In the past 30 years we've had thousands of addicts and alcoholics come through our self-supported program - a program that anyone can enter, even if they're without money or insurance.
Since starting January 9, 1992 with just five beds, we've grown to where we can accommodate up to 900 clients if necessary. However, since the pandemic began we've been hovering at around 600 clients.
I've had many outsiders and non-addicts ask me over the years how many of our graduates are still clean and sober. And I always have to tell them that I don't know; we don't keep track of clients after they leave.
And why not? Well, if one thinks about it, it would be a costly endeavor to track hundreds of thousands of graduates to see if they're currently living clean and sober. Think of the money it would require. The office space. The payroll.
I believe that a more important use of our time and resources is to do our best to help the addicts who are with us now. And also to conduct outreach to those who are currently using and don't know about the program we offer. To accomplish that we have application forms on our website, plus we have two to three telemarketers who work full time contacting hospitals and detoxification facilities to let them know how to apply to TLC and be accepted.
Aside from that outreach, we also have relationships with the Department of Corrections, and other facets of he justice system who regularly refer clients to us.
One of the realities though, is that probably half of those who come to us aren't really serious about changing their lives, especially the younger ones. Many of them come here because a family member wants them to get sober, or maybe a parole or probation officer has referred them after they drop a dirty drug test. They figure that if they last 90 days with us, mom and dad will welcome them back home.
We measure success by what we do each day. The only way we grade addicts who come through here is if they follow our guidelines and stay sober. It's quite easy to tell who's serious about changing their lives and who's not just by the enthusiasm they put into their program.
Those whose addiction had caused them much life pain seemed to do best of all. They're the ones who are tired of chasing drugs and alcohol each day.
When they get the message we feel we've succeeded.
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