CALL OUR ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE)

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Listen to Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, MD, discuss "Robin Williams, Depression and Suicide" on Fox News Radio's Vipp Jaswal Report! LISTEN HERE Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articles here...

Lighthouse Network is a Christian-based, non-profit organization that offers an addiction and mental health counseling helpline providing treatment options and resources to equip people and organizations with the skills necessary to shine God's glory to the world, stand strong on a solid foundation in the storms of their own lives, and provide guidance and safety to others experiencing stormy times, thus impacting their lives, their families and the world. Lighthouse Network offers help through two main service choices: Lighthouse Life Change Helpline (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE, 1-844-543-3242), a 24-hour free, national crisis call center, where specialists (Care Guides) help callers understand and access customized treatment options. Life Growth and self-help training resources for daily life, including online and DVD series and training events to help individuals achieve their potential.   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Follow Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter Visit Our Website

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

Next free sessions start week of Sept. 2 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.to 9 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 visit http://councilsepa.org/programs/pro-act/family-education-program/.

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                   and           Pennsylvania Recovery Organization --      Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT)  Recovery in Our Communities August 19, 2014      Like us on Facebook                                   www.councilsepa.org                       Follow us on Twitter   Information and Recovery Support Line 24/7: 800-221-6333 When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear, and one third thinking about what I want to say. Abraham Lincoln THE COUNCIL EQUIPS PARENTS  Workshop Helps Parents Communicate Effectively With Teens About Underage Drinking The Council sent 4 employees to become certified trainers for MADD's  Power of Parents program.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) developed this program to equip parents and caregivers so they can start a potentially lifesaving conversation with their teens about alcohol.  Workshop highlights include communication strategies and tips; understanding alcohol's effects on a teenager's body and developing brain; and how to handle the tough questions.  The Power of Parents Workshop also includes a great resource:  a Parent Handbook created by MADD and Dr. Robert Turrisi of Pennsylvania State University.  This comprehensive handbook is an in-depth, evidence-based tool that will greatly assist parents in communicating with their teens about alcohol.     If you are interested in attending or hosting a Parent Workshop, please contact Diane Catherwood at 215-230-8218 x 3185.   STUDY COMPARES "AA HABITS" OF THE YOUNG AND OLD Important Recovery Management Implications The Council's approach to recovery management supports "the many pathways to recovery."   It is important for persons in recovery to understand all potential impediments to long term recovery as well as the strategies for overcoming challenges. All persons in recovery should be provided with the best information possible so they can decide for themselves what is best for them.   An article published in The Addiction Professional contains an interesting study with clear implications for best practices in recovery management.  In this article, Edward J. Cumella, PhD, and Christopher B. Scott, MS, discussed results of their study comparing the "AA habits" of young adults ages 20 to 40 with that of older adults ages 65 and up.  While more research is needed, the study reveals significant differences between these age groups.  The authors found the following differences:  Young adults are more likely to be externally motivated to attend AA due to work or legal problems, whereas older adults are more internally motivated attending due to health issues.  Younger adults have more difficulty integrating and bonding with other AA members, whereas older adults had little or no difficulty finding supportive relationships. Older adults had significant practical obstacles in attending AA meetings including  scheduling and transportation issues. With respect to recovery management, anticipating challenges and providing the best possible solutions and alternatives is the right approach.  Some Upcoming Events September 12, 2014: 7:05 pm. Recovery Night at the Baseball Game,Phillies vs. Marlins, Citizens Bank Park. Click here for tickets. Sept. 17, 2014: Meet The Council Open House, 8 - 9 am at 252 West Swamp Road, Bailiwick Office Campus, Unit 12, Doylestown, PA 18901 September 20, 2014: PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2014, Great Plaza, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia. Click here to register and get more information. Employment Opportunities: Please click here

DONATE Donations help us to reduce the impact of addiction for more individuals and families. The Council is a 501(c)(3) organization

August 19 Chp 38 v 11 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM PSALMS 

My loved ones and friends stay away , fearing my disease . Even my own family stands at a distance . 

STEP 8 - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all .

We have become the monster(addiction) under the bed ! Most are afraid of the monster(addiction) under the bed because we cant figure out where it come from , and how do we get rid of it . The monster(addiction) under the bed was me and when I finally revealed my ugly head my family was frightened . For quite some time I managed to only let the monster(addiction) come out when they were not looking but after time feeding the monster(addiction) it got stronger and stronger and I could no longer control it. Once out of my control it spread terror throughout my home ! My monster(addiction) wanted to be fed all the time and it did not matter what it stole or who it hurt .My family were its first victims not only fear was spread but sadness , my monster(addiction) was mean and all it cared about was being fed . My true friends were the next to be chased away by my monster(addiction) .Before long I was alone with my monster(addiction) , I was broken , exhausted and desperate to get away from my monster(addict) . My monster(addiction) now held me close and drug me into the darkness .No matter how hard I tried to get away my monster(addiction) just held tighter. All I could do was cry out in anger at my monster . In that darkness I saw a small ray of light coming under the bed and in the light I saw the shadow of hand reaching out , immediately I grabbed that hand and my monster(addiction) couldn't hold me anymore and I was free . 

Romans 6 : 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

By Joseph Dickerson

CALL OUR ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE)

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Tune in to hear Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, MD, on the air!   STATION: KERV - 1230 AM DATE: Tuesday, August 19 TIME: 10:00 a.m. ET PROGRAM: Chosen Generation with Pastor Greg Young TOPIC: Robin Williams, Depression and Suicide Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articles here...

Lighthouse Network is a Christian-based, non-profit organization that offers an addiction and mental health counseling helpline providing treatment options and resources to equip people and organizations with the skills necessary to shine God's glory to the world, stand strong on a solid foundation in the storms of their own lives, and provide guidance and safety to others experiencing stormy times, thus impacting their lives, their families and the world. Lighthouse Network offers help through two main service choices: Lighthouse Life Change Helpline (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE, 1-844-543-3242), a 24-hour free, national crisis call center, where specialists (Care Guides) help callers understand and access customized treatment options. Life Growth and self-help training resources for daily life, including online and DVD series and training events to help individuals achieve their potential.   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Follow Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter Visit Our Website

August 17 Chp 31 v 10 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALM

I am dying from grief ; my years are shortened by sadness .Sin (addiction) has drained my strength ; I am wasting away from within .

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

I will never forget what the Psalm is describing ! Fourteen years ago that was my life ! I sit here praying and scrambling for the words to describe just how sad I was then and I am at a loss. Words are not descriptive enough to describe the sorrows that once controlled me. I was a puppet on strings in the hands of Satan , his purpose was to keep me treading water in the sea of my tears just seeing safety's shore in the distance but every time I got close to rescue he pulled me right back in .Straining in my mind trying to get glimpse and a feeling from the past , brings tears to my eyes. Too think ,addiction the puppet was once me and satan was my puppet master no longer brings saddens or fear .In the midst of my sea of sadness was a set of stairs going straight into the sun , I cried out and the tide changed and I was being drawn to those steps and magnificent light and with all my strength I could muster the strings that once held me snapped .I realize now That God was the light and Jesus was the Tide .

2 Timothy 2:26 And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

By Joseph Dickerson