Monday, July 6, 2015


Best of the week from Choose Help

Substance Abuse & Addiction Risk Factors for Older Americans

Substance Abuse & Addiction Risk Factors for Older Americans
When older Americans use drugs it’s often for the same reasons that teenagers do: to cope, out of curiosity, and from a lack of passions. Feelings of mortality, boredom and loneliness are common precursors.
Older Americans use drugs for the same reasons that teenagers do: to cope, out of curiosity, and from a lack of satisfying pursuits or passions. Depression, a sense of one’s mortality, boredom and loneliness are gateway experiences. They are best seen as forms of emptiness that demand to be filled and they will be, whether by default or design. 

Using to Cope

The recovery acronym H.A.L.T. advises that we must never become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. This bit of wisdom is most commonly used to guard against relapse and/or anxiety and depression. It can also be used as a framework for understanding the things that predispose and perpetuate our use of drugs and alcohol.

Hunger

If we dig a bit deeper, we find that we Hunger for much more than food. It takes courage to identify what we truly want because identifying it necessitates going after it.
As we age, our willingness to take risks and try new things tends to decline sharply. Alcohol and drugs offer immediate relief and distraction from the fear of knowing and pursuing our hearts longing.

Anger

We notice that Anger never travels alone but rather is accompanied by unmet needs and conflicting emotions (unresolved grief and loss, having a greater sense of one’s time being limited). Older Americans show a high preponderance of depression.
Unfortunately and dangerously, many of us use alcohol (a known depressant) to cope with depression, which not only fuels feelings of anger, sadness, and loss, it also creates and perpetuates a sense of detachment from self.

Loneliness

We find that Loneliness can occur even when we’re surrounded by others. We struggle because we lack intimacy and connection. As life circumstances change, we often find ourselves bereft of people we strongly identify with and/or feel safe being vulnerable with.
Drinking or drugging alone eliminates the possibility of solitude and perpetuates social isolation.

Tired

We realize that Tired is much more than a matter of sleep. It is a state of being drained, depleted, or burned out. It was a long road to get to retirement. Too many of us find that we lived with only two speeds: all out or dead stop. 
When we lack motivation or compelling reasons to continue growing, we become complacent and stagnant. These are all the disease of addiction requires to take hold.

Using to Offset Boredom

Just as adolescents require outlets and social opportunities, so do the retired and elderly. As one client explained to me, “I’m at an age where everyone I know is either dying or moving to Florida!” For most folks, before we can truly welcome new opportunities to socialize with same aged peers, we must come to terms with aging and the changes it brings to our lives. I routinely point toward senior community centers, outing clubs, and hobby enthusiasts, only to hear, “I don’t want to sit around with a bunch of old people!”
Drugs and alcohol were social lubricant and/or substitutes for companionship and friendships in our youth. Many of us find ourselves regressing to former habits because it’s easier and because it takes less courage to be willing to try new things and meet new people. If we keep at the forefront of our thoughts that these folks are in the same circumstances that we are, we can be open to having more connections and more fun. We never outgrow the need for friendships.

Using Out of Curiosity

It seems that unlike past generations, a high percentage of Baby Boomers have not come to an older age gracefully. A very high percentage of us come with a history of having abused drugs and alcohol in our youth. Curiosity led us to experiment at an early age and in the absence of more enticing options, we find ourselves wondering what the newer stuff is like.
While we grew up with no small number of illicit drug choices, we find that things have changed dramatically. Even marijuana, which seemed so benign in our younger years has radically morphed in appearance and potency.1 Abuse of pain medications was not common for our generation and the plethora of designer drugs available is not only abundant, but potentially only a few mouse clicks away.
In our youth we felt invulnerable. Age and experience have taught us to weigh the risks. Unfortunately, as we consider the pros and cons, many of us feel we have little to lose. Our choices must be made in the full light of day. It may indeed be harder to invest in ourselves as we age, but the alternatives run from unfulfilling to downright dangerous.

Read in browser »

share on Twitter Like Substance Abuse & Addiction Risk Factors for Older Americans  on Facebook


Recent featured articles:

Too Smart for AA? Don't Overthink It - Make Changes and Have Faith in the Process
10 Barriers to Addiction Treatment for Older Adults
Avoiding Methadone Overdose During the Dangerous First 2 Weeks
Emotions in Early Recovery: "You Can't Heal What You Can't Feel"
16-Point Safety Checklist before Sending Your Teen to Residential Treatment
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).
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 



Dear The Addict’s Mom members, our traditional Lights of Hope will be held on September 13th . September is National Recovery Month and this event is our o.pportunity and our right to honor and support our loved ones in their respective stages of recovery.

We do this by lighting three candles

– a white candle for those in recovery,

- a black candle for those who have lost a loved one to addiction,

- a red candle for those who are in active addiction. 

A map of members and where they live within each state is located in the file section of your local TAM State Chapter. We encourage you to reach out to one another and hold a Steps of Hope vigil together. Parks, backyard gatherings, rivers, beaches, churches, and so on are great places to gather with your TAM sisters and celebrate not only the bond we have with one another, but to memorialize the journeys of addiction our loved ones have walked. 

Lights of Hope flyers will be available in the near future and white, black and red t-shirts will also become available for sale. Be sure to send us pictures of your gatherings so we can post them on our website!! Stand proud Mom’s in the hope that one day in the near future addiction will have more resources and less stigma.

If you’re finding yourself too far away from other members to join The Lights of Hope with them, please light candles at home and know that your TAM family is including you in their thoughts and prayers at this most solemn event.

*** Regional events can be help on any day during the months of September****



WE NEED YOUR HELP please click on the link to invite your friends


See the picture on top for directions.



Your help is greatly appreciated ...



Much love to all addicts mom and their families...Barbara








conquering grounds header 
Check out the Music Fest 
Line up at the Bottom of the page
Join us at the Cafe this  
       Saturday July 11, 2015    
7- 10:00pm
doors open at 6:30
Join us for a 
Night of Worship
   Featured Artist:
 
 Plus Special Guest
  
 Join us for a Night of 
High Energy Worship!!
     FOOD, COFFEE, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP FOR ALL!  
ADMISSION IS FREE!
  (Donations appreciated to cover costs and for the band. Thanks for your prayerful consideration and generosity so we can keep this event FREE!)   
      
WHERE:  The Edge Building at Christian Life Center
                        3100 Galloway Rd Bensalem, PA   

QUESTIONS: Contact  Bob Sofronski   215-833-2512
          
3rd Annual Conquering Grounds Outdoor 
Music Fest
Saturday September 12, 2015
12pm to 6pm
Stay tuned for more details or visit the website for Sponsor Packs and Info at 
WE NEED YOUR HELP, Watch the Video
Conquering Grounds Music Fest 2015 Promo for YouCaring.com
Conquering Grounds Music Fest 2015 Promo for YouCaring.com
We are calling on Business and Ministry friends to support the CLPRM upcoming Music Fest in September 2015. We have started our annual drive for sponsorships and spots are already filling up. Sponsor Pack are available for you so that you can see the many ways you are able to help those in addiction and recovery with your support!  
The Music Fest is our annual benefit which takes over a year in planning. Even though it rained last year we had over 1100 people, 50 Vendors and 10 Bands and raised over $10,000!  We are starting to make our Sponsor packages available and I have attached the details about the different levels for Corporate or Personal involvement. 
Please share this with anyone else you may think would want to purchase a tax deductible package, there are 4 different levels of sponsorship.  It isfor such a great cause and an inexpensive way to get your business in front of 1000's! 

 
           2015 Conquering Grounds Outdoor Music Fest
Artists and Speakers Booked so far see below:
Our Headline Artist for this Year will  be 
                       
                K Love Artist        Click Here for the Band
Among The Thirsty
Among The Thirsty "Completely" LIVE at K-LOVE
Guest Speaker Steve Arterburn Founder of New Life Ministries
Dana Isles and Facedown 
  Dez Childs
The Travis Lee Band
Darlene Van Dyke
Thank you for all your prayers and support!!
 
Sincerely,

Bob Sofronski, Executive Director
Christian Life Prison and Recovery Ministries, Inc.
215-833-2512
Has this ministry been a Blessing to you or someone you Love? 
Would you prayerfully consider a 
Gift to CLPRM OR THIS YEAR'S MUSIC FEST?
This ministry, coffee house, recovery meetings, prison chapel services and ALL Special Events operate because of private donations from people like you. Your Gift 
will be fully 
Tax-deductible and will help us to reach those trapped in addiction and crime with the Hope of Jesus Christ!
or you can send a check to 
CLPRM Po Box 1624 
Southampton, PA 18966
 Thank you and Blessings to All of you in 2015!!
Forward this email to a Friend
The Conquering Addiction Hour with CLPRM
UPCOMING CAFE EVENTS

July 11th
Plus Special Guest

August 8th
"Exalted"
Plus Special Guest

September 12th
3rd Annual Conquering Grounds Outdoor Music Fest-A Benefit to Help Fight Addiction

October 10th

November 7th 

December 12th
Our Christmas Celebration

 MMMMMM
Conquering Grounds Café, our monthly coffee house ministry, reaches out to individuals and families who have been affected by substance abuse. The Café serves up Christian bands, plus
FREE beverages and baked goods in a laid-back atmosphere. ALL are invited to this
FREE event!
Thanks to Shoprite Bensalem and Hornbergers Bakery for their generous donation of baked good to Conquering Grounds.  
RECOVERY RESOURCES
Join Our Mailing List
Gray
Follow Us Here
Like us on Facebook

View our videos on YouTube

Make a one-time financial gift. Become a monthly sponsor.

Or send a gift to:
CLPRM
PO Box 1624
Southampton, PA 18966
You can download our new 10 second PushPay Giving App here 
"My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he
will release my feet from the snare."  ~Psalm 25:15
CLPRM logo
OUR MISSION: CLPRM 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.

Friday, July 3, 2015

July 3 CHP 33 v 13 v 14 v 15 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS


The Lord looks down from Heaven and sees the whole Human race.From His throne He observes all who live on the earth.
He made their hearts ,so he understands everything they do.
(GODS BIG BOOK)


Step Three - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.


GOD is the only one who will ever understand and accept the real you ! Not the you , we , pretend to be around others , but the you with all the  , addictions and pains from the  past and present. Their is nothing He does not know about you and the quicker you realize that the faster you will get free from all those deceitful ways of trying to hide and medicate . Let it all go and ask GOD to help you show the world the true you !


(John 8:31-32) Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
(GODS BIG BOOK) By Joseph Dickerson

In your experience, is AA too fundamentalist? Or too lax? | The Fix

In your experience, is AA too fundamentalist? Or too lax? | The Fix

No, Suboxone Does Not Make You a Racist Murderer | The Fix

No, Suboxone Does Not Make You a Racist Murderer | The Fix
 Women for Sobriety, Inc.
WFS's NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:
contact@womenforsobriety.org
 
July 2, 2015

Hello WFS Friends,

     WFS’s email address will need to be changed ASAP to contact@womenforsobriety.org. We are replacing the newlife@nni.com because the company NuNet Inc. was just bought out.  The company has no 'target date' on when the nni.com will stop working so we are converting EVERYTHING that has our email address on it now to the contact email above.
     Please do make the email changes on any WFS literature you give out.  Thanks!  Wish us calm and peaceful thoughts during this major change.

Sincerely, Becky Fenner, WFS Director
Email:  contact@womenforsobriety.org   *   Tel215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026
http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org