If it comes down to a choice between glasses, dental work, or a physical checkup, getting high comes first. So we get a lot of clients who need their teeth worked on or eye exams and glasses.
Part of helping addicts and alcoholics regain their lives is to help whenever possible with their medical care. And over the years we've been able to help a lot of addicts and alcoholics resolve their health issues. Particularly when it comes to getting them dental or vision care.
And the nice thing about it is that it costs TLC very little to help.
That's because we have a staff member who's been with us for many years who's able to find dentists and eye doctors to help us. At any given time we have 30 to 40 of them who provide assistance. And sometimes we have doctors who are willing to help us with other kinds of physical problems. Though usually, clients are able to help themselves by going to the emergency room or using their state insurance. But in the case of glasses and dental work, state insurance usually doesn't provide coverage.
We never thank these doctors publicly because we like to keep their donations private so they're not inundated with requests for help. But they know who they are. And they know that we're grateful for the help they give to our clients.
There is nothing better than for an addict's self-esteem than to be able to smile once again. Or to be able to see where they're going.
