"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today"  -Abraham Lincoln "Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work."  -Adrienne Rich “The knowledge that we are responsible for our actions and attitudes does not need to be discouraging, because it also means that we free to change this destiny.  One is not in bondage to the past, which has shaped our feelings, to race, inheritance, background.  All this can be altered if we have the courage to examine how it formed us.  We can alter the chemistry provided we have the courage to dissect the elements.”  -Anais Nin  Recently, feelings of being overwhelmed have been bringing anxiety to light.  The desire to escape has entered my mind with feelings of uncertainty (fear) and being stuck taking hold.  While I have been unaware of a conscious desire to drink, the thought of running away is a big, red warning sign.  This is an indicator of imbalance which calls for immediate action and change.  Responsibility in action is key here. Statement #13 in daily development provides the path for continued sobriety and recovery with an eye towards tomorrow and beyond.  Speaking with a dear friend who understands this journey, has helped immensely and has allowed me to see things from a different and clearer perspective.  Prioritizing and planning, increasing my meditation practice and reorganization has helped to center thoughts and reduce anxiety.  Writing in a journal has also been a trusted avenue for responsibility and awareness. Oftentimes in recovery it can be easy to adopt a laid-back attitude which, when left unattended, can lead towards excess and negativity.  Excessive thoughts and lack of direction are not helpful and can be an instigator for negativity.  In our Program Booklet, Jean boldly states, “So long as we have just one single negative thought, we stand to lose our sobriety and we will always be off-balance with ourselves.”  By paying attention to thoughts and subsequent feelings, I can circumvent a negative spiral and respond with growing ability.  Sobriety and recovery using the WFS Statements of Affirmation is not some high-speed chase to an impending finish line, but rather an ebb and flow odyssey of magnanimous proportion.  Hugzzz, Karen  I truly relate to Karen’s message.  As many of you know from my writings, I have been the caretaker for my daughter for several months.  It was becoming emotionally overwhelming and I started having those red flag negative thoughts.  What helped me was voicing my feelings, receiving compassion and understanding rather than judgment.  This is what WFS has done for me.  It helped me to learn to be responsible for my actions, for my decisions and it also provided a safe place to seek support.  It is harmful for my emotional well-being to isolate, keep my feelings hidden and hang on with clenched fists when all I need to do is say, “I need help.”  There is such great strength in asking for and receiving what we need to work through life’s challenges - and trust me, there will always be challenges.  This is why creating healthy coping tools, reaching out when needed and building that strong, solid foundation of resiliency is the key to remaining sober and clean.  It is so much more than not drinking or using.  It is what building resilience is all about. I just read an article in AARP (yes, I am well past the 50 years of age requirement) about building resiliency.  The author thought that resiliency was the capacity to endure pain.  She learned that resiliency is the strength and speed of our response to adversity. Hardships and traumatic events happen to all of us and are not evenly distributed.  Recovery does not start from the same place for everyone.  This is another aspect of WFS that I value, that we do not compare our histories or current situations because what matters is how all of that is impacting our personal lives.  Comparing one’s suffering over another’s can be risky.  We do not live other people’s lives.  We are in charge of how we solve and work on our own situations, seek guidance or input and offer that compassion so needed by each one of us no matter how small or large the issue.  We are bonded by that gift of giving and receiving without judgment. And lastly, please remember to put balance in your life.  If you are feeling so stressed that negative thoughts start becoming the prominent thoughts, it’s time to see how you are nurturing yourself.  It was the support of a friend in my WFS group and the meal team at my church that made it possible for me to go to the WFS conference and to go on to visit my family and friends in PA and NJ.  I fearfully asked for much needed help and I abundantly received! What are your coping tools for handling adversity? What do you do to nurture yourself? When is the last time you asked for help? How do you practice being in charge of your mind, thoughts and life?   --WFS Member Women for Sobriety, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your Donations Help Support WFS's Ongoing Services. Thank you! 100% of your donation reaches WFS and contributes to our mission. Buy or Sell Items on Ebay and Help Support Women for Sobriety. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates to WFS. Check out Women for Sobriety's Blog Site. If you received this from a friend, we welcome you to JOIN our email list. Copyright © Women for Sobriety, Inc. | All rights reserved | Federal ID # 23-1972763 Email: contact@womenforsobriety.org | Ph: 215-536-8026 | Fax: 215-538-9026 http://womenforsobriety.org | http://www.wfscatalog.org

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My name is Marty Henehan,  On July 16th, 1992. God gave me and my wife the most precious of gift. He gave us our beautiful daughter Samantha "Sammi" Henehan. She was a beauty queen pageant winner as a toddler and happy loving child. She was kind and generous to those less fortunate and would always stick up for and root for the underdog. I was a father who struggled with a drug and alcohol problem for many years that prevented me from being the father she deserved. Her mother for many years played both roles of parents and made sure that she never went without anything.  In Sammi's early teens she too started her own struggles with addiction. After seeing the path she was headed in we, me and my wife, had her admitted to a treatment facility for adolescents with addiction. After a short relapse upon coming home she went back in at the age of 17 and stayed sober for three years, she recreated herself as a personal banker for a nationally know Financial institution, at one point coming in as one of the top three bankers in northeast Pennsylvania. This all accomplished with no college degree. But her real passion in life was helping others, particularly those other young girls who were struggling with addiction. Many of which attribute their sobriety today to her kindness and encouragement to just get ONE MORE DAY SOBER! Unfortunately the disease of addiction is a very powerful disease and she was lured back to the drugs and alcohol again. My wife and I did all we could do. Sending her back to multiple treatment centers, sober houses, even going so far as to have her arrested and locked up to get her to stop. Then on April 10th of 2016. We found her deceased in a motel room from an accidental drug overdose. My wife and I being in recovery ourselves and knowing how passionate Sammi was about helping others. When we were making those final arrangements that no parent should ever have to make. My wife made the decision to do something that was unheard of in our area. She put in the paper the actual cause of death. When asked by our local officials and television stations "WHY", we said we wanted to "STOP THE WHISPERS" . We knew that it was something Sammi would want to be told. Last year on July 17th, with the help and support of our local community we launched THE FOREVER SAMMI FOUNDATION. At the VERY FIRST ADDICTION AWARENESS RALLY in memory of Samantha. We were told, "Don't be upset if not too many people show up, alot of people don't want to talk publicly about it." Our response? That is EXACTLY WHY WE ARE DOING IT! There are so many people who are struggling in silence. Our annual event this year  is July 16th, from 3-7 pm  ; It will be a day that we will be celebrating Sammis 25th birthday. Our foundation raises money to help financially bridge the gap for people with no money, who may otherwise be homeless upon completion of treatment and we set then in a safe,sober environment.  Learn more @  Forever Sammi Organization. Or email us atforeversammi23@gmail.com and by phone at (570) 344-2863 Please come out to support the memory of Sammi on July 16th, from 3-7 pm.  Lackawanna County Courthouse Square  Washington & Adams Avenues,Scranton, PA 18503

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Matt's Story at Teen Challenge

The Worst AA Meeting in the World | The Fix

The Worst AA Meeting in the World | The Fix: If you’re not at least a little pissed off to be in AA, then you are missing the point.

Top 10 Most Affecting Scenes About Hitting Rock Bottom | The Fix

Top 10 Most Affecting Scenes About Hitting Rock Bottom | The Fix: When a scene gets it right, when it manages to articulate all the anguish and anxiety and reckoning of a genuinely alcoholic bottom, it can have a profound effect on viewers.

My First Sober Heartbreak | The Fix

My First Sober Heartbreak | The Fix: Didn’t he realize that nobody would ever love him the way I did? Was it because I was an addict? Didn’t he realize that it’s because I’m an addict that I love so hard?

Realism and Dark Humor in 'A Thousand Junkies' at Tribeca | The Fix

Realism and Dark Humor in 'A Thousand Junkies' at Tribeca | The Fix: “It’s not exactly method acting. I like to call it methadone acting.” — Tommy Swerdlow

I wish I had a penny for every time I have been asked how can I help! Here's how I know you won't let me down you never have..xoxo Are you ready to help us fight for the lives of our beautiful children If you live in a state that's GREY on the map below I would appreciate it if you participated in The Addict's National Event Team TAM Bowling held in October. This event is is in honor of my beautiful beloved son Daniel Francis Montalbano as well as all of the precious children lost to this horrible disease. 53 Teams have already formed!!!! Please post below your state if you will be participating. Find out all the details at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NationalTeamTAMBowling/

Visit The Addict's Mom at: http://addictsmom.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

 

News Top Drug & Alcohol News of the Week   Addiction Experts Object to Price’s Remarks on Medication-Assisted Treatment Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price’s description of medication-assisted treatment for addiction as “substituting one opioid for another” is inaccurate, according to addiction experts who have asked Price to “set the record straight.” Read More Two Senators Introduce Bill to Protect Drug Control Office From Sweeping Budget Cuts Two senators have introduced a bill that would protect the Office of National Drug Control Policy from sweeping budget cuts proposed by the Trump Administration, according to the Associated Press. Read More   Ohio Police Officer Accidentally Overdoses on Fentanyl While on the Job A police officer in Ohio accidentally overdosed on fentanyl while on the job, NBC News reports. He was recovering, but reportedly “still miserable” several days later. Read More Jeff Sessions Directs Federal Prosecutors to Pursue Tougher Penalties for Drug Crimes Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced he is directing federal prosecutors to pursue the most severe penalties possible for drug crimes. Read More Family Can Play Lifesaving Role in Overdoses by Using Naloxone: Study Family members can be active participants in responding to the overdose epidemic by rescuing loved ones with the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, a new study finds. Read More Other Headlines of Interest Ready to get off opioids? How to make recovery stick (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Blog: Opioid Overdose, Benzos, and Anxiety Management Part II (Rehabs.com) More American Workers Are Testing Positive for Drugs (The Wall Street Journal) Communities Key To Fighting Opioid Crisis, HHS Secretary Says (NPR) A Personal Look at a National Problem (U.S. News & World Report) How will harsher sentences affect the flow of drugs in the U.S.? (PBS NewsHour) Opioid addiction crisis spurs brutal candor in obituaries (Fox News) An Experiment Helps Heroin Users Test Their Street Drugs For Fentanyl (NPR) Parents of student poisoned by alcohol describe 'torture' at fraternity (BBC News) Pete Davidson recalls picking drug rehab while high, spending $40G on ‘horse therapy’ during SNL (New York Daily News)   DONATE Parent Toll-Free Helpline: 1-855-DRUGFREE drugfree.org © Partnership for Drug-Free Kids 352 Park Ave South | 9th Floor | New York, NY 10010   privacy policy | manage email preferences