The Basics
PDAP Austin is an outpatient substance abuse treatment organization that started in January 2000. It provides free services throughout the greater Austin, Texas, metro area, including Hays, Williamson and Travis counties. As an autonomous branch of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, PDAP Austin is based on the model developed in Houston in 1971. Originally designed by a priest and a recovering addict to help teens using a modified version of the 12 steps, the program has expanded to include adults and parents, too. Over the years, PDAP has opened offices in several Texas cities, as well as California, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Today, PDAP Austin offers outpatient addiction counseling services, peer support groups and a meeting hub for fun sober activities.
Treatment and Staff
PDAP Austin is different from the other PDAP locations because it receives most clients through referrals from other local community organizations. These include schools and the probation and parole offices. PDAP Austin also works closely with several residential treatment centers that present the outpatient programs at PDAP as an affordable aftercare option as part of a discharge plan for clients.
PDAP also takes self-referred clients. Anybody can get help by just showing up; there are no forms to fill out and no registration necessary. After an assessment, those requiring detox or inpatient treatment are referred to other local facilities. Clients who need dual diagnosis support are also provided with referrals to physicians or psychiatrists.
Clients at PDAP are provided with individualized treatment. Treatment usually lasts for at least 90 days, with individual sessions once or twice a week. Programs also include family therapy if necessary. On-site PDAP 12-step meetings happen instead of traditional group therapy. There are specialized meetings for teens 17 and under, adults over 18 and families. These meetings are similar in format to other 12-step meetings, but have been modified to include time during the sharing for feedback from both peers and counseling staff.
The PDAP Austin staff includes certified therapists, LPCs and recovery coaches. Since PDAP is designed to be peer-driven, many of the counselors are young adults who are in recovery.
Extras
PDAP Austin also has an activity center where members can do homework, socialize and meet with their recovering peers.
PDAP Austin organizes four yearly retreats for small groups of young people. In these retreats, staff work with teens on many aspects of the program. Everything from the trip to the retreat, to setting up tents, cooking and hiking is processed with the group in mind and how the activities relate to the 12 steps.
PDAP Austin hosts a Families in Recovery Retreat that includes Palmer Drug Abuse members from San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Austin, McAllen, Midland and Hobbs, New Mexico. This retreat helps families around the issues of trust building and positive communication.
In Summary
PDAP Austin provides free peer-focused treatment services for substance abuse. This is a great option for the seeking the support of a sober community, especially younger people. While its programs may not be the best fit for those requiring medial detox or inpatient treatment, PDAP is still a great recovery resource for those in Austin.
PDAP Austin Headquarters
2000 Lipanese Trail
Austin, TX 78733
PDAP Austin Cost: Free. Reach PDAP Austin by phone at (512) 927-0422 or by email at help@pdapaustin.org. Find PDAP Austin on Facebook
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