FACES AND VOICES OF RECOVERY

 ORGANIZING THE

RECOVERY COMMUNITY  

With a shared history of losing loved ones to the struggle of addiction, Natural High was proud to be the Presenting Partner for the 2014 Faces & Voices America Honors Recovery celebration earlier this year. 

Natural High is a national nonprofit organization committed to bridging the gap between prevention and recovery, as addiction continues to be an ongoing epidemic. By providing nearly 50 celebrity prevention videos and research-based curricula – completely free of charge – to treatment centers, parents and more, we’re inspiring over 7 million youth every year to pursue their natural high, giving them a reason to say no to drugs and alcohol.

Please join us and the 18,000 educators, counselors and therapeutic centers across the country using our FREE program. We’re on this journey together.

Deaths From Painkillers Drop, While Heroin Fatalities Rise: Government Report

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 15th, 2014/

Prescription painkiller deaths are on the decline, while deaths from heroin are increasing, according to a new government report. The findings suggest some people may have switched from prescription medications to illicit drugs in response to laws aimed at reducing prescription drug abuse, USA Today reports.

Between 1999 and 2011, prescription painkiller overdose deaths quadrupled, from 4,030 to 16,917, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. In 2012, painkiller overdose deaths dropped 5 percent to 16,007. The findings will be released Wednesday by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the newspaper notes.

“It’s some really encouraging news after many years of really grim news,” Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of ONDCP, told USA Today. He said the findings give him hope that some government strategies to reduce prescription drug abuse have worked. These include prescription drug monitoring programs that make it harder for people to get prescriptions from multiple doctors, and crackdowns on physicians who overprescribe painkillers.

Heroin overdose deaths increased 35 percent from 2011 to 2012, from 4,397 to 5,927. Dr. Mark Publicker, President of the Northern New England Society of Addiction Medicine, says he has seen a dramatic shift from prescription painkillers to heroin. “My patients tell me that as prescription opioids become less available and more expensive, that heroin has rushed into that breach,” he said. “It was as if somebody flipped a switch.”

Botticelli said fewer than 5 percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers switch to heroin, and the proportion of deaths from the drug is much smaller. “We know we clearly have some work to do in intervening with people who are progressing from prescription narcotics to heroin,” he said.

Most Doctors Registered to Use Prescription Database Check it When They Suspect Abuse

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 15th, 2014/

A survey of doctors in Oregon who are registered to use their state prescription drug monitoring database finds 95 percent say they consult it when they suspect a patient is abusing or diverting medication. The survey found 54 percent of doctors registered to use the database report they have made mental health or substance abuse referrals after consulting it.

Thirty-six percent said they sometimes discharge patients from their practice because of information in the database. Fewer than half say they check it for every new patient or every time they prescribe a controlled drug. Almost all doctors who use the program say they discuss worrisome data with patients.

Registered users of the state’s database were more frequent prescribers of controlled substances than non-users, Newswise reports. The survey included 650 doctors who frequently used the database, 650 who used it infrequently and 2,000 who did not use it at all.

Database registrants were most likely to be practicing in emergency medicine, primary care and addiction medicine. “Clinicians reported frequent patient denial or anger and only occasional requests for help with drug dependence,” the researchers report in The Journal of Pain.

Prescription drug monitoring programs are designed to reduce doctor and pharmacy shopping to obtain prescription medications. The Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have endorsed the programs.

Missouri is the only state that does not have a prescription drug monitoring database. Almost all states either allow or require pharmacists to enter filled prescriptions into the database. Doctors or pharmacists review the data before deciding to fill another prescription. Rules vary from state to state. Forty-eight states have operational databases, and New Hampshire will begin using its database this year.

Children More Likely to Take ADHD Drugs During School Year Than in the Summer

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 15th, 2014/

A new study finds children are 30 percent more likely to take drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during the school year than in the summer.

The study found children from wealthier families who live in states with stricter academic standards are more likely to use ADHD drugs only during school months, compared with children in lower-income families in states with less strict school standards.

The findings suggest higher-income families are more likely to make their own decisions about when their child needs ADHD medications, while lower-income families tend to follow doctors’ recommendations to fill prescriptions for the drugs throughout the year, according to USA Today.

“As schools become more academic, as a consequence we’re seeing an increase in school-based stimulant use,” said researcher Marissa King of the Yale School of Management. “Kids are actually just trying to manage a much broader shift in the way the school day is structured.” She said higher-income families want to help their children stay focused in class, which can be difficult without regular physical activity or diversions from academic subjects. “Kids are having more pressure on them to have more sustained attention,” she said.

The researchers found even when children from wealthier and less-wealthy backgrounds were treated by the same doctor, children from wealthier families were more likely to use ADHD drugs only during the school year.

The findings appear in the American Sociological Review.

The prevalence of children ages 4 to 17 who take ADHD medication increased from 4.8 percent in 2007 to 6.1 percent in 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Do you have a favorite book that helped you with especially pertaining to being an addict's mom? Did you write a book on addiction? Would you like to share a page from the book with us? Or just share your story. Sharing is so powerful!

Tomorrow Night October 16th on The Addict’s Mom Live Video Online Meeting on In the Rooms www.intherooms.com at7:00pm EST we will be sharing pages, poems and stories from our fav...orite books.

If you would like to share please pm me. Please include your phone number.

To join us create an account if you do not have one sign up or if you do sign in for f.ree at www.intherooms.com. Please use Google Chrome of Firefox. Log in Tomorrow Night at 6:55pm EST. You will see a link to go to the Addict’s Mom, click on the link and you will be in the meeting. Please check your settings to make sure you are not muted.

Remember you can remain anonymous or not.

Much love to all Addict’s Moms and their families.

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

Supporters of Recovery

RIR Music Fest is not an us and them thing

Dear Supporters, 

Here are some options if you would like to support the Rockers In Recovery free Love of Recovery Music and Art Festival. Please support us to make this years awesome Addiction Awareness & Prevention Message through music and art a huge success. 

ALL of Rockers In Recovery Productions are funded by sponsorship dollars. If you or your organization would like to be a sponsor of Rockers In Recovery through Rockers In Recovery Radio and Productions Inc which is a for profit company we use to put on events and your sponsorship can be a marketing tax write off. 

RIR CONCERT/FESTIVAL MAIN SPONSORSHIP

RIR CONCERT/FESTIVAL BAND SPONSORSHIP

RIR CONCERT/FESTIVAL MAGAZINE SPONSOR 

If you or your organization would just like to make a donation towards the festival - Rockers In Recovery Inc. is a 501(c)(3) your donation is 100% tax deductible. Please call 954-826-5968 to make your donation. Rockers In Recovery uses this Non-Profit to produce addiction awareness & prevention festivals & concerts around the United States. 

Supporters of Recovery

We are so excited about this years free festival not only is it a time for all people who want to celebrate recovery to come together. It's also a time for old recovery friends to come together to enjoy some great music and some awesome art produced by people who are in recovery or support recovery.

Supporters of recovery help us every day in our recovery wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, moms dads, friends and employers. They also sometimes endure years of insanity living and dealing with an addict. This is a time for the supporters too. The supporters of the recovery movement in our communities like musicians and artists that want to help because they have lost people or are struggling with someone in their lives that is suffering from the throws of addiction. RIR Music Fest is not an us and them thing.

People need to know what their resources are and where to go. It is an important time for recovery education, addiction awareness and prevention to reach the masses. Events like this help the S. Florida community who suffers through their addictions issues. This also helps supporters of friends and family who are in recovery to know that recovery is honorable, can have a positive result and we have fun doing it.

Rockers In Recovery's focus is to help provide direct and indirect support to everyone who needs help with addiction and mental health issues. Through RIR and our supporters we can all continue to grow stronger, and better serve all those struggling with addictions, while supporting educational preventative measures and community awareness.

This event will be the anniversary of our very first free addiction awareness & prevention concert back in February 15, of 2011. It is also the 20th concert RIR will be producing for the recovery community.. We have been bringing an awesome Addiction Awareness & Prevention Message all over the U.S. to our attendees and look forward to producing many more.

We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing everyoneFebruary 14, 2015 at at CB Smith Park 900 N Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida. Music starts at 12:00 PM. 

Much Love To All,

Lori Sullivan and John Hollis -Founders

877-799-8773

NEW ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE Hi everybody!   Please click on the link below the image of the cover below to view the new issue of the 12 Step Gazette.  Any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.   Hope you enjoy it!! Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Buy a Full Page - Get your co. name on the front cover of the upcoming Holiday Issue! Thanks! -- Bruce Huberman 12stepgazette@comcast.net Publisher/Editor 12StepGazette.com 215-317-8774 http://www.12stepgazette.com/pdf/12StepGazette_JUL-AUG14.pdf Thanks! -- Bruce Huberman 12stepgazette@comcast.net Publisher/Editor 12StepGazette.com 215-317-8774

Daily Quote

"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu

Today's Online Meetings

Guest Speaker - 12:00 pm CST: "Progress Not Perfection"

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Employees’ Opioid Use Taking Financial Toll on Companies

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 14th, 2014/

Employers in areas with high rates of opioid abuse say employees’ use of prescription painkillers and heroin is taking a financial toll on their companies. Problems range from lower productivity to higher turnover, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Some employers in Allen County, Ohio say up to 70 percent of job applicants are failing drug tests, according to Jed Metzger, President of the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce. Employees in the greater Cincinnati area, which includes parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, have tested positive for opioids after being involved in accidents, ranging from damaging property with heavy equipment to crashing company vehicles.

In addition to higher accident rates, employee opioid use can contribute to increased theft and absenteeism, says Trey Grayson, President of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Job performance can also suffer for employees who do not use opioids themselves, but have a family member who does, he notes. “All of these things bring real cost to employers,” Grayson said.

Between 2003 and 2013, overall drug use among U.S. workers declined 18 percent, but rose for certain opioids, including Dilaudid and Vicodin, according to Quest Diagnostics.

Companies are responding to employee opioid use by expanding drug testing, introducing zero-tolerance policies and adding employee-assistance programs for workers who need addiction treatment.

One company, ChemDesign of Marinette, Wisconsin, is bringing in law enforcement to train supervisors in how to spot signs of drug use. The company has joined with two other local businesses to start a program to teach workers about the dangers of opioids, and how to deal with a child who shows signs of addiction. The companies hope the program will discourage employees from thinking they can simply switch companies if they test positive for drug use at their current job.

Medical Groups: Pregnant Women Should Be Asked About Drug Use

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 14th, 2014/

Several medical groups are calling for verbal drug screening for pregnant women, followed by a urine test if necessary, USA Today reports. The recommendation is meant to reduce the growing number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

A number of states, including Kentucky, have reported an increase in babies born with NAS, caused by exposure to narcotics during pregnancy. Symptoms include constant high-pitched crying, vomiting, diarrhea, low-grade fever, seizures and tremors. Premature babies with the syndrome may experience respiratory distress and are put on ventilators.

“When a child’s first days in this world are in agony, that certainly should be a concern to all of us,” Van Ingram, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, told the newspaper. “We need to do all we can to prevent this.”

A study published in 2012 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found every hour, a baby is born in the United States with symptoms of opioid withdrawal. The study found the number of pregnant women who are addicted to opioids, and the number of infants born with opioid withdrawal symptoms, has jumped in the past decade.

Other states reporting a jump in babies born with NAS include Tennessee, Vermont and Florida. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the idea of a “screening dialogue” with pregnant women. The group says urine drug tests should only be used with the patient’s consent and to confirm suspected or reported drug use, including for women who come to the hospital for labor and delivery. Doctors would have to tell women about any legal consequences of a positive drug test, such as the need to alert child services.

The American Medical Association and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials are also calling for universal screening of pregnant women, the article notes.

CALL OUR ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE)

Share Tweet Forward   Don't miss the discussion about Crossing Boundaries (personal and professional)! Hear Lighthouse Network's Dr. Karl Benzio's insight this Thursday!   Karl Benzio, M.D. Counsels Callers on "Crossing Boundaries" with Dr. Gloria Gay on WEHA 88.7 FM   STATION: WEHA 88.7 FM (Pleasantville, NJ) DATE: Thursday, October 16 TIME: 9:30 a.m. ET PROGRAM: Hearing Hearts TOPIC: Crossing Boundaries (personal and professional) ONLINE: wehagospel887.com   Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articles here.

Lighthouse Network is a Christian-based, non-profit organization that offers an addiction and mental health counseling helpline providing treatment options and resources to equip people and organizations with the skills necessary to shine God's glory to the world, stand strong on a solid foundation in the storms of their own lives, and provide guidance and safety to others experiencing stormy times, thus impacting their lives, their families and the world. Lighthouse Network offers help through two main service choices: Lighthouse Life Change Helpline (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE, 1-844-543-3242), a 24-hour free, national crisis call center, where specialists (Care Guides) help callers understand and access customized treatment options. Life Growth and self-help training resources for daily life, including online and DVD series and training events to help individuals achieve their potential.   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                   and           Pennsylvania Recovery Organization --      Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT)  Recovery in Our Communities October 14, 2014      Like us on Facebook                                   www.councilsepa.org                       Follow us on Twitter Information and Recovery Support Line 24/7: 800-221-6333 HOW DID THEY DO IT?    How did YOU do it? -- a question that many members of the Honor Guard leading PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! are asked each year. The Honor Guard is made up of individuals who have achieved at least 10 years of Recovery from addiction. This year, 207 men and women of all ages proclaimed that recovery is a reality and together they represented 3,700 years of hard-fought-for remission! This certainly was a visible statement at our 13th annual Walk that individuals can and do move beyond hanging on to recovery by their fingertips into productive, fulfilling and healthy lives.  So how did they do it?  We have acknowledged for many years now that there are "Many Pathways to Recovery," meaning that folks have taken many different avenues to access recovery. Traditional 12-Step mutual support programs, clinical treatment and faith-based programs are but a few. The real questions are: How do you sustain recovery over the long term?  How do you protect what you have fought so hard to achieve? Over the next few weeks, The Council will be providinginformation, tools and resources that anyone can use to strengthen and protect recovery, regardless of the paths taken. We will explore the wisdom of those who have lived the experience as well as research-based tools in a variety of formats. The Council's Central Bucks Recovery Resource Center will be hosting a series of seminars on the role nutrition can play in strengthening or threatening Recovery. Next month, we take a look at SUGAR. To learn more, visit The Council's website here or call Rick at 215-345-6644.  A SUGAR SEMINAR How it affects your recovery and relapse potential November 19, 2014, 9 am to 12 noon, Doylestown Instructor: Jennifer Seitzer, CLC, CCH Program cost: $15.00 Pre-registration is required -- click here to register AT OUR CENTERS Meet The Council Open House, October 15, 8 - 9 am, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown. "Minute For Moms" at SBRCC, 286 Veterans Highway, Unit D-6, Bristol Support group for Moms and "Moms to be" discussing parenting, healthy relationships and support networks. 2nd Wednesday of every month. Next meeting is October 15 at 6 pm. Call 215-788-3738 or email Karen for more information. "Beating the Blues" at PRCC, 1701 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia. A free 8-session program on how to handle stress and anxiety, while viewing life in a more positive way. Mondays, 12:30-2:00 pm, commencing October 20. Sign up now. Call215-223-7700 to register. "Expanding Your Recovery Toolkit," Thinking SMART in Your Recovery, at CBRCC, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown. Tuesday, October 21, 7 to 8:30 pm. Learn from peers sharing their own recovery journey, and free pizza! Call215-345-6644 or email Rick for more information.   Overdose Education Advisory Board, October 28, 5-7 pm, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown. Email David for more information. "Fed Up," Movie, November 7, 6 - 9 pm, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown. A movie that will change the way people think about eating. Bring a dish, Pot Luck Dinner. Register with Rick, 215-345-6644, or email Rick. Employment Opportunities: Please click here WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH PRO-ACT Committee Meetings Young People in Recovery, at PRTC, October 20 and November 17, 7:30 - 8:30 pm Volunteer Orientation, at PRTC, October 21 and November 4, 10 am - 1 pm Educating the Community, at PRCC, October 24 and November 21, 3 - 4 pm.  All Volunteer Meeting, at PRTC, October 30 and November 20, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Bucks Chapter, at CBRCC, Unit 33, November 4, at 6:00 pm Recovery Walks 2015 Planning Committee, at PRTC, November 4, 6 - 7:30 pm Amends in Action, at PRTC, November 12, 3 - 4 pm Recreation Celebration, at PRCC, November 14, 3 - 4 pm

DONATE Donations help us to reduce the impact of addiction for more individuals and families. The Council is a 501(c)(3) organization.