January 20 v 15 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

STEP 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. Galatians 6:1-2 “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

This one is for all those who spend each and everyday giving back. Step twelve is I think my favorite because their is not a drug in the world that can match the feeling you get when you know you helped someone find God and sobriety. For those of you in recovery who give back , according to the Proverb you are just that a rare jewel , and for those of you still using if you find that rare jewel hold on tight , listen and work hard they will lead you into the promise land. Thank you to all my Brothers and Sisters who work tirelessly on themselves and others you are the true WINNERS in the game of life.

10 (More) of the Greatest Songs About Recovery | The Fix

10 (More) of the Greatest Songs About Recovery | The Fix

Don't Believe The (Marijuana) Hype | The Fix

Don't Believe The (Marijuana) Hype | The Fix

The Sober Man Behind Iron Man | The Fix

The Sober Man Behind Iron Man | The Fix

January 18 v 24 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

STEP 6 - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Isaiah 1:19 “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.

Whether we like it or not it has to be the removal of defects of character and all of your peeps. Yeah that's right your peeps , or as some would say friends. Not everyone wants to get sober especially the ones you used to party with. Old friends are the number one cause of relapse. When I first found sobriety , I went into hiding destroyed my cell phone and found a church . Once I had a moment of clarity I recognized my peeps as everything I had grown too hate in my life. Looking back I discovered they did not care about me at all ! All they cared about was chasing the drug like me. If they had the opportunity they would leave me for dead in a second . Most importantly remember when one of your peeps starts talking about loyalty and honor that does not exist in addiction its pride masking itself as something to feed ego . The friend who sticks closer than a brother is the sane sober voice in your life gently and lovingly nudging you out of the insanity . Most of the time it is a blood relation family member who has , and always has been there through all your BS . Hopefully you have forgotten your old peeps by step six but , if you have not then you gota hand them over too God and move on if you don't they will certainly with no hesitation take you for a walk down relapse road and you will start the hell all over again.   

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

January 17 v 23 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

It is painful to be the parent of a fool;

there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

STEP : 9 I will make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

For those of you who don't have children especially those of you still in active addiction will never truly understand the verse from the Proverb until you have children of your own. The hell I put my folks through will never be completely understood . I have spent time with Moms and Dads who have become victim to addiction. The havoc we reek on them is indescribable. Many addicts are the root cause of mom and dads premature passing . Many of the Moms and Dads I have spoke with complain of ulcers , headaches , high blood pressure and the list of ailments goes on and on . There is a verse from the bible that states hope deferred makes the heart sick . I have also spent time with my brothers and sisters at Mom and Dads grave site. Screaming at the top of there lungs because they never got to say sorry and now its too late. Unfortunately its the ones we love the most that we hurt the most. Moms and Dads are all we have ,and they are the only ones in this world we can count on ! Sober up ,Say Sorry and work things out before its too late , make Mom and Dads dream come true for you and them .

Heavy Drinking Speeds Decline in Men’s Memory and Thinking Skills: Study

By Join Together Staff | January 16, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed in Alcohol& Research

Men who drink heavily in middle age experience a faster, steeper decrease in memory and thinking skills 10 years later, compared with men who drink less or don’t drink, a new study concludes.

Men who consumed at least 2.5 drinks a day performed worse on memory tests almost six years faster than other men, USA Todayreports. Their thinking skills declined almost two years faster than men who didn’t drink or who drank less. The researchers did not find any major differences in memory or thinking skills among men who didn’t drink, who quit drinking during the study, or had up to two drinks daily.

The researchers did not find any clear results for drinking’s effect on women’s memory or thinking skills, the article notes. The research included more than 5,000 men and 2,000 women, whose average age at the beginning of the study was 45. When they started the study, they told researchers how much they drank. A decade later, they began taking tests of memory and thinking skills.

The findings are published in the journal Neurology.

“Much of the research evidence about drinking and a relationship to memory and executive function is based on older populations,” study author Séverine Sabia, PhD, of the University College London, said in a news release. “Our study focused on middle-aged participants and suggests that heavy drinking is associated with faster decline in all areas of cognitive function in men.”

Kathy Sutherland-Bruaw
Founder/Executive Director at Inside Out


Hi Joseph, I am not very good at keeping up with so many things! Apologies again! Yes, Inside Out is a completely peer run organization that I founded in 2008. We are a peer wellness center-we offer hope to those who suffer from addiction and are reaching for recovery. Those of us in recovery realize that this is a lifelong process and we do not judge. We offer services now 7 days a week and people can walk in-no appointment necessary. We realize that many will come in during a crisis and people don't make or keep appointments in crisis mode. We offer individual peer support-which is an evidence based practice, groups, a free clothing bank, job development assistance, community referrals, and also we welcome children and families. We have a "kids corner" where children can play with toys and watch videos while their parents receive services. We are a recovery family and we have that feeling in the center-all are welcome and all are treated with respect. We also offer the Seeking Safety trauma curriculum in group format which is gender specific on a weekly basis. We received a PCORI grant to offer this in collaboration with The LifeLink and UNM Center for Rural and Community Behavioral Health. We believe that recovery is possible and we keep what we have by sharing it! Thanks for asking Joseph! You can see more at www.recoveryinsideout.org

January 16 v 23 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB
Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.

STEP 1 : We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.

Haughty - disdainfully proud; snobbish; arrogant.


For those of you who are still caught in active addiction you don't realize it but your blind too your situation. My life was all about me and only me for too long. There were many fights with my loved ones because they could see what I could not.I was so focused on me and my addiction that in my eyes my life was normal. I used too tell my parents relax , I got this under control , I am professional. I say that now in a joking manner too my parents now and they both state oh no here we go again . The funny thing was I had nothing under control in my life .I had two definite s death or jail but that didn't scare me , well it should have who wants too spend time behind bars when there is so many wonderful things in the world and who wants too die before there appointed time .Notice the Proverb mentions fall and that is what happened too me .Rock bottom is where my blindness lead me and it is at rock bottom where I found a set of steps that I could take to get back on my feet again. There is much good in the world but if you keep focusing on yourself you will miss the greatest stuff in life.Open your eyes and open your ears to the ones who love you they want whats best for you .

 








                       
    

Overdoses from Heroin and Prescription Drugs Reach New Levels at Jersey Shore

By Join Together Staff | January 15, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Drugs & Prescription Drugs

Deaths from heroin and prescription drugs more than doubled last year at the Jersey Shore, a locale well known as a vacation destination. Three people in Ocean County, New Jersey have already died in 2014 from drug overdoses, according to NBC News. Local police said a brand of heroin sold under the name “Bud Light” may be tainted.

Ocean County, which includes a number of beach towns, is home to the reality series “The Jersey Shore.” The county has the highest number of heroin-related emergency room admissions in the state. In 2011, Ocean County had 11 percent of all heroin-related ER admissions. The following year, 11.4 percent of heroin-related admissions were in the county, although it has less than 7 percent of the state’s population.

Deaths related to heroin and prescription drugs jumped from 53 in 2012, to 112 last year. The majority of the deaths were related to heroin, the article notes. A total of 1,188 people died from overdoses throughout New Jersey in 2013.

“It is a suburban epidemic facing us throughout New Jersey,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “A lot of suburban counties are affected at dangerous levels.” He said young people are starting with prescription drugs, and moving to heroin. “This is no longer just an inner city issue,” added Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County prosecutor’s office. He added people are snorting heroin, which is purer and cheaper than in the past.

Prosecutors in Ocean County have distributed warning cards to funeral homes, advising families to dispose of unused prescription medications left behind by the deceased.

Earlier this year, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law a measure that encourages people to report drug overdoses. The law allows people to call 911 to report a drug overdose, without the fear of getting arrested for drug possession themselves.

January 15 v 22 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

STEP 5 ; I will admit to God, to myself, and to another human being, the exact nature of my wrongs.

Some of the people in your life are not just trying to lecture you they are giving you advice on how to improve your life. This is where pride keeps you trapped through stubbornness . The more and more we listen the more we learn and knowledge is power. Stubborn was my middle name for many years , I would not listen too one word anyone had to say. The plans I had made for my life failed miserably for lack of counsel .Step five mentions we share our mistakes and failures with another person not only does it help getting rid of our junk but step 5 teaches that not everyone is out to get us. For those of you new to recovery you must surround yourself with people who have lengthy good clean time shut-up and listen for once in your life. It is obvious thanks too the Proverb the more people you have too help the more you will succeed. 

Rodriguez Banned From Baseball for 2014 Season for Violating Anti-Doping Rules

By Join Together Staff | January 14, 2014 | 1 Comment | Filed in Prescription Drugs

An arbitration panel has ruled that Major League Baseball (MLB) can ban New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez for the entire 2014 season, Bloomberg reports. Rodriguez was suspended for violating the league’s antidoping rules. MLB originally suspended Rodriguez for 211 games. The panel reduced the suspension to 162 games, including playoffs.

In August, MLB announced it was suspending Rodriguez and 12 other players. The league said it suspended Rodriguez based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited, performance-enhancing substances over many years.

In a statement, Rodriguez said, “The number of games sadly comes as no surprise, as the deck has been stacked against me from day one. This is one man’s decision, that was not put before a fair and impartial jury, does not involve me having failed a single drug test, is at odds with the facts and is inconsistent with the terms of the Joint Drug Agreement and the Basic Agreement, and relies on testimony and documents that would never have been allowed in any court in the United States because they are false and wholly unreliable.”

He said he intends to fight the suspension in a federal court.

Study Links Misuse of Prescription Drugs and Violence Among Dating Partners
By Join Together Staff | January 14, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed in Mental Health, Prescription Drugs, Research, Young Adults & Youth

A new study suggests a connection between misuse of prescription drugs and incidents of dating violence. Researchers at the University of Michigan Injury Center found misusing prescription sedatives and opioids was more common prior to dating violence, while alcohol use or a combination of alcohol and marijuana use were more common prior to non-dating violence, HealthCanal reports.

“Without the alcohol or prescription drugs involved, they simply might walk away from a potentially violent situation,” lead researcher Quyen Epstein-Ngo said in a news release. “The alcohol and other substance use may be the tipping points.”

The researchers looked at use of prescription sedatives and opioids immediately preceding violent dating conflicts, on the day of the conflict, among high-risk urban youth. The study included 575 participants, ages 14 to 24, over a one-year period. Women were more likely to be involved in dating violence.

Of the 1,262 incidents reported in the study, substance use occurred immediately before 44 percent of conflicts. About half of dating violence incidents involved drug use.

“Our findings indicate that interventions that address violence among youth should address substance use and psychological factors, as well as be tailored by type of violence—dating versus non-dating—and by gender,” Epstein-Ngo said.

The results are published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Doctors Can Uncover Drug or Alcohol Use With Just One Question: Study
By Join Together Staff | January 14, 2014 | 4 Comments | Filed in Alcohol,Drugs, Healthcare & Treatment


Primary care doctors can discover whether patients are abusing drugs or alcohol by asking a single question, a new study finds.

Asking patients how many times in the past year they consumed five or more drinks in a day (for men), and four or more (for women) is just as effective as administering a longer screening questionnaire in uncovering alcohol dependence, according to Dr. Richard Saitz of the Boston University School of Public Health. Doctors can reveal drug dependence by asking, “How many times in the past year have you used an illegal drug or used a prescription medication for nonmedical reasons?” he said.

“We found that single questions may be useful in both screening and preliminary assessment” of substance-use severity, Dr. Saitz said in anews release. “Instead of extensive interviews or long questionnaires, which are a barrier to screening in primary care settings, this approach may make it much easier to identify and appropriately address unhealthy substance use.”

The study analyzed responses from 286 patients, Science Dailyreports. The single alcohol question detected 88 percent of patients with alcohol dependence. The drug question detected 97 percent of patients with drug dependence, the article notes. The results were similar to those found with longer screening tests.

Current drug and alcohol screening tools generally range from three to more than 80 questions, with multiple response options, Dr. Saitz noted in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. If screening indicates a patient may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, the doctor may refer the patient to a specialist, programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, drug treatment, or other follow-up treatment. Patients at lower risk may benefit from brief counseling, according to Dr. Saitz.

FREE Job Readiness/Career Exploration, Job Placement & GED Preparation for Youth

To assist out-of-school youth, ages 17 to 21, in Bucks County enter the emerging workforce and achieve their future goals -- secure a better paying job, advance their career, earn a better wage, build life skills and gain self sufficiency – the Bucks County Youth Center at the CareerLink is offering FREE training, workshops and GED preparation to qualified young adults.



The Bucks County Youth Center at the CareerLink provides FREE job search assistance, coaching, transition planning, resume preparation and certification preparation for the National Retail Federation and ServSafe exam to youth who have graduated high school and are looking for employment and youth who have dropped out of school [ages 17 – 21] in the Bucks County area who are seeking full time employment.

The Bucks County Youth Center at the CareerLink is conveniently located near public transportation. Morning and afternoon hours are available.

These programs are offered in collaboration with the Buck County Workforce Investment Board. The BC-WIB is a business-led board that provides the leadership and resources necessary to encourage a flourishing workforce and companywide economic well-being. The organization stems from the Workforce Investment Act and other grant-funded programs and its mission is to provide the leadership necessary to develop, direct and promote a comprehensive network of resources and services for area businesses as well as adults and youth looking for employment.

“This group has been targeted because of its history of high unemployment,” stated Ron Spangler, Youth Operations Manager. “Our goal is to coach, train and place out-of-school youth into entry level high-growth, high-demand occupations,” he explained.

Call Brian Cummings at 215-781-1083 ext. 2210 to schedule an appointment or attend an orientation session.Contact Info: Brian Cummings

Youth Operations Manager

215-781-1083 ext. 2210

January 14 v 13 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,

but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

STEP 4 : . I will take a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself.

GRIEF - keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret.

to suffer dissappointment misfortune, or other trouble;

Is not grief the root of all addiction. I looked up and posted the meaning of the word so we can see just how devastating grief can be. After all the hard work I have done getting free from self and various addictions it is my personal opinion that my addictions were the byproduct of my broken heart. Like the Proverb says laughter is a mask like my addictions were. No matter how much we pretend and self medicate grief it will not leave unless we deal with it. Step four is the key that will kick grief out of your head and heart.I have a few brothers who are still using because of a horrible tragedy ,they blame themselves ! Sometimes difficult things will happen but that is life. Society's way of dealing with grief is to label it depression and then prescribe drugs to numb it . Which in turn gives all of us the impression that medication is the answer but no matter how many pills you take grief will not release its grip. Step four forces grief out of its hiding place deep within our hearts. Then it must be dealt with , accepted and worked on over and over until it loses its power to keep you trapped in sadness and sorrow. FIX YOUR HEART AND THE HEAD WILL FOLLOW !

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If you are one of the many people who completed the "What Is Recovery?" survey several months ago, please be alert now for a follow-up email or phone call from the Research Project.          Only those who agreed to be recontacted will hear from MyLifeNow@phi.org with the subject line "Online survey." The email will have the unique personal link to your copy of the survey--you'll need this link. If you receive a phone call, the project representative will say they are calling "on behalf of a national health survey." (The project's Ethics Board allows this follow-up email or phone call to be sent only once, so it's important that you follow up as previously agreed. It might be helpful to check your spam box occasionally.)         The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) partnered in 2012 in conducting this national Survey on "What Is Recovery?," the largest and most diverse study of its kind. A goal is to develop a way of measuring recovery based on how it is experienced by those who actually live it. Preliminary results on such topics as respondents' pathways to and duration of recovery, substance of choice, demographics, and quality of life are available on the Study website here.         The results of this research project can reduce the stigma that confronts people in recovery and often hinders their ability to achieve their goals. About The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. is a private nonprofit prevention, education, advocacy, and intervention organization, providing a wide range of services to families, schools, businesses, individuals, and the community. Founded in 1975, The Council serves the Southeast region of Pennsylvania and is a member of a nationwide network of National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Affiliates. The Council has offices and Recovery Community Centers in Doylestown, New Britain, Bristol, and Philadelphia. For help with alcohol, tobacco or other substances, or for information on the disease of alcoholism and addiction, call800-221-6333, toll-free, 24-hours a day. For more information, please click here.

PRO-ACT Family Addiction Education Program helps families address drug and alcohol addiction

Next free sessions start week of Feb. 4 at various locations in five counties

When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the disease affects the entire family. Each month PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization–Achieving Community Together) hosts a free Family Addiction Education Program to help individuals and families recognize and address an addiction problem in a spouse, parent, child or other loved one. Led by trained volunteers who have been in the same situation, these information and support programs begin the first week of each month and run one evening a week for three consecutive weeks. Each session lasts two hours.



Programs are offered at several locations throughout the five-county southeast Pennsylvania region:

· Tuesdays—From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Media and Northeast Philadelphia.

· Wednesdays—From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Pottstown; from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in North Philadelphia; and from 7 p.m.to9 p.m. in West Chester.

· Thursdays—From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Northern Liberties; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bristol and Colmar.

Sessions are free and confidential—first names only. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 800-221-6333, weekdays 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., or visithttp://councilsepa.org/programs/pro-act/family-education-program/.

January 13 v 13 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

People who despise advice are asking for trouble;

those who respect a command will succeed.

STEP :3. I will make a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God.

Looking at addiction from a different perspective can sometimes help the most stubborn of people.Picture a man in the middle of a lake it is obvious he is drowning . It is only a matter of time before he sinks into the eternal abyss forever . Along comes the members of his family all of them carrying a life preserver. As each family member throws in their life preservers the drowning man refuses to grab on and be pulled to safety and this goes on until the man can no longer stay above water he drowns then dies. That was me in the middle of the lake. My problem was somehow I convinced myself that my love ones were trying to tell me what to do and control my life. That my friends was foolish pride that kept me in the lake longer than I should have been.We have to realize in life that sometimes we have to let someone in to help. No one is trying to control you especially the ones that love us most. You see the Proverb and it is true ! Don't look at a helping hand or as a command , tell yourself it is a life preserver and if I don't grab I will drown. Step is telling us to stop pushing the life preserver away grab it and hold on tight and don't let go. Peace ,safety and joy are just up ahead on shore. God and family are all you got in this world and the next.

Register by Jan. 22 to receive the early registration rate. Space for Exhibitors is limited so register now. How is aXis different? Unlike most addiction recovery conferences that focus on continuing education credits for all professionals, aXis is designed as an intensive 3-day strategic planning event - an  Executive Boot Camp. You and your team will experience:  Team-Based Approach Peer-to-Peer and Collaborative Learning Performance-Based Roundtable Discussion Dual Public and Private Sector Focus to Foster Collaboration  Flexible Grouping Strategies Mentoring Opportunities from Industry Leaders  Networking with industry experts and colleagues aXis brings together individuals from diverse organizations to engage in a stimulating exchange of ideas. This is accomplished with round-table peer interaction, mentoring, and insights from industry experts. Learn More  What will be the focus of aXis 2014?  To survive and thrive in today's competitive healthcare landscape, your organization needs multi-talented senior executives and management who have a firm grasp of the big picture. aXis is designed to assist companies and programs strengthen their leadership team and explore how to integrate critical business functions in a unified strategy that drives ethical excellence and growth. aXis brings together individuals from diverse organizations to engage in a stimulating exchange of ideas. You and your peers will leave this intensive learning experience with new perspectives on the changing healthcare environment, leadership, business operations, and your role in shaping corporate and industry direction in the addiction field. aXis prepares executives for new levels of leadership in their careers and within their organizations. C4 invites you to take your next step here.     www.axissummit.com  Quick Links About aXis Agenda aXis Facilitators Prospectus Sponsorships  Golf Tournament Hotel Reservations aXis is Presented by:   in Partnership with Who Should Attend aXis? Owners Board Members Senior Executives Medical Directors Clinical Supervisors Consultants Mid-Level Managers Marketing/Sales Management Information Technology Staff Intake Management Call Center Management  Private Practitioners C4 Conferences aXis is owned and operated by C4 Recovery Solutions, Inc., a non-profit organization. The mission of C4 is to improve the accessibility and quality of addiction treatment, and to promote long-term recovery solutions. C4 uses four C's - Collaboration, Convening, Conferencing, and Consultation to achieve its goals. Please visit our other conferences.  Cape Cod Conference on Addictive Disorders (CCSAD)   West Coast Conference on Addictive Disorders (WCSAD)   Clinical Overview of the Recovery Experience (CORE)  Waldorf Astoria Naples    This inviting beach property sets the standard for treating guests and families to endless activities, incredible nearby sights, and an unmatched level of service and attention. Rediscover this unique Florida resort, and indulge in a truly special getaway. Discover this peaceful sanctuary set along 23 acres along the Gulf of Mexico, with breathtaking views of the Gulf and surrounding natural mangrove estuary.  The Waldorf Astoria Naples received the 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award. This honor is awarded to establishments that achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. Learn More