of Christmas
  morning. Vary     the timing of Chanukah gift giving. Have dinner at a different
  time or     place. Let the children take over decorating the house, the tree,
  baking     and food preparation, etc.

 

• Allow the tears. Certain memories     will pop into your head
  that may bring tears of sadness or joy but     definitely memories. A particular
  ornament may trigger a memory. A     particular gathering, food or song may
  bring teardrops. Think if you can     handle the responsibility of the family
  dinner, etc. or should you ask     someone else to do it? Do you want to talk
  about your loved one or not?     Should you stay here for the holidays or go to
  a completely different     environment?

The holidays may affect other family members. It is wise to
discuss holiday plans with others and make sure there are no surprises. Respect
their choices and needs as they should respect yours. Try to be open to the
possibility you may have to compromise if necessary. It is important to share
your concerns, feelings, and apprehensions. Allow them to know that this is a
difficult time for you. Allow yourself to accept their help and let them know
you appreciate their love and support at this time.

The more you
understand about the complexities of grief, the better you will be able to make
decisions for what is right for you. Grief affects you on an emotional, physical
and mental level. The following symptoms let you know that you are reacting
normally to your grief. That doesn't mean that you don't need to seek outside
help from a medical doctor or counselor. It is always beneficial and necessary
to check on your health and to find a non-judgmental person to talk with.



 

1. The physical symptoms you may     experience include crying,
   shortness of breath, muscle weakness, tightness     in the throat and chest,
   digestive problems, dry mouth, empty feeling,     disorientation, numbness,
   sensitivity to noise, change in sleeping and     eating patterns and an
   inability to swallow.

 

1. The emotional symptoms include     depression, anger, guilt,
   sadness, relief, anguish, isolation, and     loneliness. Many times the
   emotional pain is more difficult to deal with     during the holidays. It is not
   uncommon to see dramatic changes in     behavior at this time such as more
   outbursts. When activities become to     frenzied, it is not uncommon to want to
   isolate yourself. Things become     more confusing. There may be a tendency to
   increase negative behavior. Too     much eating or drinking or taking over the
   counter medications will create     more problems. It is important to talk with
   your doctor if you are feeling     too overwhelmed. It is not a weakness - it is
   strength to know yourself     and to ask for
   help.

 

1. The mental symptoms may include,     confusion, inability to
   concentrate, numbness, can't make decisions,     nightmares, increased anxiety,
   irritability and loss of self-esteem. It     has been proven that the immune
   system is compromised by stress.

Keep in mind that if the loss has been over a year many
people will expect you to be "over it". They don't understand how shadow grief
creeps up at special times such as holidays and anniversaries. Be prepared to
educate those who expect the impossible. Let them know you will never be "over
it", but assure them you hope to eventually enjoy the holidays again. Let them
know that you have been trying hard to weave the life that was to the life that
now exists. Always share the vision you hold for the hope of moving forward to
live a life of radiance.

Don't forget that anticipation of any holiday
is generally much worse than the actual holiday.

Some people find it
helpful to be with family and friends, emphasizing the familiar. Others may wish
to avoid old sights and sounds. While others will find new ways to acknowledge
the season.

Holidays are a time to re-examine your priorities. Ask
yourself what you really delight in doing and what should you delegate or
change. Enjoying yourself is not a betrayal to your loved one. Laughter and joy
are not disrespectful. Give yourself and your family members permission to
celebrate and take pleasure in the holidays.

The holidays always a offer
a way to escape yourself by doing something for someone else, such as volunteer
at a soup kitchen or visit the lonely and shut-ins. If you are up to it you
might ask someone who is alone to share the day with your family. You could
provide help for a needy family or donate a gift of money in your loved one's
name.

Be mindful not to build a relationship to your pain but instead
focus on your memories and your goals for the future. Recognize your loved one's
presence by burning a special candle or hanging a stocking for your loved one in
which people can put notes with their thoughts or feelings. Think about
listening to music especially liked by your loved one. If you are comfortable
share photographs with family and friends and remember your memories. Most of
all be true to yourself. It is your journey and only you can walk the path to a
life that is vibrant with your memories and hopes aimed toward all the
tomorrows.

]]>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:45:11 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/summer-is-fast-approachingSummer is fast approaching and we want everyone to be prepared. Please remember that we ask for at least two weeks notice to accomodate vacation requests. Also, please remember that we have a strict policy on loitering and ask that all persons who are receiving services leave the property once their business is concluded. ]]>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:56:01 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/carf-will-be-here-todayVery few things are as important to an organization as providing the best possible care to their customer base. To ensure that we are providing that high level care we are visited by several different agencies including the DEA, ADAA,DHMH, and Diversion Control. The one we look forward to the most is the visit we receive from CARF. They are the entity intrusted with the auditing process that makes sure we do what we say we do, and do it in comformance with state and federal regulations.

If you would like to speak with them and give your opinion of our organization please see Brent sometime this morning ]]>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:45:14 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/super-strain-of-gonorrhea Worldwide - Scientists have identified a strain of gonorrhea that is resistant to all currently available antibiotics, which may be a serious warning for global health.
Gonorrhea is the most commonly sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily.  Since the 1940s, the disease known as "the clap" has been easily treated with antibiotics. But the new strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae has genetically mutated to evade cephalosporins -- the only antibiotics still effective against the infection.

"Since antibiotics became the standard treatment for gonorrhea in the 1940s, this bacterium has shown a remarkable capacity to develop resistance mechanisms to all drugs introduced to control it," said Magnus Unemo of the Swedish Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria.

Unemo, who discovered the strain with Makoto Ohnishi and his colleagues in samples from Kyoto, also described the new finding as both "alarming" and "predictable."

"Japan has historically been the place for the first emergence and subsequent global spread of different types of resistance in gonorrhea," he added.

"Based on the historical data ... resistance has emerged and spread internationally within 10 to 20 years."

"While it is still too early to assess if this new strain has become widespread, the history of newly emergent resistance in the bacterium suggests that it may spread rapidly unless new drugs and effective treatment programs are developed," Unemo continued.

The best way to reduce the risk of more resistance gonorrhea development is to treat the disease with combinations of two or more types of antibiotic at the same time, suggested the researchers.

They will present their findings at the 19th conference of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research (ISSTDR) in Quebec City, Canada.

]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:52:37 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/help-for-the-holidays-thought-this-might-helpHoliday time increases the risk for relapse for chemical dependents. Holidays are suppose to be a time of joy and happiness with family and friends but for people in early recovery it can be a very painful, depressing, and scary time.


Many have never gone through the holidays sober so they have no past reference of sobriety.
Chemical Dependency is a chronic disease that has a tendency toward relapse which most recovering people tends to deny this reality.

They tend to avoid involving their families’ friends and fellow 12 step members in taking reasonable precautions that could save their lives if they relapse.   Relapse prevention planning is a program of action.

Holidays must be planned to involve sobriety.  Several things you can do to increase your success through the holidays.  Here are a few things:

1. Increase your self support meetings

2. Contact with your sponsor needs to increase

3. If a situation is uncomfortable you have the right and need to excuse yourself.

4. When you see a bottle of alcohol visualize a skull and cross bars (sign of poison).  Do the same with other drugs

5. When invited to a party ask if there will be non-alcohol drinks served or available.

6. Stay aware of where you are going and whom you will be with.  Take a recovery friend with you or someone that will hold you accountable.

7. Get adequate sleep and take vitamin supplements

8. Eat nutritional meals

9. Exercise as often as you can

10. Take good care of self.]]>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:39:36 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/closed-july-4thJust a reminder that we will be closed on Monday, July 4th. To prepare for this closure you need to be here on Saturday by 9:00am. We will be very busy and will need your cooperation. Have your lockbox with you when you come on Saturday the 2nd.

P.S. Don't forget that holidays are ripe with temptation and can be a difficult time for those seeking abstinence. We don't want to loose any of our patients to an unfortunate life choice. You can help us meet this objective by deciding not to combine alcohol or benzodiazepines with your methadone. Please have fun and be safe.

Enjoy the fire works

 


]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:19:49 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/foodworks-12-week-culinary-training-program-beginning-july-2011FoodWorks, a program of The Maryland Food Bank, aims to train adults in cooking and food preparation with a focus on nutritional skills and menu planning. This program aims at empowering people and feeding the hungry through this service training, job readiness and placement program. This free training and educational opportunity is offered to all those who are older than 18 without an educational degree requirement. This is beneficial to those who have not received a high school diploma or GED and can now find job training in a career of their choosing. In addition, at the end of the 14-week program, students receive a ServSafe® and a Culinary Arts Certificate of Completion. This intensive program works Monday through Friday from 7:30 am -4:30 pm and is free of charge, with additional assistance in bus vouchers for those who qualify as well as uniforms provided free of charge. The FoodWorks progam is now accepting applications for their November class with the 18 spots being filled quickly. If you are interested in this program or would like to inquire for more information please call 410-737-8281 (ext. 49) and ask for Brenda Campbell, Culinary Student Coordinator. The FoodWorks program is located at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore, MD 21227. ]]>Fri, 27 May 2011 09:57:32 GMThttp://marylandmethadone.com/blog/closing-for-memorial-dayPlease be reminded that all of our locations will be closed on May 30th in observance of Memorial Day
]]>