Sather

Gay drug addiction treatment programs or GLBT drug addiction treatment programs have finally begun to emerge within the State of Florida. I believe that is a testament to the progressive approach drug rehab programs in Florida have taken in recognizing the GLBT population deserves the choice regarding the type of addiction treatment they would like. For some, the type of addiction treatment services offered in a drug rehab would not matter, while others, would like the ability to access gay friendly drug rehab programs in Florida. What matters most, is that today there are gay friendly drug addiction treatment programs in Florida, along with, gay friendly alcohol treatment centers in Florida. Now the question arises regarding gay friendly dual diagnosis treatment programs in Florida.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs in the State of Florida for the GLBT

There are a number of dual diagnosis treatment programs in Florida that provide wonderful treatment for dual diagnosis. They may be located within a drug rehab program, alcohol rehab program or within a hospital itself. Unfortunately, many of these dual diagnosis treatment programs do not offer addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment services for the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Gay dual diagnosis treatment programs in Florida or gay friendly dual diagnosis treatment programs in Florida are still very limited, regardless of the need.

GLBT and Dual Diagnosis in Florida

Research has demonstrated that the incidence of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues are higher among the GLBT population than the heterosexual population. In addition, the GLBT population in Florida is one of the largest in the nation. So why so few, GLBT dual diagnosis treatment programs in Florida? A question for people far smarter than I. All I can say is that we are lucky to have a nationally recognized gay dual diagnosis treatment program in Florida. It is called Freedom Rings.

If you are looking for a gay friendly dual diagnosis treatment program in Florida, go to www.gay-rehab.com for addictional information. If you would like help in locating a GLBT dual diagnosis treatment program in an area near you, go to www.recoveryconnection.org or call the national dual diagnosis treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225. For those of you not concerned whether the dual diagnosis treatment program is gay friendly or not, we recomend www.steppingstonecenter.org

Jonathan Huttner is a principal in an addition treatment program which specializes in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual diagnosis.

Do you know how popular greeting cards and scrapbooking are? In the UK every year the average person receives 55 cards. Scrapbooking in the US has become a $7 billion industry since the first store was opened providing modern scrapbooking materials in 1981.

These are massive markets and you can become involved in them part time to start with and then build it up to full time if you really like it. There are many different ways to sell products and services related to papercrafting.

If you like designing cards you can supply to local shops on a sale or return basis. This will mean you need to come to an agreement with each shop on a per card or percentage basis.

You will need to write an invoice with the cards you have supplied to the shop and the terms that have been agreed. You can return every few weeks to re-stock and collect payment. It should be possible to get into a routine.

If you are imaginative this could work very well and you could supply a large number of different shops in your area with handmade cards. The important thing to remember is that a traditional shop will want traditional cards and a modern shop will favour very modern cards. Try to design for the outlet.

A large number of people like handmade cards. It is important that they are well presented and if you do scrapbooking as well or you are prepared to make invitations etc be sure to have a label on the back of each to let people know how to contact you.

Another way to get yourself known is to have a market stall or car boot sales. These can be fun but be sure to bring a good assortment of different types of cards with you. Have signs made beforehand with your prices clearly displayed. Try buy 3 get one free. Also buy 10 get 5 free.

To judge the best price look at what other cards are selling for in your area. Price yours so that they reflect the fact that they are handmade but are also competitively priced for the area. It is also an opportunity of getting your name known in the area which is an added benefit to you.

Always have a genuine competition for your purchasers or anyone interested to enter. Have the prize on display. This is useful for collecting details for keeping in touch with your customers. You can have a monthly or quarterly prize. Find out how they prefer to be contacted. Either by post or email are ideal. If you want to give customers a discount coupon to be used by a certain date this will encourage website sales and give publicity to your website.

Giving details to everyone of all the services you provide is useful because if you are friendly people will be more likely to contact you in future. Keep in touch by email with your special offers.

Another way to promote your business locally is to team up with non-competing crafts such as cake making and pottery painting businesses to hire an inexpensive area and have a Craft Day locally. Be sure to distribute flyers giving locals the information in plenty of time.

Post cards designed by you in your library and supermarkets to find new customers. Be sure to let them know the sort of paperwork projects you are prepared to undertake for them.

As soon as you have happy customers ask them if they will provide you with a testimonial. This is important and can be used in your advertising . You must get their permission first. This is second only to personal referrals for encouraging prospective customers to give you a try.

Be sure and say to everyone who has never used your service before that you expect them to be so pleased with your service that they will want to provide referrals when you have completed your work for them.

They will be reassured about the effort you will make for them and expect to be asked in future if they know anyone else that may benefit.

There are companies that you can be a company representative for but these each have different requirements and with some you need to buy a certain amount every month. Always understand what you are committing to before signing up.

You need to have your own marketing plan that suits your circumstances and the time you have available. If you decide to expand your business you can do that when it suits you and when you have the funds available.

It is best to start small and not commit too much too soon. There are a lot of online scrapbook and card making opportunities available also. eBay is one.

Karen O'Donnell enjoys papercrafting and has done it for a living for 4 years. To find out more than 25 different ways of starting a business with papercrafting : http://www.scrapbookandcardmakingforpleasureandprofit.com

A triathlon is an athletic event that tests the athlete's endurance in three separate sports - swimming, cycling and running.

Athletes participating in a triathlon are required to complete all the three, starting with the swimming, then the cycling and last, but not least, the running, in the shortest possible time.

The triathlon requires the athletes to have optimal fitness levels in order to just complete the race, let alone to actually compete and place well.

Apart from physical fitness, athletes are also need to use the right kind of triathlon gear that helps them in staying even with if not getting ahead of the other athletes.

Athletes who want to succeed in a triathlon, not just finish, but actually compete, need to invest in the best triathlon gear available in the market.

However, selecting the best triathlon gear is not always an easy task due to the number of brands available. Most companies that manufacture triathlon gear claim that their products are the best, which often adds to the confusion.

Looking Beyond Brands Of Triathlon Gear

In order to select the best triathlon gear, athletes need to look beyond brands and companies and invest in those products that suit their specific requirements.

The athletes may have more or less the same physical build but triathlon gear requirements often vary, depending on personal preferences and specifications of the athlete.

Swimming gear:

Equipment required for the swimming event of a triathlon includes goggles, a swimming suit and a wetsuit.

Although these may not seem essential to an amateur, successful professional athletes reveal that investing in the right equipment for swimming is as important as the gear both in cycling and running.

It makes a difference when it comes finishing and REALLY makes a difference if "winning" the triathlon is your plan.

Athletes opt for swimming gear that is scientifically designed to pose the least resistance to water and that includes the technology involved in todays wetsuits.

Cycling gear:

In triathlons, and biathlons, the cycling leg requires an athlete to invest in a good bicycle, a helmet, clothing and cycling shoes, aero-bars, seat and peddles.

While selecting cycling gear, athletes need to make sure that these offer the least resistance to air. This will help in gaining those crucial seconds over their competitors.

There are specially designed bikes, but the key to being a good cyclist is NOT only about having a good, expensive bike, IT IS about working out, training, and being on the bike.

Running gear:

The running gear used in a triathlon includes running shoes and appropriate clothing.

Getting in the right running gear is necessary because athletes have to cover a distance that requires proper shoes.

If not, the athletes may have to deal with blisters, sores and even muscle sprains.

Especially with running shoes, but also with swimming and cycling appearal and equippment, workout with the gear a number of times before racing with them. Never race with something that you are not used to training with.

All of this will provide you with a comfort level that ensures a well-earned race, or even a victory.

Learn more about the best triathlon gear and triathlon racing and click on over to Mike Herman's site http://www.Gear4Triathlons.com