Philip Day:
Hello, and welcome to the Concerted Care Group. I’m your host, Philip Day. Here we discuss addiction, recovery, and treatment for people looking to make a change. Our guest today is Ms. Alfreda Patterson. Hello, Alfreda.
Alfreda Patterson:
Hello, Philip. How are you?
Philip Day:
I’m doing fine.
Alfreda Patterson:
Great.
Philip Day:
We do have a list of questions, but I guess the first thing I would like to ask you is what is your title at the Concerted Care Group in Baltimore?
Alfreda Patterson:
I am a substance abuse counselor, –
Philip Day:
Okay.
Alfreda Patterson:
… and I do intensive outpatient and outpatient.
Philip Day:
Okay, very good. Thank you for joining me today.
Alfreda Patterson:
Thank you again.
Philip Day:
How long have you been with the Concerted Care Group?
Alfreda Patterson:
I began here on September 14th, 2015, so I’m coming up on two years.
Philip Day:
Okay. Now, you’ve been in this business for a long time. What motivated you to work in this field?
Alfreda Patterson:
Actually, some personal experience and also, I always love to help people, especially those that have a need for assistance and services, I always like to assist with giving resources, especially those that suffer from substance use disorders.
Philip Day:
Okay. Speaking of substance abuse disorders, what do you enjoy most about working in recovery?
Alfreda Patterson:
I think the outcome, so you see them coming so beat up and torn down, and they start going to groups, start getting services. They reach that level of recovery where they’re able to do things on their own, and just seeing them come from 0 to 100. I love the outcome. The outcome is tremendous, and it is enlightening. It is very enlightening.
Philip Day:
Okay. What do you think, though, is the most challenging part of your job? And I know there are a lot of challenges. What’s the biggest challenge?
Alfreda Patterson:
Personal challenges or just challenges as the job itself?
Philip Day:
The job itself. Working with people with addictions, that’s not for everybody.
Alfreda Patterson:
So I’ve been asked this question before, and I cannot come up with an answer.
Philip Day:
Oh, really?
Alfreda Patterson:
I really can’t come up with an answer because I understand that substance abuse is a challenge as a whole.
Philip Day:
Right.
Alfreda Patterson:
Every challenge… Philip, I really can’t come up with the answer. I’ve been asked this question so many times, and I’ve always stumbled over, “I don’t know what the challenge is.” To me, it’s really not a challenge. If anything, that I could say it would be working with a client and then they’re no longer here on Earth, –
Philip Day:
Yeah.
Alfreda Patterson:
… they might die from substance use disorders or any other type of related disorders, and I guess that can be disheartening. That’s the only thing that I can come up with, truthfully, because I can’t come up with a challenge. It’s really not a challenge because it’s a passion to me, and by me being passionate with addiction, then there are no challenges.
Philip Day:
I see. Concerning that, what would you tell someone researching treatment choices in Baltimore?
Alfreda Patterson:
I would say always Google. Look for different treatment facilities that fit their needs because everybody is individualized. So I would say Google, get reviews on different treatment services, and always scroll down to the one that says Concerted Care Group, because we give their whole overall treatment.
Philip Day:
Yeah, okay.
Alfreda Patterson:
So you want to look for treatment that is more or less wellness. So you want that whole individual to be treated, just not for the addiction part of substance use but all ways of treatment and service.
Philip Day:
I see. Alfreda, thank you so much for joining us today, and I know we’re going to have you back probably on a number of occasions.
Alfreda Patterson:
Thank you.
Philip Day:
You’re welcome. As we get deeper into addiction, recovery, rehabilitation, all those topics, and more, –
Alfreda Patterson:
Yes.
Philip Day:
… because this is a relevant topic to people, no matter what their situation in life, rich or poor.
Alfreda Patterson:
Absolutely.
Philip Day:
In any situation, this is truly a topic that we need to hear about. So, thank you so much.
Alfreda Patterson:
Thank you so much, Philip.
Philip Day:
You are welcome. I want to tell the audience that as we come to a close, we encourage you to visit our website, which is www.concertedcaregroup.com, or you may call them at 410-617-0142 to find out more about our community-based substance abuse treatment and total behavioral healthcare. Concerted Care Group of Baltimore, Maryland, has no weight to get into treatment, and we take same-day referrals. If you or someone you know is addicted, please get them help now. Please consider the Concerted Care Group of Baltimore. Thank you and have a good day.
Alfreda Patterson:
Thank you.
The Concerted Care Group provides methadone treatment. We utilize the “Whole Person, Whole Life” philosophy of substance abuse treatment. It integrates medical, psychological, vocational, economic, and social expertise to literally “wrap around” the patient and the patient’s lifestyle.
Contact our outpatient clinic in Baltimore, Maryland at (410) 617-0142 or email at info@concertedcaregroup.com or https://concertedcaregroup.com. We accept patients that same day, too.