Like us on Facebook                        www.RecoveryWalks.org                       Follow us on Twitter September 20, 2014 Recovery Walk START Instructions **NOTE LOCATION CHANGE** New Walk Start Meeting Place: Walnut Street Bridge Under the Balloon Arch                Exit the Great Plaza of Penn's Landing at river level to the right of the stage, then proceed to the Walnut Street Bridge as directed by our Volunteers. The Honor Guard will line up behind the yellow PRO-ACT Recovery Walks banner (8:15-8:30 am) for the annual Honor Guard group photo. Teams and others will then join in behind them for the Walk.        This new route involves a flight of stairs to reach the Walnut Street Bridge. For those who are physically challenged or using a stroller for an infant we have made an accommodation. Leave Penn's Landing by the Upper Chestnut Street gate and proceed across the Chestnut Street Bridge sidewalk (the road will be closed to us). Meet up with your teams and friends at the Walnut Street Bridge and Front Street. The Recovery Walk will begin from there and continue the original route up Walnut Street to Independence Hall and back.        Upon returning to Front Street, everyone will access Penn's Landing the same way they exited.        We will all come together in the Great Plaza where we will enjoy some fruit and water, the Post-Walk Program, visit the sponsor booths, mingle with friends, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate the many joys of recovery.   We greatly apologize for this inconvenience and trust that you understand this is necessitated by circumstances completely beyond our control. Celebrate With Us! PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2014 September 20, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia Gates open 7:00 am; Walk begins 9:00 am; Post-Walk Program Ends 12:30 pm To Register, Donate, Join a Team, Sign Up for Honor Guard www.recoverywalks.org PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR HEALTH AND OTHERS NO SMOKING WILL BE PERMITTED AT THE WALK  Many thanks to our Top Walk Sponsors!   For a complete list of our sponsors, please click here.

September 16 Chp 143 v 3 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALM

My enemy (addiction) has chased me . He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave .

STEP 2 - Came to believe that God could restore us to sanity.

That explains addiction ! Once caught you will be imprisoned .If you try to get away you will be chased relentlessly . Like a corpse in a grave your addiction will allow no choices freedoms or light.You are under its spell and your mind and body begin to rot . Alone isolated and trapped is where you will be . Only God can dig you out once your buried in addiction.

When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors (addictions) He will send them a savior and defender (Jesus ), and He will rescue them. (Isaiah 19:20)

Are you up for a challenge? Please join In The Rooms for f.ree and send me a friend request (Barbara Theodosiou) addictsmom on in the rooms. Also make sure to join the Addict's Mom group here is the link http://www.intherooms.com/group/view?gid=1806. You will be updated on all future meetings the Addict's Mom will be hosting to educate you and your family on addiction. This Thursday 7:00pm EST on the Addict's Mom Live Video Chat Meetings on in the Rooms; We will be "Sharing Without Shame." Members will be reading poems, essays, letters, blogs written by those whose lives have been touched by addiction. We need 10 brave members to SHARE!! Do you have a favorite story, letter, poem etc you wrote to your addict? yourself? your younger self? Or to anybody at all that you would like to share we would love your participation. To participate please join in the rooms, and the addicts mom group on in the rooms. Let me know you would like to share on Thursday September 18th by emailing me atbarbara@theaddictsmom.com. Please include your phone number and name on in the rooms. Remember you can remain anonymous or not.

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

September 14 Chp 73 v 26 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS

My health may fail ,and my spirit may grow weak , but GOD remains the strength of my heart ; He is mine forever .

STEP 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

There is a Higher Power and his name is the GREAT " I AM " .Many twelve step programs tell you name your higher power whatever you want . My thinking is why cry out to a God of your understanding that does not excist because you created it. This universe and world in which we live was created by a God that is real and he loves you , and you are His greatest creation . He calls us Sons and Daughters and he understands our pains and hurts . God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus to die on a cross of reconciliation to bring us together with Him through Him and for Him. Your not getting clean or finding lasting joy or peace because you are praying too a God that does not excist ,stop listening too others and listen too God s voice coming from your heart. Be still and know that He is God. 

Father's Love Letter

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3 

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27 

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28 

For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28 

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5 

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12 

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14 

I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13 

And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6 

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16 

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1 

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11 

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48 

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17 

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33 

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3 

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18 

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17 

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40 

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5 

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41 

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4 

For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20 

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18 

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4 

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4 

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31 

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10 

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32 

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39 

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7 

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15 

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13 

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Casey’s Law

Home » Casey’s Law

An involuntary treatment act for those who suffer from the disease of addiction.

What is Casey’s Law?

The Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention is named for Matthew Casey Wethington, who died in 2002 from a heroin overdose at the age of 23. Casey was an energetic young man who enjoyed life until it was “taken” by drugs. Casey never intended to become addicted to drugs when he used the first time. What he did not realize was that his using would progress from abusing to dependence and then to the disease of addiction. Although his parents tried to get him help, there was no law that could force someone into treatment because he was an adult. After Casey’s death his parents lobbied for a change. “Casey’s Law” passed on April 9, 2004, and took effect July 13, 2004.

What does this law provide?

The act provides a means of intervening with someone who is unable to recognize his or her need for treatment due to their impairment. This law will allow parents, relatives and/or friends to petition the court for treatment on behalf of the substance abuse-impaired person.

Why is this law needed?

Denial and distorted thinking impedes a person’s ability to make a rational decision. The “bottom” for many is death. Addiction is a progressive, life-threatening disease. The best hope of survival for a person who is substance abuse impaired is intervention. Studies show that involuntary treatment can be just as successful as voluntary treatment. Most individuals who are substance abuse-impaired receive court-ordered treatment only after they have become arrested for a crime while under the influence of a substance. Drugs and crime often go hand-in-hand because people who are substance abuse impaired are forced by their disease to resort to any means necessary to procure their drug. Court-ordered treatment can be effective regardless of who initiates it. Not all people who are substance abuse impaired are arrested or, in the event that they are, may not receive the necessary treatment.

What is the process to use Casey’s Law?

The following steps must be taken in order to involuntarily commit someone to treatment:

Obtain a copy of the petition from the District Court clerk’s office by requesting Form 700A – the Verified Petition for Involuntary Treatment of Alcohol/Drug Abuse – or click here to download.

A spouse, relative, friend or guardian of the substance abuse-impaired person completes the petition and files it with the District Court clerk.

The court reviews the allegations in the petition and examines the petitioner under oath.

The court determines whether there is probable cause to order treatment for the person named in the petition (the respondent).

If probable cause is established a judge appoints an attorney to represent the respondent, order the respondent to be evaluated, and schedule a hearing within 14 days.

The respondent is notified of the date and purpose of the hearing.

The respondent is evaluated by two qualified health professionals, at least one of whom is a physician, to determine if the respondent could benefit from treatment.

If the judge finds the respondent should undergo treatment, the court shall order treatment from 60 days up to 360 days, depending upon the request in the petition and the result of the evaluation. Treatment options vary depending upon each individual’s circumstances and can range from detoxification to intensive treatment through recovery.

Who pays for treatment?

As the law is currently written the petitioner is obligated to pay all costs incurred in the process as well as for the court-ordered treatment. The petitioner must sign a guaranty for payment. Low-income individuals living within the Fifth Congressional District may qualify for a UNITE treatment voucher if they acknowledge that they have a problem. For information call the UNITE Treatment Referral Line – 1-866-908-6483.

What happens if the respondent fails to comply?

Failure to comply at anytime during the process may place the respondent in contempt of court.

What is UNITE’s role?

Operation UNITE is helping to raise awareness of this law’s existence by distributing pamphlets and educating court staff. It is UNITE’s opinion that those with a substance abuse problem often need treatment, but are unwilling to seek assistance. This law has the potential to save lives by enabling family and friends to look out for a person’s best interest.

MAPLE MANOR PORT ALLEGANY PA.

Struggling with addiction!Maple manor can help,call 814-642-9522 and speak to one of our caring staff who will assist you in getting the treatment you need.They are located at 118 Chestnut St.