Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in Kansas City, MO
A Look at Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Places to Go for Help

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Realities of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholism and drug addiction are prevalent in our society. Drugs are becoming commonplace in schools. Young people are beginning to experiment with alcohol and drugs at earlier ages. Drugs like marijuanna are often referred to as "no big deal" by youths and adults alike. The legal system attempts to defeat the problem with stricter laws, such as lowering the acceptable blood alcohol level to operate a motor vehicle and increasing the length of sentences for drug-related crimes, but that doesn't always have the desired effect.

Death is not an uncommon consequence of drug and alcohol abuse. Aside from the dangerous environment a person will most likely find him- or herself in when consuming large amounts of alcohol or any amount of illegal drugs, the substances themselves can often be fatal. More than 500 deaths per year are attributed to alcohol poisoning, and 100,000 annual deaths are blamed on the physical long-term effects of alcohol. Thousands of drug-related deaths are connected with an over-dosage of cocaine, crack-cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy.

Drugs, including alcohol, effect neurotransmitters in the brain. The potentially harmful chemicals mimic "neurochemicals" which are ordinarily produced by the brain. These neurochemicals are endorphin, which heroin emulates, dopamine, which is mimicked by cocaine and other similar drugs, and aminobutyric, which resembles the chemical reactions that occur while drinking alcohol. When the body is fooled into believing that these neurochemicals already exist in abundance, the brain sends the signal for them to stop being produced. After repeated abuse of alcohol or drugs, the addict will begin to notice that he or she feels depressed or anxious without the drug of choice. This is because of the lack of biologically made neurochemicals that used to give them a "natural high". This is what makes addiction so easy, and it is also what can make quitting so very difficult.

Help Really Is Out There

It's been said that "you can only help those that want to help themselves," but sometimes it's difficult for a person to understand that they need help when they feel that they are removed from the rest of the world, lost in their easy but destructive escapes. Clearly, the first step is wanting to quit, but being lost doesn't always mean being alone, and it doesn't have to mean quitting alone. Rehab centers specialize in helping people that have discovered within themselves the will, but are still searching for a way.

Here are links to websites that can help determine whether you or someone you care about needs help:

Alcoholism:

http://www.aa-uk.org.uk/publications/areyou.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthology/story?id=579494

http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/524483.html

Drug Addiction:

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/drugs/a/aa030426a.htm


What Is Rehab?

The concept of drug and alcohol rehabilitation has been around for over sixty years. There are several different approaches to rehabilitation, but the common goal is to help people that are addicted to damaging substances to rid their lives of that substance and live freely, without it. Sometimes the individual will first need to go through "detox," which is a term used to describe the period of time during which the body heals from the chemical addiction. Throughout this time, sometimes called "withdrawal," the body begins to produce neurotransmitters on its own once again, making the patient feel "normal." After this process, which can last anywhere from days to weeks, the patient begins a process with a set number of steps (usually 12) to help with the mental and emotional side of the addiction as well as building willpower and self-esteem for lasting results. The patient will receive education on the subject of his or her addiction and plenty of moral support.

There are different kinds of rehab, and the biggest differences are whether or not the rehabilitation is "inpatient" or "outpatient". As with any treatment, inpatient simply means that the patient stays at the center while the treatment occurs, and outpatient means the patient shows up once or a few times a week for a set period of time.

Costs of rehab can vary, and they can be expensive. Understandably, outpatient help is much cheaper than inpatient help, though inpatient treatment is usually a much better choice for individuals with more severe cases of addiction. Health insurance companies will often pay for rehabilitation, and some rehab centers offer income-based payment options.

Help in Kansas City

If you live in the Kansas City area, there are several rehabilitation centers nearby.

ADAPT
Substance Abuse Services
616 East 63rd Street Suite 200
Kansas City MO 64110
Phone: (816) 523-4000
Web Site: missouri.edu
Adapt's main focus is on mental health and substance abuse. They accept inpatient stays for up to 30 days, and they also have an outpatient program. They have special programs for DUI/DWI offenders, adolescents, and criminal justice clients. They accept personal payment, private insurance, and military insurance, or take advantage of their income-based payment plan. They have special Spanish services as well, to assist in communication.

Baptist Lutheran Medical Center
Chemical Dependency Unit
6601 Rockhill Road
Kansas City MO 64131
Phone: (816) 276-7891
Hotline: (816) 276-6317
Baptist Lutheran Medical Center also focuses mostly on mental health as well as substance abuse. They have a variety of patient programs, from in-house to outpatient, as well as partial/day treatments. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, private health insurance, and military insurance. They have services for the hearing impaired and Spanish speaking individuals.

Benilde Hall Program
Substance Abuse Services
3220 East 23rd Street
Kansas City MO 64127
Phone: (816) 842-6563
Web Site: benildehall.org
Benilde Hall is offers assistance for mental health and substance abuse. They provide inpatient and outpatient care and partial/day treatment. They have special programs with DUI/DWI offenders. They accept self-payment only.

Crittenton Behavioral Health
Substance Abuse Services
10918 Elm Avenue
Kansas City MO 64134
Phone: (816) 765-6600
Crittenton has programs for mental health and for substance abuse. They offer a detoxification program and outpatient treatment. They have a special program for adolescents. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, private health insurance, and military insurance. They also have a payment assistance program, and special services for the hearing impaired and Spanish speaking.

DRD Kansas City Medical Clinic
Substance Abuse Services
723 East 18th Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 283-3877
DRD Kansas City Medical Clinic's primary focus is substance abuse treatment. Their services include substance abuse treatment, detoxification, methadone maintenance, and methadone detoxification. They have outpatient programs only. They specialize in pregnant or postpartum women and offer self-payment only.

Gateway Foundation Inc
KC Intensive Outpatient Services
1734 East 63rd Street Suite 301
Kansas City MO 64110
Phone: (816) 333-9999
Gateway Foundation Inc focuses on substance abuse. They offer detoxification help and outpatient programs. Their specialties include criminal justice clients. Contact them for payment options.

Imani House
Swope Health Services
3950 East 51st Street
Kansas City MO 64130
Phone: (816) 929-2600
Hotline: (816) 929-2600
Imani House's focus is substance abuse treatment. They offer detoxification, short-term and long-term inpatient care, outpatient care, and partial/day care. Their special programs include individuals with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, HIV/AIDS, and criminal justice clients. They accept self-payment only and have assistance for Spanish and Vietnamese languages.

Kansas City Community Center Campbell Street
Substance Abuse Services
1514 Campbell Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 421-6670
KCCC Campbell Street concentrates on substance abuse. They offer detoxification and short-term inpatient stays. They have special programs for criminal justice clients and accept self-payment only. Call for more details.

Kansas City Community Center Wyandotte Street 
Substance Abuse Services
1800 Wyandotte Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 842-1805
Hotline: (816) 842-1805 ext. 0
KCCC Wyandotte Street also focuses on substance abuse. They offer detoxification, short-term inpatient treatment, and outpatient care. Their special programs include simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, women, men, and DUI/DWI offenders. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, and have income-based payment plans. They have special language services for the hearing impaired, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Madison Avenue Recovery Services North
Substance Abuse Services
5775 NW 64th Terrace Suite 202
Kansas City MO 64152
Phone: (816) 505-3333
Madison Avenue Recovery Services North focuses on substance abuse and mental health. They have outpatient services only, and accept self-payment, private health insurance, and military insurance.

Madison Avenue Recovery Services
Substance Abuse Services
3100 Broadway Suite 1104
Kansas City MO 64111
Phone: (816) 753-3333
Madison Avenue Recovery Services focuses primarily on substance abuse. They have outpatient care only, and special programs for DUI/DWI offenders. They accept self-payment or private health insurance.

Paseo Comprehensive Rehab Clinic
Substance Abuse Services
1000 East 24th Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 512-7143
Paseo Comprehensive Rehab Clinic's main focus is substance abuse. They offer care for substance abuse as well as methadone maintenance, methadone detoxification. Their special programs include simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, pregnant or postpartum women, women, and men. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, and military insurance. They also have an income-based sliding scaled. Language assistance includes hearing impaired and Spanish.

Paseo Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center
Substance Abuse Services
1000 East 24th Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 512-7143
Paseo Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center focuses on substance abuse and offers methadone maintenance as well. They have outpatient care only and specialize in people with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders and women. They accept self- payment, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They also have an income-based payment scale. They have language assistance for the hearing impaired and Spanish speaking.

Rediscover
Women and Children
2980 Baltimore Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 931-6500
Hotline: (816) 966-0903
Web Site: healthmidwest.org
Rediscover focuses on substance abuse treatment. They offer long-term and short-term inpatient stays, outpatient care, and partial/day treatment. They specialize in woman. They accept self-payment, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They also offer income-based payment plans.

Renaissance West
Swope Parkway Site
5840 Swope Parkway
Kansas City MO 64130
Phone: (816) 333-2990 ext. 40
Hotline: (816) 333-2990
Renaissance West's focus in on substance abuse treatment. They offer detoxification, long-term and short-term inpatient stays, outpatient care, and partial/day care. They specialize in people with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, pregnant or postpartum women, women, and men. They accept self-payment, Medicaid, private health insurance, military insurance, and have an income-based program for payment assistance.

Rodgers South
Substance Abuse Services
2701 East 31st Street
Kansas City MO 64128
Phone: (816) 861-7070
Rodgers South's primary focus is substance abuse treatment. They offer methadone maintenance and outpatient services. They accept self-payment only, and have language services for Spanish.

Scott Greening Center for Youth Dependency
Western Region
2750 Cherry Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 474-7677
Scott Greening Center for Youth Dependency focuses on substance abuse. They long-term and short-term inpatient stays, outpatient stays, and partial/day treatment. They specialize in adolescents, persons with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders, and criminal justice clients. They accept self-payment, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They have language services for Spanish.

Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health
Outpatient Treatment and Recovery
2211 Charlotte Street
Kansas City MO 64108
Phone: (816) 404-5700
Hotline: (888) 279-1818
Web Site: trumed.org
Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health focuses mainly on substance abuse. They offer outpatient care and partial/day treatment. Their special programs include persons with simultaneous mental and substance abuse disorders. They accept self-payment, Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, and military insurance, and they also have payment assistance options.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Intensive Substance Abuse Treatment Program
4801 Linwood Boulevard
Kansas City MO 64128
Phone: (816) 922-2640 ext. 6658
Veterans Affairs Medical Center focuses on substance abuse treatment. They offer short-term inpatient stays and outpatient care. Call for payment options.

Midwest Institute for Addiction: Keeping Alcohol and Drug Detox and Treatment Confi...

Midwest Institute for Addiction: Keeping Alcohol and Drug Detox and Treatment Confi...: One of the biggest concerns that many individuals have is the safe guarding of their personal information. In today’s society this is some...

November 29 POWER IN THE PROVERB 

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,

but trusting the Lord means safety.

STEP : 4 I will take a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself.

That includes me ! Back in the day when at the height of my addiction I was afraid of the man I had become and what I was capable of.How far I was willing to go to satisfy my needs.my whole life was trap , a trap that for a long time I never thought I would get out of .By the grace of GOD I barely escaped with my life.Working step 4 forced me too really look at self and how destructive I was to self.even now 13 years have passed there is still memories that haunt me. Step four forced me to forgive myself and it freed me from my own self made trap.Trusting the LORD and working the steps will release you from the fear of self.

November 28 v 14 POWER IN THE PROVERB

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,

but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

STEP 3 :Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD !

My middle name was trouble ! But way deep down inside my heart their was always this nagging feeling ,every time I did something wrong. My life was ruled by addiction ,pride , selfishness ,anger and hate. Nothing stood in my way from getting what I want when I wanted it.The Proverb mentions serious trouble and looking back that is the truth.Unfortunately being that stubborn will only wreck you in the long run.Steps one and two took me 16 years before I gave in and step 3 must immediately proceed the first two.At my rock bottom is when I realized I needed to look up not only for help but release from the guilt and shame that was suffocating the life from me.Broken in tears I gave all my pain and burdens too the Lord and when I did it felt as if a Volkswagen had been lifted off my chest.It took years too clean up the mess of my life ,but looking back I can honestly say the Proverb is true Blessed are those who fear to do wrong. We are GODS creation and when we live separate from HIM we will be left to our own vices.

For more Power in the Proverb and other recovery resources .

Visit : www.joseph-recoveryconnections.blogspot.com

Ibuprofen Can Reduce High From Marijuana: Mouse Study

By Join Together Staff | November 22, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs& Research

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can reduce the high created by marijuana, a new study in mice suggests. The research could have implications for studying marijuana as a treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Marijuana can calm inflammation in the brain, a hallmark of some neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, the article notes. However, the high the drug creates can have a negative effect on brain cells and memory.

The study found these unwanted side effects can be suppressed by using anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex. Taking these drugs allowed the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, to produce anti-inflammatory effects, while extinguishing the high of the drug, as well as the lethargy and negative effects on memory.

The findings appear in the journal Cell.

November 27 v 4 POWER IN THE PROVERB

Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,

but jealousy is even more dangerous.

STEP : 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Wow the Proverb nails it on the head and points out three very dangerous emotions.Triggers is what I call them ,and in my early recovery these three pushed me over the edge a few times. The step must repeated upwards of a hundred times a day in early recovery.Even now thirteen years clean I still daily wrestle with the first two .The undealt with anger can lead to a violent explosion so learning to express ourselves in a humble controlled way will help us avoid relapse.Some situations we are not going to be able change that is why we have to get GOD involved ..He can change all things but we must be patient and work the steps pray and then pray some more and wait.

MY RECOVERY

Daily Quote

“Present-moment living, getting in touch with your now, is at the heart of effective living. When you think about it, there really is no other moment you can live. Now is all there is, and the future is just another present moment to live when it arrives.” - Wayne W. Dyer

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Guest Speaker - 9:00 pm CST: "The Spiritual Steps with dj"


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November 26 v 28 POWER IN THE PROVERB
A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
STEP 8 :Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Working this step hit me like a freight trrain loaded with the discovery of the true reality of the damage I caused in others lives.Especially the ones closest too me.We must be very careful with this step when worked .If it is done truly you will feel remorse,regret and guilt.These are negative emotions that could push you over the edge !Make sure you pray when working this one !Forgiveness is what your seeking and in some cases you are not going to get it from others but you will have to at least attempt to make it right in every case.Do not dwell on not being forgiven it will happen and you have to just let it go and let GOD.Count your self blessed for receiving the forgiveness that you do recieve.It is most important to mention and remember that JESUS forgives you no matter who you have hurt or what you have done.
For more POWER IN THE PROVERB visit:
joseph-recoveryconnections.blogspot.com

Meth Awareness Week Kicks Off November 30
By Candice Besson | November 14, 2013 | 4 Comments | Filed in News Releases



New York, NY- November 14, 2013– The first national Meth Awareness Week will be observed Saturday, November 30 through Saturday, December 7 in an effort to combat the abuse and use of methamphetamine. Coordinated by the Meth Project, a large-scale, teen-targeted prevention program of The Partnership at Drugfree.org which aims to significantly reduce meth use through public service messaging, public policy and community outreach, the week will kick off with provocative creative and social content dramatizing the dangerous and devastating effects of meth.

With participation from state partners including Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, the awareness campaign will launch with various local events and enhanced digital media support.

“Meth production, use and resulting addiction have wreaked havoc among individuals, families and communities across our nation,” explained The Partnership at Drugfree.org President and CEO, Steve Pasierb. “The launch of Meth Awareness Week is a prime opportunity to engage all sectors of our society to take action to prevent teens and young adults from ever experimenting with meth. While intervention and treatment are vital components to reduce use, prevention is the most effective and efficient step in eliminating the damage done by this destructive drug.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, methamphetamine is one of the greatest drug threats to the nation. The agency recently reported that the drug is at its highest levels of availability and purity; and lowest cost since 2005 because of increased levels of meth imported from Mexico, and growing rates of small-scale domestic production. RAND estimates methamphetamine costs the country between $16.2 and $48.3 billion per year in treatment, healthcare and foster care services, as well as the costs of crime and lost productivity associated with the drug.

The research-based program has had a profound effect, first in Montana, where teen meth use has dropped 63 percent and meth-related crime has declined by 62 percent. The success of the Montana Meth Project led to its adoption by five additional states that have seen similar results.

To learn more about Meth Awareness Week, visit The Meth Project on Facebook at facebook.com/MethProject, and follow the conversation online at #MethAwarenessWeek.

#### Tagged with: meth, meth awareness week, meth project, montana meth project

November 25 v 4 POWER IN THE PROVERB

Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

STEP 5. Admitted to God, to our selves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Silver is not nice when it first comes out of the ground , a silversmith with fire has to purify the precious metal in order to create the shiny utensils we eat with at Grandmas house during the holidays. Silver is put through many steps before it becomes what we want it to be.It is dug out of the ground cleaned put in an oven cooled off heated up and pounded on and shaped in to a beautiful finished product. Our lives are to be treated the same way ! Whatever it is ,chemical substances ,promiscuity ,gambling,greed ,pride anger ,hate, jealously, and the list can go on and on.these are the impurities which keep us living way below our potential and our God given destiny for greatness.The Proverb and the Step are essential for free sober living.We must work these two in order to become what we are destined to be. 

For more Power in the Proverb visit:

joseph-recoveryconnections.blogspot.com

More Than Half of Teens With Mental Health Disorders Do Not Receive Treatment: Study

By Join Together Staff | November 22, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Mental Health, Treatment & Youth


More than half of teens in the United States who have mental health disorders do not receive treatment, according to a new study. The findings come from an analysis of more than 10,000 teens.

Of those teens who do receive help, most are not treated by a mental health professional, HealthDay reports. They are treated by pediatricians, school counselors or probation officers.

“It’s still the case in this country that people don’t take psychiatric conditions as seriously as they should,” lead researcher E. Jane Costello of Duke University said in a news release. “This, despite the fact that these conditions are linked to a whole host of other problems.”

Overall, in the past year, 45 percent of teens with psychiatric disorders received some form of service. The most likely to receive help were those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (74 percent), conduct disorder (73 percent) or oppositional defiant disorder (71 percent). Those least likely to receive services were those with phobias (41 percent) and any anxiety disorder (41 percent). Black teens were much less likely than white teens to receive mental health treatment.

There are not enough qualified pediatric mental health professionals in the United States, Costello said. “We need to train more child psychiatrists in this country,” she noted. “And those individuals need to be used strategically, as consultants to the school counselors and others who do the lion’s share of the work.”

The findings appear in the journal Psychiatric Services.

Eminem - Beautiful

November 23 v5 v6 POWER IN THE PROVERB

A wise man is strong,

Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,

And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

Step 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.

Does the Proverb or the step need to say more! Its amazing to me how many folks in recovery when asked, Have you worked the twelve steps the response is no. Following that they state they have gotten ninety days relapse forty days relapse and it goes on and on. I cannot emphasize enough how important working the steps is. Knowledge and strength is gained by reading and working the steps daily. Another important point in the Proverb is in a multitude of counselors is safety. Surrounding myself with others in recovery folks who have rock solid clean time are my counselors. Believe it or not Facebook has a multitude of great recovery groups filled with folks who will shoot you a comment or a post full of great wisdom and encouragement. The Proverb and the twelve steps are the key too permanent sobriety. Recovery is possible as long as your willing to do the work daily, trusting GOD to carry you through and over every obstacle until you find who HE designed you to be.

CHECK OUT THE THIRTEENTH STEP: ZOMBIE RECOVERY

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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:

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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.

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Warm regards, Michele

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

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.

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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     www.councilsepa.org

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...

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.”

Livengrin Foundation

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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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.

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

Two patients wait in the reception area of a busy urban medical clinic. They don’t know each other, but they are about to embark on very similar journeys. In the exam room, Bill receives the diagnosis that he is pre-diabetic and is encouraged to make some lifestyle changes, including reducing his alcohol intake, as his provider has determined that his drinking is at a risky level. Maria meets with her provider and is asked to break a tough habit. Maria is struggling with continuous asthma complications and although she quit smoking cigarettes, she still smokes marijuana every day to cope with stress. Maria’s provider challenges her to quit smoking marijuana for one month to see if it helps improve her condition. Both patients are uncertain if they can break these habits or if they even want to try.

While these patients will sound familiar to medical providers across the spectrum of health care, they are actually the fictional starring characters of a new health education graphic novel being tested by the Treatment Research Institute (TRI). In Keep it Moving: A Guide to Breaking Habits, both Bill and Maria have to resolve their own ambivalence about whether to make an effort to reduce or quit their alcohol and drug use. They model how to deal with stressors, temptations, obstacles and personal triggers that influence their habits.

These relatable characters are part of a greater goal to integrating models of behavioral health care directly into primary care; and to help individuals combat their own personal habits and make the decision to seek further alcohol or substance use treatment. Our clinical research team received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to conduct a clinical trial of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for the reduction of illicit drug use in three federally qualified health care centers (FQHCs) in Philadelphia. We wanted to be able to provide patients with an educational resource akin to Rethinking Drinking, the excellent patient resource developed and distributed by NIAAA. However, we wanted to be able to address both habitual alcohol and drug use, and we also felt that including more interactive activities and models that were within the grasp of populations with various literacy rates was important. A community advisory board consisting of medical patients in recovery from substance use issues reviewed numerous health education strategies for alcohol and nicotine cessation, and concluded that our team might best reach our target population by developing our material in a graphic novel format.

The use of graphic novels for health education is not new. SAMHSA’sPeople Recover about a young couple who enter treatment for addiction is an excellent example. We wanted to equip the behavioral health consultants at the participating FQHCs with a resource that that would help patients begin the process of self-change. Our consultants reminded us that they typically had limited time to meet with patients in a primary care setting, so finding strategies that could help patients remember advice on why and how to make habit change was critical.

The characters model self change using time-tested, habit-breaking strategies. Throughout the narrative, as Bill and Maria exemplify effectively putting change strategies into place, the narrative halts and the reader is invited to complete interactive journaling exercises that allow them to parallel the change process the characters are engaging in.

Our team is currently piloting Keep It Moving in the context of a clinical trial; and while we do not have effectiveness data to share, the early reviews from patients are very positive. Behavioral health consultants have shared with us anecdotal stories of patients returning for second intervention sessions who have completed every exercise in the book, and who have shared content with other family members. So far, more than 70 patients have participated in this the pilot launch of the novel. Our team will monitor results from the pilot through 2014.

Keep it Moving is an example of TRI’s work in counseling tool development, an effort largely intended to encourage counselors to use evidence-based practices. If counselors have the tools necessary to deliver productive and effective interventions that are centered on evidence-based content, they will be more likely to adhere to evidence-based strategies and insist on being properly equipped to do so. Additionally, motivated patients who have been provided with the tools to jump-start self change can surprise providers by moving the change process forward on their own.

Adam C. Brooks, PhD is a Senior Research Scientist working on continuous care and adaptive treatment protocols, along with performance-based contracting strategies at Treatment Research Institute. Dr. Brooks has a PhD in clinical psychology with a specialization in marital and family therapy from St. John’s University.