Sunday, February 21, 2016

Families Call on CDC to Publish Painkiller Guidelines to Reduce Opioid Overdoses - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Families Call on CDC to Publish Painkiller Guidelines to Reduce Opioid Overdoses - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: Family members of people who have died from opioid painkiller overdoses are calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to publish guidelines designed to reduce prescriptions of the drugs, The Wall Street Journal reports.
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Best of the week from Choose Help

Addiction Recovery for Single Parents

Addiction Recovery for Single Parents
When caring for the kids means seeking help for addiction: Overwhelmed by the competing demands of daily life, single parents are at a higher risk for substance abuse and addiction.
Some things are impossible to rationalize away. The awareness of "it's all on me" is inescapable for single parents. Nobody works harder and few face more obstacles. The balance of competing demands is precarious at best. When substance abuse becomes part of the mix, balance becomes unattainable and we begin a descent in which we place those we love most.

Single Parents are 'At Risk'

The demands of daily life for a single mom or dad place us at a higher risk for substance abuse and addiction. Too many of us are socially isolated and lacking natural supports. We live with higher financial stress and our schedules are anything but manageable. We're focused on the needs of our children and denying our own.
Some of us sought comfort in a drink after the kids were in bed. Some of us used just to get through the day. Some of us only stopped using due to pregnancy and some of us never stopped at all.
We live our lives at 100mph and stopping anything seems impossible.

"Lines in the Sand"

Every addict engages in ongoing negotiations with self. We establish lines we won't cross in order to derive a sense of security. There's a point in the progression of addiction in which we've crossed too many of them. Yet even when self-preservation is conspicuously absent, we often maintain a strong awareness and protectiveness of our children.
We're told that we have to get sober for ourselves and it's unimaginable. I'm often asked, "Is it okay to do it for my kids?" Hell yes, it is! There's no bad reason to get clean and sober. We're willing to go through hell for our kids. The turning point in recovery comes for many of us when we're ready to get out of hell for our kids.

Overcoming Stigma & Shame

Of all the judgments a person fears and anticipates in seeking help for addiction, admitting that our children are affected is the greatest. We expect to be condemned for what we see as our weakness. Our isolation and fears are compounded by what we project.

Talk to People Who Get It

There are countless reasons why I recommend folks to 12-step programs. First and foremost, I know that no one who truly understands addiction will judge a person for where their disease has taken them. I understand it's intimidating to talk with folks who have attained long-term sobriety, but I hasten to point out that they only got there because some good folks helped them out of their wreckage.
AA and NA tend to be the best starting points. They're free, widely available, and filled with folks on similar journeys. I've never met folks who are more genuine and generous with their time. The benefit of contacts, friends, and sponsors in staying sober and changing our lives cannot be overstated. People in recovery tend to be the most knowledgeable regarding resources for folks in dire straits. They can also tell you:

How to Choose Professional Support

Along with a primary care physician, recovery supports are often our best option for determining what happens next. If rehab cannot be an option due to the needs of our children, we might explore a rapid detox program. If this too is unachievable, we look toIntensive Outpatient Programs/Day Treatment, or to the least intrusive: outpatient individual and group counseling. In the absence of a plan we falter. Knowing the steps and taking them affords us hope.
It's reasonable to fear that professionals might report our circumstances to Child Protective Services. The real threshold for legally mandated reporting includes a fair amount of gray area. I encourage folks to judge and choose professionals based on their reputation in recovery communities. I also find that those of us who work in the field and are open about being in recovery ourselves tend to be the most supportive.
If your fear of potentially having Human Services involvement is going to stop you then know this: We cannot report what you don't tell us. Alternatively, ask us hypothetical questions: "If I were to tell you A, B, and C, would you have to share that information?"
The best of us will simply spell it out for you and we won't ask you to trust us. We'll support you in coming to trust yourself.

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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).
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Saturday, February 20, 2016

 Women for Sobriety, Inc.
"Adjustments keep me moving forward while affirmations assist in creating the pathway."

҉     

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”  -F.D. Roosevelt 

“Only one thing registers on the subconscious mind: practice.  What you practice is what you manifest.”  -Grace  Spear

“It’s the repetition of…affirmations that leads to belief.  And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”  -Claude M. Bristol

“Practice makes permanent.”  -Bobby Robson

***************************************************************************
Statement #12, “I am a competent woman and have much to give life.”
This is what I am and I shall know it always.
***************************************************************************

+++++++++++++++++++
Karen’s Perspective +
+++++++++++++++++++
     Repetition.  This word has made such a difference in my life.  In the past, repeated drinking instilled a feeling of failure and inability.  I was unable to comprehend this while under the influence and I clung to doubt and negativity.  Over time, this became a deeply held conviction and I truly believed that I was incapable of doing anything.  My identity spiraled downwards; the more I used alcohol, the less of me there was.
     Sobriety and Statement #12 in action challenges and changes old belief systems and reinstates a sense of worth.  It is in the continuing practice of the WFS Program that brings a sparkle to life. Insight, ability and connection unfold when affirming ones’ self.
     Beginning with saying “I am a competent woman,” I challenged the old view that was developed when drinking.  At first it felt awkward to say this out loud.  I liked writing it down better, so I did both.  I was slowly teaching myself about my own value.  I was rewriting my life and, at the same time, rewiring my brain.
     Instead of saying “I can’t,” I began to say, “I will try.”  Soon I was able to understand that I wasn’t a failure or a mistake and instead know that I had the ability to try and try again.  I would learn something with each attempt.  Soon my affirmations took on a more definite route and I began to say to myself that “I am lovable” and/or “I am filled with courage.”
     I simply adore those moments in our meetings, whether online or face to face, when we introduce ourselves and say, “I am a competent woman” (or capable, caring, compassionate).  It is astonishing to watch a woman for the first time say this and see that excitement in her eyes; she lights up the entire room and there is a definite energy shift!
     Statement #12 is intertwined within every aspect of my life today.  It continues to assist me in believing in who I am and where I am going.  Do I still doubt myself or my abilities?  Of course. The difference is that I no longer barricade myself within a fortress of failure.  Adjustments keep me moving forward, while affirmations assist in creating the pathway.  Hugzzz, Karen 
  • Do you have any outdated belief systems that need to be addressed? 
+++++++++++++++
 Dee’s Insights  +
+++++++++++++++
     Hi 4C Women, I found a cardboard box in my bedroom closet and in it was an envelope marked “very personal.”  Since I moved here over 9 years ago, I was curious as to what was contained inside.  Oh my, if only I had Statement #12 back in 1967!  What I wrote brought tears to my eyes. My lack of self-worth was deeply saddening.  I had been married less than a year and, until I read this letter to my ex again, I just didn’t remember how insecure, unworthy and unlovable I felt. Seeing it in writing after all these years, just helped me to understand how much I have overcome and that being able to say I love myself is quite remarkable considering most of my 27 year marriage was filled with these unlovable feelings.
     Over the past few Mondays, we have been addressing the importance of self-worth, self-love and self-esteem.  Since I have been sober for a long time, it seems these messages have re-introduced the woman I once was and I am so happy to have said goodbye to her.  Joyful that sobriety and therapy gave me the ability to uncover and discover the 4C woman I am today.
     I’ve been saying that nothing can take away all the hard work I have accomplished and reading that letter of almost 49 years ago reaffirmed it.  There were many letters after that but what struck me is that I was married less than a year and 22 years old.  It took a lot of courage to strike out on my own after 27 years of marriage; yet, I survived - the fear of being a bag lady with a shopping cart for storage did not materialize!  I continued to learn, to become self-assured, decisive and strong enough to learn from my mistakes and there were plenty of them.  I share this because I want each of you to have hope if you are willing to face your challenges, to let go of the fear of making a mistake and learn from each one, to know it is in your power to love yourself, to feel free, joyful and in charge of your life.  There is no timetable on change.  You can be 20 or 70. All that matters is the willingness and desire for it to happen.  As Oprah says in her new commercial, “If not now, when?” –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   *   Tel215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org
 If you or your employees are interested in increasing professional skill-sets, building expertise and improving the overall quality of care you are providing your clientele, Don't Miss this NAADAC accredited training opportunity as a Recovery Specialist.
Dear Friends and Colleagues;
We are pleased to formally announce the International Recovery Institute, a collaborative effort to increase guidance, knowledge, professionalism and establish ethical standards for Recovery Specialists.  IRI offers innovative trainings which are accredited by NAADAC and recognized as National Certification and CEU opportunities for substance abuse and mental health Recovery Specialists.  This certification supports individuals that work as a:  Personal Recovery Assistant™; sober companion; safe passage or transports, recovery coach; recovery life coach.  It is also a great opportunity to provide credentialing for those in the role of case manager, coaching or counseling within treatment programs.
Certification begins as a ‘Recovery Specialist I’ which gives you international recognition as a professional who can work one on one with clients from all walks of life.  Professionals who complete this training prove a distinguished commitment and dedication to this highly specialized career and it is favorably noted to current or potential employers and clients.
If you or your employees are interested in increasing professional skill-sets, building expertise and improving the overall quality of care you are providing your clientele, then don't miss this NAADAC accredited training opportunity as a Recovery Specialist.

Please contact us with any questions that you may have.  We look forward to spending time with you at an upcoming training. 

Sincerely, 

Cindy, Judith and Nanette 
International Recovery Institute Founding Team
www.internationalrecoveryinstitute.net 
 877-782-2447
*ask for group discount rates for 3 or more registrations
2016 Training Flyer - IRI website

Friday, February 19, 2016

STARK & STARK Attorneys of Yardley Pa.
GUILTY LEGAL MALPRACTICE
MISLED AND LIED TO FOR SEVEN MONTHS
CLAIM WAS FILED WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE 
(BREACH OF A FIDUCIARY DUTY )
CLAIM DENIED STARK & STARK AFRAID TO FIGHT 
DUTY OF DUE DILIGENCE (VIOLATED)
DUMPED DEFENSELESS AND WITHOUT HOPE