Noticed something today...

[Cobb]

Hi guys--

I'm sorry for making so many post recently. I don't usually like to make but like one or two a week tops but this is like the second in two days. So, I hope no one is getting annoyed at me.

I went to medicate today and gave the counselor at the door my number. I was flagged so I went in and talked to my counselor. She took out my file (3-ring binder) and turned it to an opened page. She said "I need you to sign this right quick, so sign right there." She then proceeded to point on a line and I signed without looking at anything the paper said. Then, she asked if I got my UA last month and I told her I wasn't sure. So, she turned her head and started looking through some papers to see if I had. While she was doing so I looked at the paper I signed- and tried to see what it said. She had wrote a bunch of stuff in her own hand-writing on the paper. It said some of the following:

David hasn't been working the program properly due to consistent failed drug test (THC). David has had a total of seven drug-test administered, four were negative and three were positive. David isn't working the program properly and isn't attending meetings with counselor. David has stopped using THC and drug test are now showing clean. Met with David today- still doesn't meet with counselor for meetings properly.

This all took me by complete shock to be honest. I thought that I had been doing great in the program. If I'm a bad patient as of now- then I don't know what they expect from people. I know had dirty urine analysis at the start but they've been clean for five months now. I don't know if this was stuff from the past of what. It also said something like I'm not meeting with the counselor for meeting proplerly- thus I'm not working the program as I am suppose to - twice.

I've never been told to meet with her. She's seriously never ask me too meet with her. About five months ago she told me to start coming to see her more often. Sometimes, I just forgot- but I always come when she has me flagged and needs to see me. You'd think if this was a big problem she would tell me that I need to come to her. She's never told me that I was doing anything wrong or that I wasn't "working properly" so I don't know what the deal is with her. I mean- if she told me to come by once a week I would have no problem with it. She should have gave me some type of vocal warning, advice or something. I didn't even know there was any type of meetings I needed to go to. It may have said something about a plan too. It either said I had set up or a plan or that I didn't- but I think it said I did. I hope she doesn't want me to set up a time line of when I will stop medicating- right now I'm not sure.

Basically, I'm just kinda worried/annoyed at what I saw. I feel like I've been a good patient and I have taken pride in that. She's also led me to believe that in a way and never told me other wise. Is this terms for getting kicked out of the program? Could they ever kick me out without telling me what I had done first?

I can't figure this one out- I've always been so good to this woman- I'm boggled. The last part about not meeting didn't make sense. I just hope she doesn't tell me I've been kicked out one day. Without even telling me or something- because if I told the director she never told me I was doing anything wrong- all she would have to say is that she did tell me I was doing wrong- and who would he believe? I think she's the type to do it too!

What do you guys think about this? Shady if you ask me!

[mac]

Your signature on those 'progress notes' are the same as you saying that she sat down and discussed this with you and so now you know and if they want to chuck you out of the program for 'non compliance' that you are aware of your wrong doings so they can discharge you.
So when you wonder if they can kick you out without telling you the answer is Yeah cause they got your signature on that 'treatment plan' and as far as any beauracrate is concerned it appears you are in the know with it all.


BTW those progress (or lack of in your case) and some 'plan' is called the treatment plan and it sounds like you aren't getting with the treatment plan from what you say it said.

You better go in there and get an 'amendment to your treatment plan' They can't change your record BTW so they will have to keep that in your file so you will need an amendment to the situation.
Get a copy of all those treatment plans too BTW and stop signing stuff without reading it thoughly.

You better watch your back.

KK

[garbo]

what mac said


Cobb I read through my progress notes when I switched clinics and to my amazement- my previous counselor had written I was still looking for a job - I had been employed then for a year-

He wrote I was just spinning my wheels and making no progress. Some other things too that made it obcvious he had no idea what I was up to or even who I was

I had noticed he was really forgetful and always had to be reminded of wwho i was etc.

so it could be your counselor is overworked and just writing some stuff. Or could be you do need to work a lilttle harder?? Or probably you need to at least get with her and talk about this b.s. she wrote ..

\Basically THEIR idea of progress and OUR idea of progress are a lot different..


take care.

[MikeM]

First off, why would you sign something you didn't read? After you read it, why didn't you ask your counselor to explain. I understand the intimidation factor. Anyway, if I were you I'd ask her. Next time read it first and discuss it right then. The next time you see her ask her what her expectations are. Ask her how often she wants you to see her. There shouldn't be all these questions in your mind.

[Cobb]

Mac, Garbo, Mike--

In the first post I made I was going to say the exact thing that Garbo said. It seems as if she is just writing random things down. Keep in mind, the paper she had me sign was one that should have been done a long time ago. She always does this bull. She has me come in and sign papers constantly that shes put off for months. She never tells me what it says and gives it to my quickly, says sign and then removes it. To me it seems like she just making some of the stuff up. Like I said, I can't imagine what they consider a good patient if I'm not one- especially compared to some of the other people that come there.

I go in each day, don't hang around out side or get involved in any "funny" business. I just do what I'm told basically. I do admit to the fact that when I came I had THC in my urine but I have no want/need/desire to ever use it again. Even so- I was told that I can't be discharged for using marijuana. That's why I pushed it for a little while- then I stopped hanging with the old friends and got a job. That's improve in my eyes- finding new friends, hobbies, getting a job, getting involved back into school, family.

I feel like it's just her job to write this "plan"- or process and she doesn't know what to put. So, she reverts to putting down what she would put down for any stereotypical drug-user. The only thing that she can base negativity on is the first few dirty drug screens. Which now I've got a ratio of 5:3 - with the majority clean- and it will never be an issue again.

Now, as far as meetings I seriously was never told I needed to meet with her more often or anything. I mean I just met with her the over day- if we had things we needed to do why didn't she just ask me to come see her again the next day or something because we needed to work on some things.

I guess I could go by more- but I've just never thought I needed too or have been led to think I should. It's crazy for her to play it off like I'm not working the program because since I started I've got clean of all drugs, got a job, got involved with my family, and I'm getting back to school. Everything sounds good to me- I just can't imagine this. I'm kinda like Garbo- I'm a little shocked here to find this out. Especially, when it seems like it's just made up.

The intimidation factor thing is somewhat right on. It's not that I'm afraid/intimidated- I just don't like her personality or character. I don't really want to be around her if I don't have to. However, if I try to change counselors I feel like she will take offense to this and it will be nothing but drama for me in the future.

I can just vision in my head coming into the program- and this spiteful woman- who turned me away for being one minute late saying I'm terminate. I vision myself walking in and being flagged. Walking to her office and her saying "We need to talk- I don't feel like you are properly using the program or working any type of steps- I'm terminating you from the program." Then, I'll be shocked about to pass-out begging for mercy- and she'll revert to the same attitude she had when I was one minute late "No, sorry- you should have thought about this- no, no, no- sorry."

It's just scary and it sucks because I hate being around her. I guess maybe I should just go to her and ask if there is anything that I need to work on but I find it shady she wrote all this and hasn't said anything to my face- then had me sign the paper- like agreed that it was true- and never told me to read it and had me sign it in a quick way like she didn't want me too.

My most important question is: Is this highly unusual for a patient to have a "negative" report like this? Does it sound like my neck is soon to be on the chopping block? Is this relative to a patient that is about to be discharged?

I just don't want her ruining my life because she has to make up words for her job. I promise you all that I've worked the program very well- told her what I would work on ect... Simply, talking to her isn't really going to help me at all- but if I must I will- I just wish she'd told me I was doing wrong. Like I keep repeating I can just see her pulling something like that- then there will be nothing I can do and for that reason I'm scared.

Doesn't seem like anyone else meets with her that often. Of course, you have your few that run to her crying all the time and whining to her about every life problem- but that's not my style.

Damn, this is TWISTED. I've done so well and this is what they are thinking BLOWS MY MIND.

Talk to me peeps.

[mac]

It don't matter what you think she thinks. What matters is that you have negitive treatment progress notes and that your treatment plan says you aren't getting with the program'

KK

[mac]

I use to write an outline for my treatment plan and then take it in and have my caseworker type it up on the required forms and then when I'm done reading it and agree I sign it.

The most accepted reason to discharge a patient from treatment is noncompliance and when they determine that a patient isn't responding to treatment. Your plan says you are both those things.

You want that plan to read:
David is doing well in the program. He has stopped his use of illict opiates completely as confirmed by xx number of negitive UA screens

David has recently abstained from smoking marijunia (which he was positive for on intake) and has now complied by submitting 3 negitive UA screens

David has been compliant in treatment and has been 'phrased up' to receiving xx number of carry out medicine per week

David meets with caseworker as often as is asked and does not hesitate to discuss matters pertaining to advancing his recovery.

David is currently exploring new ways and has developed some new hobbies to use his spare time that involves compliant recovery and seemingly uses his time well

David has a good home enviroment and has taken on the added responsibility of caring for his young neice.
His revitalized relationship with his immediate family members shows that David is reaching out and accepting support from family members.

David has reinvolved himself in school activities and is currently attending classes xx number of days per week
He hopes to complete his associates degree in business (or what ever your school focus is)

David has also severed ties with old friends that could be detrimental to his recovery development and is making new substance free assoications

[Marot]

My "care plan" was actually like a big joke to me. We had these forms we had to fill out once a month with the same questions on every one. Example: What are you doing to stay free of illicits? My answers were exactly the same for every question each and every month. All it was, was paperwork to me and her. I liked my counselor as a person, but she was not someone I felt close enough to, or that I thought had the credentials or the "time" to be helping me with personal issues. I took advantage of my H's EAP and the "proffesional" counseling they provided for free.

Marot

[Ltomczak]

Cobb,

MAC is absolutely right; you need to contest this right away. Even if your clinic chooses to do nothing with it; this is NOT the type of thing you want sitting in your file. If you ever decide to transfer clinics, (or are forced to), get on an OTP office, etc. you want your file as clean and indicative of the truth as possible.

Do you know how many drug tests you actually failed? Did any come up positive that shouldn't have?

I would start at the counselor level if you feel comfortable with it and ask her to reevaluate. If you're not comofrtable with her (or if she seems like a bad counselor) I would take it upward to the director or someone in charge. Explain the situation calmly and clearly and request and ammenment. I would also request a new counselor. It doesn't have to be personal or vindicitive, just say you would feel more comfortable with someone else.

From this point on I would also suggest keeping a "recovery / clinic journal" and document anything that goes at your clinic or whom with you spoke to. If you just go in and dose all you need to write is "dosed X mgs @ x time" If you know who the dosing nurse was, you can add that in as well.

Any time you meet with your counselor, take your OWN notes. You may or may not want to have them review your notes and sign off on them, if possible, but that's dependant on your relationship and how they would take it. I pesonally request that a copy of MY notes go into my file in addition to their notes.

Going forward, obviously, you need to read EVERYTHING before you sign off on it. After you address this, I would also request to see a copy of your file to make sure this counselor didn't put anything else in there that shouldn't be.

_________________
lindsaytomcat@yahoo.com

For those in and around the Chicago area - feel free to contact me if you need help with your treatment.

- Lilly

[Maronne]

This is OUTRAGEOUS - isn't it Cobb?!! It sounds as if you attend my clinic in Mass and have my counselor! The B.S. we have to put up with to get our medicine is just totally unacceptable! UGGHHHHH!!!! I'm feelin' your pain!


Maronne

[jenniferlynn]

COBB, I RECENTLY HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM, I'VE GOT TO EXPLAIN SITUATION SO YOU UNDERSTAND, I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING AS FAR AS DRUGS GO FOR 5 YEARS ONLY METHADONE WENT TO MORE APPOINTMENTS THAN I HAD TO MORE GROUPS AS WELL, HELP RUN MA AND DO NEWSLETTER I STARTED ON MY OWN WITH A FELLOW CLIENT. I HAVE BEEN DOING A CHEMO THERAPY AND SICK ALL THE TIME JANUARY WHEN I STARTED BY MARCH I WAS DEPRESSED SICK OF BEING SICK SO MY FRIEND GAVE ME THIS PILLS WHICH I THOUGHT WERE SLEEPING PILLS I TOOK THEM ALL AT ONE TIME HOPING NOT TO WAKE UP BUT I DID. I WENT TO COUNSELOR TOLD HER RIGHT AWAY STARTED INTENSE THERAPY WITH HER AND DID IOP MEETING 3 TIMES WEEK LOST MY PRIVLAGES TO EARNED MOST BACK NOW BUT I HAD 6 DAYS I'M CLEAN EVERY MONTH SINCE THAT DAY BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MEETING WITH COUNSELOR AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR EVERY TIME I HAD AN APPOINTMENT I EITHER HAD TO GO FOR BLOOD TRANSFUSION OR TREATMENT WAS DOING FINE WITH RECOVERY ASKED THEM IF THEY NEEDED A SLIP FROM MY DOCTOR STATING WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH SHE SAID NO IT'S OK THEN NEXT DAY FLAGS ME IN TO HER OFFICE WITH THIS PAPER TO SIGN IT WAS CONTRACT THEY WILL KICK ME OUT IF MISS APPOINTMENT( LIKE YOU I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOU GO FROM WORKING HARD BEING GOOD PATIENT TRYING TO DO RIGHT BEING ON VERGE GETTING KICKED OUT SORRY SO LONG

[Cobb]

[mac]

[mac]

double post deleted

[ancoulter]