About AIDS

C.A.R.E.'s Journey Program Serves HIV+ People With Drug Use Problems On November 19, the C.A.R.E. Program opened its new Journey Outpatient Treatment Program, designed to meet the personal needs of HIV+ people with substance use issues. Journey's treatment goals are based on helping people to assume responsibility for self-selected behavior changes.

This approach is a holistic one and includes brief therapy, identification and expansion of personal strengths and successes, connection with personal spirituality, acknowledgment of grief and loss issues, and management of HIV infection and of complications caused by substance use. Activities include art, auricular acupuncture (acu-detox), EEG-assisted counseling, herbal teas, and relaxation. Services are provided in an environment that is sensitive to gender, culture, sexual preference, and drug of choice. The model for Journey is one of harm reduction which accepts any reduction in harm associated with drug use as personal success and management.

Journey participants can access other C.A.R.E. services including: detox and inpatient residential treatment through referral, low-cost housing opportunities for Persons With AIDS (PWAs), case management, lab services and follow-up, medical referrals, and mental health counseling.

The C.A.R.E. Program is at 1633 E. Second St. in Austin. Journey program hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-5pm. Services are free. Acu-Detox is available daily at 4pm. For Journey screening or information, call 473-2273.

"The journey of change is an adventure!" The Journey Outpatient Treatment Program is "where the journey begins...."