I leave tomorrow morning for a little bit of fun and a whole lot of work in our nation’s capital as I attend the annual “Advocacy Leadership Summit” sponsored by NAADAC: The Association for Addiction Professionals, The State Associations of Addiction Services, and, Communities of America.

Having attended this conference proudly representing the Houston Chapter of TAAP and as a member of the Texas delegation for over a decade, this will be my first trip back to Washington DC in four year and I am eager to be there to share my voice and carry our message for the need of increased funding for substance abuse prevention, education, intervention and treatment.

With the Texas Legislature having just approved a budgetary increase of $30.5 million for our cause, it is time that the US government join the bandwagon and work together in a bipartisan approach to helping fight the perils of addiction, because last time I checked, alcoholism and drug addiction doesn’t much care if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent; a bleeding heart liberal or Tea Party Conservative. Year after year, counselors across the US rally in DC and demand our few moments of time with our elected officials and what we have learned is that our voice does make a difference, not only in our advocacy on issues that impact us most such as funding for services, workforce development and the implementation of parity and other healthcare reforms, but as an educational resource for our legislators to utilize. And they do.

Historically, and this year will be no different, Houston sends the largest group of counselors from any US city, and Texas sends the largest state delegation, so we do our part to continue the notion that everything IS bigger in Texas! In addition to attending various leadership and advocacy training workshops, I will be having breakfast on Tuesday with our two Texas Senators, Cornyn and Cruz as well as a private lunch in the Congressional Dining Hall with US Rep Ralph Hall who serves Congressional District 4 which spans from Sherman to Texarkana. Our work is not complete until we have met with each elected official or their Health Care Aide from all 32 Texas districts.

My tennis shoes are packed and I’m ready to go. More to come from Capital Hill in the days ahead.

Keith H. Liles, BA, LCDC, ADC III, ICADC
Chief Clinical Officer and Managing Partner
Extended Aftercare, Inc.
National Addiction Professional of the Year
Texas Counselors Hall of Fame

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

For years Extended Aftercare’s Alumni, staff, families and friends have been coming together on Christmas Day to share some holiday cheer with Houston’s homeless in what has become known as the EAI Alumni’s Christmas Feast for Houston’s Homeless. Those of us who have had the privilege of being apart of this great tradition are changed forever. We would like to offer you the opportunity to participate in this selfless act of service in the true spirit of Christmas.

Every day, thousands of homeless men, women and children go hungry in Houston and across this country. Many recovering alcoholics and addicts know what it means to be lost and hopeless. We who have been there know what it means to have a stranger help us out of the kindness of their heart.  What we can offer in food, clothing, and a warm smile on Christmas morning has the power to change lives; theirs and yours.

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On Christmas Eve Day, Alumni, clients and staff gather at Extended Aftercare’s House Four to get the work started. We say a prayer, light the BBQ pits, clean and prep the turkeys and settle in for a day of work, fun and fellowship. While some men tend the fires and rotate the turkey’s, other start sorting and folding donated clothes, jackets, and blankets to be given away the next morning while still more men  prepare hygiene care packages.

We would be honored to have anyone who wants to give a gift of service to join us in our efforts. While this event is about providing a hot, home-cooked meal and some comfort to those in need, it is truly a gift to those who provide that comfort.

To learn more or to get involved, please click one of the links above or contact us.

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Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

For over a decade now, that safe place has been a bowling alley full of sober men, women and children. On New Year’s Eve night, the EAI Alumni Association rent an entire bowling alley to host a private, sober, bowling party. Complete with all the pizza, hot dogs, and soda people can handle, EAI clients, alumni, friends in sobriety, and families bowl the night away. Not only does everyone have guaranteed fun, but everyone also stays sober!

The cost of the event is $20 per person ($10 for children under 13) and that includes all the pizza and soda you can eat, all the bowling you can handle and a door prize entry. The event kicks off at 8 PM and will go through 12:30 AM.

As with all Alumni-sponsored events, this event is open to anyone in recovery who wants to participate.

Contact us for more information or to get involved.

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Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

Recovery and the Holidays

The holiday season can be a tough time for many people, but it can be especially difficult for those of us in treatment and in recovery. While in rehab, many men at Extended Aftercare are separated from loved ones, forced to face old regrets or resentments that come up during the season, and need a little extra support to get them through to the new year. They are not alone. Speaking for myself, I know that I need to surround myself with positive sober activities and people to resist any temptations that are so prevalent at “normal” holiday parties.

So what is a recovering addict/alcoholic to do? I start with the Extended Aftercare Alumni Association’s Holiday Caroling Adventure. For years now, the EAI Alumni have gotten together before Christmas and head out to several local assisted living and retirement homes to laugh, sing and make strangers smile. It seems silly at times but has always had a profound impact on those who participate as well as the residents of these various facilities, some of whom may not see another Christmas.

As a man in recovery, participation is a gift I get to give to myself. In the past, I rarely participated in any holiday events, much less enjoyed them. I believed that I had nothing to give anyone else. After being sober for a few months and getting into recovery, I learned how wrong I was. I found that my mere presence was a gift, especially when I am happy, joyous and free. I get to plan events for people who are new to recovery; helping them stay sober. I get to be a part of life rather than just a sad, lonely bystander. – Anthony K. Davis

Caroling

Caroling practice is happening now. Clayton Goldberg, EAI Counselor Intern and Alumni Member, is conducting the group of volunteers during practice on Mondays from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the EAI Meeting Hall. All are welcome to attend. If you can’t make the practice, don’t worry; just meet us at the Meeting Hall on the big day, Saturday, December 15, at 3:00 pm. The caravan will be leaving campus around 3:15 and should return around 5:00 pm for cookies and cocoa.

Visit With Santa

The day after Caroling, Sunday, December 16, the EAI Alumni Association, in conjunction with Extended Aftercare, Inc., will be hosting the traditional Holiday Friends and Family Social at the EAI Meeting Hall. Typically, our Friends and Family events are thrown to give the clients on campus a safe environment to celebrate holidays with their family members and friends. This event is no different except that we will have a special guest: Santa Claus! Santa will be on hand to receive gift requests and take photos with any children, or adults, who want to be apart of the experience.

Friends of EAI will also be donating gifts and money to help support a family in recovery through the holidays. We reached out to the community and found a family who, without assistance from the fellowship, would not have anything for Christmas. 28 year old Mom, Nicole, along with her children, 2 year old girl Mia, 3 year old girl Madison, 11 year old boy Leo and 12 year old girl Pandora, are in for a big surprise! The more gifts, the merrier so don’t hesitate to bring something for one of the kids. The Alumni Association will be buying the family a tree and several gifts but we would love support from the community.

Join us at the Meeting Hall from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm for refreshments, snacks, gifts and to bear witness to true joy and happiness.

If you would like to volunteer your time, service or just make a donation toward any these events, please contact Chris Wesolick at (713) 695-8403

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

Thanksgiving; A time to gather together with family, give thanks for our blessings, share funny stories, eat too much, watch football and fall asleep on the couch.

At least that’s how they show it on TV.  In the past, most of my Thanksgivings were spent wondering what my family was doing as I watched football on TV at the bar, eating a turkey sandwich, or sitting alone in my apartment, too ashamed to contact my family because I knew they were sitting around telling sad stories about me.

Because the EAI Alumni Association continues to host an annual “Friends and Family” Thanksgiving Feast, there is a place for all of us to fit in, eat too much, watch football, share funny stories, and fall asleep in a red meeting hall chair. And this Thanksgiving was extra special with an 11:30 kickoff with our Houston Texans.

Let me break it down by quarters:

• Football kickoff 11:30am:    There was fellowshipping, clients, alumni, friends and family still trickling in.  DJ, William, Mama Puddin’ and Theresa were getting all of the food ready to serve. Mouton and Rocky broke out the dominoes with some guests from The Right Step, Anthony was taking pictures, and I’m pretty sure Chris was texting. Texans down 0 to 7.
• 2^nd Quarter:    Time to eat turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli rice casserole, yams, and others but my plate was already full.  It got kind of quiet while everyone was eating with the exception of an Arian Foster 6 yard run, and an Owen Daniels 9 yard pass for touchdowns.  Unfortunately both answered by Detroit touchdowns.  Texans down 14 to 21
• HALFTIME:    Smoke break, coffee, fellowship
• 3^rd Quarter:    Led by a fullback block by William C. which opened up a hole, I rushed for one of the last bowls of Mamma Puddin’s banana pudding (SCORE). Things became even more quiet in the meeting hall as people began to slouch lower in their chairs, rub there bellies and moan, make the occasional trip back to the dessert table for ”just one more”…. what I can say, we’re addicts. Oh and the Texans scored 10, to the Lions 3 to tie the game at 24 each.
• 4^th Quarter:    The room began to thin out as people crept away to find a comfy couch or bed, some left to visit their other families, and some new faces showed up for some late grazing, and the soft clacking of dominoes was still present with Mouton teaching our guests how to play, still teaching, always teaching.  Things looked bleak for the Texans as Detroit held a 7 point lead for most of the 4^th quarter, until Arian Foster scored a one yard TD with 1:55 left on the clock to tie it up.
• Over Time:    By this time the turkey and banana pudding had started to mix in my belly which had a slight hallucinatory affect, and at one point I think I saw the Easter Bunny (he was eating banana pudding).  The Texans hit a field goal late in overtime for another Texans win.  And I got to sit back, look around the room with people that I fit in with perfectly.

I am ever grateful that sobriety returned me to my family (my mom, my brother), but even more grateful to the family I choose to spend time with at EAI, this fellowship, where I always fit in because the life I used to live is the same life you used to live.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the miracle.

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

“But we aren’t a glum lot.  If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life.”

The recovery community of Extended Aftercare is driven by the Alumni Association and all the work they do for EAI clients, past, present, and future. Hosting over 150 events every year, the EAI Alumni Association has been in operation for 20 years and continues to provide shining examples of the benefits of treatment at Extended Aftercare. The events range from recreational & social activities, some on a small scale, such as our monthly Volleyball Tournament, and some large, like our annual New Year’s Eve Bowling Night where we rent out an entire bowling alley to celebrate the new year sober and safe.

Although we insist on having fun, it’s not always all about us. One of our main focuses is on service. We hold Car washes and Garage Sales to raise money for the clients to be able to participate in events like SRC Softball. We have annual service events like the Christmas Feast for Houston’s Homeless where we spend two days smoking dozens of turkeys and preparing several hundred pounds of sides to serve over five hundred of Houston’s homeless on Christmas morning.

All of these events are made possible because of those of us who have decided to take action. Action prompted by an sense of gratitude that we developed on our recovery journey. Gratitude for all the work that was put in by those who came before us, who taught us that there was a better life to be had in recovery.

The holiday season is always a very busy time for everyone. We encourage you to attend some of our holiday events this year so you can become better acquainted with the Extended Aftercare Family.

Every year, the Holiday Events are kicked off by our EAI Client Pumpkin Carving Contest. This year we were delighted to see so many clients get into the spirit of the season and work together to create some amazing jack-o-lanterns…. see more

On November 10th the recovery community of Houston was invited to attend our first 70’s Ball, hosted by Alumni and planned by Sheryl R. and David S.

The costumes, or in some cases, the classic outfits, were amazing, hilarious and a lot of fun. The dance floor was packed all night with DJ Stevie Ray keeping the beat thumping into the wee hours of the morning.

The 70’s Ball was a resounding success, bringing in enough money to cover the cost of throwing the party plus a little extra, not to mention the dozens of priceless moments we got to spend with our friends.

A few Volleyball Tournaments, Movie Nights and Bowling Trips later, Thanksgiving was upon us! What could be better than Thanksgiving with The Fellowship, family members and friends? All that plus a big Texans WIN!

Steve B. was so moved by the event (or possibly by the Banana Pudding) that he took the time to write about it.…. read more

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

The Texas Addiction Professionals Peer Assistance Network – is honored to announce the acceptance of Mr. Keith Liles onto our board.

Keith was asked to serve on the TAPNET board due to his longstanding dedication and tireless efforts towards the raising of the bar in the addiction field both on a state and national level.

Mr. Liles has served continuously on boards and committees within the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals for over a decade. He has volunteered with TAPNET on multiple occasions and always happily donates his time, knowledge, and enthusiasm.

TAPNET could not be more grateful for his willingness to serve in this capacity, and to share his wealth of knowledge with this budding organization whose only desire is to assist organizations, licensed or certified counselors, interns and students in their own professional and personal development path.

Thank you, Keith, for joining us – Together We Are One!

With Gratitude,
Jennifer Holbrook-McKenzie MA, LCDC
TAPNET President
www.tapnettx.org

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

If you attended the Houston Chapter TAAP SPECTRUM Conference last week, you may have spotted Extended Aftercare’s booth. We designed a new marketing banner for this year’s conference that clearly sets us apart from other treatment centers. Taking a cue from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, we adorned our banner with a quote reading,

“But we aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life.”

That is what we are all about here at EAI. Of course, the treatment, one on one counseling, various groups and processes come together to serve as a clinical program unmatched in the country, but there has always been something extra special about EAI, and we believe it is our community.

Extended Aftercare’s residential treatment program is a minimum of 90 days. That means that over 90 days, and usually more, men not only get to work on themselves, but they also get to be a part of something bigger.

The community of EAI is driven by the Alumni Association and all the work they do for EAI clients, past, present, and future. Hosting over 150 events every year, the EAI Alumni Association has been in operation for 20 years and continues to provide shining examples of the benefits of treatment at Extended Aftercare.

The holiday season is always a very busy time for everyone. We encourage you to attend some of our holiday events this year so you can become better acquainted with the Extended Aftercare Family.

Every year, the Holiday Events are kicked off by our EAI Client Pumpkin Carving Contest. This year we were delighted to see so many clients get into the spirit of the season and work together to create some amazing jack-o-lanterns.

There are many more Holiday Events on the horizon for Extended Aftercare and the EAI Alumni Association.

November 3 - Newcomer Bowling

Every 1st Saturday of the month, the Alumni takes Extended Aftercare clients, friends and families to Del Mar Lanes for a night of free bowling. The caravan leaves the EAI parking lot at 9:30 pm and returns at Midnight. Free for everyone in recovery.

November 4 - SRC Softball Tournament

Extended Aftercare clients, coached by Alumni, participate in the monthly Sober Recreation Committee Softball Tournament. More info on the SRC website http://www.houstonsrc.org/

November 10 - 70's Ball

Starting at 6 pm, the EAI Alumni will be selling fresh (caught in Galveston by Alumni) fried fish plates fro $6, followed by an AA Speaker meeting at 8 pm. After the meeting, the real fun begins with Alumni DJ Stevie Ray spinning all the classic 70′s disco you know and love. The free dance will go late into the night (Midnight) and we will be having a Best 70′s Dressed Contest!
RSVP on Facebook

November 11 - Volleyball Tournament

The Alumni’s monthly Sand Volleyball Tournament starts at 10 am with practice. Teams consist of between 4 and 6 people and the cost is $5 per person. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and drinks will be on sale during the event. The Tournament is usually over around 3 pm and the 1st place team will receive medals.
RSVP on Facebook

November 18 - Basketball Tournament

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament hosted by the Alumni. Each team needs 4 total players (1 sub). Registration begins at 10:30 am and the tournament begins at 11. $5 per player to register.
RSVP on Facebook

November 22 - Thanksgiving Family & Friends

Extended Aftercare staff and Alumni cook up a feast fit for a king to celebrate Thanksgiving with clients, friends and family. Football included!

December 1 - Newcomer Bowling

see above

December 2 - SRC Softball Tournament

see above

December 9 - Indoor Recreation Day

The Alumni invite all our friends to come compete in recreational games like table tennis (ping pong), chess, spades, dominoes, darts, and washers. Free to all!
RSVP on Facebook

December 15 - Holiday Caroling with the Elderly

The Alumni take clients, friends and family to local assisted living homes to spread holiday cheer through song. Cocoa mixer afterwards on the EAI Campus.

December 16 - Santa Visits EAI Family & Friends

The Alumni invite Santa Claus to come visit the Extended Aftercare Campus to meet with the children of clients, friends and families. Gifts are given, joy is spread and we all enjoy a little time with Santa. Event begins at 12pm and is usually over around 2:30 pm.

December 24 - Feast for Houston's Homeless - Cook Day

In preparation for the Christmas Morning Feast for Houston’s Homeless, the Alumni begin cooking turkeys and fixings to serve 600 people. The preparation begins at 10 am and goes through the entire day. Stop by and visit!
RSVP on Facebook

December 25 - Feast for Houston's Homeless

For 20 years, Extended Aftercare Alumni and Staff  have been going Downtown on Christmas Morning to feed and clothe the less fortunate. After a very special Morning Meditation at the EAI Meeting Hall (9 am), the caravan departs the EAI campus for Downtown. We usually serve around 600 souls and give out blankets, clothes and hygiene packs until we run out (usually around 1 pm).
RSVP on Facebook

December 31 - New Year's Eve Bowling Night

Every New Year’s Eve, the Alumni rent an entire bowling alley (Del Mar Lanes) and host the largest Sober New Year’s Eve Party in Houston. Tickets will cost $20 and include free bowling from 8 pm to 12 am, drinks, pizza and door prize raffle entry.
RSVP on Facebook

More information about each specific event will be posted as news develops. Subscribe to our newsletter for detailed info about upcoming events or just e-mail Anthony.

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men

 2012 RUN FOR RECOVERY SETS RECORDS

For 364 days a year, it can seem like a whole lot of work!

Nine dedicated volunteers sitting around a table, negotiating city permits, coordinating race routes and police security, soliciting volunteers and sponsors, rallying the AA Community for support, managing registration efforts, designing marketing ads, forms and t-shirts, working with local dignitaries to attend , rallying food and beverage vendors and much more.  Without the 12 page, single-spaced Action Plan & Timeline that we use, it would probably seem even more daunting.

And then race day comes, as it did last Sunday, and another installment of Houston’s Run for Recovery comes to life, and the celebration of sobriety and the honoring of the many facets of Houston’s outstanding recovery community collide into one big sober fest!

This year’s race moved from Tranquility Park to the Wortham Theater’s Fish Plaza, and by most accounts, it was a very favorable move.  It offered a far more intimate space for runners and supporters to come together, the logistics of setting up and breaking down was truly simplistic, and, this all made the “fun” factor that much more visible.

Over a thousand purple, hot pink and lime green balloons dotted the racetrack and decorated the many booths located throughout the park.  Volunteers couldn’t be missed in their neon green shirts and each runner was provided a lime green shoulder tote bag filled with racing materials.  At last count, 665 runners registered for the race, and this year we broke a record for our Kid’s 1K Run with 55 participants.  What a blast it was to watch them.

The After Race Rally featured speeches by local dignitaries that included Mayor Pro Tem Ed Gonzales, Harris County Judge Ed Emmott and Harris County Sherriff Adrian Garcia, music was provided by DJ Stevie Vaughan, the clients of Santa Maria Hostel got the crowd going with their line dancing talents, awards were presented to the race winners in a variety of categories, and all of this was emceed by the truly contagious recovery spirit of TV personality Jose Grinon.

Another first this year was the addition of the Team competition and it was great to see companies, employees, families and friends come together to form teams, regardless if they were entered into the actual competitive races.

Kudos to Planning Committee Members Tommy Austin, Steve Boon, Mary Covington, Anthony Davis, Ellen Horst, Debbie Mercer, Susan Purcell, and Kay Austin, who co-chaired the event with me.  This is a team to be reckoned with and I am tremendously grateful for their loving compassion and how they embraced this event with the offering of their volunteer time.

A special shout out to race Founding Sponsors Santa Maria Hostel, Extended Aftercare, Inc. and The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston for being a part of this venture and a commitment to making this race the largest of its kind that celebrates recovery in the nation.  And from what we saw this year, we are well on our way!

Extended Aftercare Inc - Houston's Leading Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center for Men