December 12 Chp 44 v 5 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALM

Only by your power can we push back our enemies ( addiction) ; only in your name can we trample our foes (addiction) .

STEP 1. We admitted we were powerless over addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.

There is only one name in the world that has that kind of power and their is only one name that can trample addictions . The Psalmist wrote this before the man who carries that name was born . Talk about divine intervention ! JESUS CHRIST is the man that carries the name ! The name above every other name ,in that name the blind receive sight ,the lame will walk ,addicts will be set free , good tidings will be given to the poor and the list is endless .Not only that Jesus is best described in a few words Expert , loving , kind , friendly , helpful , protective , caring, sincere , powerful , compassionate , forgiving , empowering , discerning , consuming , purifying , cleansing , providing ,  responsive  , reliable, good, famous, glorified, ALIVE  ,active , sought , and I could keep going . Gods Big book Describes Him also as a wonderful counselor .So what are you waiting for DEATH ,well you are already dead spiritually and if your in active addiction your physically dead also . What you need is a resurrection and only through JESUS can you make that happen .Step one is the key that will unlock your heart once unlocked all you have  to do is invite JESUS CHRIST in. 

John 14  ; 6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  By Joseph Dickerson

One-Third of “Doctor Shoppers” Cross State Lines to Obtain Prescriptions: Study

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

December 9th, 2014/

Approximately one-third of “doctor shoppers” cross state lines to obtain prescriptions, according to a new study. These people search for multiple physicians who will prescribe them narcotic painkillers and other prescription drugs.

When doctor shoppers cross state lines, it is more difficult for authorities to track the prescriptions, The Washington Post reports. Many states have instituted drug monitoring programs, which track prescriptions within their borders, but not across them, the article notes.

“Part of the problem is that state systems all vary — they’re either home-grown or operated by different vendors and they’re not interoperable,” said study co-author Douglas McDonald of Abt Associates. “There are also legal questions about what you can share about patient data.”

The study, which appears in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Some states are trying to address cross-border doctor shopping. New Jersey has entered into agreements with New York and Delaware to share information on prescriptions, and New England states have agreed to share data. Some experts have called for a national prescription drug monitoring program.

The study was based on records of 146 million prescriptions dispensed across the nation in 2008. The researchers found doctor shoppers see an average of 10 doctors annually, and receive an average of 32 prescriptions. They usually pay in cash for at least one prescription to avoid being detected, McDonald found.

Last year McDonald published a study that found people who doctor shop bought an estimated 4.3 million prescriptions for opioids such as Vicodin and OxyContin in 2008. Doctor shoppers represented almost 1 percent of all buyers of addictive pain medications in the United States that year.

The researchers found one out of every 143 patients who purchased the drugs received an unusually large number of prescriptions from multiple health care providers.

Many Patients Taking Narcotic Painkillers Also Use Drugs That Could Cause Interactions

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

December 9th, 2014/

Almost 60 percent of patients who take narcotic painkillers to treat long-term conditions are also being prescribed other drugs, such as anti-anxiety medication or muscle relaxants, which could cause dangerous interactions, a new study finds.

Combining an opioid painkiller with these drugs could slow down the respiratory system. About 8 percent of patients were taking painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and muscle relaxants at the same time. The study found 27 percent of patients were taking more than one opioid at a time, which is also hazardous, the article notes.

Two-thirds of the patients taking a combination of drugs were being prescribed the medications by two or more doctors. Almost 40 percent filled their prescriptions at more than one pharmacy. Patients who are taking narcotic painkillers are using more of them for longer periods, the study found. Almost half of patients who took the painkillers for more than a month were still using the drugs three years later. This is a sign of potential abuse, according to The New York Times.

The study was conducted by the pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts. The researchers examined pharmacy claims of 6.8 million Americans who filled at least one prescription for an opioid painkiller between 2009 and 2013.

“There could be instances when prescribing these combinations of drugs is appropriate, but not at this scale. The fact that the majority of these patients are being treated by multiple physicians and pharmacies signals a communication breakdown that leads to dangerous use,” Lynne Nowak, MD, Medical Director at Express Scripts, said in a news release. “Government- and insurer-run drug monitoring programs can help prevent these possibly life-threatening scenarios, but unfortunately they are underused and vary by state. As more people gain access to health coverage, this problem will worsen if the country doesn’t use every tool at its disposal to ensure the safe use of these medications.”

Almost Half of Primary Care Doctors Say They are Less Likely to Prescribe Painkillers

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

December 9th, 2014/

A survey of primary care doctors nationwide finds almost half say they are less likely to prescribe narcotic painkillers compared with a year ago. Ninety percent of those surveyed say they are concerned about prescription drug abuse in their communities.

The survey of 580 family doctors, internists and general practitioners found 85 percent believe narcotic painkillers are overused in clinical practice, HealthDay reports. About half said they were very concerned about risks associated with overuse of painkillers, such as addiction, death and traffic crashes. Many also reported they believe that adverse events, such as tolerance (62 percent) and physical dependence (56 percent) occur often, even when the medications are used as directed for chronic pain.

Despite doctors’ high level of concern about opioid painkillers, 88 percent expressed confidence in their own ability to prescribe the drugs appropriately, the researchers report in JAMA Internal Medicine.

“Our findings suggest that primary care providers have become aware of the scope of the prescription opioid crisis and are responding in ways that are important, including reducing their over-reliance on these medicines,” study leader Dr. G. Caleb Alexander of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said in a news release. “The health care community has long been part of the problem, and now they appear to be part of the solution to this complex epidemic.”

Alexander said he hopes more doctors and patients consider using non-opioid treatments for pain, including other types of pain relievers, and non-drug treatments such as massage, physical therapy and acupuncture.

More Investors Pour Money Into Rehab Centers As Health Reform Increases Coverage

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

December 9th, 2014/

Operators of rehab centers are seeing an influx of funding from investors as more Americans receive health care coverage for addiction treatment under the Affordable Care Act, Reuters reports.

The investment boom is triggering a consolidation of rehab centers. Treatment of drug addiction and alcohol abuse are considered “essential health benefits” that most health insurance plans must offer under the Affordable Care Act. Many Americans who previously could not afford addiction treatment now are eligible for coverage. The law also permits young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance plan until they are 26, which expands coverage to those who are struggling with substance abuse. More people can also afford coverage now that the economy is recovering, the article notes.

The market for addiction services has grown to $35 billion a year, from $21 billion in 2003. Investors include Goldman Sachs Group Inc’s private equity arm and investment banking boutique Brentwood Capital Advisors.

In 2013, 22.7 million people ages 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem, but only 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty facility, according to the2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

There are more than 14,500 specialized drug treatment facilities in the United States providing care for substance use disorders, Reuters reports. Currently the industry is very fragmented, with even the largest operators owning no more than several dozen treatment centers. The average facility has no more than 150 beds. Investors are eager to consolidate facilities to increase efficiencies of scale and profits. They are most interested in facilities that focus on patients who can pay through private insurance or with their own funds, instead of relying on government programs.

The Road to Recovery Christmas party scheduled for Friday December 19th at 7 p.m. Will be in the Family Life Center at Christian Life Center (in the gymnasium) next to road to recovery. We are sponsoring over 75 kids this year thanks to Woodside Church in Yardley and CLPRM, if your child was not on the list and you would like to have them receive a gift please bring that with you wrapped with their name on it to be placed under the tree. The event will consist of Christmas music, catered food and the Christmas message. This event is open to all those in recovery and their families. Please spread the word. Attached is the flyer.

Bob Sofronski, Executive Director

Christian Life Prison and Recovery Ministries, Inc.

Po Box 1624

Southampton, PA 18966

www.clprm.org

215-833-2512

Dear Supporter,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you! CLPRM continues to provide many services to the surrounding communities of Bucks Co. and Philadelphia. By doing so, we feel we are making a direct impact in the lives we have the opportunity to minister to. Although all of our services are FREE of charge, the only way we can provide the resources needed to help those struggling with addiction, incarceration and/or life issues is to depend on private and corporate donations. If we have made a difference in your situation or someone you know would you prayerfully consider helping this Life Changing ministry with an End of Year tax-deductible gift of any amount to help us go into 2015 STRONG! Every dollar donated goes right into helping to change and transform lives in our community. Any gifts can be made through our secure donation link on our website www.clprm.org or they can be sent to the ministry address above. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your loved ones. Blessings and Peace!

Attached is a summary of our 2014 ministry highlights

In His Service,

Bob Sofronski

Bob Sofronski, Executive Director

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, they are plans to give you a future filled with Hope”.

CLPRM is driven by a vision to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ — a gospel that redeems, heals, forgives and restores — to those incarcerated and in recovery, so they can break free from bondage, restore relationships, live as productive citizens and realize God’s purpose for their lives.

We need YOU to make this vision a reality. Please support CLPRM so that we can continue our work to release those ensnared in addiction and imprisonment by sharing the transforming power of the Good News.

The Inmate Release and Recovery Scholarship Fund was Started with

and Funded by Private Donations.

It helps those being released from prison and those struggling with addiction find Christ-centered housing or treatment.

Our Mission

Christian Life Prison and Recovery Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping those incarcerated and to stop substance abuse in the community by offering support to those actively struggling with addiction, as well as to their families. We offer recovery meetings, resources, counseling, and referral services to those who wish to seek treatment.

CALL OUR ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE) Share Tweet Forward   "A Panel Discussion: Addictions and Substance Abuse in the Family Business" Webinar withLighthouse Network's Dr. Karl Benzio Presented by   December 17 at 11:00 a.m. EST with Karl Benzio (Lighthouse Network), Bill Messinger, Esq., and Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, MS, MA  Click here to register for this FREE webinar.   It's no secret that employees working in family businesses encounter stressful situations and pressure from family members to make the best decisions. Since fellow associates know each other very well from a personal and professional perspective, they can cause psychological harm, knowing family members' insecurities, weaknesses, or failed attempts trying to accomplish any business goals. With this knowledge comes the burden for family business workers to succeed, put more effort into their tasks, and work longer hours. The psychological pressure can build, leading to destructive decisions.    This free webinar will answer the following questions:   What is a Family Business to do? How Should a Family Business Address These Critical Issues? Join panel discussion participants Karl Benzio, MD, Christian psychiatrist and founder of Lighthouse Network; William F. Messinger JD, LADC, attorney, advisor, and counselor; and Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, MS, MA, counselor who helps families navigate relational and emotional challenges of wealth and business. Register Now! Click here to sign up for this free webinar. Note: After registering, you will receive an email confirmation with more information about the webinar. Lighthouse Network is a Christian non-profit organization whose primary mission is to help those struggling with addiction and mental health issues find lasting healing. We also help understand and treat these issues using sound science and spiritual truths. Lighthouse Network provides help through these two main services: Christian Addiction Helpline - We provide hope, encouragement and answers to help you navigate the complex system and find the right Christian addiction treatment option or secular traditional option. Our Christian Helpline is very skilled at helping you maximize your insurance whether you have a PPO, HMO, TriCare, or Medicare, to minimize your out of pocket expense. This unique service is free.   Life Growth Resources - We want to equip you to find Christian Recovery and lasting healing for your addiction or mental health struggle and to build resilience to overcome future storms and adversities. We develop many reosurces with practical tips and skills to help you achieve the fulfilling and abundant life you desire. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Facebook Twitter Website

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Are you the mother of an addict? You are not alone. Join over 14,000 other addict's moms who care about you on Face book https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaddictsmom/. Our group is overflowing with love, support and hope. It is a closed group so your privacy is protected.

Please share this email. Our goal is to let addict's moms know they are NOT alone. They should NOT be ashamed.

Much love to all addict's moms and their families....

Barbara

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

December 9, 2014  |  That Was the Week That Was  |  Volume 2., No. 16

Writers in Treatment REEL Recovery Film Festival Addiction & Recovery eBullitin website Donate

Looking Deep Within Regulating A Single Gene May Alter Addiction and Stress Responses  Researchers have now used genetically engineered DNA binding proteins to target specific processes within a gene - located within a brain reward center in the mouse. By regulating the activity of this specific gene, the scientists found they were able to alter gene expression and behaviors related to addiction and stress. CONTINUED  8 Ball Not 8th Ball Bradley Cooper Opens Up On Loss And Sobriety Bradley also touched on how he continues to maintain his 10-year sobriety. While prepping for his role as a Navy SEAL in American Sniper, he had to bulk up considerably, but chose to do it without supplements. "I did it naturally because I've been sober for 10 years and didn't want to do anything. I had a realistic conversation. Can I do this in three months naturally? Can I gain 30 pounds of f*cking muscle? I didn't know if I would be able to do it or not.CONTINUED

NEW METHOD WELLNESS OPIATES.COM

Photo Essay A Look Into A Destructive Cycle Of Sex Work And Addiction In spite of growing national awareness about the commercial sexual exploitation of children, broad-reaching resources and "wrap services" remain limited. For Lisa, a young Seattle-area woman struggling to leave a life of sex work and addiction, this is literally a life or death issue. From a troubled home, Lisa was predisposed to vulnerability. After being pimped, her drug use became more serious. By 2012, at the age of 19, she used heroin daily. "Heroin makes me forget everything," Lisa said in a 2013 jail interview during the filming of The Long Night, a new documentary about grassroots efforts to address domestic minor sex trafficking. Warning: This slideshow contains graphic content not appropriate for all audiences. CONTINUED  One Day at a Time   VIDEO Actor Wes Bentley Opens Up About Heroin Addiction: 'I Have To Work On It Every Day' Wes Bentley opened up about his life- and career-altering heroin addiction during a conversation with HuffPost Live's Ricky Camilleri on Monday. Bentley made a name for himself with his breakout role in the 1999 Best Picture winner "American Beauty," then he effectively disappeared, appearing only sporadically in low-profile films. When he decided to return to Hollywood in earnest years later, he told HuffPost Live he found himself "starting anew in the truest sense."CONTINUED

AUTHENTIC RECOVERY CENTER HIS HOUSE

Nashville Skyyline Does Country Music Have A Drinking Problem? Recent hit singles include Jerrod Neimann's Drink to That All Night, Little Big Town's Day Drinking, Dierks Bentley's Drunk On A Plane, Toby Keith's Drunk Americans, Lee Brice's Drinking Class, Brantley Gilbert's Bottoms Up, Frankie Ballard's Sunshine and Whiskey, Cole Swindell's Ain't Worth The Whiskey, and Lady Antebellum's Bartender - and those are just songs that reference drinking in the title. CONTINUED  Laughter Is Healthy, All the Way to Bank 'Caddyshack' Is Therapy for Drug Abusers In Philly PEOPLE battling drug and alcohol addiction in Philadelphia are watching Hollywood movies in outpatient group therapy - on your dime. The tab can exceed $50 a person for each movie, paid by Medicaid. Clients said that some of the movies they saw - like "Caddyshack" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" - had nothing to do with recovery. Outpatient treatment is big business in Philadelphia. Each year, Medicaid pays more than $70 million to help people with drug and alcohol addiction through various treatments, including group and individual therapy.  CONTINUED

MILESTONES RANCH MALIBU SUMMER HOUSE DETOX

Generation With A Golden Arm   VIDEO Heroin Misery Of The Trainspotting Generation  The number of adults over 40 seeking treatment for heroin and crack cocaine addiction in England has more than doubled in 10 years, new figures have revealed. While the total number of heroin and crack cocaine addicts has fallen below 300,000 for the first time since estimates began, there is a generation still hooked - the so-called Trainspotting generation. More than a third of the total population of adults in treatment centers are aged 40 or over, according to Public Health England. CONTINUED  The Russian's Aren't Coming Alcohol Kills 500,000 Russians Annually More teenagers and women of childbearing age have started consuming alcohol, which lowers life expectancy and contributes to the number of untimely deaths in the country, the statement said. The government has been trying to ameliorate the problem by banning the sale of alcohol at night and in small kiosks and shops. In 2012, all alcohol ads were banned. According to the World Health Organization, Russia was the fourth heaviest-drinking nation in the world behind Belarus, Moldova and Lithuania. CONTINUED

STICK WITH THE WINNERS! BRIDGES TO RECOVERY

Politically Correct Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg: "I agree with Russell Brand on drugs policy" Clegg told listeners: "One thing Russell Brand's verve and zaniness does a lot of good is drug reform. I think the policy has not done a lot of good for a long period of time." Legal sanctions for the possession of drugs in the UK has led to the "unnecessary criminalisation" of more than 1.5 million people in the last 15 years, according to a letter signed by Brand and others, which was presented to David Cameron. CONTINUED  Politically Incorrect Too Much Marijuana May Hinder Creativity Researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands conducted a study of regular marijuana users and found their creativity suffered when under the influence. "They recruited regular pot users and what they really found is that it doesn't seem to hinder things in the long-term when people are not under the influence," said Dr. Max. "What really happens is when you're under the influence, you're not going to be thinking quite so creatively." CONTINUED

Socializing Sobriety Dry Bar Pop-up In Downtown Ann Arbor "It's an alcohol-free place for conversation and connection," explained Sims. "I haven't had a drink in 20 years, and I know a lot of people who don't drink. I love to go out on a weekend, but not in a bar. I wanted a bar-like convivial atmosphere, with snacks and drinks and conversation, without it being a bar." The bar will offer a variety of hand-crafted non-alcoholic cocktails like egg creams, a pomegranate-rosemary soda, wassail, a Vernor's cranberry sour, pumpkin chiller and coffee drinks from the Mighty Good Coffee menu.CONTINUED  Looking For An Easier Softer Way? Naltrexone Scientist to Predict Treatment Outcome in Substance Use Disorders The research investigates usefulness of genetic variation in the gene encoding the µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) in predicting treatment response to naltrexone among alcoholics. The research highlights a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism in exon 1 of the OPRM1 gene, rs1799971, also referred to as Asn40Asp (or A118G), which is one of the best-studied functional genetic variants relevant to alcoholism treatment. CONTINUED

New York City Junkie Serenade Heroin Takes Over a House, and Mom Darkness fell on Wood Court on Staten Island, and they came. Footfalls on the gravel path, their crunch-crunch-crunch setting dogs barking, babies wailing, parents peering out windows, night after night. "Cars pulling in and out," said one neighbor who, still concerned for his family's safety, declined to give his name. "Fifteen, 20 minutes, then out. Fifteen, 20 minutes, then out." Cars idled on the corner, rock music thumping. CONTINUED  From the 'Horse's Mouth A Descent Into Heroin's Netherworld byHoward Josepher I can identify with Laurie Sperring of Staten Island and her quick descent into heroin addiction. I was 23 and had just graduated college when, like Ms. Sperring, I said to a friend, "Just one time." That one time was the start of seven years of addiction and numerous criminal convictions. We do not become addicted by getting high one time, but for the lack of a better term, many quickly fall in love with the feeling heroin gives us. CONTINUED

Justice 'Served' Texas Judge Fails Sobriety Test - Stumbles Away Free   Court of Appeals Judge Nora Longoria was allegedly begged for leniency during her DUI arrest in July. Last month, the District Attorney's office said it lacked enough evidence to prosecute and another judge threw out the case. The DA said it never got the dashcam video, which showed Longoria stumble through her failed sobriety test. CONTINUED  Watching? You Have A Pornography Addiction, Now What? Someone who is addicted to pornography can exhibit a lot of the same signs as someone with any other addiction. Signs can include not being able to control when you start or stop your compulsive behavior, not being able to stop your behavior even though you have tried to stop numerous times, keeping secrets, hiding your behavior, losing time with family, losing time at work, returning to the behavior even though it is against your value system, etc. CONTINUED

It's All In Your Head Link Found Between Brain Chemical & Drug Addicts   Low levels of the naturally occurring mood-altering brain chemical serotonin can make some people more likely to become drug addicts, according to a New Zealand study released Friday.  The finding could lead to the development of drugs that prevent drug addiction. The researcher suggested that therapies that increase serotonin levels could be investigated as a way of preventing drug addiction. CONTINUED  Continuing The Conversation The Sheffs Are Writing Another Book on Drug Abuse Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced Friday that the Sheffs' book, currently untitled, will come out in the fall of 2016. David Sheff is known for "Beautiful Boy," a memoir about Nic's addiction to crystal methamphetamine. Nic Sheff wrote about his addiction in his best-selling memoir "Tweak." The  new book will draw upon research into drugs and drug addiction to help teens and tweens make "informed decisions" about drugs. CONTINUED

Capitalism & Competition Website Lets Buyers, Sellers Share Drug Prices Online "It's kind of like a Wikipedia for black market prices for prescription drugs." The website is calledstreetrx.com and it's run by a Boston-based company called Epidemico. Every month, the site gets more than 100,000 visits and about 5,000 new price reports, according to its founders. If someone buys or sells Percocet in Chelsea for $10 per pill, for example, you can find that information with just a couple clicks.CONTINUED  Is Your Campus Smoke Free? Smoking Makes It Difficult To Quit Drinking  Some of us fall into the "when I drink, I smoke" category. It is also common to believe quitting drinking might be made easier by smoking. Alcoholics are often smokers, and research has uncovered a connection that might make it hard to quit drinking if you smoke, Pacific Standard reports. Scientist Kelly Cosgrove and colleagues from Yale investigated what happened to people going through alcohol withdrawal while continuing or quitting smoking. CONTINUED

When Two or More Gathered...Genius Enters Harlem Drug Rehab Pioneer James Allen Honored The pioneering Addicts Rehabilitation Center honored its founder, James Allen, for 56 years of service to the drug treatment hub, the neighborhood's first-such facility. "He'll never know the many lives he's touched," said the center's CEO, the Rev. Reginald Williams, himself a former program participant who overcame a battle against drug abuse. Allen, 89, said he'd always hoped he could help more people. CONTINUED  What I Learned In School Today  VIDEO Boston University Institutes Program to Reduce Binge Drinking VIDEO   All of this is part of a program to raise awareness about the effects of alcohol abuse in the effort to decrease this behavior. This initiative began in 2011 when approximately 250 students were hospitalized for alcohol related problems at BU alone and alcohol abuse caused multiple problems at other Boston area schools. "The reality," says Leah Barison, a Wellness & Prevention Services counselor at Student Health Services (SHS), who works with students who've been transported, "is that one in three BU students chooses not to drink. And among those who do drink, two out of three do so responsibly." CONTINUED

Miracles In The Rooms New Book Examines Science Behind AA  Joseph Nowinski, a clinic psychologist wrote "If You Work It, It Works!" to look at the scientific basis for 12-step recovery, examining numerous research studies to do what AA itself doesn't do: defend the program from critics who say 12-step recovery is not an effective treatment for alcoholism and addiction. "AA doesn't defend itself and most people are totally unaware of the scientific evidence in support of it," said Nowinski, whose book's subtitle is "The Science Behind 12 Step Recovery." (AA has a tradition of silence on "outside issues" in order to avoid controversy.) CONTINUED