Wednesday, October 15, 2014


Employees’ Opioid Use Taking Financial Toll on Companies
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
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.
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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.
     
      The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.PRO-ACT
                                                  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?
  Honor Guard

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
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," MovieNovember 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 177:30 - 8:30 pm
Volunteer Orientation, at PRTC, October 21 and November 410 am - 1 pm
Educating the Community, at PRCC, October 24 and November 213 - 4 pm
All Volunteer Meeting, at PRTC, October 30 and November 205:30 - 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
Join Our Mailing List
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DONATEDonations help us to reduce the impact of addiction for more individuals and families. The Council is a 501(c)(3) organization.
    
COA ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY!!

Don't miss this super fun annual event! 


Get up, dress up and show up at the Dwier Center in your spookiest outfit...as always, there will be refreshments,  
dancing and prizes for the best costumes. 

Feel free to bring a dish or a treat to share with everyone!

Music provided by Ghypsee_Freegan, who has also battled and fought to be clean and
sober since 2011. 

To watch a video of the 2012 Halloween bash, click below:
Halloween 2012.wmv
Halloween 2012.wmv
Merchandise Donations Wanted!

Would you like to donate to a worthy cause but not able to give cash? City of Angels NJ, Inc. now accepts donations of merchandise!

We are looking for high-value items we can re-sell to fund our operations and provide treatment scholarships to individuals without other resources. 

So far, we've successfully sold exercise and sporting equipment, electronics, watches and more.....

If you have an item you would like to donate, please contactCityofAngelsNJ@hotmail.com

On COARR 
Let's Talk About Recovery!

With 10 original shows, COARR plays Recovery Talk 24/7/365....past shows are available online atwww.coaradio.com/pastshows.html and in each show's online archive. 

Tune in thru the smartphone app (free in the iphone/droid stores) or on www.coaradio.com to hear what's playing now.....

NEW SHOW: "Solutions" with Michael DeLeon! 

Mike is the producer of "Kids Are Dying", a powerful documentary about the drug epidemic in America; he is also the founder of Steered Straight, a non-profit organization that works to prevent drug abuse; and a tireless advocate for legislative reform. "Solutions" will focus on concrete actions that can be taken now to address this problem and feature key leaders & decision makers from across New Jersey and the Tri-State area.

Don't miss the debut show tomorrow night at 7:00 pm EST.

 

On this week's"Wings Over Water: Creativity in Recovery", musician Kathy Moser visits with Rob Robinson, a talented musician and recoveree. 

"When I started to get sober time, it enhanced my ability to create and stay consistent, which is how we finish projects!" he says. 


Learn more about Rob - and check out his music - at http://www.robrobinsonmusic.com/

 
   
Listen to past COARR shows any time: 

For "Women & Addiction" with Terri Thomas, click here. 

For "Wellness in Recovery" with life coach Nancy Tilelli, click here. 

For "Journey Thru the 12 Steps with the Life Recovery Bible," click here. 

For "Share Your Scars" with Vicki, click here.

For "Wings Over Water: Creativity in Recovery" with recovery musician Kathy Moser, click here.

For "Laughter & Recovery" with stand up comic Wil B. Kleen, click here. 

For "Relationships in Recovery" with Alexa, click here. 

For "Saving Lives" with COA Director of Interventions Tom Redneck Clark, click here.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014


October 14 Chp 107 v 2 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS


Has the Lord redeemed you ? Then speak out !Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies (addictions) . (Gods Big Book NLT)


redeemed - to free from what distresses or harms: as



Step 12 - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

We need you ! God has not delivered you from the depths of Hell to celebrate on your own.God has delivered you for a specific purpose.All that pain and suffering you have experienced was your training and strengthening exercises .Remember when you were Trying to get clean and you fought like hell , so expect helping others is going to be no different .That suffering has created in me a compassion and a love for life that some will never understand or get the chance to experience. Humility and Love are two of the biggest attributes in my life and I owe it all to my training through addiction and recovery. As a Recoveree it is your duty and responsibility to share your freedom with others still struggling . Let not your suffering be in vain !


Ephesians 4 :29 NLT Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Gods Big Book NLT)
By Joseph Dickerson



China Bans Drug-Using Actors From TV And Film
President Xi Jingping has cracked down hard against illegal drugs in recent months

Shutterstock



10/13/14





China is continuing its widespread crackdown on drug use by targeting the country’s film and television industry, banning movies and TV shows featuring actors who have reportedly used illegal substances.

The new regulations made by the socialist country stem from President Xi Jingping’s order last June to “strike hard” against illegal drugs. Government officials have claimed that the drug use of some Chinese celebrities creating a “detrimental influence on the development of young people” which has “corrupted the social atmosphere.” Forty performing arts organizations throughout Beijing have since signed agreements with municipal police to not hire any performers “involved with drugs.”

Nine celebrities were detained for various drug offenses earlier this year, including reality TV star Li Daimo, who was sentenced to nine months in prison for reportedly hosting crystal meth parties at his apartment. Actor Gao Hu was detained earlier this month for possession of marijuana and methamphetamines, while Jackie Chan’s son, Jaycee, was arrested last month after he was found smoking marijuana in his Beijing apartment and allegedly using his home as a “shelter” for others to do drugs.

Administrative detention for a maximum of 15 days is the standard sentence for first-time offenders. However, those who are deemed addicts by police can then be forced to undergo compulsory rehab for up to three years. The conditions in these compulsory treatment centers have been reported as being worse than prison; a Health and Human Rights investigation from last year found that people were routinely subject to “torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” that included forced labor, beatings, and solitary confinement.

It’s unclear how many Chinese citizens are in these facilities, but nearly 400,000 people weresentenced for drug offenses in the first months of this year. Approximately 9,000 of those people were sentenced to either death or at least five years behind bars.


Hitler with morphine addict Hermann Goering. 



As compiled by American intelligence officials, a World War II dossier has revealed that Adolph Hitler regularly took powerful injections of crystal methamphetamine. Beyond the abuse of the illegal stimulant, the 47-page account counted an additional 74 different medications taken by the Nazi dictator. The report has been exposed in a Channel 4 British documentary called Hitler’s Hidden Drug Habit that will air this Sunday October 19th.

Although the intelligence records laid bare the history of Hitler’s extensive drug abuse, they also dispelled the enduring myth that the dictator only had one testicle. The famous singsong joke, “Hitler has only got one ball – the other is in the Albert Hall” was a widespread British morale-booster during the Second World War. The report of Hitler not being a monorchid, the medical term for being born with one testicle, is based on interviews with Hitler’s physician Dr. Theodor Morell. An entry from November 1945 based on Dr. Morell’s medical records said: “His sexual organs showed no indication of abnormality.”

According to the documentary, it is believed that Hitler took crystal meth before meeting with Italian leader Benito Mussolini in the summer of 1943. Before Hitler left to confront Italy's declining dictator, Dr. Morell wrote in his diary: “Fuehrer…Looking very pale and exceptionally jumpy: facing a vital conference with the Duce in Italy tomorrow.” During that notorious meeting, a sickly and stressed-out Fuhrer, high on crystal meth, is reported to have ranted and raved for two straight hours at his distressed Fascist ally.

Known as "Reichsmaster of injections" by the Nazis, Dr. Morell prescribed Hitler a motley array of prescription drugs. Despite complaints from his inner circle, Hitler made Dr. Morell his personal physician. It is believed the methamphetamine Hitler abused might have contributed to negative impressions of the Fuhrer by his top generals as the war progressed. One of those generals, Heinz Guderian, described the Fuhrer’s amphetamine-like side effects when he wrote that, “It was no longer his left hand but the whole of his left side of his body that trembled...He walked awkwardly, stooped more than ever and his gestures were both jerky and slow.” 

An excessive hypochondriac, Hitler reportedly received nine injections of a drug called Vitamultin that contained methamphetamine during his final days in his Berlin bunker. Dr. Morell also gave Hitler barbiturate tranquilizers for insomnia, morphine for headaches, and bulls’ semen to boost his testosterone and sexual performance. Bill Panagopoulos, an American collector who discovered the dossier, clearly stated, “Morell was a quack and a fraud and a snake oil salesman…He should not have been practicing medicine anywhere outside a veterinary clinic.”