Frequently Asked Questions General Questions "How much does it cost?" "How do I sign up?" "Does PDAP provide drug testing services?" "Does PDAP have in-patient care services?" "What do I have to do when I attend PDAP meetings?" "Does PDAP meet every night? When can I go?" "How do I know if the PDAP program is right for me?" New Member Questions "Do my parents have to go?" "Will PDAP tell my parents what we talk about at meetings?" "What are meetings like and what happens when I go?" "Are you going to preach to me about religion?" "My friend is using drugs and I'm worried about them, what do I do?" "What if I am in the program and I have a relapse?" "How do I know if I'm cured? Is there a way to get rid of cravings?" "What's the difference between drug use and drug abuse?" Questions about Probation & Judicial Verification "I need a letter for my probation officer, how do I get one?" "Does PDAP provide a letter for me to take to court for charges concerning drugs or alcohol?" "Can anyone from PDAP speak to my attorney, probation officer or judicial for me?" Parent Questions To get a copy of the PDAP Brochure or answers to common questions about the PDAP program, visit the Parent Section. Answers to General Questions "How much does it cost?" The PDAP program is FREE. There are no costs, no dues, no registration. This means you need absolutely no money to join or attend.   top "How do I sign up?" Our admissions process is simple...show up!! Show up to a meeting (click here for locations & meeting schedules) or call to speak with a PDAP staff counselor. We don't have an exhaustive intake process and you won't have to rummage though your mail to find an electric bill to prove you live in Houston. All we ask is that you show up, show up sober, and come with an open mind.   top "Does PDAP provide drug testing services?" No. We do not have the facility, equipment, or financial means to provide drug testing as part of our services. Also as part of our privacy and confidentiality of support during recovery, we do not provide drug tests.   top "Does PDAP have in-patient care services?" No. PDAP is not a residential program, halfway house, drug rehab, or in-patient service. Our satellites are within community locations for the purpose of conducting support group meetings only. These meetings are for the purpose of teaching young people how to work the 12 steps to achieve sobriety and an everyday life free from mind altering chemicals.   top "What do I have to do when I attend PDAP meetings?" PDAP meetings are for learning and sharing the 12 steps to learn how to achieve a chemical free life. We only ask that you show up and keep an open mind. You will not be required to give out personal information about yourself. Listen and learn if you wish.   top "Does PDAP meet every night? When can I go?" The meetings are at different locations on different nights of the week around Houston. Some locations have meetings two nights per week. The meeting times are 7:30-9:00 p.m. at every location. For a complete listing of locations and meeting schedules, click here.   top "How do I know if the PDAP program is right for me?" The only way to fully understand why the program is so effective is to come to a meeting. If our program isn't right for you, as no one program is right for everyone, then we'll try to help you find a program to meet your needs.   top Answers for New Member Questions "Do my parents have to go?" No. Parents are not required to attend and if you prefer, parents do not even have to know that you are coming to meetings. Even if your parents decide they want to come with you, parent meetings are held separately.    top "Will PDAP tell my parents what we talk about at meetings?" No. PDAP understands that if you want your parents to know anything about your personal situation that you will tell them yourself. Our purpose is not to share your private information, but to help show you the steps to get away from drug abuse in your life. One of the principles we say in closing of every meeting is, "what is shared here, stays here."   top "What are meetings like and what happens when I go?" Meetings take place in a group setting, and if you are coming for the first time, you will get to section off with the other newcomers in the program. This is so you can ask your own questions of the staff, and get the specific answers to common questions about how the program will work for you.   top "Are you going to preach to me about religion?" No. Although many of our satellites are located on church sites as donated space to our organization, you will not be attending a religious service by attending PDAP meetings. We do not preach to you or try to question your belief system. But we will encourage you to think about your existence and the influences around you in an honest way. PDAP is more of a spiritual group than religious and the extent of our spiritual guidance is to seek a positive power greater than ourselves. Simply stated, your faith is your own business.   top "My friend is using drugs and I'm worried about them, what do I do?" If you are concerned for a friend who is using drugs and want to help, the first step is to find out first and foremost what help is available in your area. Get together a list of resources, so you will have some answers ready, and then make time for a heart-to-heart talk with your friend. Sit down with them and first let them know that it is because you love them, that you care enough to stick with them if they want to try to help themselves. Let them know why exactly you think there is a problem, and do not try to use scare tactics or threats, as they rarely succeed. Also remember that your resources are just to help you both get information. Have your resources ready, and offer to go with them if they agree to seek help.    top "What if I am in the program and I have a relapse?" If you are active in the PDAP program and have a relapse, you will not be banished or scorned. Relapse is generally a normal part of the recovery process. It is times like these when you may feel the need of support from the group even more and PDAP is here for this very reason. If this happens it is important not to punish yourself. Bring yourself to the next meeting available and together we'll help get you back on track.   top "How do I know if I'm cured? Is there a way to get rid of cravings?" How long it takes to reach a chemical free lifestyle is entirely up to you. For some, getting involved in the program and following the 12 steps takes longer than others. Meanwhile there are some who come to their first meeting and walk away from drug use forever. Last year, 68% of our members achieved at least 30 days of sobriety. There are many reasons people will give themselves or others, as an excuse to try drugs or justify their reasons for continuing to use them. But often the craving to use mood altering substances is merely a symptom of some other feeling, problem, need, want, desire, or emotion that has not been met with or dealt with accordingly. By working the 12 steps of the PDAP program, it is common that cravings subside significantly in about 30 days. After the first year of sobriety, the tendency to view drugs as part of our lives tapers off and the comfort they once provided is gone.   top "What's the difference between drug use and drug abuse?" It is common that PDAP staff will be asked this question from parents who are trying to assess how severe the situation is about a loved one. People naturally want to associate frequency of drug use as the denominator for how bad off a user may be. It is not "how much" or "how often" that alone determines a problem, although these are factors that characterize addiction. But contrary to belief, the drug itself or frequency of use may not be the only issue that needs attention. Personality traits among risk-takers, thrill seekers, creative types and personal extremists have common tendencies for such urges for gratification, which chemical use provides. Abuse is present where drugs are causing further problems and no action is being taken to correct or alter the problematic behavior (the behavior which is a direct result from drug use.) It's simple, if all other problems lead back to some association with the drug use, and nothing is being done about it, abuse is more than likely the case.    top Questions about Probation & Judicial Verification "I need a letter for my probation officer, how do I get one?" In order to get confirmation that you have attended a meeting, bring your Attendance Verification Form from your probation officer, and at the end of the meeting the PDAP staff member will sign it for you. This will let this probation officer know that you have attended a PDAP meeting. To prove active participation in the program or to get a written letter, called a "Letter of Participation" you will need to schedule an appointment with a senior staff member who will outline the requirements for being considered an active participant. If you meet the requirements PDAP will be happy to provide you with a letter.   top "Does PDAP provide a letter for me to take to court for charges concerning drugs or alcohol?" You need to attend a PDAP meeting to get a  "Letter of Participation" from a senior staff member. This letter will show the court that you have taken responsibility to join a drug program. This does not mean that charges will be dropped, or that your fines or sentence will be reduced. For many cases involving drugs or alcohol violations, part of the requirements for probation or sentence will be mandatory participation in a drug program. PDAP may or may not be suitable, depending on the decision of the court. Your attorney or probation officer may provide a list of suitable resources that you will be able to complete.   top "Can anyone from PDAP speak to my attorney, probation officer or judicial for me?" No. PDAP staff members are not allowed to keep records or give out information about members of the program as part of our policy. For PDAP to give out personal information about you would be against our commitment to protecting the anonymity of our clients. It is important that we strive to help people get sober with their privacy in tact, therefore we cannot and will not give out information about you. If you need proof of participation, speak to your senior staff member about getting a "Letter of Participation". We will be happy to give you written proof to share with whomever you choose on your own accord.   top                              The Palmer Drug Abuse Program- Houston, Inc. ® A non-profit organization, 501 (c) (3). All rights reserved.