http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Become-A-Part-Of-Addiction-Awareness---Prevention-Through-Rock-N-Roll.html?soid=1102906894456&aid=hsnJ0821NcU

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Become-A-Part-Of-Addiction-Awareness---Prevention-Through-Rock-N-Roll.html?soid=1102906894456&aid=hsnJ0821NcU

March 16 CHP 109 v 22 v 23 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS

For I am poor and needy and my heart is full of pain.I am fading like a shadow at dusk ; I am brushed off like a locust .  (GODS BIG BOOK)

Step 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

My heart full of pain was familiar and it was in my pain that I found freedom.My  pain  kept me poor needy and trapped . Pain was my friend and when at times became to heavy to bear I escaped temporarily through various self medicating  ways. Pain kept me away from love of others and just like a shadow I was fading away . My life became pointless and meaningless and self medicating wasn't working anymore. My pain had to go or my pain had to get rid of me ! Surrendering my pain and recognizing it taught me how powerful it was and just how much control it had over me. It is all I knew and in a way my pain had become my only friend..Through the steps I learned just how it shaped and formed my life. When step six wanted me to let it go I was very afraid because my pain was all I have known . With Gods strength and help I was able to ask my pain too leave and it did . Occasionally it tries to come back to visit but happiness has moved in and wont let pain back in.

John 16:22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (Jesus’ words) (GODS BIG BOOK) By Joseph Dickerson

Powdered Alcohol Approved by Government Agency

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

March 12th, 2015/

Powdered alcohol was approved by a government agency on Tuesday, The Washington Post reports. The product, called “Palcohol,” could arrive in stores this summer.

Last year the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved labels for powdered alcohol. It then said the approval had been a mistake.

Lipsmark, the company that makes Palcohol, plans to sell four powdered products: cosmopolitan, margarita, a vodka and a rum, the article notes. The product will be sold in foil pouches that can be used as a glass. A person pours in five ounces of water, zips up the bag and shakes it until the powder dissolves.

Several states, including Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont, have banned the use/sale of powdered alcohol, and a number of other states are considering similar legislation.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York introduced a bill last year to ban powdered alcohol. Last May Schumer urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent federal approval of powdered alcohol. He said it could become “the Kool-Aid of teen binge drinking.” Schumer noted the product can be mixed with water, sprinkled on food or snorted. He asked the FDA to investigate the potential harmful effects of the product.

In a statement released last May, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said it agreed with Schumer. “This product is the latest in a long list of specialty alcohol fads,” MADD said. “As with anything ‘new,’ this product may be attractive to youth. … In the case of Palcohol, we share Senator Schumer’s view that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should carefully review this product as it would seem to have the potential to increase underage drinking.”

The FDA approved powdered alcohol last summer, the article notes.

Kentucky Considers Adopting Needle-Exchange Program /BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF March 11th, 2015/

Kentucky Considers Adopting Needle-Exchange Program

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

March 11th, 2015/

Kentucky legislators are considering adopting a needle-exchange program, in an effort to reduce the spread of hepatitis C among injection drug users. The nearby city of Portsmouth, Ohio, has had some success with a similar program, USA Today reports.

In 2012, Portsmouth began a weekly syringe exchange in response to high rates of hepatitis C among people injecting heroin. The exchange program gives out an average of 5,000 clean needles monthly. The program is funded by donations, the article notes. According to public health officials, the program has helped reduce hepatitis C. People served by the program have received treatment, testing and counseling, which they might not otherwise seek, officials say.

Portsmouth Health Commissioner Chris Smith said the program has had some successes, but also faces obstacles. Between 2011 and 2012, the hepatitis C rate decreased from 309 per 100,000 in Scioto County, Ohio, where Portsmouth is located, to 171 per 100,000. The state average is 32 per 100,000. Roberts said almost half of the exchange’s clients have agreed to seek addiction treatment, although many eventually relapse.

The Kentucky General Assembly is considering a needle-exchange program as part of a larger package of legislation designed to fight the state’s increasing heroin problem. The programs would not be required, but health departments and cities would be allowed to adopt them. The bill would not provide state funding, and federal money cannot be used for the programs.

In 2012, there were 4.1 cases of hepatitis C per 100,000 Kentucky residents, compared with 0.07 in 2007, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Cases are as high as 10.9 per 100,000 in Northern Kentucky, where heroin use is rampant, the article notes.

Under current Kentucky law, pharmacies keep records of syringe sales. This law often leads people abusing drugs to re-use needles.

Best of the Week: March 7–13 COMING UP IN THE FIX//Is Addiction a Brain Disease? * St. Patrick's Day Essay *Addiction Triggers * Interviewing "The Addict's Mom" * Drug Treatment Moguls *Peace, Love and Heroin in Upstate New York * John Phillips * Visiting the Landmark Forum * PLUS: Other incisive articles EXCLUSIVE// How The National Institute on Drug Abuse Illuminates the Science of Addiction The Fix Q&A with Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. By John Lavitt PROFESSIONALS// Recovery Burnout Burnout—or compassion fatigue—in health professions is common but mental health workers, including addiction therapists, think it can't happen to them. By Jeanene Swanson BRAIN CHANGE// Redefining Fun Because we absolutely insist on enjoying our lives. By Kristen McGuiness ADVICE// Family Survival Skills in Early Recovery 10 Early Recovery Tips for Patients and Families By Michael Ascher MD and Barry Lessin EXPERIENCE// 10 Lessons I Learned From My Relapse(s) "This thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down." By Amy Dresner   BEST OF THE QUICK FIX Study Links Teen Marijuana Use to Memory Loss World's 'Youngest Drug Mules' Now In Foster Care Drunk Secret Service Agents Crash Car Into White House Barricade First Images of Brain on LSD Are Backed by Crowdfunding Viral Facebook Ad for Cigarette Lighter Banned by UK Watchdog 'The Cool Baby' May Be the Strangest Booze Contraption on Kickstarter COMMENT OF THE WEEK Brain Games This week, Kristen McGuiness wrote on how herdefinition of fun changed in sobriety. The article resonated with our readers: That study on the return of brain function after cessation of heavy drinking is really interesting, and anecdotally I find it to be spot-on. Watching the brain "come back" - including increased cognition, dreams, return of long-forgotten memories - is one of the more compelling parts of the 'recovery' story... Very well-written piece, thank you. -riptorn MORE »

Best of the week from Choose Help Working it Through: A Closer Look at The 12 Steps of AA – Part 1 A closer look at the 12 steps of AA, breaking things down and showing you how it can support you to live a clean and sober life. If you are new to 12 Step programs or are coming back to the program, this two part series takes a closer look at the 12 steps of AA, breaking things down and showing you how, with a little work, it can support you to live a clean and sober life. Before we get started on looking at the 12 Steps of AA, there are a few things I'd like to touch on, as they could be potential blocks to you doing the work needed, so let's get them out of the way early: Moving The Road Blocks 1. It is NOT a religious program. Yes it does mention GOD in 4 places in the steps description. However, GOD can be interpreted as an acronym for Good Orderly Direction. It can also be understood to mean anything we want it to mean within the context of the program. We do not have to be religious or have any affiliation with a particular religion in order to succeed at working this program. If we do have an affiliation of some kind of faith, good for us, as it becomes a strength that we can use, but it is not necessary in order for us to be successful. 2. We are not broken with a need to be fixed. We are not sick either. We are not so far gone that we can't help ourselves live more fulfilling lives. It will be and is our choice. Always has been. What we are, however, is human. We are likely to be... hurt isolated angry guilt ridden full of shame and  unskilled when it comes to managing our lives and our emotions.  We see others doing well and wonder why can't that be us. It can be if we are willing to do the work. 3. We don't get to re-write this program to suit ourselves. We need to commit ourselves to the program as it is written. That's the only way this works. It was written in 1935 by two men (Dr. Bob Smith and Mr. Bill Wilson) who both had problems with alcohol but somehow understood the benefits of supporting each other when the other wanted to run or hide. 4. We need to understand that alcohol is a drug. The 12 Steps were developed to help us deal with alcoholism primarily but works just as well for those who suffer from drug addiction. The program can be worked and lived by anyone. In the end drug and or alcohol use will most likely take us to the same place(s) - those being jails, institutions or funeral homes unless we intervene in that destructive process. 5. This is a plan that becomes a way to live our lives each day. Some days we will live it better and do a better job of living it than others. We need to understand that as long as we don't pick up a drink or a drug we'll be OK. This is not something you do once and then see yourself as 'cured'. It becomes a lifestyle that you adopt. Most who give this program a chance agree it is much better than the one they left behind. Lets get started -- real life awaits: When We Surrender We Win Step 1 We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable. In my mind this first one is the toughest one to deal with. This one requires us to look at ourselves in the mirror and say 'hey man we fought the good fight but we can't beat it.'One of the main tenants of this program is: "when we surrender we win." Drinking As Others Do Our problem seems to be that we can't seem to figure out how to drink or use AND live a normal life like everybody else, all at the same time. We tried: using every other day; just on the weekends;  stopping at a particular number or  amount or picking a time of the day that keeps us from becoming intoxicated while our kids are still awake.  We said that we could quit any time we wanted to. I use to say that I had quit hundreds of times. Proving what? Looking back I was saying that I couldn't stay 'quit' but I could stop for a short period of time. I was powerless beyond that. Any one can quit -- for a while. The trick is staying quit and that's when we struggle. It cannot hurt you or any of your loved ones if you don't pick it up. Restoring Sanity Step 2 Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This means that we need to challenge the idea that we are the most important and intelligent people who have all the answers to all the issues on the planet. This step is about us restoring a sense of sanity to our lives. This isn't about what other people are doing or not doing to help us. This concerns us making poor decisions about how we choose to live our lives. If we want to stop being overwhelmed with life's issues then we need to stop what we are doing that adds to the confusion. The common denominator in all of this mayhem is our substance use. If we continue to do the things that drove us to the edge we will continue to experience the same outcomes -- chaos, hurt, disappointment and defeat. Where is the evidence that supports any other explanation?  Seeing a Higher Power Regarding the 'a Power greater than ourselves' statement consider these questions: When could we stop the sun from shining or the wind from blowing? These are powers greater than we. We can't always see them but we can feel their presence all around us. The consciousness of our AA group says that those in attendance are collectively smarter than we are. How can they all be wrong and we be the only one in the room that has it right? If we look around there are many examples of things that are greater and more powerful than we are. That 26 oz bottle of rye or that case of beer could make us do just about anything no matter how hard we wanted to stop. It also means that we can now recognize there is strength in numbers. The primary issue here is realizing that, with the help of others, we can regain a sense of control over the choices we make. We do not and often cannot do it all alone. Making a Committed Decision Step 3 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him. This step is about being willing to make a decision first and foremost. Just the decision to become willing to look at or consider another approach to changing our lifestyle is immense. Without it, making any kind of move or change in our lives is extremely difficult at best if not impossible. This could easily mark the first time in a very long time that we made a decision that was in our best interest and we were not under the influence of a drug at the time. This willingness shows a move to allow others to help us re-take some essence of control of our lives from the drugs and alcohol that nearly killed us. We are not sure what a'power greater than ourselves' looks like but we are beginning to see that there are some things that are bigger than we are - more influential - more powerful. The 2nd and 3rd step allows for the possibility that there are forces in our lives beyond our influence.  Exploring Our True Selves Step 4 Made a searching and fearless inventory of ourselves Now the work becomes more personal. This step is considered by many as the'turning point' in most recoveries. The first three steps are vital to the success of the rest of the program. If we can understand and feel that there is some hope for a better life out there and if we are willing to take the risk of seeking it out then we becomeready to tackle Step 4. This is where we get to look at ourselves under a microscope of sorts. We begin to see that our approach to managing our lives has flaws in it. We need to take a 'fearless'look at how we have gone about trying to get what we want and ask ourselves how successful we have been to date. The willingness that we have begun to accept in our lives in step three will help us look at what we are doing that isn't working well for us and will help us consider some different approaches. A Trusted Someone This is a step that is best done with the help and support of someone we trust in the program -- a sponsor but not a family member. We have to be willing to hear an 'outsiders' opinion about what we are doing, how we are doing it and the apparent outcomes from our efforts. The idea here is for us to check our behavior and change those behaviors that are not working out with regards to getting us or keeping us more connected to the world we want to be a part of. It is a building step and not a step that is meant to be critical, guilt ridden or demeaning in any way. My sponsor told me to 'keep the good stuff and get rid of the stuff that isn't so good'. Ownership Of Our Wrongs Step 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Up to now most of the work we have done or needed to do was within ourselves. It was between me and me. Now it's time for us to begin to trust in others and their desire to help us get better. I recognize how difficult this can be for many of us. In the past trust has meant pain, heartache, betrayal, abandonment and isolation. Now the work that needs to begin is about including those, so called, trusted ones and allow them into our circle of influence. We need to share with these few folks some of those secrets we have been carrying for a long time. But we become concerned that if others really knew certain things about us they may not like us any more or want to share their lives with us. This step takes a great deal of courage and risk. Always, when sharing who we are with others, we need to weigh the value of complete disclosure with how much they need to know -- to what depth. There is a fine line between honesty and full disclosure. One of the future steps (Step 9) we will cover says that 'we disclose certain things but not if it hurts ourselves or others.' When we do this step we might want to share our information and our insights of who and what we are with someone connected to the clergy. You may or may not believe in 'God' but we know that ministers are sworn to confidentiality and there can be a great deal of comfort and safety attached to a relationship of this type. In any event we need to feel sure and be sure of the confidants we encourage to be a part of our process with doing Step 5. Removing Our Character Defects Step 6 Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. It may have taken us a long time to get here -- to arrive at this place where we are feeling as though we may just be able to do this. We need to be reminded that working through the steps is not about how fast we can do it. It is not a race or a sprint but rather a marathon. It doesn't take a specified number of weeks or months or years to work through the program. There is no right or wrong way to do this work. It does however take perseverance, dedication and a willingness to spend the time to achieve times of peace, prosperity and happiness. The important part is that you never give up trying to find a way that makes sense to you. I've worked with clients in the past who spent months just dealing with Step 1. I admit that I struggled here for a bit.  Change Your Thinking How could someone or something 'take or remove' these defects of character from me? I still was questioning what my 'Higher Power' was. I didn't understand how to involve my Higher Power in my life. What role was he to play? I had finally identified what behaviors and attitudes I had to change and so I depended on the strength and support of my home group to help me with this step. Actually this part was quite easy once I got by the arrogance of thinking that I was just fine and that it was the rest of the world that had a problem. I had to change my way of thinking about my defects of character and once I had done that they were no longer an issue -- they were gone. Many folks in A/A struggle here so I can only suggest that by giving up something or changing it -- a belief or a mind set for instance -- you take away its power and influence.  Building a New Future The remainder of the steps are about the transition from where you are to where you want to be and I will describe and discuss their significance in Part 2 of this article (published on ChooseHelp.com, next week). It is important you get the basics of the first part so that the second part is more easily understood and therefore can have a much greater impact on your life choices. Obviously you are free to do whichever steps you want when you want but it is more meaningful to do them as you come to understand them and to incorporate them into your lifestyle on a daily basis. I had mentioned previously that this is a 'way of living' program. These are the basics most folks who enjoy their lives try to live by each day. It is what they are conscious of daily and what they eventually come to do each day in order to manage themselves effectively. Part 2 (Steps 7-12) will follow next week, for those who are ready to jump into the next phase of their recoveries. Read in browser »   Recent featured articles: AA Resource List – Everything You Need to Know about Getting Started with the 12 Steps Can an Addiction Counselor Help You? What to Expect from Counseling What’s the Best Alcohol Addiction Treatment Option for You? Self-Medicating Harm Reduction: Tips for Safer Self-Medication Avoiding Bitterness – The True Cost of Resentment And, as always, thank you for reading! All the best to you and yours, Martin Schoel, founder of Choose Help P.S. If you’d like to dive into the conversation, make sure to follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook (40K+ people do). FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO A LOVED ONE Do you or someone you know need rehab? Click or 'Tap' to speak with us now: (877) 333-5266 Facebook Twitter Google Plus Pinterest

Copyright © 2015 Choose Help, All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of Choose Help or you signed up on ChooseHelp.com. Our mailing address is: Choose Help 11301 Olympic Blvd. #351 Los Angeles, CA 90064 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Thousands of Soldiers Are Turned Away From Army Substance Abuse Clinics

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

March 12th, 2015/

Thousands of soldiers are turned away by Army substance abuse clinics each year, according to an investigation by USA Today.

An estimated 20,000 soldiers seek help each year at Army substance abuse clinics, the article notes. In 2010, the Army transferred substance abuse outpatient treatment from medical to non-medical leadership. The change has led to substandard care, the investigation concludes. Many experienced staff people have left, and unqualified clinic directors and counselors have taken their place, according to the newspaper. Since 2010, about 90 soldiers committed suicide within three months of receiving substance abuse treatment, USA Today says.

The Army denies its substance abuse treatment has suffered from the change in leadership.

The investigation was based on a review of Army files, emails and reports, as well as interviews with program personnel. It found as many as half of the 7,000 soldiers turned away last year after being screened for potential drug or alcohol problems should have received treatment. An Army assessment found half of its 54 substance abuse clinics fall below professional standards for treating drug and alcohol abuse. Only a small number are in full compliance.

Since 2009, the number of soldiers seeking treatment declined 13 percent. During that same period, the number of counseling positions decreased 38 percent. An estimated 352 counseling positions are needed, but only 309 are filled, leading to waiting lists for care at some clinics, the investigation found.

In 2012, the Institute of Medicine released a report that concluded substance abuse among members of the U.S. military and their families has become a public health crisis. The Defense Department’s approaches to preventing and treating substance abuse are outdated, the report stated.

The report, which was requested by the Defense Department, found about 20 percent of active duty service members say they engaged in heavy drinking in 2008, the latest year for which data is available. Binge drinking increased from 35 percent in 1998 to 47 percent a decade later.

www.recoverywalks.org                    Saturday, September 19 PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2015 Celebrating SAMHSA's National Recovery Month Last year 23,000 of you celebrated RECOVERY at Penn's Landing  Let's top that this year!  We know we can do it with your help!  YOU Can Make a Difference! 400 volunteers each year feel the pride of having helped the recovery community and contributed to the success of PRO-ACT Recovery Walks!  One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. It allows you to connect to yours and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people and organizations in need. And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.You have your choice NOW of a wide selection of volunteer opportunities! If you can spare a few hours for one of the  Walk committees below,  please call John at 215-923-1661, or send an email to John here   We need several volunteers on each committee who all share the committee tasks, which are: Team Captains: Helps in holding team captain kick-off meetings; promotes building of teams; distributes materials to guide captains; provides ongoing support for team captains Trucks and Transportation: Orders trucks needed for day of Walk; assigns drivers; loads materials, t-shirts, signs and banners; returns all trucked items; returns trucks next day Registration: Monitors online registrations; works with T-shirt Committee; assigns volunteers for on-site booth; arranges for follow-up entry of all on-site registrations into website  Communications: Oversees rental and return of Walkie-Talkies, distributes cell phone list for day of Walk Food and Beverages: Arranges pickup and delivery of items; maintains records of refreshment resources; arranges distribution of refreshments to Volunteers and participants  PRO-ACT Information: Identifies materials for distribution at booth and arranges availability; plans for staffing of booth for day of event; and arranges for on-site greeters  T-shirts: Assists in ordering official and volunteer t-shirts; packages and labels t-shirts for teams; arranges for transportation of t-shirts; plans distribution of t-shirts on site  Security: Works with venue security; determines on-site security needs; provides security for donations booth and stage/guests Honor Guard: Monitors Honor Guard website sign ups; ensures supply of sashes and buttons; plans Honor Guard group photograph; arranges for follow-up entry of on-site participants into website And there are more!  Just call John at 215-923-1661 or email him here and he'll be happy to match your preference up with our need.   EVERYTHING YOU NEED NOW is at www.recoverywalks.org Register for the Walk--it's free Sign up for the Honor Guard Become a Team Captain Learn the benefits of sponsoring the Walk Download a Team Captains Kit Donate to a walker or the Walk Interested in Sponsorship? Ask Marita how to get a 10% discount moconnell@councilsepa.org Please welcome and support our latest 2015 SPONSORS!         and  Montgomery County Methadone Center