Sunday, January 24, 2016

 Women for Sobriety, Inc.
WFS Annual Conference: June 10-12, 2016


WE SET THE DATE!  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
June 10, 11, 12, 2016
COME EARLY, Stay at the Dorm: Thursday, June 9th!

DeSales University
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034
Campus Map & Directions:


REGISTRATION - The flyer isn't ready - however, we want you to plan ahead!  We do hope you can join us in June for a great weekend getaway with 4C women!  An added bonus is that you can arrive a day early - Thursday - and spend some quality time with your WFS sisters at the dormitory.  The registration price includes staying in the dormitory.... the price will NOT be lowered if you choose to stay OFF CAMPUS.  Believe me, you will have a lot more fun staying in the dorm with all of your new friends!

ATTENDANCE - All women in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse are welcome to join us to celebrate a New Life.  WFS is an abstinence-based program and requires that each woman be clean and sober during the event.  The longer you are sober, the more potential there is to fully appreciate and learn from all that you can experience at the conference.  You have the opportunity to participate in something that can create positive changes in your life... so come join us for an enjoyable retreat in the company of 4C women!

***WFS AUCTION***  Don't forget about WFS's Annual Fundraiser!  It will be held on Saturday of the conference and we need your support... handmade items, crafts, quilts, artwork, jewelry, baskets of goodies... it all adds up to lots of exciting bids and friendly competition to raise much needed funds for our organization.  If you are bringing auction items with you to conference, we will have a pre-auction set up table on Friday to sort through all the goodies... SUGGESTION: ONE-OF-A-KIND ITEMS garner more bids than multiples of the same item.  That being said, we welcome 'multiples' too!  You have TIME TO CREATE SOMETHING AWESOME FOR THE AUCTION!!  Last year's auction raised a total of $14,536!!!!  There were 331 items donated - from all across the globe!  Why not join in and be part of this fun and worthy fundraiser?!  To give you some inspiration - here is the link to pictures from the recent conference in June: 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/womenforsobriety/sets/72157653433801812

***REGISTRATION DISCOUNT***  Every year we provide a $20 discount for the early birds who register by April 1st.  The registration for the WHOLE weekend with a double room is only $270 (includes 2 nights at the dormitory, 5 meals, and all workshops on Saturday & Sunday).  After April 1st, the regular cost of $290 for a double room will apply.

Here are a few words of inspiration from attendees: "I wanted to let you know how much the Conference moved me this time around.  I believe this one was the most powerful one for me.  I already started on my auction items and my saving for the Conference fees and the Auction.  So many new women just warmed my heart.  I have such a passion for Women for Sobriety!"  "So happy I came.  I now feel part of something so much bigger than myself.  I will draw strength and connection from that.  The dormitory lobbies felt like a slumber part.  Really enjoyed coming out of my usual shell.  Thank you!" 
IMPORTANT - IF YOU HAVE ANY ....ANY!... QUESTIONS - CALL OR EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT THE OFFICE...NOT THE ONLINE FORUM.  We appreciate your support of WFS!  I am so looking forward to seeing you in June!

Warm regards,
Becky Fenner, WFS Director
Email:  contact@womenforsobriety.org   *   Tel215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026
http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org

Friday, January 22, 2016

Vermont Program Offers Vivitrol to Departing Inmates to Fight Heroin Addiction - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Vermont Program Offers Vivitrol to Departing Inmates to Fight Heroin Addiction - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: Vermont is starting a pilot program this month that will offer the opioid addiction treatment Vivitrol to departing inmates at one correctional facility. If it is successful, the state plans to expand it to all seven of the state’s prisons, CBS News reports.
January 22 Psalm 69 v 20 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH IN THE PSALM


Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless ,I looked for sympathy ,but there was none ,for comfort but I found none. (GODS BIG BOOK)

STEP 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
(AA BIG BOOK) 

Scorn-the feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable; contempt

Scorn causes wreckage on both sides! The addicted and the loved one become victims. The step is very important to work so you can get to the root cause of scorn, get it out into the open and deal with it. Know matter what was said or done , no one is worthless . In the eyes of God we are all special treasures .We are His creation and His children . Hiding scorn and pain in your heart will keep you bound up in your self medicating ways.Expose it deal with it and get rid of it! Once its out it will lose it power and sting.


Ephesians 4 : 31 32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. (GODS BIG BOOK) By Joseph Dickerson

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Hillsong UNITED Relentless Music Video



Best of the week from Choose Help

Supporting a Heroin Addict - 6 Ways to Help and Support Positive Change

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Offer to provide transportation to and from treatment appointments (offer to attend these meetings too, if that’s welcomed).
  4. Consider whether your whole family might benefit from family therapy toreduce dysfunctional dynamics that contribute to the problem.
  5. Encourage your loved-one to broaden their social networks beyond those associated with drug use. Encourage participation in positive activities in the community.
  6. 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

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Recent featured articles:

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And, as always, thank you for reading!
All the best to you and yours,


Martin Schoel,
founder of Choose Help
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News-Impact-Advocacy

January 6, 2016
Quick Links







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            

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