Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Breaking Cycle of Pain and Stress in Chronic Pain Patients Dependent on Opioids - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Breaking Cycle of Pain and Stress in Chronic Pain Patients Dependent on Opioids - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Ohio Governor Signs Bill to Make Naloxone Available Without Prescription - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Ohio Governor Signs Bill to Make Naloxone Available Without Prescription - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Almost One-Fifth of Teens Who Try Bath Salts Are Frequent Users, Survey Finds - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Almost One-Fifth of Teens Who Try Bath Salts Are Frequent Users, Survey Finds - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Childhood trauma & addiction: the 4600% risk factor

Childhood trauma & addiction: the 4600% risk factor
 Women for Sobriety, Inc.
WFS Annual Conference: June 10-12, 2016


WE SET THE DATE!  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
June 10, 11, 12, 2016
COME EARLY, Stay at the Dorm: Thursday, June 9th!

DeSales University
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034
Campus Map & Directions:


REGISTRATION - The flyer isn't ready - however, we want you to plan ahead!  We do hope you can join us next June for a great weekend getaway with 4C women!  An added bonus is that you can arrive a day early - Thursday - and spend some quality time with your WFS sisters at the dormitory.  The registration price includes staying in the dormitory.... the price will NOT be lowered if you choose to stay OFF CAMPUS.  Believe me, you will have a lot more fun staying in the dorm with all of your new friends!

ATTENDANCE - All women in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse are welcome to join us to celebrate a New Life.  WFS is an abstinence-based program and requires that each woman be clean and sober during the event.  The longer you are sober, the more potential there is to fully appreciate and learn from all that you can experience at the conference.  You have the opportunity to participate in something that can create positive changes in your life... so come join us for an enjoyable retreat in the company of 4C women!

***WFS AUCTION***  Don't forget about WFS's Annual Fundraiser!  It will be held on Saturday of the conference and we need your support... handmade items, crafts, quilts, artwork, jewelry, baskets of goodies... it all adds up to lots of exciting bids and friendly competition to raise much needed funds for our organization.  If you are bringing auction items with you to conference, we will have a pre-auction set up table on Friday to sort through all the goodies... SUGGESTION: ONE-OF-A-KIND ITEMS garner more bids than multiples of the same item.  That being said, we welcome 'multiples' too!  You have TIME TO CREATE SOMETHING AWESOME FOR THE AUCTION!!  This year's auction raised a total of $14,536!!!!  There were 331 items donated - from all across the globe!  Why not join in and be part of this fun and worthy fundraiser?!  To give you some inspiration - here is the link to pictures from the recent conference in June: 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/womenforsobriety/sets/72157653433801812

***REGISTRATION DISCOUNT***  Every year we provide a $20 discount for the early birds who register by April 1st.  The registration for the WHOLE weekend with a double room is only $270 (includes 2 nights at the dormitory, 5 meals, and all workshops on Saturday & Sunday).  After April 1st, the regular cost of $290 for a double room will apply.

***START SAVING NOW***  I did some calculations and if you stash away ONLY $7 EACH WEEK - starting NOW - you'll have enough saved to pay for the early bird registration fee!  And if that doesn't inspire you...here are a few words from attendees: "I wanted to let you know how much the Conference moved me this time around.  I believe this one was the most powerful one for me.  I already started on my auction items and my saving for the Conference fees and the Auction.  So many new women just warmed my heart.  I have such a passion for Women for Sobriety!"  "So happy I came.  I now feel part of something so much bigger than myself.  I will draw strength and connection from that.  The dormitory lobbies felt like a slumber part.  Really enjoyed coming out of my usual shell.  Thank you!" 
IMPORTANT - IF YOU HAVE ANY ....ANY!... QUESTIONS - CALL OR EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT THE OFFICE...NOT THE ONLINE FORUM.  We appreciate your support of WFS!  I am so looking forward to seeing you next year!

Warm regards,
Becky Fenner, WFS Director
Email:  contact@womenforsobriety.org   *   Tel215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026
http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org
Hello from Sisters of Serenity and Sobriety, Inc. 
View this email in your browser

 

Sisters of Serenity and Sobriety, Inc. is in the process of starting a non-profit foundation for women who need treatment from substance abuse. Our non-profit foundation will provide women with residential treatment as well as long-term treatment up to one year. In addition to this, we will also offer the following:
  1. Full and Partial Scholarships for Addiction treatment.
  2. Treatment for eating disorders.
  3. Dual Diagnosis Treatment.
  4. Detox, Primary Care and Intensive Outpatient.
  5. Travel arrangements to residential treatment as well as travel arrangements to the sober living facility that follows.
We are in the fundraising part of the process right now. We are also sending in our application to the IRS. 
Thank you so much for supporting this ministry.  You can help in the following ways:
Thank you soo much for supporting this ministry, this has been my dream since I started this page over 2 years ago to start this charity for people who need treatment for up to a year and cannot afford it. You have no idea how many messages I get with regard to people needing to find treatment. This is a need that is VERY close to my heart.  Please message me on the page if you have any questions. Peace and many blessings :)
Katie Maslin



 

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Sisters of Serenity and Sobriety, Inc.
240 Glen Meadows Circle
Brunswick, Ga 31523

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KLEAN Radio w/ Pat O'Brien

Monday, July 27, 2015

July 27 CHP 16 v 4 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM  THE PSALMS



Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods .(GODS BIG BOOK)


STEP 3 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God !


There is only one TRUE God . He has book for you to read ! The verse is true whether you like it or not . If you ignore the one who created you then your gonna have trouble the entire time your here and when you die He is gonna want to know why you followed other higher powers and ignored the only ONE who created and loved you . That's right you will meet Him one day !



Jonah 2:8, Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.(GODS BIG BOOK) By Joseph Dickerson

Friday, July 24, 2015

http://christians-in-recovery.org

http://christians-in-recovery.org

Childhood trauma & addiction: the 4600% risk factor

Childhood trauma & addiction: the 4600% risk factor












The Addict's Mom Lights of Hope - Volunteer State Coordinators Needed

Thanks to so many volunteers, we have almost achieved our goal of having a state contact person in each state to help us light up the sky on September 13th. September is National Drug Awareness Month and we ask our Mom’s to 1) light a white candle for those in recovery,2) a red candle for those loved ones still living in addiction and, 3) a black candle for those who did not survive the illness of addiction....


Being a state contact is so easy, yet so crucial to our overall success. 1) We ask that the state contact person be our "go to" person for Mom's in their state. 2) State contacts reach out to TAM sisters in their state (a state map with the location of members is available to you) to find out where gatherings of candle lightings are being held and report back so that we can include these gatherings on our TAM LIGHTS OF HOPE map. 3) State Contacts may be asked to forward information to Mom’s in their state on the event (all materials will be provided).

Can we count on your help to ensure that 2015 will be the year that TAM Mom’s throughout the United States celebrate, memorialize and love those affected with the illness of addiction?

The Following States still need a state contact person for the Lights of Hope

-Illinois
-Iowa
-Kansas
-Mississippi
-Missouri
-Montana 
-Nebraska
-North Dakota
-South Dakota 
-Utah
-Wyoming

Please volunteer to be the contact person in any of the states above. We need your help, we 11 States away from having completing our volunteers. Won't you please help? It matters so much!! If you are willing to help please email me at Barbara@theaddictsmom.com put Volunteer in the Subject Line











**********PLEASE R.EAD**************************************

Are you an addict's mom in need of treatment for your child or do you know another addict's mom who needs help. If so please share this VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE,

To be eligible for the August 2015 Addict's Mom Scholarships please join the Addict's Mom closed group

Here is the story of our June Scholarship Recipient Kassidy Vaughan.

Kassidy Vaughan is an addict and thanks to being a TAM Scholarship w.inner, she is currently in treatment at New Beginnings. But that’s only part of her journey to get help. The rest of the road to get to where she is today is nothing short of a miracle. A miracle made possible by her Mother, Christy Lynn Vaughan’s love and tenacity. A miracle so strong that if Kassidy completes her treatment and stays clean, could change the laws and open the doors in Texas to allow those with the disease of addiction to go to rehab rather than jail. If enacted, this law will be called the “Vaughan Rule” after Kassidy.
The Vaughan’s are from Corsicana, Texas, a small town 60 miles south of Texas. Corsicana is a part of Texas that believes they have no drug problems; drugs are only found in the big cities and mysteriously stop at the boundaries of, in this case, Corsicana. Drug courts, etc. are unheard of – you have a drug issue, you do hard jail time, period. Since Kassidy’s step-mother had cut her off from I.nsurance, rehab wasn’t even a viable choice.
You see, Christy Lynn Vaughan worked 5 years for the Texas Dept. of Criminal justice on the second worst unit in Texas for men. She’d seen the signs of drug abuse, she knew all about it, but yet she didn’t see it in her daughter who was a functional addict – good in school and played sports and just seemed a little sleepy now and then. Like many of us when our child first displays signs of addiction, we want to hang their behavior on any star other than addiction. We want to believe that having taught our children the very real dangers of drugs would have stuck somewhere in their brain. Simply put, you just don’t want to believe it can happen to your child, but it happened in Corsicana, Texas to Kassidy Vaughan.
In early December, Kassidy’s boyfriend stopped by to give her a pack of cigarettes and then left immediately. Police patrolling the area thought this was suspicious activity and pulled her boyfriend over. Although he was taken to jail, he told the police that the drugs were Kassidy’s. The police went to Kassidy’s house and found drug paraphernalia, and she admitted to using in the past. They charged her with possession under 1 gram and child endangerment. CPS immediately followed the police and did drug tests on Kassidy, which were positive. She was told that she would be sent to Substance Abuse Felony Punishment (6-9 months incarceration, 3 month halfway house, followed by 1 year after care) and that her child must be removed from the house.
On Christmas Eve 2014, knowing that Kassidy was severely depressed and using heroin, Christy rushed her to the closest thing possible to a rehab she could find. They were told that out-patient rehab could best suit Kassidy’s disease of addiction. Her mother was astounded that this was their response to the illness of a young girl on heroin.
Kassidy’s only option was Substance Abuse Felony Punishment, a program her mother knew from being a prison nurse, was an awful place and had a very low success rate.
Determined and driven, Christy researched the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website and found documentation that the SAFP was only 56% effective. She immediately wrote the Judge and Probation Officer in Kassidy’s case, giving them the statistics that she had found and begged them to send her to rehab (because at the time, Kassidy had already won the TAM Scholarship). The Judge ruled that Kassidy would be allowed to go out of state to attend New Beginnings. He went on to tell her that if she completed the program successfully, the “Vaughan Rule” would be enacted.
Currently Kassidy has completed 30 days of New Beginnings and has been given an extension of 60 more days. Her current plan is to go into sober living once she has completed the rehab.
Christy Vaughan is now on a mission to bring drug awareness to Texas – watch out Texas!!
Written by Chance Ashman-Galliker !


Upcoming FARR Event:

About FARR
The Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) was founded in 2011 out of the need to evaluate and monitor standards-based recovery support services provided in community-based, residential settings throughout Florida. FARR is the Florida Affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).

Our Philosophy

FARR  supports Recovery Residence providers in their effort to deliver quality recovery-oriented housing opportunities to persons in recovery who seek to reside in abstinence-based, peer supportive environments. We believe this is best achieved through encouraging and monitoring provider compliance with national standards promulgated for this purpose. We further believe that all people have the right to recover in an atmosphere which meets their special needs as well as their basic needs for safety, dignity and respect.

Our Intent

To fairly certify Florida Recovery Residences, on a voluntary basis, as having demonstrated compliance with the NARR Standard and FARR Code of Ethics. FARR provides training for owners, managers and staff of Recovery Residences to enhance and inform their delivery of quality services.

Our Commitment

FARR is committed to provide fair, impartial support and encouragement to recovery residence providers who express a willingness to achieve compliance with the NARR Standard and FARR Code of Ethics. FARR is further committed to participate in academic research studies focused on ROSC, Recovery Management and residents’ personal  development of Recovery Capital.

FARR Annual Summit 2015 - Orlando

August 4 @ 8:15 am - 5:30 pm

Cost: 105 Dollars

Event

The 2015 FARR Summit will be held at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate in Orlando onAugust 4th, 2015. The 300 seat venue is expected to sell out due to passage of HB 21 into law, effective July 1, 2015. Recovery Residence owners and managers of all four distinct support levels (I, II, III & IV) will want to attend the Summit to learn how the law impacts their operations. If certification is voluntary, what’s the big deal? What are the national standards referenced by the law? What’s a “Recovery Residence Administrator”? Who is required to pass level 2 background checks? These and other questions will be addressed during the FARR Summit. Beyond a comprehensive discussion regarding the legislative impact to PHPs, IOPs and Recovery Residences, the FARR 2015 Summit focuses on Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) and Recovery Management (RM)
For More I.nformation
Visit The Addict's Mom at: http://addictsmom.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Screen All Massachusetts Public School Students for Substance Use, Advocates Urge - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Screen All Massachusetts Public School Students for Substance Use, Advocates Urge - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Thursday, July 23, 2015

 July 22, 2015
PRO-ACT Goes to Harrisburg
Advocating for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Budgets 
Call to Action

On July 1, Governor Wolf vetoed the 2015-16 budget the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed on June 30. The budget submitted to the Governor for his signaturecut $26 million to fight the epidemic of opioid-based overdoses and deaths in Pennsylvania. This includes $6 million from Governor Wolf's proposal (view here) and Representative DiGirolamos' (R-Bensalem) $20 million amendment (view here) to establish an Emergency Treatment Fund for opioid addiction and overdose.

Advocacy voices for education, pension reform, liquor store privatization, mental health and the environment budgets are strong. But voices for drug and alcohol prevention and recovery need more support!

Everyone who cares about access to drug and alcohol recovery services needs to call their Pennsylvania House and Senate Representatives (find your legislators here).

Tell them to restore the $6 million from the Wolf budget and the $20 million for the Emergency Addiction Treatment Fund.  Seven Pennsylvanians are dying every day from drug overdoses. 

Without a passed budget, funds for community organizations and non-profits are on hold and can limit resources for individuals needing services.

This is a health crisis!

When Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center invited Pro-Act Public Policy to speak at a press conference on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, we went. Tara Lawley-Bergey of Derik's Jedi Project, gave an impassioned speech.

"2,489 drug-related deaths occurred in Pennsylvania in 2014 and 800 heroin overdoses. My brother, Derik Lawley, is now part of the 2015 statistics, and the numbers are rising at an alarming rate.

My brother suffered on a daily basis for three years with his demon heroin. Sadly he lost his battle on May 7, 2015. Hel loved his family, his daughter but he did not love his life. Heroin helped Derik escape his reality; put him into a sleep that allowed him to forget. My brother suffered from a mental illness, not a moral failing. Had Governor Wolf's budget been in effect it would have increased access to life saving therapies and given Pennsylvanians, like my brother, access to the treatment they need. It was preventable!

Governor Wolf's proposed budget includes funds to provide mental health and drug and alcohol treatment. Funds that could prevent death!  Funds that have been cut!  We are asking you to reject the General Assembly budget, return to negotiations, restore the $26 million......"

View Tara's full speech here.

You can have a voice by calling your legislators.
National Recovery Night at the Baseball Game!
Phillies vs. Cubs
Saturday, September 12, 2015

6:00 pm Gathering - 7:05 pm Game Time
           Citizens Bank Park North Pattison Avenue,
                 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148

Amber Baughman will be Throwing Out the First Pitch! Amber won this prize by being Captain of the Minions of Chaos team who walked last year and raised the most donations for Recovery Walks! 2014.
Enjoy a fun night of Phillies baseball with about 500 other fans in recovery! See the Phillies take on the Chicago Cubs at home without everyone around you drinking beer! For the 10th consecutive year, PRO-ACT will participate in this annual baseball game, developed to gain national visibility for recovery in celebration of SAMHSA's National Recovery Month in September. Attendees are requested not to consume or purchase alcohol.

Would YOU like to know how YOU can throw the first pitch next year?

Become a Team Captain for Recovery Walks! 2015, September 19.  Read more about it at www.recoverywalks.org.

Form a team, sign up for Honor Guard, and more!

To order Phillies tickets and pay online go to www.councilsepa.org and click on the Phillies logo on the home page.  Tickets are $20, which includes a donation to PRO-ACT.

For further information contact PRO-ACT's Fred Martin at 215-923-1661 or email:   Fred Martin
PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2015
 Penn's Landing, Philadelphia
Saturday, September 19

Register Free . Form a Team . Volunteer . Donate . Sponsor
Join the Honor Guard (living in recovery 10+ years)
click link recoverywalks.org  
Team Captain Support

We have many tips learned over the years to help Team Captains. Come to one of our Team Captain Kick-Off meetings where you'll learn how to organize a team, sign up online, and get copies of helpful tools. We even have a contact in case you want to order customized t-shirts for your team.


Wednesday, July 22, 6 - 7 pm 
Main Line Office
1062 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 22-A
Rosemont, PA 19090
To register, please contact Rick Young here or call 484-383-0802.
  Thursday, July 23, 6 - 7 pm
Philadelphia Recovery Training Center
444 North 3rd Street, Suite 307
Philadelphia, PA 19123
To register for either, please contact John Carlson here or call 215-923-1661.


Another helpful resource is our Team Captain's Kit. However, if you have specific questions about organizing your team, call Steve Calderbank at 215-345-6644 or email him here
  
  
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to The Council.
  • Go to www.smile.amazon.com 
  • Log in with Amazon account info or register if you are a new member
  • Type in The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. and click SEARCH
  • We will come up, hit SELECT
  • Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The Council.
   Our Mission 

To provide resources and opportunities to reduce the impact of addiction, trauma, and other health related issues.  

 
We offer prevention, intervention, assessment, counseling, education, advocacy, and recovery support services.

DONATEDonations help us to reduce the impact of addiction for more individuals and families. The Council is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Click here for Employment Opportunities
Click here to Join Our Mailing List
Confidential Information/Referral Line: 800-221-6333

 Like us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter 

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

July 22 CHP 6 v 2 v 3 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS




Have compassion on me ,Lord ,for I am weak . Heal me , Lord ,for my bones are in agony.
I am sick at heart .How long , O Lord , until you restore me?(GODS BIG BOOK)


Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and that our lives had become unmanageable.


When your sick ,you go to a doctor to get an antibiotic and you get better !At least most of the time that's how it happens. Now your addicted and you need help and you go to a doctor and you are told ,their is something wrong with your head so keep coming back and we will talk about why your head is messed up and while we are at it I want you to take these four different pills three times a day . One year goes by and your worse off than when you started ! Read the verse above and ask yourself ,does my heart hurt ? That is where 100 percent of our sadness and pain comes from . Get your heart right by forgiving yourself and others ! God and Jesus are the only higher Powers that can fix a broken heart .How many pills and visits to the shrink is gonna take for you to realize ,this is not working for me ,I need more and I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. 


restore - return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position.


Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

(GODS BIG BOOK) By Joseph Dickerson

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

More Obituaries Refer to Addiction as Heroin Overdoses Increase - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

More Obituaries Refer to Addiction as Heroin Overdoses Increase - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

White House Announces 46 Drug Offenders Will Have Sentences Commuted - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

White House Announces 46 Drug Offenders Will Have Sentences Commuted - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

“Microdosing” on Psychedelic Drugs Gains Cult Following - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

“Microdosing” on Psychedelic Drugs Gains Cult Following - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids





I have often achingly thought of my boy's last breaths in the ambulance, praying the EMTs held his hand...Tonight I received this note from an EMT in NY and share with permission:
"Kimberly. I'm an EMT, the epidemic we're dealing with right now is hard on everyone. The family, friends and the provider responding to the call. Its so hard to see past the scene sometimes. Past the addict. But they have a name, a heart, a family and they are loved. Stories like yours make us see past all that and see the person they are. People like you are why we as EMTs won't give up. Life is too beautiful to be stolen by a needle. I will fight this epidemic until my last breath. I've seen so many beautiful lives taken far before their time. I pray providers who transported your son prayed with him. Thank you for carrying on your son’s story. I'll be lifting you up in prayer. I am so very sorry for your loss."

Please be grateful for our EMTs, and particularly this dedicated, compassionate EMT in NY.

Thank you all for your continuous support in heightening addiction awareness by voting here --You may vote daily till July 22








A Subject So Often Hidden in Darkness....YES I AM AN ADDICT’S MOM 
Written by TAM Mom Gail Simmons
.
I can still hear my dearest friend’s uncontrollable guttural screams bouncing off the panels of the inside of the ambulance. As we raced down the winding road to survival, I watched the tears trickle down the driver’s face. He kept softly repeating, in a trance like state, that this career choice was more than he could stomach. He did not know how much longer he wanted to be a witness to this played out scenario.
.
As they hurriedly wheeled the gurney into the ER, silence filled the room. This time no more chances were given. I heard the DR. say, “It’s another DOA.” Everyone was affected.
.
Her son lost his battle with addiction that night. As the truth unraveled, her loss continued. The stigma, the stares, the whispers, the glares. “She’s the addict’s mom.” They said.
.
Searching for support she finally found a group that felt right. She is now a member of the Addict’s Mom.
.
The Addict’s Mom is a support group founded in 2008, by Barbara Theodosiou. When Barbara realized two of her four children were practicing addicts, she knew she had to react. With over 30,000 followers as of 2015 she had access to an unending amount of support and information.
,
Still – her son Daniel was found DEAD in April of this year.
,
In its “Path of Wrath” it does not care. Rich or poor, red, yellow, black or white, educated, or uneducated. Unfortunately all stirred into the same melting pot.
Substance Abuse Awareness Month is in September each year. It is a month long of awareness campaigns addressing the stone cold facts. As an organization we understand the need for continued and ongoing awareness. The Addict’s Mom participates with open arms.
,
Our “Lights of Hope,” campaign spreading clear across the United States, gives our communities and opportunity to group together and gather strength and wisdom from one another. Three candles will be lit. 
,
• A white one for those in recovery
• A red one for those who are still using
• A black one for our lost loved ones
.
Join in our organizations planning of these events in hopes of uniting in our fight of this horrible disease that is claiming the lives of our precious children. 
.
Sunday September 13th is our official date, but you can set YOUR EVENT for any day during the month of September. The Addict’s Mom embraces this opportunity to share and show support. Won’t you join us by hosting, attending or promoting a “Lights of Hope” event in your area? 
.
Let us know longer walk in darkness alone.
.
Yes I deeply understand. As my only child died from a drug overdose as well.
.
*The Addict’s Mom Lights of Hope tee shirts are now available, to purchase yours visit



 Women for Sobriety, Inc.
Life is Change, Growth is Possible
Choose Wisely

҉ 
   
 Change doesn’t have to be hard; here are 10 steps to help make it easier.
Smoothing Transitions

1.  Begin by making small changes or break up large scale changes into more manageable increments.  This can make you feel better about handling the changes you are about to make while making you more comfortable with change in general.

2.  Mentally link changes to established daily rituals.  This can make changes like taking on a new habit, starting a new job, or adapting to a new home happen much more smoothly.  For example, if you want to begin meditating at home, try weaving it into your morning routine.

3.  Going with the flow can help you accept change instead of resisting it.  If you stay flexible, you will be able to ride out change without too much turbulence.

4.  When a change feels most stressful, relief can often be found in finding the good that it brings. An illness, a financial loss, or a broken relationship can seem like the end of the world, yet they also can be blessings in disguise.

5.  Remember that all change involves a degree of learning.  If you find change particularly stressful, try to keep in mind that after this period of transformation has passed, you will be a wiser person for it.

6.  Remember that upheaval and confusion are often natural parts of change.  While we can anticipate certain elements that a change might bring, it is impossible to know everything that will happen in advance.  Be prepared for unexpected surprises, and the winds of change won’t easily knock you over.

7.  Don’t feel like you have to cope with changing circumstances or the stress of making a change on your own.  Talk about what s going on for you with a friend or write about it in a journal. Sharing your feelings can give you a sense of relief while helping you find the strength to carry on.

8.  Give yourself time to accept any changes that you face.  And as change happens, recognize that you may need time to adjust to your new situation.  Allow yourself a period of time to reconcile your feelings.  This can make changes feel less extreme.

9.  No matter how large or difficult a change is, you will eventually adapt to these new circumstances.  Remember that regardless of how great the change, all the new that it brings will eventually weave itself into the right places in your life.

10.  If you’re trying to change a pattern of behavior or navigate your way through a life change, don’t assume that it has to be easy.  Wanting to cry or being moody during a period of change is natural.  Then again, don’t assume that making a change needs to be hard.  Sometimes, changes are meant to be that easy.
-Madisyn Taylor

*************************************************************************
Statement #4, “Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to.”
I now better understand my problems and do not permit problems to overwhelm me.
*************************************************************************

+++++++++++++++++++
Karen’s Perspective +
+++++++++++++++++++
     It didn’t dawn on me until recently that I have viewed change as a big problem.  For a long time, my mind defined change as a calamity.  For instance, when my routine is suddenly out of order or something different happens other than my normal expectation....bingo....CHANGE.  I can feel completely off kilter and worry has an open portal to invade and take over.  Thankfully, I have Statement #4 to realign myself.
     Alcohol exacerbated every problem in my life and, while I may have escaped momentarily, I paid deeply for it.  I still had the original problem and had now added even more problems... hearty hangovers, increasing paranoia and ever-diminishing self-esteem to name but a few.
     Sobriety and Statement #4 in action are a CHANGE diffuser; they lessen intensity and provide a stable platform.  Change only bothers me to the degree that I permit it to!
     It is comforting and empowering to know that I am employing some, if not all, of the above mentioned strategies and notice each of them fits quite nicely with Statement #4.  Breaking down something into smaller increments is something that I did early in sobriety and still do today.  Early on I felt overwhelmed with the thought of not drinking for the rest of my life, so I created a new outlook.... I can be sober for 24 hours....and when that felt like too much, I broke it down further. Now, a number of years later, sobriety and recovery for the remainder of my life is not only completely doable but comforting as well.
     When I quit smoking, I used the Statements to help me and listed thirteen positive things that I would get from quitting...one for each Statement.  By looking at what I was gaining instead of only what I thought I was losing ...I did not allow that change to overwhelm me.  Today I am breathing free and enjoying the many benefits of a smoke free life.
     The more I practice Statement #4, the more able I feel and the more I learn about myself and about life.  Sobriety is not a guarantee of a perfect life but it is the beginning of learning healthy and empowering coping skills that make life enjoyable and love filled.  My favorite quote about CHANGE comes from Dr. Phil and it is one I share often.....  Hugzzz, Karen

Choose
Having
A
New
Growth
Experience

  • What will YOU choose today?
  • How will you manage change today?

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+  Dee’s Insights  +
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     Hi 4C Women, I love what Karen said, that “Change only bothers me to the degree I permit it to.”  I was so fearful of change that I even gave up a free trip to Hawaii and Switzerland many years ago because I was so unsure of how I would handle the change of being in new surroundings.  It still surprises me today because I left home at 18 to go to work in Washington, D.C.  Yes, I was scared and yet I didn’t use anything I learned in that transition to overcome my fear of change.  Three months after I got married, my former husband got a job in Huntsville, AL and, again, I was terrified of moving.
     As I reflect on all the changes since then - moving 14 times, 2 children, a divorce, promotion at my job, losing my mom and dad, daughter being hospitalized - I realize I needed Statement #4 long before I discovered WFS.  Since we cannot change the past, I have learned through WFS to learn from the past and leave regrets where they belong - gone!  I absolutely HATED change until the day my boss told me in my performance review that I was nothing but a maintenance person, no creativity whatsoever since my promotion.  I cried for days, and then I got mad!  This is why I related most to #4 in the first part of this message about when change feels most stressful, relief can often be found in finding the good that it brings.  An illness, a financial loss, or a broken relationship can seem like the end of the world, yet they also can be blessings in disguise.
     After I dried my tears, I decided to face my fear and made a ton of changes.  Even I was shocked at how creative I became, how I tackled really big challenges and by the end of the next year, I created over 17 new programs.  I think I overdid it; but, it was the catalyst I needed to realize that my fear had held me back for many, many years and I missed out on a lot of opportunities. Drinking only masked my fears and certainly kept me stuck in an unhealthy mindset of fear and unworthiness.
     I say this each time Statement #4 is discussed - there is a difference between real issues that need attention and problem solving and worrying to the point that everything is a problem.  I encourage you to embrace change at your own pace, to face your fears with the help and support of others who have experienced similar fears and found ways to cope and make positive changes. Thank goodness we are not alone on this journey.
     I, too, have a favorite quote – “Life is change, Growth is possible, Choose wisely.”  -Dee
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Thank you, Karen and Dee, for your words of encouragement and inspiration to start off our week!  ~Becky Fenner, WFS Director
Email:  contact@womenforsobriety.org   *   Tel215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026
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