Pines Treatment Center

Saints win Super Bowl! PTC gets snow!

2010-02-11T14:02:00.002-06:00

Just in time for Mardi Gras!

Check earlier posts to see the last time the Pines got snow - when Senator Mount visited.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Duffy retirement

2009-12-17T13:03:00.000-06:00

OAD head Michael Duffy stopped off at the Pines as a part of his multi-region "retirement tour" to say goodby to staff, contractors, patients, and clients. The reception at the Pines was held December 17, 2009. Region VII Administrator Trudie Abner noted that Shreveport and Bossier City had declared December 17 as Michael Duffy day.

New Group

2009-10-29T10:56:00.000-05:00

Halloween is always an interesting week at the Pines. This year the patients created a Sixth therapy group - a diverse collection of, well, pumpkinheads. Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin is rumored to facilitate the group.

Fall arrives!

2009-10-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

The hummingbirds have been busy of late.

Recovery Day (in the rain)

2009-10-02T09:47:00.000-05:00

Ably represented by Director of Nursing, Michele Johnson, Assistant D.O.N. LaShonda Williams, Martha Miles, Lula Anderson, and Janis Dumdei, the Pines participated in a regional Recovery Day even in Coushatta, Louisiana, September 19. So what if it rained, off and on. A lot of folks made the rounds to learn about OAD and other supports for recovery available to residents in Northwest Louisiana.

The "traveling" information show is booked October 6 for a Night Out display in a Bossier City neighborhodd.

June 2009

2009-06-10T10:37:00.000-05:00

Early summer is busy at the Pines with flowers blooming, emergency generators being installed, a new gate to the long fence added, the Challenge-by-Choice course meeting and storage building upgraded and called the PTC Candy Bar (Chocolate Mint) and the PTC Staff "Ropes" Course break area finished.

Spring Karaoke

2009-05-15T14:42:00.000-05:00

Every other Friday PTC Administrative Manager Carol Robertson leads the patients in an afternoon of Karaoke. Sometimes inside, but on a pleasant spring day, she sets up on the deck.

Spring 2009

2009-04-23T11:13:00.000-05:00

When the weather warms and the sun shines the patients have access to the Challenge Course. The course, facilitated by Recreational Therapist Eric Bonner, Assistant Director of Social Services Willie Jackson, and the primary counselors. The course challenges the individual as well as group in problem-solving.

Autumn at the Pines

2008-10-17T14:59:00.000-05:00

The first bit of cool fall weather arrives in mid-October. Time to get outside and enjoy it. For the patients, this can mean Friday afternoon karaoke on the deck.

Final Week for Kitchen Repair (Eight)

2008-06-30T09:51:00.000-05:00

Patients and staff have made the best of an eight-week inconvenience to repair the kitchen plumbing. Final actions are underway - placing a 1,000 gallon grease trap in the area outside of the dining hall - and laying the tile floor in the kitchen itself, atop the newly poured concrete. The kitchen crew are eager to return and prepare the excellent food the Pines is known for.

Finally - Kitchen Plumbing Repairs!

2008-05-28T09:19:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time coming, but work began May 27 to remove most of the slab beneath the kitchen and serving areas to replace and upgrade plumbing and drains. The thirty year old kitchen will continue to serve the Pines until the new Dining Hall/Community Center is constructed - but that's years down the road. Meanwhile, admissions are slowed during the highly disruptive first week - the decibel levels of the sawing, jack-hammering, and debris removal limites any use of the building which is the usual place for the daily AA/NA/CA meetings, specialty groups, group therapy rooms, conference room, community room - Alanon & GA, aftercare group, and computer education/teleconference room.

The Pines is proud of its tradition of preparing tasty meals - meals popular with the 600 or so patients admitted each year.

Staff Appreciation Picnic

2008-05-09T13:21:00.000-05:00

Maintenance Foreman Frankie Hartley built and donated to the Pines a special grill. Nurse Terri Kelley and Catherine Derrow smoke grilled the ribs, chicken, and sausage. Pines staff, Regional Office staff, and staff from Southern Oaks Addiction Recovery in Monroe, enjoyed a picnic. A number of staff were recognized for achievements including Lula Anderson for beginning her work as a Counselor in Training, Terresa Robinson for her License as a Professional Counselor, Tonya Ruffin for exemplary performance, the entire Maintenance and Custodial Section.

Senator Mount tours the Pines

2008-03-07T11:09:00.000-06:00

What better way to get a feel for the Pines Treatment Center than in a driving snow? Senator Willie L. Mount, District 27, and Greg Waddell, Senate Legislative Services, visited the Pines March 7. OAD Regional Administrator Trudie Abner, and Facility Manager George Sewell, explained the mission of OAD in Region VII and the nature of treatment offered at the Pines. The Office for Addictive Disorders, Region V, operates an inpatient facility in Lake Charles, the Joseph R. Briscoe Treatment Center.

Willie E. Jackson - That's Who!

2007-11-19T11:03:00.000-06:00

Social Worker Willie Jackson has received a lifetime listing in Strathmore's Who's Who for 2007-2008. Strathmore lists professionals in many disciplines who excell in their field. Jackson is lauded for his work in the field of chemical dependency. Willie is the Assistant Director of Social Services for the Pines and received the Region VII OAD Counselor of the Year award for 2007.

2007 Patient Survey

2007-08-08T14:01:00.000-05:00

Results from the 2007 Patient Satisfaction Survey

During a six week period during the spring of 2006 all patients at the Pines were given a survey to complete privately and place in a sealed container. The container was collected by the Regional Office and tabulated. The survey is taken annually. Note: 2006 % to the left of the dash, 2007 % to the right.

When you were admitted, how would you rate the intake process and orientation?

2006 - 2007

Great! 76% - 82%
Okay 17% - 18%
Needs work
Disaster
No Answer 7%

You have a counselor who works with you during the course of your treatment. How would you rate your counselor so far?

2006 - 2007

Great! 79% - 91%
Okay 14% - 4.5%
Needs Work 4%
Disaster - 4.5%
No Answer 3%

How would you rate the program to date?

2006 - 2007

Great! 86% - 91%
Okay 11% - 9%
Needs Work
Disaster
No Answer 3%

How are you treated by the staff?

2006 - 2007

Great! 38% - 55%
Okay 28% - 27%
Needs Work 31% - 18%
Disaster
No Answer 3%

Would you recommend this program to a friend who needs help?

2006 - 2007

Yes! 83% - 100%
Maybe 14%
No!
No answer
No Answer 3%

Sampling of comments to the question How do you expect to be changed by your participation in this treatment program?

"Changed me completely. I want to live and become a productive person in society."

"Realizing this is a "we" program. I never have to go through any problems alone."

"Changed my outlook on life, help(ed) me to forgive myself."

"...I now have hope for the future..."

"This program has definately helped me. It also touches on other areas...such as anger management, bi-polar, and self-esteem."

"I look at myself differently and how I will conduct myself in the outside world."

Comments from 2006 survey

“I can only expect change by my own actions. I learned this here and hoped to accomplish it”

“My way of thinking and making better decisions”

“I will leave here with an understanding of the 12 steps and how the meetings work”

“I plan to use the tactics/tools I’ve acquired here to maintain my sobriety, as it’s precious to me”

“Won’t get in anymore trouble to be sent somewhere like this!”