Rise Recovery

When we found out our sons were addicted to drugs, it was the darkest day of my life. We struggled for a year, not telling a single soul out of fear of rejection and blame, scouring the internet for help. Every website took me to another website, every place wanted insurance information and/or lots of money. I was terrified and hopeless. One day, I stumbled across Rise Recovery. I called and someone actually answered. I told them my situation and they said "Sure! Come on over and let's talk." They knew exactly where I was in my journey and what I needed. I found comfort, direction and, most importantly, hope. They had all the information I needed to get my life back to some sense of normal, how to establish boundaries and get my children on the path to recovery. It hasn't been easy, but I had a support system in place, other loved ones of those struggling with addiction, and help in the critical moments when life spins out of control. Rise Recovery is truly a life saver in the middle of the storm. I'm forever grateful!

Rise Recovery is a God send!!!
I moved to San Antonio & needed to find solid recovery network & I’ve experienced a lot of different kinds of organizations…
By far Rise Recovery is the best I have found, hands down!
They have resources for youth, young adults & support for families!!!
I will be celebrating 7 years in August (2021) & wish there had been a place like this when I was 12-13 years old. A safe place with people who really care.

If we are able to get support to young people before the barriers are greater & consequences more detrimental to life, you have the opportunity to save a life & a family…One step at a time!

I fully support Rise Recovery & am blown away with the School as well!

I am looking forward to the process of becoming a peer counselor one day too! I know that my story can change a life & that’s what we are all here to do!

Well worth supporting!!! I can’t wait to see how much Rise Recovery continues to better the community & the lives here in San Antonio & show the world that mental health & recovery isn’t a death sentence or something to be ashamed about.
Keep doing what you are doing Rise!!!

Rosalyn V.
San Antonio TX

Wonderful counselors at PDAP, I recommend Ms.Lorene personally. Not only was I inspired I overcame obstacles by choice with guidance. If your looking for change this is the PLACE, just remember change STARTS from within.

It is a good place to come and to vent to counselors. I am very comfortable with them, and they encourage you. PDAP has also helped me to realize that there is more to life than to drink and do drugs. We can come together like a family, I enjoy coming here.

I feel when I am going to fall, I come to PDAP and I leave here with high spirits and I don’t make bad choices when I leave. The counselors are always willing to stop whatever they are doing and help. We are all one step from falling. We need to be around positive people, and we get that here.

I have been sober since the 29th of July 2013, and I have my 10 year old and my 7 year old back, and my husband and I are enjoying being parents – Thanks to Palmer Drug Abuse Program!

Julia S

It is my pleasure and honor to support the Palmer program.
I have witnessed these people continually go above and beyond the call of duty.
In this day and age of so many good non profits it can be difficult to decide which to invest in. I have never doubt that the value of my dollars have become priceless when given to them. They take my money and transform it into a new way of life for a family and a future!

I had buried myself in an excessive amount of trouble due to my 10-year-long addiction to pain medication. I knew if I hadn't voluntarily attended a drug abuse rehabilitation program, my life would have taken a turn for the worst. Upon arriving to my first education class at PDAP, I was greeted with open arms. The staff is very personable and they actually empathize with their clients as opposed to sympathizing with them. They implement the aphorism "it works if you work it" and demonstrate how to work the program thoroughly. I came to this program with a great attitude and the staff teaches you how to maintain that energy you need to become a stronger and better individual. I am honestly blessed to have found Palmer Drug Abuse Program, I was just a stranger to everyone and they made me feel like I was their own family member, as they do with all individuals that are seeking help and change. I confide in this program so much that I am pursuing a position as either an employee or volunteer for group sessions. I strongly recommend this program to anyone who is searching for a life changing experience or even if it is mandated by the court, I can assure you that you are in GREAT hands.

My name is sunshine and i am blesed to be a part of pdap. i recently got out of state jail and went to my first meetimng that tuesday . pdap opened their arms and without any questions took me in as family. the cousolors are very concerned about each individuals needs and sobriety. I must say this group is the best I've ever been a part of. i have also seen the passion they have for our youth. i pray to be a part of this one day. it is all about sharing our expeience , strength and hope. Pdap is my family. when ever in need of just love and maybe a hug or even the truth these are the people to go to.

I have been a Client,volunteer,and employed. My first encounter was a shock never had so many people love and accept me for ME. That's what I found at every PDAP I have been at. I was at my bottom in 1987 and they saved my life. Wish I could say I have been sober this whole time I have fallen a few time but by God's grace and my family in the program I have gotten back up and started living again.That's what I have done in the program I learned to live.they helped me see i am important My children were raised in the program and don't always make decisions like I would like them to again PDAP has helped me let go I Love my PDAP family Thanks for being there when everyone had given up on me because PDAP never will

I came to Pdap sent By Cps and I fell in love with the program!! it became more of a program to me it became my family and it taught me about God. It helped me further my skills and gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to further my relationship with God. Now I am attending a missionary school! Pdap rocks and I will recommend it to anyone who asks about it. The staff there are great and they are an awesome family to have. Because Pdap i was able to get that foundation I needed and God has taken me so far since then!! Thank you!

As a consultant to the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department, I've assisted with the development and evaluation of substance abuse services throughout their system of care. In this capacity, I have been able to experience PDAP working with the department in a positive, collaborative, and meaningful manner. PDAP staff members have demonstrated a commitment to working with the recovery of young people, establishing and maintaining relationships that are professional, caring, and authentic. The organization is unique in their recovery emphasis on young people...there are no other support, education, and treatment programs in our area that come close to providing the long-term recovery support that PDAP provides and that is required for sustained change. It is clear that PDAP has been a tremendous help to those adolescents and families afflicted with addiction who have participated in care. Thank you PDAP for your contributions to our community.

My son's addiction brought me into PDAP. PDAP has saved my son's life, twice. PDAP invited me and my sick family system in for help. I was on Family Death Watch. That is no longer true. PDAP has gently healed my failures and shame. My counselor and sponsor listen to my fears and hurts and provide me comfort, perspective and wisdom. That has included my "panic" phone calls to them when I was alone at day-time or night-time. They have helped me through the Twelve Steps, with endless love and patience. I have gone through many terrible fires of hurt - and the grace of transformation. PDAP continues to hold me in their loving embrace even with all my warts and weaknesses. They really know who I am, and its okay. The Twelve Steps really work, even in spite of my best efforts. My life has changed in ways I thought impossible and hopeless. I still have a ways to go. I'm amazed that I'm a sponsor now (the 12th Step). That was another brave and healthy surrender to my Higher Power, and it's been good for me. Thank you for reading my story.

I am a counselor that works with teens and adults affected by substance abuse and chemical dependency. I appreciate the PDAP community for servicing my clients, at no cost, by providing families the support, encouragement, and hope of healing from the devastation of addiction. PDAP helps my clients move beyond the shame and isolation of being affected by addiction into a "new" family of passionate and serving individuals that are willing to understand and embrace the family's journey into recovery.

I was not interested or motivated to participate in the activiites and program. I was angry and pissed off at the system and saw PDAp as just another part of the system that was placing all these restrictions and hardships on my life. But after going to a few of the meetings, classes, and counselings I was able to see and experience the love the people there possessed and expressed to me and others. This helped to take away my anger and allowed me to actually listen to what was being said and start to make changes in my thinking and behavior. The people at PDAP have a genuine love for us all and it shows in the way they treat you and I can not thank them enough for doing what they do for all of us.

Anyone who’s been around recovery for a while has at one time or another probably heard someone say something like, “It does not matter where you get recovery. What matters is that you get recovery.” For those living in or near a city, there are usually a number of programs, groups, and various meeting to choose from, and for those lucky enough to be living in or near San Antonio, there’s PDAP

I tried other programs, different groups within a program, and even different meetings within a particular group, but none seemed to take hold. I cannot put my finger on it, but something seemed to be missing. Then, while I was drying out at a detox center (again), my wife-to-be took to the phone book and found PDAP.

We discovered that PDAP had more to offer than the more established recovery programs. We immediately appreciated the counseling, convenient meeting times and locations, and the sudo-mandatory social events. We also liked the fact that PDAP is a 12-Step program, something we were both were already familiar with.

PDAP was quickly and easily integrated into our life, something we found to be very important. Between the meetings and events, there was always something “recovery focused” to do. The immersion in recovery worked very well for us, to the point that PDAP played a significant part in our wedding.

I believe PDAP worked for me for three reasons. First, PDAP showed me how to have fun without drugs and/or alcohol, something I had forgotten how to do. Second, I was never made to feel guilty if I missed a meeting or social event. And lastly, something that is foreign to some other programs, while I “worked” PDAP, I still felt as though I had the freedom to work “my program”.

I no longer live in San Antonio, but while I am not an active “member” of PDAP, it stills plays an active role in my life. I’ll be 18 years sober on September 1 of this year (2012), and I own those 18 years to the foundation of recovery that was built in PDAP.

I came to the program in January 2011. I was resisitant and hesitant to get help. While I rebeled the staff kept reaching out to me and made me feel welcomed. Eventually I decided to actually work the program rather than just "attend" the program.
My experience has been positive. I am sober and have learned how to deal with everyday life rather than turning to drugs. The new coping skills I have gotten will last a lifetime.

I have worked closely with PDAP for 35 years. As a private practice addictions counselor, I refer many young people and parents to PDAP, knowing they will be received with love and have a safe place to begin their recovery journey.

Alternative Peer Groups are a proven way to support folks in their recovery efforts. PDAP provides a great forum for young people to engage in support group meetings, education, family support, individual and family counseling, and sober social activities. All at NO CHARGE! What a blessing they are to our community!

I have only been her a short time but so far it has proven to be way better than I expected. When my mom told me I was going to a drug program I did not expect to be cared aboput and accepted as I have been here. Not only am I learning but I'm also having sober fun.

PDAP has been an intrigal part of my recovery.
The staff has always gone above and beyond to make sure our needs are met. Everytime I show up to the program I am welcomed with open arms.

the program has not only given me a positive sober community but has also given my daughters a safe place to heal from the destruction my substance abuse caused.

If I were limited to only one word to describe this program it would have to be "Redeeming".

As a business man and long time member of the community I am aware of the multitude of non-profits seeking contributions. I have chosen to support Palmer because the cause is greatly needed in this community and there is no one else like them. I have witnessed what happens in their clients lives and am always confident that my dollars are spent wisely.

It is assuring to know that our young people have a safe place to go to practice life changing skills.

I came to PDAP when i was 14. I was suffering from a deadly herion addiction. When i walked in to the doors the Counselor and the kids welcomed me with open arms. I was accepted for who i was. The program taught me about honesty, integrity, self respect, and concern for others. I learned how to be happy and sober. I learned how to have sober fun. Today i have over a year sobreity and will graduate in June 2012. Instead of looking behind. I am now looking forward to my future. This program saved my life.

The Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) has provided many blessings and sanity to me. When we first discovered our youngest son was a addict, I KNOW that God sent the former Executive Director of PDAP San Antonio into my life.

My husband and I had no experience with anyone who had ever used and abused drugs. We didn't know where to turn. When first introduced to PDAP, we jumped in blindly and began to understand that not only was our son very sick, but so were we. We were doing the exact opposite of what we wanted to do, which was to help him -- in turn, we were enabling him to become sicker and sicker.

We started by attending meetings -- PDAP offers meetings not only for parents or spouses, but for the siblings as well of addicts. The addicts attend meetings that are targeted to their part of the disease as well.

PDAP encourages everyone to get a sponsor. A sponsor is a person who is actively "working the program" -- a person who attends meetings and works on dealing with the disease of addiction.

PDAP also provides "fun" events and campouts for the addicts and their families in order to help them to grow closer and to better understand each others sickness.

I joined the PDAP Board of Directors and served for six years, one year as the Executive Director.

There are many help programs for addicts and their families, but in going on this journey and studying other programs, I believe that PDAP ranks heads above all the others. PDAP is not the biggest or best known, but I believe that without their help and support my family would still be drowning in the sea of addiction.

Over 25 years ago, I was a member of the Congregation Council at House of Prayer Lutheran Church (HOP), when Pastor Dean Moss asked us to consider hosting a branch of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program PDAP). After a couple of months research, the council unanimously approved the relationship. Over the years, my wife, daughters, and I heard scattered but positive feedback from fellow HOP members.

Six years ago, my wife, grandson, and I faced the harsh fact that one of our daughters - our grandson's mother -had a serious drug and alcohol addiction. (My wife and I are now legal guardians of our grandson.) All four of us immediately sought help from PDAP. Our daughter soon left for preliminary rehab in Houston; she is on the road to recovery - at present in a transition center and in her fourth quarter of Nurses Training. We other three are still active in the Family Support Groups. I have been a member of the Family Group's Support Group for five of those six years.

Active in churches our entire lived (including service as lay missionaries in the East), we needed PDAP to help us understand that God - as we understand God - is in control of FAR more of our lives than we were ever willing to admit. Drug Addiction (check with the National Institutes of Health) is a disease; neither our daughter or we can control it any more than we can control cancer.

PDAP San Antonio has saved my life and my wife's life. We have two daughters who were struggling with chemical dependency issues. PDAP has provided extensive confidential and free counseling for us and our daughters. The weekly parent support meetings are also extremely helpful. Thru PDAP, we also work the 12 Steps with a sponsor. All of these things have led us to relative peace--which is miraculous given our near-insanity prior to finding PDAP.

PDAP has helped one of the daughters experience real recovery after a post-treatment relapse. She attends weekly PDAP meetings, meets with her counselor and sponsor, and is doing very well.

We have been helped dramatically by PDAP San Antonio and have now become donors, volunteers and one of us is a board member.