Living Free Every Day®

Take Off Your Mask  JANUARY  18 2013     Today's Scripture
"You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known." - Luke 12:2 MSG
Thoughts for Today
Many of us wear a mask. We don't want other people to know the "real us." And yet, if we want to help someone we care about who is struggling with a problem, we need to take off the mask and be real. This quality of being genuine will enable us to be more effective in relationships with those we want to help—actually, in any relationship.
If people you are trying to help believe that you are a phony, they are not going to trust you with what you say and do. They need to see you living a consistent life from day to day, whether you are at church or on the job or having a good time with friends. They need to hear you be honest about your feelings—although you do need to find a balance. Don't be so transparent that you hurt or offend people with your honesty.
Consider this …
As a genuine person, you will not act superior or pretend to be someone you are not. You will honestly admit when you've been wrong.
Being openly genuine will open the door to a trusting relationship between you and those you want to help. It will encourage them to come to you and to respect what you say.
If you want to help others, be willing to be real.
Prayer
Father, teach me to set aside my pride and be willing to be real. Help me to be honest about my feelings and genuine in all I do. Help me to take off the mask. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …

Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do by Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee. This book offers biblical strategies for ministry to our family and friends. Contemporary issues and needs faced by society are addressed with biblical principles that are timeless. Ideal for small group leaders and Sunday school teachers who want a better understanding of ministry in an addictive culture.
Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? Learn More

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Prescription Drug Overdoses Number One Reason for ER Visits in Los Angeles County

By Join Together Staff | January 17, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Healthcare & Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug overdoses are the number one reason for emergency room visits in Los Angeles County, according to public health officials.

A new report finds the number of people who checked into publicly funded drug rehabilitation programs for prescription pain reliever abuse doubled from 2005 to 2010, NBC Los Angeles reports. More than 60 percent of drug-related deaths in 2011 were due to prescription drugs in Los Angeles County.

The report found 11 percent of 9th graders and 14 percent of 11th graders said they had misused prescription drugs at least once.

“Prescription drug abuse has become a growing public health concern in Los Angeles County. Many people are not aware that the misuse or abuse of prescription drugs can be as dangerous as illegal drugs, and can lead to unintended injury, addiction, and even death,” Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer, said in a news release. “We need to ensure that we are addressing this growing concern by engaging and collaborating with our partners in the public and private sectors to reduce and prevent prescription drug abuse.”

Earn continuing education credit with NAADAC Institute free educational opportunities.  Current topics, expert presenters, one hour at a time. View this email in your browser

NAADAC Institute Education Update Don't miss these great opportunities to earn CEs, advance your professional life and enhance your practice through live seminars, independent study or online! The Addiction Professional’s Mini Guide to Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)   Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12pm-3pm EST (9am-12pm PST)    More Information & Registration   Become a member of NAADAC to earn free CE credit for all NAADAC webinars & online courses (over 85 CEs): www.naadac.org/join NAADAC Launches Recovery To Practice (RTP) Initiative As a part of NAADAC's efforts to promote recovery for all Americans affected by addiction, NAADAC is launching its Recovery To Practice (RTP) Initiative, which is an educational curriculum designed to hasten awareness, acceptance, and adoption of recovery-based practices in the delivery of addiction-related services.  What is "recovery"? NAADAC will deliver this educational experience through a multi-level approach that includes 9 webinars, 3 articles in NAADAC's magazine, a large collection of electronic print resources, inclusion of recovery-oriented test questions into certification test banks, and informational sessions at the NAADAC annual conference and other state affiliate events.  Learn more

Upcoming Recovery-Oriented Webinars: Defining Addiction Recovery Wednesday, February 13, 2013 3 - 4pm EST (2 C/1 M/12 P) More Information & Registration What Does Science Say? Reviewing Recovery Research Thursday, February 28, 2013 12 - 1:30pm EST (11 C/10 M/9 P) More Information & Registration Defining Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Wednesday, March 13, 2013 3 - 4pm EST (2 C/1 M/12 P) More Information & Registration The History of Recovery in the United States and the Addiction Profession Tuesday, March 26, 2013 12 - 1:30pm EST (11 C/10 M/9 P) More Information & Registration The Role of Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) in the Addiction Profession Tuesday, April 23, 2013  12 - 1:30pm EST (11 C/10 M/9 P) More Information & Registration   Generate New Revenue by Becoming a SAP through NAADAC!   A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) evaluates workers who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing and aftercare. In order to be an SAP, you need to have certain credentials, possess specific knowledge, receive training and achieve a passing score on an examination. There is also a continuing education requirement.  All of this can be accomplished through NAADAC. Learn More Order the Independent Study Course Renew Your SAP Credential NAADAC Master Calendar Find addiction-related conferences, public policy events, regional meetings, and workshops in your area.

Forward to Friend Like on Facebook Follow on Twitter Join LinkedIn Group Update Profile

Copyright © 2013 All rights reserved. NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 201 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703.741.7686 Fax: 703.741.7698 Website: www.naadac.org Email: misti@naadac.org You are receiving this email because you are a valued member of the addiction profession. If you no longer wish to receive any emails from NAADAC, kindly unsubscribe, and we will remove your name immediately. Please do NOT report as "spam" or "junk." Unsubscribe from this list Subscribe to this list

New York Police Department to Use Decoy Pill Bottles to Track Painkiller Thieves

By Join Together Staff | January 16, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Prescription Drugs & Prevention

The New York Police Department has announced it will put decoy pill bottles with tracking devices on pharmacy shelves, in an effort to track stolen painkillers. The fake bottles will appear to contain oxycodone, The New York Times reports.

The bottles will not actually contain painkillers, but will have a GPS device. “We would anticipate the burglar and robber will take numerous bottles, and among them will be the bait bottle,” said the department’s chief spokesman, Paul J. Browne.

The fake bottles rattle when they are shaken, as if they contained pills. They sit on a special base. When the bottle is lifted from the base, it starts to send out a tracking signal.

The department hopes to have the program in place by March, and is asking all of the city’s 1,800 pharmacies to participate.

Purdue Pharma, which makes OxyContin, developed the bottles. They are already being used in some pharmacies around the country. Around the nation, pharmacies have been robbed by armed criminals looking for narcotics, anti-anxiety drugs and other controlled medications. Some are addicted to the drugs themselves, while others sell the pills.

Living Free Every Day®

Body Language
Today's Scripture
"Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers …" - Romans 12:10 
Thoughts for Today
Yesterday we looked at the importance of developing the quality of empathy in order to more effectively help a loved one struggling with a problem. Another essential quality is warmth.
Genuine warmth is communicated more by our actions than by what we actually say. Speaking the right words will most likely be totally ineffective if our body language reflects condemnation or impatience or if we seem distracted or unfocused.
A caring tone of voice, eye contact, non-possessive touch, pleasant facial expressions, friendly gestures and a relaxed stance impart a sense of warmth and caring. A warm voice and a caring touch can bring peace and calmness to a brokenhearted person. Warmth communicates openness and lessens defensiveness.
Consider this …
When planning to meet with a hurting friend, set aside time when you can focus and not feel rushed. Pray for him or her before you meet. Ask God to make you sensitive to the need. This preparation will help you show the warmth of caring. You won't just be saying words—your heart attitude will be reflected in body language that will help create an environment for encouragement and healing.
Prayer
Father, help me help my friend. May my heart be filled with your compassion and may my body language reflect the warmth of caring. In all ways, help me to demonstrate real warm affection. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …

Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do by Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee. This book offers biblical strategies for ministry to our family and friends. Contemporary issues and needs faced by society are addressed with biblical principles that are timeless. Ideal for small group leaders and Sunday school teachers who want a better understanding of ministry in an addictive culture.
Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? Learn More

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Lance Armstrong Offers Apology for Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs

By Join Together Staff | January 15, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs & Marketing And Media

Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong has admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career, and apologized for doing so during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Associated Press reports.

The interview is scheduled to be broadcast on Thursday on Winfrey’s network.

The winner of seven Tour de France victories, Armstrong strongly denied he used performance-enhancing drugs for many years. His admission came shortly after he apologized to the staff at Livestrong, the cancer charity he founded and was forced to surrender, the article notes. He created the charity after surviving testicular cancer that spread to his lungs and brain.

Armstrong was stripped of his Tour de France titles, and was forced to leave his charity in 2012 after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a report that accused him of a long-running doping scheme, according to the AP. He was also banned from competing in elite triathlon and running events. Currently, his lifetime ban cannot be reduced to less than eight years, according to World Anti-Doping Code rules.