The End of Relapse? Researchers Using Brain Protein Manipulations Claim a Breakthrough Read more: The End of Relapse? Researchers Using Brain Protein Manipulations Claim a Breakthrough

by John Lee

Scientists at the Ernest Gallo Research Center in Emeryville think they've made a breakthrough in the understanding and treatment of alcoholism, a breakthrough that they say may help to reduce the high odds of relapse facing those in recovery from the disease.

Their research study involved a manipulation of the brain protein glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and in rats anyway, it showed an amazing ability to keep alcoholic rats off the sauce, for good.

In an animal model study, the researchers gave a cohort of rats alcohol at a level high enough to induce dependence, and then cut off the alcohol supply. The rats were then split into two study groups. Half of the rats received a manipulation that increased their levels of GDNF, and half the rats didn't, and all the rats were then again given access to alcohol.

Amazingly, the rats that had the higher levels of GDNF were far less interested in consuming alcohol, while the rats with the normal levels of the protein quickly fell back into their hard drinking ways.

Higher levels of GDNF reduced the rats desire to drink alcohol.

Significantly, when the rats were given sugar water solution (a natural reward) both groups of rats consumed the solution at the same intensity - and this, according to study leader Dorit Ron, is significant.

He explains that at the moment, there are certain drugs used in the treatment against relapse for alcoholism. The problem with these drugs, he says, is that although they can help to reduce cravings for alcohol, they tend to also reduce cravings for other naturally pleasurable things in life, "People lose desire for any pleasurable activities. They feel bad, they feel blah, so they stop taking the drug."

The research results were published in today's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Fellow scientists have already hailed this manipulation technique with a selective effect on alcohol cravings as a major breakthrough. Friedbert Weiss, of the Scripps Institute commented, "I think it's a landmark study. Chronic vulnerability to relapse is really at the core of addiction.

Read more: The End of Relapse? Researchers Using Brain Protein Manipulations Claim a Breakthrough 

Making Amends; Don't be Selfish!

by John Lee

In Christian recovery, the 9^th of Christian 12 steps demands that you make amends for past wrongs, except for when through the act of making amends you would cause undue harm.

We harm others through our selfish actions while using and abusing, and we need to make up for those harms.

But although through making a full Christian amends to those that you have wronged, you do find considerable peace, you do not make amends for yourself…and this is a considerable and vital distinction to make.

You make amends for them, not for you, and although through making honest and full amends you will benefit, if you approach it as something that you are doing for yourself, you will get little from it.

We cause pain through our selfish acts of ego, and to unravel some of this pain, we need to surrender our ego to the act, and approach the making of amends with an empathetic view, acting in such a way as to put the wellbeing of those we have harmed before our own. 

If you do truly put the wellbeing of others first, and approach step 9 completely unselfishly, completely empathetically; you will come to benefit and you will find a great deal of peace.

If you approach the making of amends as something that you are doing "for your peace and wellbeing" then you will find little of it!

You need to make things right with your God, with your community and with your family, and an honest participation in step 9 of the Christian 12 steps can help to bring you home.

Read more: The 9th Step; Making Amends; Don't be Selfish! 

Powerlessness…Not Passivity!

by John Lee

Without a true expression in word and deed of Christian humility, recovery is impossible. Before you pray to God, admitting fully of your moral shortcomings, and seeking His forgiveness and His guidance, you cannot hope to get better…but this alone is not enough!

Powerlessness, Not Passivity!

One of the biggest mistakes too many in the Christian recovery movement make is thinking that admitting to powerlessness over an addiction means resigning oneself to passivity to do anything about it.

You can’t just pray to God for guidance and think that this alone is enough. You must listen for His message, pray for it, read the bible…and then get out there and work it!

He will show you how to get better, and He will guide you through it, but He won’t do it for you, and if you don’t make the effort, nothing is going to change.

We are made in God's image to do Christian good works, that's what we're here for!

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Eph. 2:10)

You've Got to Work the Steps for the Steps to Work!

Too many people sit passively in Christian recovery meetings for ages, never getting better, and never realizing why. Getting into meetings is a definite start to the recovery process, but just sitting through a daily session offers you little. Far more important is to take the message, pray for guidance, and get out and work the steps.

• Make your moral inventory and admit your failings to God…do it everyday and do it actively.
• Make amends, full honest amends to those you have wronged. Never wait for tomorrow what you can do today, and never wait for them to come to you!
• Work to help others see the light of Jesus and the Healing power of Christian Recovery.
• Do good works!

Get off your chair, get out there and work the steps…and if you do, they’re going to work for you. God wants you to get better, He will show you how, but He won’t do what you must do.

Read more: Christian Recovery; Powerlessness…Not Passivity! 

Betty Ford Remembered for Her Addiction Recovery and Courage

by John Lee

Though she was popular as an open, outspoken and honest First Lady, by the time Betty Ford moved into The White House she was already dealing with a long addiction to prescription pain killers and a growing addiction to alcohol.

Perhaps more popular than her steady husband, Betty Ford won admiration along with controversy for her willingness to share the intimate details of her life and her true opinions to a national audience.  Such as when diagnosed with breast cancer just 2 months into her role as First lady when she went on TV to tell the nation about her need for a mastectomy and to encourage women everywhere to get checked out.

Gerald Ford lost his presidential reelection bid in 1976 to Jimmy Carter, and by 1978, Betty’s drinking and drug use had spiraled out of control. Ford talked about feeling useless once out of Washington and admitted to taking as many as 25 pain pills and Valiums per day before moving on to vodka tonics before and after dinner. As things got worse, Betty’s family got in touch with professional help to stage a family intervention and to get her into a much needed treatment program at the Navy’s rehab clinic in Long Beach.

Four years later and four years into recovery, Betty founded the Betty Ford Center, which has become one of the most respected names in addiction treatment and which has seen some 90 000 people healed through its doors over the past 30+ years. Notable graduates of the Betty Ford Center include Johnny Cash, Lindsay Lohan, Elizabeth Taylor and countless other celebrities.

When asked why she went on to found her namesake treatment facility, Ford replied, "They have to know there's help for them…There's not only help but there's hope for them."

Betty Ford Center graduate, actress Ali McGraw, released a statement on hearing of Ford’s death, saying, "She changed so many of our lives with her courage and intelligence, her honesty and humility, and her deep grace. Her vision impacted my own life as few people have." In another tribute, President Obama praised her for her good works, saying, "After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment."

But though on her death so many have come forth to pay tribute to her influence, she retained a sense of humility throughout her life; a character exemplified in her autobiography, where she wrote, “I am an ordinary woman who was called onstage at an extraordinary time. Through an accident of history, I had become interesting to people."

Read more: Betty Ford Remembered for Her Addiction Recovery and Courage 

HARBOR COUNSELING OF WELLSBORO

Harbor Counseling of Wellsboro , offers most D&A treatment services and now has added a Certified Recovery Specialist to their staff.The Recovery Specialist is there for you from the time you walk in the door until well after your treatment has ended.Being in recovery myself ,I know how difficult it can be trying to put your life back together again, that's where the Recovery Specialist steps in! As you know, I am a Recovery Specialist and have had the awesome opportunity to assist many on there road to recovery.This is a wonderful addition to the staff at Harbor,you can call Harbor at 570-724-5272 or 607-242-4830 and ask for the Recovery Specialist and they will assist you! Harbor is located at 7095 Route 287 Wellsboro Pa. 16901

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

At some point in life we get stuck by a disappointment or a heart break.  If you truly think about it, it doesn't matter what it is you use to deal with that heart ache.  Some use drugs, food, gambling etc.  It's funny how people can experience the same type of heart ache but use different ways of dealing with it.  We must have good coping skills and if we haven't been taught any that's one reason some of us might use to the point of getting numb and going through life in a blur.  WE must not let the painful moments of life shut us down and keep us from moving on and finding success in life.  The definition of insanity is....Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!  We must get out of our mold and create a new one.  Do not let your past determine you future.  Take your past and make it a part of your future by learning and growing from it.  REMEMBER JESUS LOVES YOU!