TREE OF HOPE

Dear editor,


The holidays can be especially difficult for individuals and families impacted by addiction to drugs or alcohol. The attached releases from Council of Southeast Pennsylvania and PRO-ACT address:
The annual Tree of Hope dedication ceremony on Dec. 18, which is held to celebrate recovery from addiction, increase awareness about the disease and hope for recovery, and to raise funds for prevention, education and recovery support services.
The monthly Expanding Your Recovery Toolkit on Dec. 17, which will focus on How to Stay Sober Over the Holidays.
If you think your readers might benefit from more in-depth information on staying sober over the holidays, the impact of addiction on families at this time of year, sticking to New Year's resolutions to limit or give up alcohol or tobacco use, or similar topics, I would be happy to provide backgrounders and put you in touch with specialists at The Council/PRO-ACT who can provide insight and useful information.


Have a happy Thanksgiving — and thanks in advance for your consideration.


Best,


Cathie


--
Cathie Cush
C2 Communications
Copywriting * Public Relations
cathiecush@comcast.net
Ph: 215.579.2076
Fx: 215.579.2169


2 Attachment

Recovery Toolkit Dec 17 2013.doc





Tree of Hope 2013.doc

	Sunday, Dec. 1: Nar-Anon Thanksgiving Dinner
	Come to the Dwier Center on Sunday, December 1st from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and celebrate the holiday with Nar-Anon! We'll be sharing experience, strength, hope and turkey with a plump Butterball roasted in the Dwier Center kitchen....    Everyone is welcome - especially those with big appetites! Dinner will start right after the regular 11:00 am Nar-Anon meeting...don't be a stranger - come join the fun!   A covered dish, dessert or side for the table is always appreciated.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in Kansas City, MO
A Look at Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Places to Go for Help

Emerald, Yahoo Contributor Network
Jul 11, 2005 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."

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Realities of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholism and drug addiction are prevalent in our society. Drugs are becoming commonplace in schools. Young people are beginning to experiment with alcohol and drugs at earlier ages. Drugs like marijuanna are often referred to as "no big deal" by youths and adults alike. The legal system attempts to defeat the problem with stricter laws, such as lowering the acceptable blood alcohol level to operate a motor vehicle and increasing the length of sentences for drug-related crimes, but that doesn't always have the desired effect.

Death is not an uncommon consequence of drug and alcohol abuse. Aside from the dangerous environment a person will most likely find him- or herself in when consuming large amounts of alcohol or any amount of illegal drugs, the substances themselves can often be fatal. More than 500 deaths per year are attributed to alcohol poisoning, and 100,000 annual deaths are blamed on the physical long-term effects of alcohol. Thousands of drug-related deaths are connected with an over-dosage of cocaine, crack-cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy.

Drugs, including alcohol, effect neurotransmitters in the brain. The potentially harmful chemicals mimic "neurochemicals" which are ordinarily produced by the brain. These neurochemicals are endorphin, which heroin emulates, dopamine, which is mimicked by cocaine and other similar drugs, and aminobutyric, which resembles the chemical reactions that occur while drinking alcohol. When the body is fooled into believing that these neurochemicals already exist in abundance, the brain sends the signal for them to stop being produced. After repeated abuse of alcohol or drugs, the addict will begin to notice that he or she feels depressed or anxious without the drug of choice. This is because of the lack of biologically made neurochemicals that used to give them a "natural high". This is what makes addiction so easy, and it is also what can make quitting so very difficult.

Help Really Is Out There

It's been said that "you can only help those that want to help themselves," but sometimes it's difficult for a person to understand that they need help when they feel that they are removed from the rest of the world, lost in their easy but destructive escapes. Clearly, the first step is wanting to quit, but being lost doesn't always mean being alone, and it doesn't have to mean quitting alone. Rehab centers specialize in helping people that have discovered within themselves the will, but are still searching for a way.

Here are links to websites that can help determine whether you or someone you care about needs help:

Alcoholism:

http://www.aa-uk.org.uk/publications/areyou.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthology/story?id=579494

http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/524483.html

Drug Addiction:

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/drugs/a/aa030426a.htm


What Is Rehab?

The concept of drug and alcohol rehabilitation has been around for over sixty years. There are several different approaches to rehabilitation, but the common goal is to help people that are addicted to damaging substances to rid their lives of that substance and live freely, without it. Sometimes the individual will first need to go through "detox," which is a term used to describe the period of time during which the body heals from the chemical addiction. Throughout this time, sometimes called "withdrawal," the body begins to produce neurotransmitters on its own once again, making the patient feel "normal." After this process, which can last anywhere from days to weeks, the patient begins a process with a set number of steps (usually 12) to help with the mental and emotional side of the addiction as well as building willpower and self-esteem for lasting results. The patient will receive education on the subject of his or her addiction and plenty of moral support.

There are different kinds of rehab, and the biggest differences are whether or not the rehabilitation is "inpatient" or "outpatient". As with any treatment, inpatient simply means that the patient stays at the center while the treatment occurs, and outpatient means the patient shows up once or a few times a week for a set period of time.

Costs of rehab can vary, and they can be expensive. Understandably, outpatient help is much cheaper than inpatient help, though inpatient treatment is usually a much better choice for individuals with more severe cases of addiction. Health insurance companies will often pay for rehabilitation, and some rehab centers offer income-based payment options.

Help in Kansas City

If you live in the Kansas City area, there are several rehabilitation centers nearby.

ADAPT
Substance Abuse Services
616 East 63rd Street Suite 200
Kansas City MO 64110
Phone: (816) 523-4000
Web Site: missouri.edu
Adapt's main focus is on mental health and substance abuse. They accept inpatient stays for up to 30 days, and they also have an outpatient program. They have special programs for DUI/DWI offenders, adolescents, and criminal justice clients. They accept personal payment, private insurance, and military insurance, or take advantage of their income-based payment plan. They have special Spanish services as well, to assist in communication.

Baptist Lutheran Medical Center
Chemical Dependency Unit
6601 Rockhill Road
Kansas City MO 64131
Phone: (816) 276-7891
Hotline: (816) 276-6317
Baptist Lutheran Medical Center also focuses mostly on mental health as well as substance abuse. They have a variety of patient programs, from in-house to outpatient, as well as partial/day treatments. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, private health insurance, and military insurance. They have services for the hearing impaired and Spanish speaking individuals.

Benilde Hall Program
Substance Abuse Services
3220 East 23rd Street
Kansas City MO 64127
Phone: (816) 842-6563
Web Site: benildehall.org
Benilde Hall is offers assistance for mental health and substance abuse. They provide inpatient and outpatient care and partial/day treatment. They have special programs with DUI/DWI offenders. They accept self-payment only.

Crittenton Behavioral Health
Substance Abuse Services
10918 Elm Avenue
Kansas City MO 64134
Phone: (816) 765-6600
Crittenton has programs for mental health and for substance abuse. They offer a detoxification program and outpatient treatment. They have a special program for adolescents. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, private health insurance, and military insurance. They also have a payment assistance program, and special services for the hearing impaired and Spanish speaking.

DRD Kansas City Medical Clinic
Substance Abuse Services
723 East 18th Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 283-3877
DRD Kansas City Medical Clinic's primary focus is substance abuse treatment. Their services include substance abuse treatment, detoxification, methadone maintenance, and methadone detoxification. They have outpatient programs only. They specialize in pregnant or postpartum women and offer self-payment only.

Gateway Foundation Inc
KC Intensive Outpatient Services
1734 East 63rd Street Suite 301
Kansas City MO 64110
Phone: (816) 333-9999
Gateway Foundation Inc focuses on substance abuse. They offer detoxification help and outpatient programs. Their specialties include criminal justice clients. Contact them for payment options.

Imani House
Swope Health Services
3950 East 51st Street
Kansas City MO 64130
Phone: (816) 929-2600
Hotline: (816) 929-2600
Imani House's focus is substance abuse treatment. They offer detoxification, short-term and long-term inpatient care, outpatient care, and partial/day care. Their special programs include individuals with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, HIV/AIDS, and criminal justice clients. They accept self-payment only and have assistance for Spanish and Vietnamese languages.

Kansas City Community Center Campbell Street
Substance Abuse Services
1514 Campbell Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 421-6670
KCCC Campbell Street concentrates on substance abuse. They offer detoxification and short-term inpatient stays. They have special programs for criminal justice clients and accept self-payment only. Call for more details.

Kansas City Community Center Wyandotte Street 
Substance Abuse Services
1800 Wyandotte Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 842-1805
Hotline: (816) 842-1805 ext. 0
KCCC Wyandotte Street also focuses on substance abuse. They offer detoxification, short-term inpatient treatment, and outpatient care. Their special programs include simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, women, men, and DUI/DWI offenders. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, and have income-based payment plans. They have special language services for the hearing impaired, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Madison Avenue Recovery Services North
Substance Abuse Services
5775 NW 64th Terrace Suite 202
Kansas City MO 64152
Phone: (816) 505-3333
Madison Avenue Recovery Services North focuses on substance abuse and mental health. They have outpatient services only, and accept self-payment, private health insurance, and military insurance.

Madison Avenue Recovery Services
Substance Abuse Services
3100 Broadway Suite 1104
Kansas City MO 64111
Phone: (816) 753-3333
Madison Avenue Recovery Services focuses primarily on substance abuse. They have outpatient care only, and special programs for DUI/DWI offenders. They accept self-payment or private health insurance.

Paseo Comprehensive Rehab Clinic
Substance Abuse Services
1000 East 24th Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 512-7143
Paseo Comprehensive Rehab Clinic's main focus is substance abuse. They offer care for substance abuse as well as methadone maintenance, methadone detoxification. Their special programs include simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, pregnant or postpartum women, women, and men. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, and military insurance. They also have an income-based sliding scaled. Language assistance includes hearing impaired and Spanish.

Paseo Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center
Substance Abuse Services
1000 East 24th Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 512-7143
Paseo Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center focuses on substance abuse and offers methadone maintenance as well. They have outpatient care only and specialize in people with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders and women. They accept self- payment, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They also have an income-based payment scale. They have language assistance for the hearing impaired and Spanish speaking.

Rediscover
Women and Children
2980 Baltimore Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 931-6500
Hotline: (816) 966-0903
Web Site: healthmidwest.org
Rediscover focuses on substance abuse treatment. They offer long-term and short-term inpatient stays, outpatient care, and partial/day treatment. They specialize in woman. They accept self-payment, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They also offer income-based payment plans.

Renaissance West
Swope Parkway Site
5840 Swope Parkway
Kansas City MO 64130
Phone: (816) 333-2990 ext. 40
Hotline: (816) 333-2990
Renaissance West's focus in on substance abuse treatment. They offer detoxification, long-term and short-term inpatient stays, outpatient care, and partial/day care. They specialize in people with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, pregnant or postpartum women, women, and men. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, private health insurance, military insurance, and have an income-based program for payment assistance.

Rodgers South
Substance Abuse Services
2701 East 31st Street
Kansas City MO 64128
Phone: (816) 861-7070
Rodgers South's primary focus is substance abuse treatment. They offer methadone maintenance and outpatient services. They accept self-payment only, and have language services for Spanish.

Scott Greening Center for Youth Dependency
Western Region
2750 Cherry Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 474-7677
Scott Greening Center for Youth Dependency focuses on substance abuse. They long-term and short-term inpatient stays, outpatient stays, and partial/day treatment. They specialize in adolescents, persons with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, and criminal justice clients. They accept self-payment, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They have language services for Spanish.

Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health
Outpatient Treatment and Recovery
2211 Charlotte Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 404-5700
Hotline: (888) 279-1818
Web Site: trumed.org
Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health focuses mainly on substance abuse. They offer outpatient care and partial/day treatment. Their special programs include persons with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders. They accept self-payment, Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, and military insurance, and they also have payment assistance options.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Intensive Substance Abuse Treatment Program
4801 Linwood Boulevard
Kansas City MO 64128
Phone: (816) 922-2640 ext. 6658
Veterans Affairs Medical Center focuses on substance abuse treatment. They offer short-term inpatient stays and outpatient care. Call for payment options.

Midwest Institute for Addiction: Keeping Alcohol and Drug Detox and Treatment Confi...

Midwest Institute for Addiction: Keeping Alcohol and Drug Detox and Treatment Confi...: One of the biggest concerns that many individuals have is the safe guarding of their personal information. In today’s society this is some...

November 29 POWER IN THE PROVERB 

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,

but trusting the Lord means safety.

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

That includes me ! Back in the day when at the height of my addiction I was afraid of the man I had become and what I was capable of.How far I was willing to go to satisfy my needs.my whole life was trap , a trap that for a long time I never thought I would get out of .By the grace of GOD I barely escaped with my life.Working step 4 forced me too really look at self and how destructive I was to self.even now 13 years have passed there is still memories that haunt me. Step four forced me to forgive myself and it freed me from my own self made trap.Trusting the LORD and working the steps will release you from the fear of self.

November 28 v 14 POWER IN THE PROVERB

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,

but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

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

My middle name was trouble ! But way deep down inside my heart their was always this nagging feeling ,every time I did something wrong. My life was ruled by addiction ,pride , selfishness ,anger and hate. Nothing stood in my way from getting what I want when I wanted it.The Proverb mentions serious trouble and looking back that is the truth.Unfortunately being that stubborn will only wreck you in the long run.Steps one and two took me 16 years before I gave in and step 3 must immediately proceed the first two.At my rock bottom is when I realized I needed to look up not only for help but release from the guilt and shame that was suffocating the life from me.Broken in tears I gave all my pain and burdens too the Lord and when I did it felt as if a Volkswagen had been lifted off my chest.It took years too clean up the mess of my life ,but looking back I can honestly say the Proverb is true Blessed are those who fear to do wrong. We are GODS creation and when we live separate from HIM we will be left to our own vices.

For more Power in the Proverb and other recovery resources .

Visit : www.joseph-recoveryconnections.blogspot.com