“Microdosing” on Psychedelic Drugs Gains Cult Following - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

“Microdosing” on Psychedelic Drugs Gains Cult Following - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Message from Kimberly Griner Heinz

I have often achingly thought of my boy's last breaths in the ambulance, praying the EMTs held his hand...Tonight I received this note from an EMT in NY and share with permission:

"Kimberly. I'm an EMT, the epidemic we're dealing with right now is hard on everyone. The family, friends and the provider responding to the call. Its so hard to see past the scene sometimes. Past the addict. But they have a name, a heart, a family and they are loved. Stories like yours make us see past all that and see the person they are. People like you are why we as EMTs won't give up. Life is too beautiful to be stolen by a needle. I will fight this epidemic until my last breath. I've seen so many beautiful lives taken far before their time. I pray providers who transported your son prayed with him. Thank you for carrying on your son’s story. I'll be lifting you up in prayer. I am so very sorry for your loss."

Please be grateful for our EMTs, and particularly this dedicated, compassionate EMT in NY.

Thank you all for your continuous support in heightening addiction awareness by voting here --You may vote daily till July 22

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

A Subject So Often Hidden in Darkness....YES I AM AN ADDICT’S MOM 

Written by TAM Mom Gail Simmons

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I can still hear my dearest friend’s uncontrollable guttural screams bouncing off the panels of the inside of the ambulance. As we raced down the winding road to survival, I watched the tears trickle down the driver’s face. He kept softly repeating, in a trance like state, that this career choice was more than he could stomach. He did not know how much longer he wanted to be a witness to this played out scenario.

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As they hurriedly wheeled the gurney into the ER, silence filled the room. This time no more chances were given. I heard the DR. say, “It’s another DOA.” Everyone was affected.

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Her son lost his battle with addiction that night. As the truth unraveled, her loss continued. The stigma, the stares, the whispers, the glares. “She’s the addict’s mom.” They said.

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Searching for support she finally found a group that felt right. She is now a member of the Addict’s Mom.

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The Addict’s Mom is a support group founded in 2008, by Barbara Theodosiou. When Barbara realized two of her four children were practicing addicts, she knew she had to react. With over 30,000 followers as of 2015 she had access to an unending amount of support and information.

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Still – her son Daniel was found DEAD in April of this year.

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In its “Path of Wrath” it does not care. Rich or poor, red, yellow, black or white, educated, or uneducated. Unfortunately all stirred into the same melting pot.

Substance Abuse Awareness Month is in September each year. It is a month long of awareness campaigns addressing the stone cold facts. As an organization we understand the need for continued and ongoing awareness. The Addict’s Mom participates with open arms.

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Our “Lights of Hope,” campaign spreading clear across the United States, gives our communities and opportunity to group together and gather strength and wisdom from one another. Three candles will be lit. 

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• A white one for those in recovery

• A red one for those who are still using

• A black one for our lost loved ones

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Join in our organizations planning of these events in hopes of uniting in our fight of this horrible disease that is claiming the lives of our precious children. 

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Sunday September 13th is our official date, but you can set YOUR EVENT for any day during the month of September. The Addict’s Mom embraces this opportunity to share and show support. Won’t you join us by hosting, attending or promoting a “Lights of Hope” event in your area? 

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Let us know longer walk in darkness alone.

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Yes I deeply understand. As my only child died from a drug overdose as well.

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*The Addict’s Mom Lights of Hope tee shirts are now available, to purchase yours visit

http://teespring.com/lightsofhope

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

Women for Sobriety, Inc. Life is Change, Growth is Possible Choose Wisely ҉       Change doesn’t have to be hard; here are 10 steps to help make it easier. Smoothing Transitions 1.  Begin by making small changes or break up large scale changes into more manageable increments.  This can make you feel better about handling the changes you are about to make while making you more comfortable with change in general. 2.  Mentally link changes to established daily rituals.  This can make changes like taking on a new habit, starting a new job, or adapting to a new home happen much more smoothly.  For example, if you want to begin meditating at home, try weaving it into your morning routine. 3.  Going with the flow can help you accept change instead of resisting it.  If you stay flexible, you will be able to ride out change without too much turbulence. 4.  When a change feels most stressful, relief can often be found in finding the good that it brings. An illness, a financial loss, or a broken relationship can seem like the end of the world, yet they also can be blessings in disguise. 5.  Remember that all change involves a degree of learning.  If you find change particularly stressful, try to keep in mind that after this period of transformation has passed, you will be a wiser person for it. 6.  Remember that upheaval and confusion are often natural parts of change.  While we can anticipate certain elements that a change might bring, it is impossible to know everything that will happen in advance.  Be prepared for unexpected surprises, and the winds of change won’t easily knock you over. 7.  Don’t feel like you have to cope with changing circumstances or the stress of making a change on your own.  Talk about what s going on for you with a friend or write about it in a journal. Sharing your feelings can give you a sense of relief while helping you find the strength to carry on. 8.  Give yourself time to accept any changes that you face.  And as change happens, recognize that you may need time to adjust to your new situation.  Allow yourself a period of time to reconcile your feelings.  This can make changes feel less extreme. 9.  No matter how large or difficult a change is, you will eventually adapt to these new circumstances.  Remember that regardless of how great the change, all the new that it brings will eventually weave itself into the right places in your life. 10.  If you’re trying to change a pattern of behavior or navigate your way through a life change, don’t assume that it has to be easy.  Wanting to cry or being moody during a period of change is natural.  Then again, don’t assume that making a change needs to be hard.  Sometimes, changes are meant to be that easy. -Madisyn Taylor ************************************************************************* Statement #4, “Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to.” I now better understand my problems and do not permit problems to overwhelm me. ************************************************************************* +++++++++++++++++++ + Karen’s Perspective + +++++++++++++++++++      It didn’t dawn on me until recently that I have viewed change as a big problem.  For a long time, my mind defined change as a calamity.  For instance, when my routine is suddenly out of order or something different happens other than my normal expectation....bingo....CHANGE.  I can feel completely off kilter and worry has an open portal to invade and take over.  Thankfully, I have Statement #4 to realign myself.      Alcohol exacerbated every problem in my life and, while I may have escaped momentarily, I paid deeply for it.  I still had the original problem and had now added even more problems... hearty hangovers, increasing paranoia and ever-diminishing self-esteem to name but a few.      Sobriety and Statement #4 in action are a CHANGE diffuser; they lessen intensity and provide a stable platform.  Change only bothers me to the degree that I permit it to!      It is comforting and empowering to know that I am employing some, if not all, of the above mentioned strategies and notice each of them fits quite nicely with Statement #4.  Breaking down something into smaller increments is something that I did early in sobriety and still do today.  Early on I felt overwhelmed with the thought of not drinking for the rest of my life, so I created a new outlook.... I can be sober for 24 hours....and when that felt like too much, I broke it down further. Now, a number of years later, sobriety and recovery for the remainder of my life is not only completely doable but comforting as well.      When I quit smoking, I used the Statements to help me and listed thirteen positive things that I would get from quitting...one for each Statement.  By looking at what I was gaining instead of only what I thought I was losing ...I did not allow that change to overwhelm me.  Today I am breathing free and enjoying the many benefits of a smoke free life.      The more I practice Statement #4, the more able I feel and the more I learn about myself and about life.  Sobriety is not a guarantee of a perfect life but it is the beginning of learning healthy and empowering coping skills that make life enjoyable and love filled.  My favorite quote about CHANGE comes from Dr. Phil and it is one I share often.....  Hugzzz, Karen Choose Having A New Growth Experience What will YOU choose today? How will you manage change today? +++++++++++++++ +  Dee’s Insights  + +++++++++++++++      Hi 4C Women, I love what Karen said, that “Change only bothers me to the degree I permit it to.”  I was so fearful of change that I even gave up a free trip to Hawaii and Switzerland many years ago because I was so unsure of how I would handle the change of being in new surroundings.  It still surprises me today because I left home at 18 to go to work in Washington, D.C.  Yes, I was scared and yet I didn’t use anything I learned in that transition to overcome my fear of change.  Three months after I got married, my former husband got a job in Huntsville, AL and, again, I was terrified of moving.      As I reflect on all the changes since then - moving 14 times, 2 children, a divorce, promotion at my job, losing my mom and dad, daughter being hospitalized - I realize I needed Statement #4 long before I discovered WFS.  Since we cannot change the past, I have learned through WFS to learn from the past and leave regrets where they belong - gone!  I absolutely HATED change until the day my boss told me in my performance review that I was nothing but a maintenance person, no creativity whatsoever since my promotion.  I cried for days, and then I got mad!  This is why I related most to #4 in the first part of this message about when change feels most stressful, relief can often be found in finding the good that it brings.  An illness, a financial loss, or a broken relationship can seem like the end of the world, yet they also can be blessings in disguise.      After I dried my tears, I decided to face my fear and made a ton of changes.  Even I was shocked at how creative I became, how I tackled really big challenges and by the end of the next year, I created over 17 new programs.  I think I overdid it; but, it was the catalyst I needed to realize that my fear had held me back for many, many years and I missed out on a lot of opportunities. Drinking only masked my fears and certainly kept me stuck in an unhealthy mindset of fear and unworthiness.      I say this each time Statement #4 is discussed - there is a difference between real issues that need attention and problem solving and worrying to the point that everything is a problem.  I encourage you to embrace change at your own pace, to face your fears with the help and support of others who have experienced similar fears and found ways to cope and make positive changes. Thank goodness we are not alone on this journey.      I, too, have a favorite quote – “Life is change, Growth is possible, Choose wisely.”  -Dee _________________________ Thank you, Karen and Dee, for your words of encouragement and inspiration to start off our week!  ~Becky Fenner, WFS Director Email:  contact@womenforsobriety.org   *   Tel: 215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026 http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org

Stimulating Learning Environment May Help Protect Against Addiction: Mouse Study - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Stimulating Learning Environment May Help Protect Against Addiction: Mouse Study - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

DEA Announces Fall Date for Next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

DEA Announces Fall Date for Next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids