Survey: People Have More Negative Opinions About Drug Addiction Than Mental Illness

/By Join Together Staff

October 2nd, 2014/

A national survey finds Americans are significantly more likely to have a negative attitude about drug addiction than mental illness. 

“While drug addiction and mental illness are both chronic, treatable health conditions, the American public is more likely to think of addiction as a moral failing than a medical condition,” said study leader Colleen L. Barry, Ph.D. of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “In recent years, it has become more socially acceptable to talk publicly about one’s struggles with mental illness. But with addiction, the feeling is that the addict is a bad or weak person, especially because much drug use is illegal.” 

The survey included a nationally representative sample of 709 participants who were asked about their attitudes toward either mental illness or drug addiction, Newswise reports. 

The survey found 22 percent of respondents said they would be willing to work closely on the job with a person with a drug addiction, compared with 62 percent who said they would be willing to work with a person with mental illness. Sixty-four percent said employers should be able to deny employment to people with a drug addiction, compared with 25 percent who said the same about a person with a mental illness. Forty-three percent said they opposed giving people with a drug addiction equivalent health insurance benefits to the public at large, compared with 21 percent who opposed giving the same benefits to people with mental illness. 

The findings are published in the journal Psychiatric Services. 

“The more shame associated with drug addiction, the less likely we as a community will be in a position to change attitudes and get people the help they need,” study co-author Beth McGinty, Ph.D. said in a news release. “If you can educate the public that these are treatable conditions, we will see higher levels of support for policy changes that benefit people with mental illness and drug addiction.”

October 2 Chp 33 v 13 v 14 v 15 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS

The lord looks down from Heaven and he sees the whole human race.

From His throne He observes all who live on the earth.

He made their hearts , so He understands everything they do .(Gods Big Book) 

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

God understands everything we do .What a powerful statement ! GOD sees us and is constantly watching over us ! When I was wondering in the wilderness of my various addictions , desperately seeking happiness and fulfillment , my response to this statement would have been that's creepy . Now this statement brings an unexplained peace and comfort .God understands every aspect of your life ! When I was wandering in my wilderness God was watching over me ! All those times I took it right too the edge of a cliff GOD was with me. All those nights I cried myself to sleep GOD was sitting by my bedside . Those nights where I was in a place I should not have been , consumed with fear , I was gonna get caught up in something I would not be able to get out of , God was there . The million times I hit my knees and prayed to God to get me out of this one and I will never do it again . I lied and GOD knew but GOD was with me anyway . Finally everything we do , not some things , everything . GOD is with you every minute of everyday you cant see God or hear GOD if you keep listening and looking to the world for the answer .

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (Gods Big Book)

By Joseph Dickerson

Risk of Opioid Overdose, Addiction Outweighs Benefits in Many Cases: Neurologists

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

September 30th, 2014/

The risk of death, overdose and addiction from prescription opioids outweighs the benefits in treating headache, chronic low back pain and other non-cancer conditions, according to a new position paper from the American Academy of Neurology.

The doctors’ group says research shows that half of patients who take opioids for at least three months are still on them five years later, HealthDay reports.

“Whereas there is evidence for significant short-term pain relief, there is no substantial evidence for maintenance of pain relief or improved function over long periods of time without incurring serious risk of overdose, dependence, or addiction,” the statement noted.

“More than 100,000 people have died from prescription opioid use since policies changed in the late 1990s to allow much more liberal long-term use,” Dr. Gary Franklin of the University of Washington in Seattle said in an academy news release. “There have been more deaths from prescription opioids in the most vulnerable young to middle-aged groups than from firearms and car accidents,” he added. “Doctors, states, institutions and patients need to work together to stop this epidemic.”

The group advises doctors to consult with a pain management specialist if a patient’s daily opioid dose reaches 80 milligrams to 120 milligrams, especially if the patient isn’t showing a major reduction in pain levels and improvement in physical function. The statement outlines a number of steps doctors can take to prescribe opioids more safely and effectively. These include creating an opioid treatment agreement, screening for current or past drug abuse, screening for depression and using random urine drug screenings.

New Drug and Alcohol Regulations for Railroad Maintenance Workers Delayed

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

September 30th, 2014/

The Federal Railroad Administration (FDA) has delayed implementing new alcohol and drug regulations for railroad maintenance workers. It is extending the comment period at the request of industry groups, The Hill reports.

Some railroad employees, including engineers, conductors and dispatchers, have long been subject to drug and alcohol regulations. The new rules would expand to include track workers, the article notes. Under the regulations, track workers would be subject to random drug testing. They could be tested before employment, after accidents or in cases in which there is reasonable suspicion of drug use.

“(Track workers) directly affect the safety of railroad operations, because they work on or near railroad tracks, operate on-track or fouling equipment and assist in directing trains through work areas,” the agency wrote.

The delay was requested by American Public Transportation Association, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the Association of American Railroads and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association. The public comment period has been extended to November 25.

In 2012, a report by the Amtrak Inspector’s office found a growing number of Amtrak employees were testing positive for drugs and alcohol, increasing the risk of a serious railroad accident. The report stated that drug and alcohol use by conductors, mechanics and engineers who operate the trains greatly exceeds the national average for the railroad industry. Amtrak’s signal operators and mechanics tested positive for drugs four times as frequently as those working for other railroads. Cocaine and marijuana are the most frequently used drugs.

The report recommended that Amtrak test a larger percentage of its workers and expand its program for physical observation.

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                   and           Pennsylvania Recovery Organization --      Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT)  Recovery in Our Communities September 30, 2014      Like us on Facebook                                   www.councilsepa.org                       Follow us on Twitter   Information and Recovery Support Line 24/7: 800-221-6333 Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. HENRY FORD GOVERNOR CORBETT TO SIGN OD LAW TODAY Will Save Lives and Affirm Dignity  of Persons In Need of Recovery  On September 24, 2014, the PA Legislator unanimously passed a bill providing for two important protections against OD deaths:  "Good Samaritan" immunity and naloxone access for first responders.  This afternoon Governor Corbett is scheduled to sign this bill into law.  Read a summary of SB 1164.   To our Legislators, Governor and all those in the Recovery Community who supported passage of SB 1164, we say thank you.  This law affirms the dignity of every individual who suffers from the terrible disease of addiction.       CALL TO ACTION  Thank Your PA Legislator  Please take a few moments to contact your state representative and the Governor's Office to thank them for passing SB 1164.  Take this opportunity to support recovery and recognize an important milestone in Pennsylvania's legislative and recovery history.   Email the Governor and  Find your legislator. UNGUARDED Chris Herren to Speak at Conestoga High School Tomorrow Parents and middle school students are invited to a Community presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 1st at 7:00pm, where Chris Herren shares his story of addiction and recovery in the hope of convincing others to start making the right choices. Chris will also speak at a student assembly, which is closed to the public.  Event information. Upcoming Events Oct. 17th: Meet The Council Open House, 8 - 9 am at 252 West Swamp Road, Bailiwick Office Campus, Unit 12, Doylestown, PA 18901 VOLUNTEER FOR PRO-ACT AND GET INVOLVED!!        Phila. Training Center, 444 N. 3rd St      Contact John Phila Rec. Center, 1701 W. Lehigh        Contact She-Ria C.Bucks Rec Center, Doylestown          Contact Rick S. Bucks Rec.Center, Bristol                  Contact Karen 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.

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“Expanding Your Recovery Toolkit” Workshop Oct. 21 in Doylestown

Free monthly workshop series for individuals and families with a current or pastdrug/alcohol addiction issue. Next session meets Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., 252 W. Swamp Rd., Unit 12, Doylestown, Pa. Featuring presentation on “Thinking S.M.A.R.T. in Recovery,” with two keynote speakers and group discussion period led by the program’s new facilitators, Billy McFadden and Steve Osborne. Refreshments. To register, call 215-345-6644, ext. 3151 or emailRPetrolawicz@councilsepa.org.