LIGHTHOUSE NETWORK ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE)

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Unforgiveness and Substance Abuse Linked Letting Go of Past Hurts Can Help People Let Go of Addictions  Few may make a connection between unforgiveness and substance abuse. Can letting go of past hurts help us let go of our addictions? Absolutely, says Karl Benzio, M.D., a psychiatrist and founder and executive director of Lighthouse Network (www.lighthousenetwork.org). He adds that unforgiveness relates to substance abuse because when people struggle with hurt and pain, they can turn to drugs and alcohol. Cleansing their lives of that pain through true forgiveness can help them cleanse their lives of addiction, too. “We are all addicted to comfort,” said Benzio, noting that October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. “Unfortunately, we have all experienced hurts and wounds—some very serious. Not knowing how to process these experiences, especially the aspects of dealing with the perpetrator of that hurt, causes the tentacles of underlying anger and resentment to reach into many aspects of our lives. Sadly, because we don’t like to be out of our comfort zones, we believe the lie that alcohol, substances or certain behaviors either create false comfort or return us to that comfort zone.   Click here to read more... Want to view past media releases from Lighthouse Network? Discover what Lighthouse Network has been covering by clicking here. Why Life Change Experience?   You probably noticed our eNewsletter’s new name: Life Change Experience. Why did we select this name? Because it speaks to us in four ways: It’s a call to action to go and experience a life change! It’s a reminder that life change will always be viewed through our experience. It’s the truth that true life change with Christ will impact every aspect of our lives – becoming a fully engulfing experience. It’s an encouragement to share our experiences or stories of life change with others. We hope you’ll benefit from the news and resources in the Life Change Experience – so you can truly experience life change! Tune in to hear Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, MD, on the air! UPCOMING INTERVIEWS: Monday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET Station: KKLA 99.5 | Los Angeles, California Program: The Frank Sontag Show Topic: "Addictions" LIVE: Call-In Program! Recording on Thursday, October 23 Stay Tuned for Air Date! Station: USA Radio Network Topic: Lighthouse Network's ministry RECENT APPEARANCES AND EVENTS: Dr. Benzio Speaks at Moments of Change Conference   Dr. Benzio spoke recently at the Moments of Change conference for treatment professionals, held at the beautiful Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. In his presentation, “Addiction: Sin, Disease, or Personality Defect,” he shared a holistic approach to treatment that combined science and spirituality, while presenting a new tool for professionals to use with clients to help them integrate Spirit, Mind and body and better understand the decision-making process. “It was awesome being at a secular conference and being able to speak about understanding addiction and treatment by combining science and the Bible," Benzio said. "God always surprises me by how many Christians are working in the addiction sector, and it was encouraging to meet many of them.”     You can view his presentation here.  Dr. Benzio Contributes as Member of Focus on the Family’s Physicians Resource Council   Just last week, Focus on the Family’s Physicians Resource Council (PRC) gathered in Colorado. A group of 25 medical doctors, the PRC advises Focus on medical and psychiatric topics. “Finding fellowship doctors who also share your faith is very difficult, so getting together with 25 Christian doctors at one time to share and fellowship together is both encouraging and energizing," Benzio said. “Many societal issues really come down to medical and psychological factors, like same sex marriage, homosexuality, physician assisted suicide, euthanasia, legalization of drugs/marijuana, as well as issues around marriage, parenting, poverty, valuing life, helping the oppressed, and being a good neighbor. Making sure Christian values, the guidance from our Creator, enter into and influence the discussion of these powerful issues is what Focus and the PRC are tasked with. It’s an honor to help this ministry.”   Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articles here.                                        Dr. Karl Benzio was recently interviewed by World Magazine about diagnosing depression. Click here to read the interesting article "Doctors may soon use a blood test to diagnose depression." Program: Focus on the Family: Boundless Topic: "Frequent Relationship Difficulties of People-Pleasing and Assertiveness" Click here to listen (hear Dr. Karl Benzio at the 43:55 mark)    Lighthouse Network Radio Feature:"Life Change with Dr. Karl” Lighthouse Network is sharing its newest, life-changing radio features with the purpose of bringing scientific expertise and Biblical principles together to examine some common daily struggles to help people successfully navigate life’s obstacles and enjoy fulfilled lives. Lighthouse Network's "Life Change with Dr. Karl" radio feature airs Monday through Friday on more than 425 radio stations nationwide. Listen to "Life Change with Dr. Karl" from September 22: Change Is Possible Listen to "Life Change with Dr. Karl" from September 23: Change - Goal Listen to "Life Change with Dr. Karl" from September 24: Change - Starting Point  Listen to "Life Change with Dr. Karl" from September 25: Change - Motivation Listen to "Life Change with Dr. Karl" from September 30: Change - Strategy   We want your input!   Which question would you like answered or what issue would you like addressed in the Life Change radio program? We’ve had a great response from our 425 radio stations airing "Life Change with Dr. Karl," and we want to make sure we are providing information that is practical and useful to you! Is there a list of tips or other issue you would like to hear Dr. Karl address? Please let us know by emailing us at info@lighhousenetwork.org.   Click here to listen to “Life Change with Dr. Karl” archives or read transcripts. Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, M.D., Writes for The Christian Post Check out Dr. Karl Benzio's recently published article in The Christian Post: 10 Warning Signs that a Relationship Could Become Abusive When behavior shocks the world — whether a high-profile murder, domestic violence involving a sports star or even corporal punishment uncertainties surrounding a football player — there are always questions: "Where were the signs that this could happen?" "Why didn't we see this coming?" Click here to read more... Click here to read Dr. Karl Benzio's past articles on The Christian Post. Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, M.D., in Charisma News Teens Flocking to New Synthetic Drug and 'Dabbing'  "The fact that kids and teens are discovering new ways to take these powerful, dangerous drugs is scary," Benzio said. "They sometimes think that because they make it at home or get it from a friend rather than on the street, this makes it safer. But the vapor that comes from this marijuana wax, for example, is five times stronger than smoking pot in a joint or through a pipe—it's like free-basing. And the fact that getting Cloud 9 is so easy and that students are using it at school is evidence that this drug is powerful and making rounds among kids." Click here to read more... All Access ARC Conference November 4-6 | Saddleback Church, Orange County, CA Dr. Benzio will equip church leaders with his insights in decision-making and using science to glean transformational truths out of the Bible for practical growth and maximum fulfillment. National Association of Christian Social Workers National Conference November 6-9 | Annapolis, MD Lighthouse Network's Dr. Karl Benzio will lead a workshop on how to be a shining light through godly decision-making skills as he teaches his unique bio-psycho-spiritual model which actually rewires your brain circuits, thus renewing your mind as Romans 12:1-2 clearly states. The Network of Family Businesses Webinar December 17 | Webinar Lighthouse Network's Dr. Karl Benzio joins a panel discussion on addictions and substance abuse in family businesses. Click here for more!  Click here to view all events.  Resources from Lighthouse Network

Addiction: Sin, Disease, or Personal Defect? Theologians, clinicians, researchers and philosophers have argued for centuries whether science blends with religion, spirituality and faith. Learn how God gave us science to validate the Bible’s accuracy in this DVD.  Satan's Strategy This video will walk you through Satan's strategy for corrupting our minds. By understanding these attacks, we can be prepared with God's truth!   Are Our Our Emotions Good or Bad?   Learn about our bodies' built-in warning system with this powerful DVD.

Free Stepping Stones Devotional Click here to receive The Stepping Stones Daily Devotional, which will encourage and challenge you while helping you grow in your daily walk with God. If you or someone you love needs help, call our FREE 24/7 Lighthouse Network addiction and counseling helpline, 1-844-LIFE-CHANGE (1-844-543-3242).

  

Dear Joseph,

Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem everywhere, but especially in Orange County, California. I know this because that’s where I grew up and played high school varsity baseball. I witnessed this abuse among my peers and in my own family, and I wanted to do something about it.

So I worked to educate my community about the risks of medicine abuse, joining with my local police department to promote prescription drug take-back days. That’s why it was awesome to receive the Play Healthy Award from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and Major League Baseball (MLB) Charities last year, winning a trip to New York City and meeting people who shared the same passion in helping others.

Now, I want to pay it forward and ask you to nominate a student athlete and/or youth coach for the 5^th Annual Commissioner’s Play Healthy Awards. Do you know that kid on the team who is super focused on being healthy to achieve his dream of playing pro ball? What about the coach who makes you feel that you are going to play the best game of your life, just because you can? If so, get involved now and tell us why that special person is making a difference.

Hurry - the deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, October 31^st, 2014!

Good luck,

Garrett Burk
Freshman, Harvard University
2013 Student-Athlete Winner

Help us spread the word with these sample tweets:

#PlayHealthy #Contest! Nominate extraordinary coaches & student athletes for chance to win trip to NYC & more! http://ow.ly/wfbjb

Inspiring #studentathlete & #youth #coach can win trip to NYC & more! Find out how http://ow.ly/wfbF5 #PlayHealthy 
 

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Like us on Facebook                      www.councilsepa.org               Follow us on Twitter       Healthy Pennsylvania Subsidizes Health Insurance  for Low-Income Families and Individuals The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced their approval of an amended version of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett's Healthy Pennsylvaniaproposal in late August 2014. Beginning January 1, 2015, individuals and families with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level (see chart below) will be eligible to enroll in health insurance offered by private Medicaid Managed Care companies in a new system run by the Commonwealth. Healthy Pennsylvania will cover individuals who did not qualify for insurance subsidies for the Affordable Care Act because Pennsylvania did not participate in Medicaid Expansion. When Does Coverage Begin? Enrollment begins December 1, 2014, and coverage will become effective January1, 2015. Like traditional Medicaid, coverage can be retroactive to help with medical bills. How Much Will Healthy Pennsylvania Cost? It will cost nothing in 2015. No newly eligible enrollee will have to pay premiums in 2015. In 2016, premiums can be imposed on people with incomes above 100% of the federal poverty level and cannot exceed 2% of an enrollee's monthly household income. Who Qualifies for Coverage Under Healthy Pennsylvania? Pennsylvanians earning below 138% of the federal poverty level will be eligible. That includes:  How Does Healthy Pennsylvania Change Coverage for Current Medicaid Enrollees? Individuals currently covered by Medical Assistance for Workers for Disabilities (MAWD), SelectPlan for Women, General Assistance-related MA, or Medically-Needy Only MA would move into new Healthy PA coverage and receive the benefits of new enrollees. Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare is seeking to move the 1.1 million adults currently enrolled in Medicaid to either a "High Risk" or "Low Risk" plan.  Details Still Need to be Clarified The state still needs to unveil the health screening questionnaire to move Medicaid enrollees into "High Risk" and "Low Risk" plans. Enrollment issues and contact information still need to be developed. There is an issue brief and information on Healthy Pennsylvania coverage and changes in Medicaid coverage on our Recovery Community Organization Healthcare Reform website here and go to the Healthy Pennsylvaniasection. Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Marketplace begins on November 15, 2014. There is information on our website and in all of our centers. Check for the most recent updates on Healthy Pennsylvania and Open Enrollment on our healthcare website here.  From the PRO-ACT Public Policy Committee About RCO4HealthcarePA.org This is a consortium of Recovery Community Organizations in Pennsylvania focused on recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. This website and consortium was funded by SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse Mental and Health Services Administration) BRSS TACS Grants for peer-run recovery community organizations to build a statewide network for State Peer Health Reform Education.

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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