Monica

PDAP has helped me in ways that I never would have expected. It was about three years ago that my son’s friend’s Grandmother invited me to the Monday night Parent Group meeting at PDAP.  At the time I thought it was some sort of support group therapy ran by a doctor with the last name PDAP, I had never heard of it. After attending for three months my husband blacked out from drinking mouthwash, assaulted me and was arrested and removed from our home.  I can still recall attending that next Monday night meeting and tearfully sharing that I finally knew why I was there. I had no idea what I was doing or what to do to help my family, but I knew that I would be able to share with people that had already walked in my shoes and who would understand my indecisiveness and inability to think clearly. 

My children attend the Special People group for ages 5-12 that also meet on Monday nights and they too have benefited from attending.  It is often difficult to find a good therapist or one that is covered by insurance, the Special People children group fills a very necessary void in the lives of children affected by those living with family members who use drugs/alcohol. They are able to share with safe adults and other like-minded peers what their struggles are and also to have a chance to be free of the stress their lives entail on a day to day basis. 

In addition to the Monday night Parent Group meetings, I have been able to receive free one on one counseling with Stewart. It has helped me with a sense of direction and It has also helped me continue to maneuver my way in life with family members that are in active recovery or addiction.

-Monica, Parent Group member for 3 years