19 Percent of Americans Say They Take Some Sort of Drug Daily to Help Them Relax

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

April 2nd, 2015/

A new survey finds almost 19 percent of Americans say they take some sort of drug daily to help them relax. The rate of drug use varies widely by state, from 28 percent in West Virginia to 13.5 percent in Alaska.

The findings come from an ongoing Gallup survey, conducted with health consultants Healthways, according to NBC News. The survey included calls to more than 176,000 adults nationwide. They were asked how often they use drugs or medications, including prescription drugs, which affect their mood and help them relax. Respondents were not asked about the types of drugs used.

After West Virginia, the states with the highest daily drug use were Rhode Island (26 percent), Kentucky (24.5 percent), Alabama (24.2 percent), Louisiana (22.9 percent), South Carolina (22.8 percent), Mississippi, Missouri and Indiana (22 percent) and Oregon (21.9 percent).

The states where the fewest people use daily drugs, after Alaska, are Wyoming (15.5 percent), California (15.8 percent), Illinois (16 percent), North Dakota (16.4 percent), New Jersey (16.5 percent), Colorado (16.7 percent), Texas (16.7 percent), Utah (16.8 percent) and Maryland (17.3 percent).

People who take drugs daily to relax have an overall lower feeling of well-being, Gallup noted in a statement. “One possibility is that taking mood-altering drugs or medication nearly every day contributes to lower well-being,” the organization noted. “But a more probable explanation is that Americans who already have lower well-being are more likely to use drugs or medication to relax or alter their mood, possibly to help cope with challenges related to their low purpose, social, financial, physical or community well-being.”

Women for Sobriety, Inc. "...happiness is obtainable when you work at creating it." ҉  “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” -Charles Spurgeon “Be happy for this moment.  This moment is your life.”  -Omar Khayyam “Happiness is not something ready-made.  It comes from your own actions.”  -Dalai Lama “Happiness depends upon ourselves.”  -Aristotle *************************************************** Statement #3, “Happiness is a habit I will develop.” Happiness is created, not waited for. *************************************************** +++++++++++++++++++ + Karen’s Perspective + +++++++++++++++++++      Happiness, in my life today, consists of openness, activity and, surprisingly, even release.  In the past, I tried to find it elsewhere, in relationships, material things, in activities and especially in alcohol.  I recall feeling confused; what had once brought happiness instead brought guilt, shame and deep emotional turmoil.  My life was chaotic and impulsive with genuine happiness elusive.      Eight years ago today I chose to create happiness, even though I had no idea which way to turn or which way to go.  It was the beginning of my New Life and what is even greater than being sober eight years is the many changes that I have gone through.  WFS is the binding that provides a never ending course to follow.  I feel connected to life and to myself, not some stranger in the mirror.  I like and love who I see, who I am today.      Clueless as to what sobriety would bring in my life, I set out on this path of discovery.  I was (still am) relearning myself.  I was finding my likes (many) and dislikes (not so many) while growing into happiness.  It was challenging at first.  I felt so empty initially; but, no one else knew (how could they?) what brought feelings of happiness out in me, so I was akin to an explorer ...and began to uncover myself.  Layers of sadness and pain began to fall away and I began to glow inside.      I have so much in my life today.  Material things, although nice, no longer define me.  Sobriety and discovery are my first priority always.  No matter what a day holds, I can walk into genuine happiness at anytime, anywhere.  Of course, sobriety is not the eraser of problems and challenges; but, I do have the emotional stamina and skills to move through discomfort and learn from it.      Habitual happiness?  Yes, from planned goals and dreams to surprising and stunning moments happiness surrounds me, twirling and dancing in every direction!  Hugzzz, Karen Are you making happiness habitual? +++++++++++++++ +  Dee’s Insights  + +++++++++++++++      Hi 4C Women, Happiness, that elusive emotion we all seek.  Karen expressed it so well when she said that material things, although nice, no longer define her.  There was a time when I envied those with what seemed an abundance of money, perfect families, perfect life.  Those were the outside appearances that I judged happiness by and, no matter how blessed my life was, I couldn’t get past the “perfect” life of others.  Jealousy and envy were my main emotions and those led to feelings of inadequacy and anger for what I didn’t have.      It is amazing to realize that I have less now (material wise) and yet I am happier than I ever thought possible.  I still experience times of sadness, fear and anger but that is usually related to relationships that need mending and I know it is a work in progress or being physically in pain and fear starts tugging at my emotions.  Yet the foundation of peace and contentment helps me know that these situations are temporary and I am in a much better place in coping with them.      Alcohol won’t ever make relationships heal or myself for that matter.  It is not always easy being responsible for my thoughts and my actions yet it is a lot better than living in regret and shame.  For me, the most important part of Statement #3 is the action part - happiness is created, not waited for.  I put a huge burden and an impossible one, on expecting others to make me happy.  Talk about feeling powerless over my own life!  This Statement made a phenomenal impact on my attitude and is always a wonderful reminder of how empowering the WFS program is and knowing that happiness is obtainable when you work at creating it. –Dee _________________________ Thank you, Karen and Dee, for your words of encouragement and inspiration to start off our week! ~Becky Fenner, WFS Director Email:  newlife@nni.com   *   Tel: 215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026 http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org

Best of the Week: March 28–April 3

COMING UP IN THE FIX// 10 Drug Myths, Busted * Drugs and Comics—My adventures at Comic-Con * Oxytocin as Addiction Treatment * Interview with Comedian Craig Gass * Leaving My Husband * Don't Tell Me When the Next Meeting Is * 10 Reasons Sober People Are Attractive * PLUS: Other incisive articles

	REAL TV// Baltimore: The Heroin Capital of the U.S. The gritty city that was the real star of The Wire is now being plagued anew. By Julia Beatty
	CRIMINAL REHAB// Doors Stay Open on Family Rehab Empire Indicted for Fraud Narco Freedom was indicted by the New York State Attorney's Office last year for milking approximately $40 million from Medicaid. But they're still open. By Neville Elder
	EXCLUSIVE// Starship to Sobriety An exclusive interview with Grace Slick and her daughter China Isler, on the old days of active addiction, recovery, and the fact that they both have 17 years sober. By Matthew Greenwald
	TRANSFORMATION// Beyond Drug Busts and Binges Once a "hopeless case," now a recovery coach helping struggling clients. By Graeme Alford
	CHILL PILLS// Are Painless Painkillers Possible? There are about a dozen drugs being developed to replace addictive painkillers. By Jeanene Swanson

 

BEST OF THE QUICK FIX Christie: Marijuana Taxes Are 'Blood Money' Country Singer Willie Nelson To Launch Marijuana Brand Petco Pulls Dubious Dog 'Calming' Medicine With 13% Alcohol

Obama Commutes Sentences Of 22 Nonviolent Drug Offenders NYPD Officer Admits to Attempted $200,000 Drug Deal First Church Of Cannabis Flicks Off Indiana's Religious Freedom Law

COMMENT OF THE WEEK

Bad Business This week, Neville Elder asked why Narco Freedom, a company indicted for milking $40 million from Medicaid, isstill open. Readers shared in Elder's outrage:

Yep, and whose pockets are being lined on the backs of the down and out people who could really use assistance? Homeless and newly released convicts who exist in extreme poverty, and are some of the most stigmatized people of this country? They haven't a fighting chance. Wow. Come on, there's not an ounce of empathy, let alone a conscience in this organization. -JustAcat MORE »

Obama Decision Frees 22 Drug Offenders From Federal Prison

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

April 1st, 2015

Twenty-two drug offenders serving time in federal prison will be freed, the White House announced Tuesday. President Obama’s decision to commute the prisoners’ sentences builds on “his commitment to address instances of unfairness in sentencing,” White House Counsel Neil Eggelston said.

Eight of the inmates had received life sentences, Bloomberg reports. Many of the 22 inmates would have already served their time under current drug laws and sentencing policies, Eggleston noted in a blog post.

In a letter sent this week to those receiving commutations, President Obama wrote that he believed in their abilities “to prove the doubters wrong.”

“Remember that you have the capacity to make good choices,” Obama wrote. “By doing so, you will affect not only your own life, but those close to you. You will also influence, through your example, the possibility that others in your circumstances get their own second chance in the future.”

The movement toward drug sentencing reform has gained bipartisan support.

In April 2014, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted to reduce the base offense for criminals caught with various amounts of drugs. Last June, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the new sentencing guidelines will make the federal prison system more fair to minorities, and will reduce taxpayer costs.

In July, the commission voted to reduce terms for low-level drug traffickers who are already incarcerated. The vote would allow more than 46,000 drug offenders to be eligible for early release from prison.

Women for Sobriety, Inc. Sobering Thoughts, January 2015 Edition Hello WFS Friends, Please find attached to this email the electronic version on a PDF of the January 2015 Edition of Sobering Thoughts newsletter.  The attachment is located at the bottom of the email.  (It's been a long winter... it still feels like January!) We would welcome your financial support for our free e-newsletter.  Please visit our catalog site to make a contribution in support of all the great articles that are made available: http://www.wfscatalog.org/Donations_c16.htm Thank you for all your continued support! Warm regards, Becky Fenner, WFS Director

Email:  newlife@nni.com   *   Tel: 215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026

http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org

Moms! Lorelei will be discussing the subjects of helping vs. enabling 17 years ago Lorelie Rozzano took the most difficult walk of her life – through the doors of a local treatment centre. She found in recovery what she’d been searching for in alcohol and drugs. Growing up in an alcoholic home she understands first-hand, the importance of a healthy family system. Lorelie is an author, mother, wife, daughter, grandmother, foster parent, counselor, sister and friend. Lorelie works at the Edgewood Treatment Center in Nanaimo, BC and is a guest blogger for Addiction Campuses and The Addicts Mom. She has written a series of books on addiction – Jagged Little Edges, Jagged Little Lies and Gracie’s Secret (A book for children who are growing up with addiction) Her passion is to help others recover from the effects of Substance Use Disorder. She hopes the honesty found in her books and on her blog, will inspire addicts and their families to reach out for the help they so desperately need, and deserve. Lorelie wants people to know there is hope and she is telling...on addiction! For more information on Lorelie Rozzano visit her blog atwww.jaggedlittleedges.com or find her on Face Book or Twitter. In The Rooms Meeting Thursday 7pm ET. Meetings cannot be accessed via phone or tablet. Must use Firefox or Google Chrome as your browser. Please join us!  http://www.intherooms.com/livemeetings/check?meeting_id=133

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