Sunday, November 24, 2013

CHECK OUT THE THIRTEENTH STEP: ZOMBIE RECOVERY



Hi Joe: Below is the information that's on the back cover of my book. I've attached a copy of the cover.

You gave me a lot of extra hope today. Tell me if you'd like any further information, and if you'd like a complimentary review copy, let me know how you read -- Kindle, Nook or PDF. Here is the Amazon link:

http://amzn.to/17dYlZd

THE THIRTEENTH STEP: ZOMBIE RECOVERY

Eight people escape decimated New York. They have only one thing in common: the alcoholic gene. The same genetic quirk that makes alcoholics and addicts susceptible to booze and drugs gives them a mysterious ability to evade detection by the undead.



But one gene in common isn’t enough to unite them. They’re a motley crew: A Botoxed Upper Eastsider; a drug dealer rescued from lockup; a resentful daughter of addicts; an insecure AA guy; a Japanese ex-dope fiend; an addicted Ivy Leaguer; and a Mexican immigrant. Dodging natural and unnatural disasters, drugged lunatics, and the living dead, they struggle to face their personal demons, accept one another, and find a new life. They think they’ve reached the end of their trek when they encounter a settlement that takes A.A. to fundamentalist extremes. They have to make a choice…one they may not survive.

***

2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist.

“Michele Miller has had more lives than a cat, and they’ve made her a writer of passion and substance.” -- Lawrence Block, Edgar Award winner & New York Times bestselling author

“The prose was so taut and the premise so original that I kept turning pages…. This book deserves lots of accolades. Read it!!” -- Ashley Prentice Norton, author of The Chocolate Money

“It is very well-written and well-paced. The writing flows naturally and is not self-conscious. The dialogue is believable…. This is an engaging and entertaining read. Very well done.” – Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Expert Review.

Warm regards, Michele

Saturday, November 23, 2013


November 23 v 12 POWER IN THE PROVERB
Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
STEP 6 Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
The metamorphosis of change begins at step one !When I reached step six ,in order to maintain my sobriety willingness for change had to grow.I was one way for so long ,it was difficult and Pride has away of getting in the way. When reaching step six according to the Proverb we must listen to others and put it into action. The old saying rings true , it works if you work it !

Nasal Ranger” Helps Smell Investigator Sniff Out Marijuana in Denver

 


By Join Together Staff | November 15, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related & Drugs

A licensed smell investigator in Denver is using a device called a “Nasal Ranger” to sniff out marijuana. Ben Siller is using the device to help enforce an ordinance designed to protect the purity of the city’s air.

Although recreational marijuana use is now legal in Colorado, the Denver ordinance allows for possible fines when marijuana odors are very strong—exceeding a level of detection when one volume of scented air is combined with seven volumes of clean air, according to NPR. It has been almost 20 years since anyone has broken that threshold, Siller said. A violation of the ordinance could result in a fine of up to $2,000.

Siller, a member of Denver’s Department of Environmental Health, is receiving a growing number of complaints as the number of facilities used to cultivate marijuana increase. The Nasal Ranger is a cone-shaped device that looks like a megaphone. It samples the air to detect the presence and strength of odors

Friday, November 22, 2013

November 22 v 4 POWER IN THE PROVERB
Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.
STEP 10 : Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Humility can be found at rock bottom.That is where I found it . I spent my life thinking everything was under my control. Racing through life blindly destroying myself and those around me. My pride , selfishness and my lack of humility cost me everything , I was left with nothing but despair and disgust. Committing step one is when humility is born ,and through out the steps it becomes developed ,when reaching the tenth step, Humility must remain and promptly admitting wrongs , though difficult will make humility a natural instinct.God once again through the Proverb and the tenth step rewards us for humility not only with sobriety but riches , honor , and life.

Alcohol Has Bigger Effect on People in Middle Age Due to Physical, Lifestyle Changes



By Join Together Staff | November 19, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Alcohol

Alcohol affects people more in middle age due to physical and lifestyle changes, according to The Wall Street Journal. As people start to take more medication in their 40s and 50s, the risk of alcohol and drug interactions also increases.

As people reach middle age, they experience changes in body composition, brain sensitivity and liver functioning, the article notes. “All of the effects of alcohol are sort of amplified with age,” David W. Oslin, a professor of psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, told the newspaper. “Withdrawal is a little bit more complicated. Hangovers are a little bit more complicated.”

Changes in body composition during middle age result in more alcohol circulating in the bloodstream. In addition, the liver, which metabolizes alcohol, gets less efficient as people age. The level of certain enzymes that break down alcohol decreases. Hormonal changes that women experience during menopause can increase their sensitivity to alcohol.

In middle age, people tend to drink less than they did when they were younger, notes Robert Pandina, director of the Center of Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University. So when you do drink “you might have a more sensitive response to alcohol because you’ve lowered your exposure to alcohol over all,” he said.

Drugs that can interact with alcohol include heartburn drugs such as Zantac, acetaminophen, and blood thinners like Coumadin. Mixing blood thinners with alcohol can cause bleeding. “People on Coumadin shouldn’t really drink at all,” Dr. Oslin noted. Combining alcohol with some pain medications and benzodiazepines can make a person “more prone to sedation, more prone to cardiovascular risk and more prone to overdose,” he added.

According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, about 52 percent of people ages 45 to 64 had at least 12 drinks in the previous year.
Council and PRO-ACT

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 invite you to the
   
 Recovery from the disease of addiction is possible!

Save the Date--December 18

But in the event you cannot attend,
order your ornament now and we will place it on the tree for you
  
ORNAMENTS
AND
DEDICATIONS

Think about those you know whose lives have been affected by alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. To honor them with an ornament and personal dedication message click HERE, then click Events, then Tree of Hope and select from several options. Or call 215-345-6644

 
   
   
Note that one option is to  underwrite stars so those unable to afford them can dedicate an ornament on the tree. We will arrange that.

Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
 MUSIC

MUSIC
will be provided by
Cordus Mundi 
 Cordus Mundi
is an a cappella group that performs throughout the Bucks County region. Their widely varied and entertaining repertoire spans several centuries and musical styles.

Click here for
Cordus Mundi
23rd Annual Dedication Ceremony
Wednesday, December 18
6:30 pm
 Bucks County Courthouse Lobby
55 East Court Street, Doylestown
(Park in the VIP Parking Lot at Court & Broad Streets
 or use street parking) 
 

Join us for an evening of hope and dignity. Enjoy fellowship, music, personal testimonials and light refreshments.
The Tree of Hope
 
CELEBRATES freedom from addiction, honoring persons successfully achieving recovery; DEDICATES rays of hope to those still struggling in the illness and those working in the field; and COMMEMORATES lives lost to this tragic and misunderstood disease.

      Join us and members of the public to decorate the Tree of Hope with personalized ornaments bearing the names of people we wish to honor. Whether in commemoration and remembrance for a life lost, or in celebration and recognition for a life gained in recovery, each ornament placed on the 18-foot evergreen tree is a representation of the hope of recovery and a symbolic reminder that recovery benefits the entire community. Attendees will have special opportunities to place their dedicated ornaments on the tree during the ceremony and enjoy refreshments afterward.
 
     If you are unable to attend, you may order an ornament and dedication and choose to have us place your ornament on the tree for you.
 
TO ORDER YOUR ORNAMENTS AND DEDICATION MESSAGES, PLEASE CLICK HERE, then click Events, then Tree of Hope 
or call 215-345-6644
 HOW WE USE PROCEEDS
    
        Proceeds from the Tree of Hope will go toward providing Recovery Support Services to individuals and families and to supporting programs in our PRO-ACT Recovery Community Centers to help people access and sustain long-term recovery.

        To make a cash donation to the Tree of Hope, please click HERE, then click Events, then Tree of Hope
Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
 CONTACT

Council Masthead  

Thursday, November 21, 2013

November 21 v 21 POWER IN THE PROVERB
Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity[c] and honor.
STEP :12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others , and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Righteousness means living life the way GOD designed us to live it .The proverb along with the step are two simple instructions for us on how to live , and by living right we recieve life,prosperity , and honor . Every morning for me it is up at five , so I can do just that carry the message.God gave me my freedom from addiction , how could I not tell the world after living in such a nightmare.There is not a drug or drink in the world that can match the feeling you get when you know you have helped someone find soberity.The twelveth step is not only an instruction it is a principle we must live by every single day ,because our brothers and sisters are still out there lost , hurt , and confused.

Monty Dale Meyer
Discussion - Yesterday 2:52 AM
Three Types of Drinkers


Three Types of Drinkers
Monty Dale Meyer
Discussion - 12:25 AM
#Sobriety

Listen Now: RADIO REHAB'S The Road to Redemption with BRYAN DUNCAN

Topic: Sobriety & Sanity http://take12radio.com/thursday.htmld a comment...

Wednesday, November 20, 2013


November 20 v 11 POWER IN THE PROVERB
Even a young man is known by his actions
whether his activity is pure and whether it is right.

STEP : 4 We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves .

This was the toughest step fo me ,and it is one , I have to work on a daily basis . When I close my eyes at night to sleep , after my small talk with the Lord ,the movie projector begins to replay all the stuff I had to face during the day in my head. The way we behave is going to tell others everything they need to know about us. 

This a great time as you are watching the daily scenes ,to not let negative feelings , like regret take hold . Share the negative with the Lord ,and if you hurt anybody during the day you need to make it right . Someone told me a long time ago ,you are only as sick as your secrets. Step 4 is designed for us to get it out in the open , deal with it and get rid of it.

Prescription Drug Abuse is Nation’s Fastest Growing Drug Problem: DEA Report
By Join Together Staff | November 19, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs& Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug abuse continues to be the nation’s fastest growing drug problem, according to a new report by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Americans are abusing prescription drugs at a higher prevalence rate than any illicit drug except marijuana.

Pain relievers are the most commonly abused prescription drugs, and are most likely to be involved in overdose incidents, the article notes. Last year, 28 percent of law enforcement officials said prescription drugs are their biggest drug problem, up from 9 percent in 2009.

Heroin was easier to obtain in the United States last year, likely due to high levels of heroin production in Mexico, and Mexican traffickers expanding into white powder heroin markets in the eastern and Midwestern United States, the DEA said. Many prescription opioid users have turned to heroin because it is cheaper and/or easier to obtain, law enforcement and treatment officials around the country report.

Cocaine was less available in some parts of the country, the Miami Herald reports. Several major cities, including Chicago, Houston, St. Louis, Phoenix and Baltimore, reported sporadic interruptions in cocaine availability in the spring of 2012. These interruptions may have been due to counterdrug efforts, conflict within and between drug cartels in Mexico, and continued reductions in cocaine production rates in Colombia.is also concerned with the abuse of synthetic drugs, such as K2, Spice and bath salts.

The availability of methamphetamine and marijuana is likely on the rise because of increased production in Mexico, and ongoing domestic production, the DEA noted. The agency

Attorneys General Urge FDA to Ban Sale of Menthol Cigarettes
By Join Together Staff | November 19, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed inAdvocacy, Prevention, Tobacco, Young Adults & Youth

The attorneys general of 24 states are urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes,CSPnet.com reports.

In a letter to the FDA, the attorneys general said “there are numerous law enforcement tools that can be used to combat production or importation of unlawful tobacco products. Moreover, the quantity of menthol cigarettes that could be made available on the black market would be far less than the quantity that will be available if menthol remains legal. Therefore, a ban on menthol would dramatically decrease public access to menthol cigarettes.”

“Menthol cigarettes are attractive to youth and have been marketed in ways that promote youth smoking. We hope the FDA will ban them completely,” Vermont Attorney General Sorrell said in a news release. Menthol cigarettes are the only flavored cigarettes currently legal for sale in the United States. The FDA is seeking public comment before it makes a decision about what action to take regarding menthol cigarettes.

The attorneys general represent the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

In July, the FDA issued a report that stated menthol-flavored cigarettes raise critical public health questions, and likely pose a greater risk to the health of smokers than non-menthol cigarettes. The agency said it is considering taking action that would result in restricted sales of menthol cigarettes. While the FDA said current research does not indicate menthol cigarettes increase the risk of smoking-related disease compared with regular cigarettes, it noted “adequate data suggest that menthol use is likely associated with increased smoking initiation by youth and young adults. Further, the data indicate that menthol in cigarettes is likely associated with greater addiction. Menthol smokers show greater signs of nicotine dependence and are less likely to successfully quit smoking.”

Tuesday, November 19, 2013


JOIN US!!! Gratitude Day – Thanksgiving Morning Join us in Hansell Hall from 10AM-11AM on November 22. Gratitude Day, revered as the most poignant day of the year at Livengrin, provides alumni and supporting friends, families and staff the opportunity to share experiences and expressions of appreciation. No cost, no RSVP, but come early, it's always crowded
November 19 v 3 POWER IN THE PROVERB
The foolishness of a man twists his way,
And his heart frets against the Lord.
STEP 3 :Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.
The proverb states tht we fret against GOD ,in other words we want no parts of HIS ways.Kndness , love ,generosity ,peace ,and the list goes on.By nature we are evil ,our self (flesh) wants it now and it better make me feel good or else.The sad part is living in the here I want it now and I can do what I ever want part of us ,can never be satisfied.Chasing the next new drug or drink ,getting involved in another risky relationship will always leave us feeling empty and alone.What I am trying to say is you can chase drugs booze sex money or whatever it is you use as your fix.It will never fill that void you have in your life. Step 3 is right on and it will bring peace and sitisfaction to your life heart and soul.

Three “N-Bomb” Compounds Banned by DEA



By Join Together Staff | November 18, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed inDrugs, Government & Prevention

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has made three synthetic drugs, known as NBOMe compounds, illegal for the next two years. The compounds, also known as “N-Bomb,” have been responsible for the deaths of at least 19 people in the United States in the past year.

The compounds can be harmful to kidneys, and can trigger mental health issues.

The DEA made the synthetic compounds 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe Schedule I, illegal drugs under the Controlled Substances Act for the next two years, UPI reports. These drugs are marketed online and through illegal channels as illicit hallucinogens such as LSD, according to a DEA news release. They are sold as powders, liquid solutions, soaked onto blotter paper, and laced on edible items.

“There is no approved medical use for these particular synthetic drugs, nor has the Food and Drug Administration approved them for human consumption,” the DEA notes, adding “data suggest that extremely small amounts of these drugs can cause seizures, cardiac and respiratory arrest, and death.”

The DEA warns synthetic drugs such as the NBOMe compounds have no consistent manufacturing and packaging processes and may contain drastically differing dosage amounts, a mix of several drugs, and unknown adulterants. “Users are playing Russian roulette when they abuse them,” the agency states.

During the next two years, the DEA will work with the Department of Health and Human Services to determine if these compounds should be made permanently illegal
.

PCP-Related Visits to the Emergency Room Jumped 400% Between 2005 and 2011


By Join Together Staff | November 18, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs

PCP-related emergency room visits jumped 400 percent between 2005 and 2011, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). PCP (phencyclidine), also known as “angel dust,” can cause hallucinations when taken at high doses.

The number of PCP-related visits to hospital emergency rooms jumped from 14,825 in 2005, to 75,538 in 2011, Medical News Todayreports. The largest increase was seen among patients ages 25 to 34. In 2011, about two-thirds of PCP-related visits were made by males, and almost half were made by people ages 25 to 34. Other illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and heroin, were involved in about half of PCP-related emergency room visits in 2011.

PCP can be snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed and is most commonly sold as a powder or liquid and applied to a leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano, tobacco, or marijuana. Many people who use PCP may do it unknowingly because it is often used as an additive and can be found in marijuana, LSD, or methamphetamine. In a hospital or detention setting, a person on PCP may become violent or suicidal, and can become very dangerous to themselves and to others.

“This report is a wake-up call that this dangerous drug may be making a comeback in communities throughout the nation,” Dr. Peter Delany, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, said in a news release. “PCP is a potentially deadly drug and can have devastating consequences not only for individuals, but also for families, friends and communities. We must take steps at every level to combat the spread of this public health threat.”
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Monday, November 18, 2013

November 18v14 POWER IN THE PROVERB
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
STEP 1 : I admit that I am powerless over my chemical dependicies and the effects of my separation or lack of fellowship with God, and that my life has become unmanageable.
Coming to this point in life is not something I would wish on anybody . Important to get here and grateful it happened yes..At this point in my life , it was the most desperate and painful time and I even despaired of life itself . My mind was in a whirlwind of , ego and self and the me of right then and there was a hideous monster at least so I thought.The proverb cannot make it any clearer , that Step one was vital for my survival.When you reach the end your last straw step one will be your only option .


FLAPJACK FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION

Proceeds from Dec. 29 event to benefit PRO-ACT and the Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center

BRISTOL, PA. — Nov. 11, 2013 —PRO-ACT invites the community to an Applebee’s® Flapjack Fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 29, from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 3219 Street Road, Bensalem. Proceeds benefit PRO-ACT and the Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center (SBRCC) in Bristol to promote recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs through advocacy, support, education and service.

“This event gives families an opportunity to support a good cause while enjoying a delicious breakfast together without having to cook or clean up. That’s a nice break during the holiday season,” said Rick Petrolawicz, certified recovery specialist and volunteer coordinator at the SBRCC

PRO-ACT volunteers will serve guests during the event. Applebee’s staff will prepare the food.
Tickets are $10 per person; $6 for children under 12; and $3 for children under 2. Tickets include pancakes, bacon or sausage, eggs, juice and/or coffee.

Tickets must be purchased in advance by Dec. 24. For tickets, call Rick Petrolawicz at 215-788-3738, ext. 107, or email RPetrolawicz@councilsepa.org.
or help with an addiction problem, call the 24-hour information line at 800-221-6333.

About PRO-ACT

PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Achieving Community Together) is the regional nonprofit organization working to mobilize and rally individuals in recovery from addiction, as well as their families, friends and allies in acampaign to end discrimination, broaden social understanding and achieve a just response to addiction as a public health crisis.

About The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. is a private nonprofit prevention, education, advocacy, and intervention organization, providing a wide range of services to families, schools, businesses, individuals, and the community. Founded in 1975, The Council serves the Southeast region of Pennsylvania and is a member of a nationwide network of National Council on Alcoholism and DrugDependence Affiliates. The Council has offices and Recovery Community Centers in Doylestown, New Britain, Bristol, and Philadelphia. For help with alcohol, tobacco or other substances, or for information on the disease of alcoholism and addiction, call 800-221-6333, toll-free, 24-hours a day. For more information, visit www.councilsepa.org.

Sunday, November 17, 2013


Novenber 17 v 9 POWER IN THE PROVERB 

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends. 
STEP 5. Admitted to God, to our selves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 
Not only does it seperate close friends and family , fault, guilt, anger, pride, and unforgiveness make us physicaly mentally and spiritually sick.You cant get better if you carry around all the junk ! That could be a number one reason for us using at least it was one of the main ingridients in my life of using. Holding on to all of the pain, caused me to be angry resentful and ashamed. Getting to step 4 and making the list was very difficult but it was one of the most liberating experiences of my life.One thing I discovered was unforgiveness is a poision we drink expecting the others in our lives to die.My unforgiveness was not killing them it was killing me thru addiction.

How Fictional Characters Can Help Real-Life Clients
By Adam C. Brooks, PhD | November 15, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed inAlcohol, Drugs, Healthcare & Treatment
TRI_Comic Cover