Best of the week from Choose Help Supporting a Heroin Addict - 6 Ways to Help and Support Positive Change Six effective ways to help a treatment-ready heroin user that you love make positive changes - what to do and how to help. You can’t make them quit - you cannot do it for them, but you can play an important role in supporting change and through emotional and practical support you can increase their odds of movement in the right direction. Addiction is a chronic condition that’s characterized by recurrent relapse and treatment need. Though it’s frustrating to watch a person you love fall repeatedly back into the same problems, it’s important to keep working at positive change and to accept that setbacks are an unfortunate reality of addiction. Here are 6 great ways to offer support and to encourage health and well-being over the course of a lifetime. Six Ways to Help Get as educated as you can about the nature of heroin addiction, the brain changes associated with addiction and the difficulties inherent in overcoming opioid addiction. As you learn more about the chronic nature of addiction and the commonality of relapse you may feel less frustrated by setbacks and more able to continue on offering valuable support and encouragement. Accept that it’s not up to you to decide on a treatment goal. Listen to your loved one, respect their chosen objective and help them to achieve their goal – whatever it may be. For example, though you might hope for abstinence, your loved one might prefer a more gradual harm reduction approach. Help them work toward that goal and know that by making some progress today you improve the chances of even greater progress tomorrow. Offer to provide transportation to and from treatment appointments (offer to attend these meetings too, if that’s welcomed). Consider whether your whole family might benefit from family therapy toreduce dysfunctional dynamics that contribute to the problem. Encourage your loved-one to broaden their social networks beyond those associated with drug use. Encourage participation in positive activities in the community. Know what to do in the event of an overdose. The opioid antagonist naloxone can be a lifesaver in the case of heroin overdose. Have naloxone at home and know how to administer it (ask your doctor about acquiring this medication). Unfortunately, heroin users are at elevated risk of overdose during and after treatment attempts, when temporary stoppage leads to a tolerance reduction. More Than Just Abstinence It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Though abstinence and complete recovery from use is the best possible outcome, it’s important to note that even when treatment doesn’t result in full abstinence, it can still improve health and well-being and it is still worth your support – no matter how many times it is needed over the course of a lifespan. Beyond abstinence, people involved with heroin addiction treatment tend to use less heroin, and the longer a person stays with treatment, the greater the reduction in use. Reduced Use is associated with:1 A decreased risk of overdose, infectious disease and other health complications Decreased criminality Improved social, emotional and cognitive functioning More involvement in drug-free society Better functioning in relationships (romantic/familial/parenting, etc.) Treatment helps people make small improvements that increase their likelihood of full recovery, and significantly, it also helps to keep them alive until the day they become ready to try seriously for full and lasting abstinence. Image Copyright: Jim Nix Read in browser »   Recent featured articles: New Year's Introspection: About Taking Stock of Our Progress Hating the Holidays? Tips on How to Stay Clean and Sober Holiday Relapse Risk Self-Test 5 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress and Anxiety Marijuana Detox: Withdrawal Symptoms and How to Cope 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

Copyright © 2016 Choose Help, All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of Choose Help or you signed up on ChooseHelp.com. Our mailing address is: Choose Help 11301 Olympic Blvd. #351 Los Angeles, CA 90064 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

News-Impact-Advocacy January 6, 2016 Quick Links Information Help Line Donate to The Council Employment Opportunities Recovery Center Calendars Professional Trainings Get Involved with the Chester County Chapter of PRO-ACT Save the Date! 40th Anniversary GalaMay 5, 2016Normandy Farm Volunteer for The Council/PRO-ACT !! Central Bucks:      Email or call Steve at215-345-6644 x3006 Southern Bucks:   Email or call Karen at215-788-3738 x100 Philadelphia, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County:         Email John or call 215-923-1661       Recovery Night at the Basketball Game   Show the Nation that Recovery Works!   76ers vs. Detroit Pistons Saturday, March 12, 2016 Mezzanine End Rows 8-15 6:00 pm Gathering - 7:00 pm Game Time Wells Fargo Center 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148 Enjoy a fun Philadelphia 76ers night out with more than 200 other clean and sober fans in recovery! See the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Detroit Pistons at home. For the 1st year, PRO-ACT will participate in this national basketball game to show support for recovery by having fun without alcohol! Attendees are requested not to consume or purchase alcohol. Tickets are $20.00 and can be reserved onlinehere.  Download the attached flyer here. For further information please contact Fred Martin at fmartin@councilsepa.org. Shop With Scrip   Using Scrip for items you purchase regularly benefits those in need.  Use gift cards for regular purchases like groceries at Giant or purchases you make at Panera, Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, and many others! The next order for physical gift cards will be submitted January 12, 2016. See below for instructions to set up your account and begin giving today.  Click here  https://www.shopwithscrip.com/ to get started. 1)  Choose register at the top 2)  Choose "Join a scrip program" 3)  Enter enrollment code:  E7C5222L42696 4)  Continue with your personal information 5)  Shop! a.  ScripNow:  online gift cards b.  Physical gift cards:  pay online, cards will be shipped to The Council's Administrative Office at 252 West Swamp Rd., Unit 12, Doylestown, PA  18901   For questions related to Scrip, please contact Melanie Boyd atmboyd@councilsepa.org or call 215-345-6644.  Give to The Council While You Shop!  AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support The Council every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to The Council. Go to www.smile.amazon.com  Log in with Amazon account info or register if you are a new member Type in The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. and click SEARCH We will come up, hit SELECT Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The Council. Contact Us Information and Resource Line:  1-800-221-6333 252 W. Swamp Rd., Unit 12                    1701 W. Lehigh Ave, #6 Doylestown, PA  18901                           Philadelphia, PA  19132 215-345-6644                                       215-223-7700 252 W. Swamp Rd., Unit 33                    444 N. 3rd St., Ste. 307 Doylestown, PA  18901                          Philadelphia, PA  19123 215-230-8723 (DUI)                              215-923-1661 215-230-8218 (Prevention) 1286 Veterans Hwy                               1062 E. Lancaster Ave., Ste 22-A Bristol, PA  19007                                 Rosemont, PA  19010        215-788-3738                                       484-383-0802

Forward this email

Almost 20,000 mothers of addicted children have joined the Addict's Mom Closed Group. They find much needed love and support  you can toohttp://www.facebook.com/groups/theaddictsmom.com Good Morning beautiful TAM Sisters ...As most of you know my son Daniel died 8 months ago and I have reflected on many things that I believe may have contributed to his loss. I believe it is very important to understand the issues facing our addicted child before sending them to treatment. If your child suffers with mental illness either brought on by drug addiction or they are genetically predisposed it is important to send them to a place that will truly deal with their core issues.... I have been researching treatment options that have true dual diagnosis treatment. I believe we must handle the underlying isssues while treating the addiction so we can break the cycle. If you are in need of help please pm me your number or email me at barbara@theaddictsmom.com. See More

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

20,000 mothers of addicted children supporting one another https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaddictsmom

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

 

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/BREAKING-NEWS-----2016-Festival-Lineup-.html?soid=1102906894456&aid=8Ys_sA6mmyg

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/BREAKING-NEWS-----2016-Festival-Lineup-.html?soid=1102906894456&aid=8Ys_sA6mmyg

	As you shop this holiday season, please consider these gift ideas that support the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ work to reduce substance abuse among teens. It’s truly a win-win: Give great gifts and feel great about your purchase, knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of families and teens. Thank you for supporting the Partnership! Gifts for Teens The teens in your life will love these classic tees, beanie hats, tech tattoos, cell phone cases and more. Each item is adorned with the iconic Above the Influence (ATI) symbol — an upward facing arrow — inspiring teens to rise above the negative influences in their lives and be their best selves. There is no other national drug prevention program for teens, so support ATI today! Shop Above the Influence store >   Gifts for Book Lovers With books on parenting, mindfulness and substance use, you can feel good about shopping in our new Book Store knowing that a percentage of your purchase will support our programs and services to help kids and families. Happy reading! Shop our Book Store >   Gifts for Hipsters with Heart Research shows that 1 in 4 teens has abused a prescription medicine. Help raise awareness about this dangerous epidemic with our “Mind Your Meds” tote bags and T-shirts. Our partner, prinkshop, a cause-centric community that creates advocacy campaigns to help spark conversation, donates 30 percent of the profits to the Partnership to help further our work in preventing half a million teens from abusing medicine. Buy T-shirts and totes and get ready to talk about this important cause! Shop prinkshop >   Gifts for Everyone AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Partnership every time you shop on Amazon.com — at no cost to you. You’ll find the exact same prices, wide selection and convenient shopping experience they you are accustomed to on Amazon.com. To shop, simply visit AmazonSmile and select “Partnership for Drug-Free Kids” as your charitable organization. That’s it. Then every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation of 0.5% to the Partnership. Shop all your holiday needs on AmazonSmile >   Gifts that Supports Families and Teens Consider making a donation to your favorite non-profit: the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids! Your generous donation will help us reduce substance abuse among adolescents by supporting families and engaging with teens. You can dedicate your donation in celebration of or in memory of someone special. Whatever the reason, your gift will make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands of kids and families. We are grateful for whatever you can give. Make a donation > Thank you for supporting our life-saving work. Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
We're here to help. Call our Toll-Free Helpline 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373)            DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages sent to this email address are not read. If you have a question or comment, please use our interactive online help system. Subscribe to our RSS feeds. To prevent mailbox filters from deleting mailings from Drugfree.org, add thepartnership@drugfree.org to your address book. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids | 352 Park Avenue South | Ninth Floor | New York, NY 10010 unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser