Best of the week from Choose Help Substance Abuse & Addiction Risk Factors for Older Americans When older Americans use drugs it’s often for the same reasons that teenagers do: to cope, out of curiosity, and from a lack of passions. Feelings of mortality, boredom and loneliness are common precursors. Older Americans use drugs for the same reasons that teenagers do: to cope, out of curiosity, and from a lack of satisfying pursuits or passions. Depression, a sense of one’s mortality, boredom and loneliness are gateway experiences. They are best seen as forms of emptiness that demand to be filled and they will be, whether by default or design.  Using to Cope The recovery acronym H.A.L.T. advises that we must never become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. This bit of wisdom is most commonly used to guard against relapse and/or anxiety and depression. It can also be used as a framework for understanding the things that predispose and perpetuate our use of drugs and alcohol. Hunger If we dig a bit deeper, we find that we Hunger for much more than food. It takes courage to identify what we truly want because identifying it necessitates going after it. As we age, our willingness to take risks and try new things tends to decline sharply. Alcohol and drugs offer immediate relief and distraction from the fear of knowing and pursuing our hearts longing. Anger We notice that Anger never travels alone but rather is accompanied by unmet needs and conflicting emotions (unresolved grief and loss, having a greater sense of one’s time being limited). Older Americans show a high preponderance of depression. Unfortunately and dangerously, many of us use alcohol (a known depressant) to cope with depression, which not only fuels feelings of anger, sadness, and loss, it also creates and perpetuates a sense of detachment from self. Loneliness We find that Loneliness can occur even when we’re surrounded by others. We struggle because we lack intimacy and connection. As life circumstances change, we often find ourselves bereft of people we strongly identify with and/or feel safe being vulnerable with. Drinking or drugging alone eliminates the possibility of solitude and perpetuates social isolation. Tired We realize that Tired is much more than a matter of sleep. It is a state of being drained, depleted, or burned out. It was a long road to get to retirement. Too many of us find that we lived with only two speeds: all out or dead stop.  When we lack motivation or compelling reasons to continue growing, we become complacent and stagnant. These are all the disease of addiction requires to take hold. Using to Offset Boredom Just as adolescents require outlets and social opportunities, so do the retired and elderly. As one client explained to me, “I’m at an age where everyone I know is either dying or moving to Florida!” For most folks, before we can truly welcome new opportunities to socialize with same aged peers, we must come to terms with aging and the changes it brings to our lives. I routinely point toward senior community centers, outing clubs, and hobby enthusiasts, only to hear, “I don’t want to sit around with a bunch of old people!” Drugs and alcohol were social lubricant and/or substitutes for companionship and friendships in our youth. Many of us find ourselves regressing to former habits because it’s easier and because it takes less courage to be willing to try new things and meet new people. If we keep at the forefront of our thoughts that these folks are in the same circumstances that we are, we can be open to having more connections and more fun. We never outgrow the need for friendships. Using Out of Curiosity It seems that unlike past generations, a high percentage of Baby Boomers have not come to an older age gracefully. A very high percentage of us come with a history of having abused drugs and alcohol in our youth. Curiosity led us to experiment at an early age and in the absence of more enticing options, we find ourselves wondering what the newer stuff is like. While we grew up with no small number of illicit drug choices, we find that things have changed dramatically. Even marijuana, which seemed so benign in our younger years has radically morphed in appearance and potency.1 Abuse of pain medications was not common for our generation and the plethora of designer drugs available is not only abundant, but potentially only a few mouse clicks away. In our youth we felt invulnerable. Age and experience have taught us to weigh the risks. Unfortunately, as we consider the pros and cons, many of us feel we have little to lose. Our choices must be made in the full light of day. It may indeed be harder to invest in ourselves as we age, but the alternatives run from unfulfilling to downright dangerous. Do you need specialized addiction treatment for an older adult? Check out ourFeatured Rehab Programs for Seniors Read in browser »   Recent featured articles: Too Smart for AA? Don't Overthink It - Make Changes and Have Faith in the Process 10 Barriers to Addiction Treatment for Older Adults Avoiding Methadone Overdose During the Dangerous First 2 Weeks Emotions in Early Recovery: "You Can't Heal What You Can't Feel" 16-Point Safety Checklist before Sending Your Teen to Residential Treatment And, as always, thank you for reading! All the best to you and yours, Martin Schoel, founder of Choose Help P.S. If you’d like to dive into the conversation, make sure to follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook (40K+ people do). FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO A LOVED ONE Do you or someone you know need rehab? Click or 'Tap' to speak with us now: (877) 333-5266 Facebook Twitter Google Plus Pinterest

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Dear The Addict’s Mom members, our traditional Lights of Hope will be held on September 13th . September is National Recovery Month and this event is our o.pportunity and our right to honor and support our loved ones in their respective stages of recovery.

We do this by lighting three candles

– a white candle for those in recovery,

- a black candle for those who have lost a loved one to addiction,

- a red candle for those who are in active addiction. 

A map of members and where they live within each state is located in the file section of your local TAM State Chapter. We encourage you to reach out to one another and hold a Steps of Hope vigil together. Parks, backyard gatherings, rivers, beaches, churches, and so on are great places to gather with your TAM sisters and celebrate not only the bond we have with one another, but to memorialize the journeys of addiction our loved ones have walked. 

Lights of Hope flyers will be available in the near future and white, black and red t-shirts will also become available for sale. Be sure to send us pictures of your gatherings so we can post them on our website!! Stand proud Mom’s in the hope that one day in the near future addiction will have more resources and less stigma.

If you’re finding yourself too far away from other members to join The Lights of Hope with them, please light candles at home and know that your TAM family is including you in their thoughts and prayers at this most solemn event.

*** Regional events can be help on any day during the months of September****

WE NEED YOUR HELP please click on the link to invite your friends

https://www.facebook.com/events/825847914197829/

See the picture on top for directions.

Your help is greatly appreciated ...

Much love to all addicts mom and their families...Barbara

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

Check out the Music Fest  Line up at the Bottom of the page Join us at the Cafe this          Saturday July 11, 2015     @ 7- 10:00pm doors open at 6:30 Join us for a  Night of Worship    Featured Artist: "Glorify"    Plus Special Guest "Cristabelle Braden"     Join us for a Night of  High Energy Worship!!      FOOD, COFFEE, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP FOR ALL!   ADMISSION IS FREE!   (Donations appreciated to cover costs and for the band. Thanks for your prayerful consideration and generosity so we can keep this event FREE!)           WHERE:  The Edge Building at Christian Life Center                         3100 Galloway Rd Bensalem, PA    QUESTIONS: Contact  Bob Sofronski   215-833-2512 3rd Annual Conquering Grounds Outdoor  Music Fest Saturday September 12, 2015 12pm to 6pm On the Grounds of Christian Life Center Stay tuned for more details or visit the website for Sponsor Packs and Info at  www.musicfest2015.org WE NEED YOUR HELP, Watch the Video Conquering Grounds Music Fest 2015 Promo for YouCaring.com We are calling on Business and Ministry friends to support the CLPRM upcoming Music Fest in September 2015. We have started our annual drive for sponsorships and spots are already filling up. Sponsor Pack are available for you so that you can see the many ways you are able to help those in addiction and recovery with your support!   The Music Fest is our annual benefit which takes over a year in planning. Even though it rained last year we had over 1100 people, 50 Vendors and 10 Bands and raised over $10,000!  We are starting to make our Sponsor packages available and I have attached the details about the different levels for Corporate or Personal involvement.  Please share this with anyone else you may think would want to purchase a tax deductible package, there are 4 different levels of sponsorship.  It isfor such a great cause and an inexpensive way to get your business in front of 1000's!               2015 Conquering Grounds Outdoor Music Fest Artists and Speakers Booked so far see below: Our Headline Artist for this Year will  be  "Among the Thirsty"                                         K Love Artist        Click Here for the Band Among The Thirsty "Completely" LIVE at K-LOVE Guest Speaker Steve Arterburn Founder of New Life Ministries Click here for his Bio Dana Isles and Facedown  Click Here for Band Info   Dez Childs Click Here for Band Info The Travis Lee Band Click Here for Band Info For Liz Collins Info Click Here Darlene Van Dyke Thank you for all your prayers and support!!   Sincerely, Bob Sofronski, Executive Director Christian Life Prison and Recovery Ministries, Inc. 215-833-2512 Has this ministry been a Blessing to you or someone you Love?  Would you prayerfully consider a  Gift to CLPRM OR THIS YEAR'S MUSIC FEST? This ministry, coffee house, recovery meetings, prison chapel services and ALL Special Events operate because of private donations from people like you. Your Gift  will be fully  Tax-deductible and will help us to reach those trapped in addiction and crime with the Hope of Jesus Christ! Click Here to donate at our secure website www.clprm.org or you can send a check to  CLPRM Po Box 1624  Southampton, PA 18966  Thank you and Blessings to All of you in 2015!! The Conquering Addiction Hour with CLPRM Click Here to Listen to the Archives UPCOMING CAFE EVENTS July 11th "Glorify" Plus Special Guest Cristabelle Braden August 8th "Exalted" Plus Special Guest Joe Miralles September 12th 3rd Annual Conquering Grounds Outdoor Music Fest-A Benefit to Help Fight Addiction CLICK HERE FOR  MORE INFO October 10th "The Paul Paoli Band" November 7th  "Beckoning" December 12th Our Christmas Celebration  MMMMMM Conquering Grounds Café, our monthly coffee house ministry, reaches out to individuals and families who have been affected by substance abuse. The Café serves up Christian bands, plus FREE beverages and baked goods in a laid-back atmosphere. ALL are invited to this FREE event! Thanks to Shoprite Bensalem and Hornbergers Bakery for their generous donation of baked good to Conquering Grounds.   RECOVERY RESOURCES   Christian Life Prison and Recovery Ministries, Inc.  Transformations Treatment Center  Kingdom Recovery Network CRC Healthcare  HillSide Recovery Center  Addictions Victorious Ambassadors for Christ COA Recovery Radio  City of Angels  The House of Adonai Liberty Ministries Lighthouse Network  Road To Recovery  Teen Challenge  Follow Us Here Make a one-time financial gift. Become a monthly sponsor. Or send a gift to: CLPRM PO Box 1624 Southampton, PA 18966 You can download our new 10 second PushPay Giving App here  "My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare."  ~Psalm 25:15 OUR MISSION: CLPRM is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping those incarcerated and to stop substance abuse in the community by offering support to those actively struggling with addiction, as well as to their families. We offer recovery meetings, resources, counseling, and referral services to those who wish to seek treatment.