About APECS (Addiction Prevention Education Consulting Services)

APEX:  The PEAK, SUMMIT, CULMINATION, ACME, CLIMAX. Example: "The presidential election was the APEX of his career."

This is the reason I chose a name whose acronym sounded like "APEX". My desire for this consulting organization is to be at the forefront, the "APEX" (APECS) of the education of our culture regarding the DISEASE of chemical dependency, also known as ADDICTION. This disease is the major health risk in our society and yet little is understood about the disease. This lack of understanding is not only in society at large, but is found in the medical community as well. The failure to accept addiction as a disease perpetuates the stigma associated with it, and prevents the addict AS WELL AS their family and colleagues, from obtaining the help the need to live a healthy, happy, fulfilling life.

Addiction is a disease that is best PREVENTED. Once the disease is manifest in someone, it isn't going away. Addiction is a Primary disease (that means it's not caused by stress or depression), it's chronic (which means it's not going away). it's progressive (which means it's going to get worse unless treatment is started), and it's fatal (I hope you know what THAT means).

NO ONE intends to become an addict. Yes, we do decide to take the first drink (so does everyone...who will become the alcoholic?) or the first drug (who will become the addict?). And just as no one decides to become an addict, the addict cannot decide to seek help BECAUSE of their active disease.

So please, if someone you know or love might be an addict...get them help! It's probably the most loving act you can do for someone.