Feb13 issue

An Overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy A Fresh Perspective On Drugs And Crime Collateral Damage of Addiction Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

THE UNTOLD SECRET FARR: STANDARDS FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES The Hurricane of A Loved One’s Addiction – How to Weather the Storm Back to the Basics of Recovery Amends: - Steps Eight and Nine

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A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Readers, I welcome you to The Sober World magazine. This magazine is being directly mailed each month to anyone that has been arrested due to drugs, alcohol and petty theft in Palm Beach County. It is also distributed locally to the Palm Beach County High School Guidance offices, The Middle School Coordinators, Palm Beach County Drug Court, Broward County School Substance Abuse Expulsion Program and other various locations.

Many petty thefts are drug related, as the addicts need for drugs causes them to take desperate measures in order to have the ability to buy their drugs.

Drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions throughout the country and is steadily increasing. Florida is one of the leading States where people come from all over to obtain pharmaceutical drugs from the pain clinics that have opened virtually everywhere.

The availability of prescription narcotics is overwhelming; as parents our hands are tied because it is legal.

Doctors continue writing prescriptions for drugs such as Oxycontin, and Oxycodone (which is an opiate drug and just as addictive as heroin) to young adults in their 20’s and 30’s right up to the elderly in their 70”s, thus, creating a generation of addicts.

Addiction is a disease but it is the most taboo of all diseases. As family members affected by this disease, we are often too ashamed to speak to anyone about our loved ones addiction, feeling that we will be judged. We try to pass it off as a passing phase in their lives, and some people hide their head in the sand until it becomes very apparent such as through an arrest, getting thrown out of school, or even worse an overdose, that we realize the true extent of their addiction.

I know that many of you who are reading this now are frantic that their loved one has been arrested. No parent ever wants to see his or her child arrested or put in jail, but this may be your opportunity to save your child or loved ones life. They are more apt to listen to you now then they were before, when whatever you said may have fallen on deaf ears. This is the point where you know your loved one needs help, but you don’t know where to begin.

I have compiled this informative magazine to try to take that fear and anxiety away from you and let you know there are many options to choose from.

There are Psychologists and Psychiatrists that specialize in treating people with addictions. There are Education Consultants that will work with you to figure out what your loved ones needs are and come up with the best plan for them. There are Interventionists who will hold an intervention and try to convince your loved one that they need help. There are Transport Services that will scoop up your resistant loved one (under 18 yrs old) and bring them to the facility you have chosen. There are long term Residential Programs (sometimes a year and longer) as well as short term programs (30-90 days), there are Therapeutic Boarding Schools, Wilderness programs and there are Sober Living Housing where they can work, go to meetings and be accountable for staying clean.

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

Many times a Criminal Attorney will try to work out a deal with the court to allow your child or loved one to seek treatment instead of jail.

I know how overwhelming this period can be for you and I urge every parent or relative of an addict to get some help for yourself as well.

There are many groups that can help you. There is Al-Anon, Alateen (for teenagers), Families Anonymous, Nar-Anon and more. This is a disease that affects the whole family, not just the parents.

These groups allow you to share your thoughts and feelings. As anonymous groups, your anonymity is protected. Anything said within those walls are not shared with any one outside the room. You share only your first name, not your last name. This is a wonderful way for you to be able to openly convey what has been happening in your life as well as hearing other people share their stories. You will find that the faces are different but the stories are all too similar. You will also be quite surprised to see how many families are affected by drug and alcohol addiction.

Addiction knows no race or religion; it affects the wealthy as well as the poor, the highly educated, old, young-IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. This magazine is dedicated to my son Steven who graduated with top honors from University of Central Florida. He graduated with a degree in Psychology, and was going for his Masters in Applied Behavioral Therapy.

He was a highly intelligent, sensitive young man who helped many people get their lives on the right course. He could have accomplished whatever he set his mind out to do. Unfortunately, after graduating from college he tried a drug that was offered to him not realizing how addictive it was and the power it would have over him.

My son was 7 months clean when he relapsed and died of a drug overdose.

I hope this magazine helps you find the right treatment for your loved one.

They have a disease and like all diseases, you try to find the proper care.

They need help. Please don’t allow them to become a statistic.

There is a website called the Brent Shapiro Foundation. Famed attorney Robert Shapiro started it in memory of his son. I urge each and every one of you to go to that website. They keep track on a daily basis of all the people that die due to drug overdoses. It will astound you.

I hope you have found this magazine helpful. You may also visit us on the web at www.thesoberworld.com.

Sincerely,

Patricia

Publisher Patricia@TheSoberWorld.com

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SunsetHouse Ad_Layout 1 8/17/12 10:31 AM Page 1

IMPORTANT HELPLINE NUMBERS 211 PALM BEACH/TREASURE COAST 211

www.211palmbeach.org FOR THE TREASURE COAST www.211treasurecoast.org FOR TEENAGERS www.teen211pbtc.org AAHOTLINE-NORTH PALM BEACH 561-655-5700

www.aa-palmbeachcounty.org AA HOTLINE- SOUTH COUNTY 561-276-4581

www.aainpalmbeach.org FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-962-2873

www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/abuse/ AL-ANON- PALM BEACH COUNTY 561-278-3481

www.southfloridaalanon.org AL-ANON- NORTH PALM BEACH 561-882-0308

www.palmbeachafg.org FAMILIES ANONYMOUS 847-294-5877

(USA) 800-736-9805

(Local) 561-236-8183 Center for Group Counseling 561-483-5300

www.groupcounseling.org CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS 561-364-5205

www.pbcoda.com COCAINE ANONYMOUS 954-779-7272

www.fla-ca.org COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING 800-426-7711

www.gamblinghelp.org CRIMESTOPPERS 800-458-TIPS (8477)

www.crimestopperspbc.com CRIME LINE 800-423-TIPS (8477)

www.crimeline.org DEPRESSION AND MANIC DEPRESSION 954-746-2055

www.mhabroward FLORIDA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE 800-500-1119

www.fcadv.org FLORIDA HIV/AIDS HOTLINE 800-FLA-AIDS (352-2437) FLORIDA INJURY HELPLINE 800-510-5553 GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS 800-891-1740

www.ga-sfl.org and www.ga-sfl.com HEPATITUS B HOTLINE 800-891-0707 JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILD SERVICES 561-684-1991

www.jfcsonline.com LAWYER ASSISTANCE 800-282-8981 MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS 800-766-6779

www.marijuana-anonymous.org NARC ANON FLORIDA REGION 888-947-8885

www.naranonfl.org NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS-PALM BEACH 561-848-6262

www.palmcoastna.org NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD 800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)

www.1800runaway.org NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

www.suicidology.org ONLINE MEETING FOR MARIJUANA www.ma-online.org Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services 561-852-3333

www.ruthralesjfs.org MEETING HALLS central house 2170 W Atlantic Ave.

SW Corner of Atlantic & Congress Club Oasis 561-694-1949 Crossroads 561-278-8004 www.thecrossroadsclub.com EasY Does It 561-433-9971 The Meeting Place 561-255-9866 www.themeetingplaceinc.com The Triangle Club 561-832-1110 www.Thetriangleclubwpb.com

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Sunset House is a licensed, residential treatment program for men struggling with chemical dependency. We are committed to helping our men develop the skills necessary to lead sober and productive lives. Our goals are to safely and effectively transition our residents back into their communities with all of the tools necessary to maintain long-term, meaningful sobriety. Our clients are men looking for an affordable alternative to intensive inpatient treatment.

Early recovery can be a difficult experience; our program is intended to aid residents in body, mind and spirit at every step of the way.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call Sunset House today at 561.627.9701 or email us at darthur@sunsetrecovery.org. www.SunsetRecovery.org

Miracles DO Happen HOPE. BELIEVE. RECOVER.

A STRUCTURED, WOMEN--ONLY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA Millie Tennessee, Executive Director 561-302-9584

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To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction From Overcoming Prescription Drug Addiction by Rod Colvin

Somewhere, at this very moment, a man’s wife agonizes as she receives a call from the police—her husband has been arrested for forging prescriptions for tranquilizers. In another community, a mother weeps as her adult daughter, intoxicated on painkillers, disrupts yet another family gathering. In a small Midwest town, a family is grieving the death of teen-age son who died at a party from an overdose of prescription anxiety medication and alcohol. The case scenarios go on and on. Legions of Americans are abusing and becoming addicted to prescription drugs.

In fact, chances are you know someone who is abusing prescription drugs. Maybe it’s your spouse, a relative, a friend, or a casual acquaintance. Maybe it’s you.

Defining Addiction Addiction is a pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by a continued craving for drugs and the need to use these drugs for psychological effects or mood alterations. Many abusers find that they need to use drugs to feel “normal.”

The user exhibits drug seeking behavior and is often preoccupied with using and obtaining the drugs of choice. These substances may be obtained through legal or illegal channels.

Drug Abuse Drug abuse refers to “the use, usually by self administration, of any drug in a manner that deviates from the approved medical use or social patterns within a given culture. The term conveys the notion of social disapproval, and it is not necessarily descriptive of any particular pattern of drug use or its potential adverse consequences,” according to The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics by Jerome Jaffe. Drug abuse may include using a medication “recreationally,” using it for reasons other than those intended, or using the drug more frequently than indicated by the prescriber. Abuse may or may not involve addiction.

It is estimated that as much as 28 percent of all prescribed controlled substances are abused. That estimate translates to tens of millions of drug doses being diverted annually for the purpose of abuse. Diversion refers to the redirecting of drugs from legitimate use into illicit channels. The drugs may be obtained through any number of sources—by bogus prescriptions, from a friend, or purchased on the streets.

How Many Americans Are Abusing Prescription Drugs?

The American Society of Addiction Medicine considers addiction “a disease process characterized by the continued use of a specific psychoactive substance despite physical, psychological, or social harm.” Addiction is a chronic disease that is progressive—it worsens over time. It can be diagnosed and treated, but without treatment it is ultimately fatal.

It’s difficult to say with precision just how many Americans are abusing prescription drugs, although estimates are available. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 12 million Americans aged twelve or older reported having used prescription drugs—painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, or stimulants—for nonmedical purposes during the year. Treatment for addiction to painkillers has increased 430 percent over the last decade.

How Addiction Affects the Brain

Leading Cause of Accidental Death

It was once thought that addiction was a result of being weak-willed—addicts could stop using drugs if they wanted to. But research has shown that this is not the case. In fact, after prolonged use of an addictive substance, the “circuits” in the brain virtually become “rewired.”

Fatal poisonings from high concentrations of prescription medications have increased 400 percent in the United States over the past decade according to the Center for Disease Control Health Statistics. In fact, death from accidental overdose of prescription drugs is now the leading cause of accidental deaths among Americans. (Traffic accidents used to be the number one cause of accidental death.) Someone dies every nineteen minutes from drug overdose.

When a medication enters the brain, it is absorbed through receptor sites. Addictive drugs are believed to act on the brain by reinforcing the action of the body’s natural chemical, known as dopamine that is involved in producing the sensation of pleasure. When the body is getting such chemicals from an outside source, the brain stops making some of its own and becomes dependent on the outside source. As the brain adapts to the drug’s presence, the individual using the drug builds tolerance and must continually increase the dosage in order to achieve the initial pleasure sensations. However, most addicts in recovery report that they rarely achieved that initial sense of euphoria or feeling of well-being again.

Further, if the drug is stopped abruptly, it usually triggers withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms of withdrawal may vary depending on the length of the addiction and the drug being used, but common symptoms from painkillers may include anxiety, irritability, chills alternating with hot flashes, salivation, nausea, abdominal cramps, or even death. Some individuals describe withdrawal as the worst possible flu you can imagine. As one goes into withdrawal, the body “begs” for more of the addictive drug in order to escape the misery.

Understandably, giving up the drug is difficult.

This inability to stop using the drug is a characteristic of addiction. Although an addicted individual may intellectually understand the destructive consequences of addiction, he or she may not be able to stop the compulsive use of a drug; the changes in brain structure can affect emotions and motivation, both of which affect behavior.

Another common characteristic of addiction, denial, makes it even more difficult for the addicted individual to give up a drug. Denial refers to the addict’s belief that he or she really does not have a drug problem. This self-protective mechanism is governed by the subconscious areas of the brain where the main addiction pathways exist. Denial keeps the addict from acknowledging both the drug problem and the underlying emotional issues that may be influencing the use of drugs. Usually, the longer the drug abuse has gone on, the stronger the denial.

Drug Misuse There are levels of drug abuse. Drug misuse refers to drugs unintentionally being used improperly by people hoping to get a therapeutic benefit from the drugs.

Misuse includes many scenarios, ranging from the patient who stops taking a medication on his or her own, to the patient who may be exchanging drugs with family members or friends.

Medication misuse causes thousands of deaths and hospitalizations each year and the cost to the economy is in the billions of dollars.

Another potentially fatal misuse of drugs involves painkillers or sedatives taken in combination with alcohol. Even though a drinker may have developed a tolerance to the sedative effects of alcohol, he or she will not have developed a tolerance for the alcohol’s depressing effects on the respiratory system. The combination of alcohol and tranquilizers or sedatives can create cardiorespiratory depression and lead to death.

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Deaths from prescription drugs first topped the list of causes of accidental deaths in 2008, when 41,000 Americans died as a result of drug poisoning, compared to 38,000 who died in automobile accidents.

Symptoms of Addiction Prescription drug abuse is often difficult for friends and family to recognize.

Contrary to popular belief, one need not abuse drugs daily to have a problem with addiction; the pattern of abuse may be occasional or habitual. The abuse is usually an intensely private affair between the abuser and a bottle of pills. And, the pill taker is not subject to the social stigma associated with the shadowy world of street-drug dealing. Still, the following are symptoms of addiction: • • • • • • •

Showing relief from anxiety Changes in mood—from a sense of well-being to belligerence False feelings of self-confidence Increased sensitivity to sights and sounds, including hallucinations Slurred speech, poor motor control Decline in hygiene and appearance Altered activity levels—such as sleeping for twelve to fourteen hours or frenzied activity lasting for hours • Lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed • Unpleasant or painful symptoms when the substance is withdrawn • Preoccupation with running out of pills Distinguishing Medical Use of Drugs from Nonmedical Substance Use

Medical Use

Intent To treat diagnosed illness Effect Makes life of user better Pattern Steady and sensible Legality Legal

Control Shared with physician

Nonmedical Use To alter mood Makes life of user worse Chaotic and high dose Illegal (except alcohol or tobacco use by adults) Self controlled

From “Benzodiazepines, Addiction and Public Policy” by Robert L. DuPont, M.D., New Jersey Medicine, 90 (1993): 824 826. Reprinted by permission.

Who’s At Risk for Addiction?

Who is at risk for addiction? Medical science has also determined that those with a family history of addictions have about a threefold greater risk of developing addictions. But, in addition to family history, there are other risk factors.

Continued on page 12

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THE UNTOLD SECRET

By Dr. Jerry A. Boriskin, Ph.D.

Actually, it is not a secret but more like an aspect of addiction hidden in plain sight. For decades we’ve split off mental health from addiction and alcoholism. The history of how this happened is interesting but not relevant to those newly sober. More vital is the now accepted notion that the majority of addicts suffer from co-occurring mental health issues. Do not be intimidated by the language; mental illness is an awkward- and often misleading - term that gets in the way of information you and your family need in order to increase the likelihood of sustained sobriety. We now recognize that up to 80% of those who are dealing with addiction also deal with depression, anxiety disorders, Attention-Deficit Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and a whole range of cognitive, emotional and mood problems that make sustained recovery much more difficult. For those who want to read more detail I suggest At Wit’s End: What You Need to Know if A Loved One is Diagnosed with Addiction and Mental Illness (Jay and Boriskin, 2007). It is not easy navigating two systems- mental health and recovery work - but getting help with your depression or anxiety can be a lifesaver.

My personal area of interest and expertise is the role of trauma in addiction, recovery and relapse prevention. Most readers are familiar with what was once an obscure term- PTSD. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder was actually recognized a mere thirty years ago (though it was known by other labels in the past, such as ‘shell shock’.) Most people associate it with war-related trauma. Indeed, the overwhelming stress of combat, horrors of death, helplessness, rage, etc. are widely depicted in movies and mentioned in news stories. What many do not realize is that PTSD is a condition that affects civilians as well. In fact, those who have active PTSD are at a much higher risk of developing an addictive disorder, and about 25% to 30% of those in addiction recovery treatment programs meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Whether it is a result of self-medication for physical or emotional pain, or a way of feeling once you have become numb, alcoholism and addiction co-occur with startling frequency.

What is interesting is that both conditions follow similar patterns- they are intrusive, obvious in hindsight but often misdiagnosed or misunderstood by those who treat as well as those who suffer. Adding to the challenge is the fact that many individuals do not connect their trauma issues with their addiction- they separate them and often obscure one or either of these conditions. Denial is symptomatic of PTSD as well as alcoholism/addiction.

Even more vexing is the fact that drug and alcohol use can be the source of traumatic exposure. Far too many young people have been sexually violated when using MDMA, Ecstasy often in combination with alcohol and other drugs.. Tragically, there is a bit of publicity suggesting MDMA as a treatment for PTSD. While the science will sort this out, I am willing to predict it will join the dustbin of false treatment and in the process might damage those who try to self-treat. So, what do you need to know in order to treat the trauma and reduce chances of relapse?

SEQUENCE: WHICH COMES FIRST? It should be noted that the sequence of whether the trauma came first and the addiction after is not relevant. However, the sequence of treatment is important. Sobriety must come first. You cannot get sober by simply addressing PTSD- unless you were not a full genetic addict. The vast majority of clients we see need to become solidly sober and preferably involved in active 12 step support/treatment. So, sobriety first followed immediately by focus on the trauma. Ideally, treatment for PTSD should begin in early recovery- well before the six month sober mark.

HOW DO YOU WORK ON THE PTSD AND WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN TREATMENT? Not everyone exposed to traumatic events develops PTSD. It is estimated that perhaps 25% do develop the condition. However, if you develop PTSD it is something you need to learn to manage, not eliminate. The work that you do in trauma therapy should be focused on building your understanding, acceptance and management of PTSD symptoms. There is no ‘magic’ and there is no ‘cure’, but there are multiple things you can do to dramatically improve your life and protect your sobriety. I strongly encourage you to find a credentialed mental health professional with whom you can develop some trust. The goal is not the perfect clinician, but one who you feel can listen and guide; the best clinicians are great listeners, not task masters or fixers. The goal of therapy is not like you see in the movies. It is not a simple “exposing’ of the trauma or remembering things

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you have worked to forget. Sure, feeling some of the pain and remembering some of the trauma almost always happens, but it is part of the process, not the goal of treatment. The best treatment providers teach you how to think differently. They help you recognize triggers. They help you realize that you are normal, not mentally ill. In fact, a simple definition of PTSD is: “A sane reaction to insane events”.

I like to encourage clinicians and clients to see recovery as a multidimensional challenge. You need to work on the four main factors: 1) Psychological- understanding how you think and how you speak to yourself; 2) Biological: managing the surges in impulse and multiple false alarms that push you to overreact to harmless situations. Sleep, diet, and exercise are key features that need attention. Many clients with PTSD need one or more medications to help provide the safety and sleep you need to recover. Naturally, do your best to find a trauma-informed physician who can manage these medications without risking relapse or over medicating.

The optimal goal is as few meds as needed and use of natural techniques whenever possible; 3) Interpersonal: isolation is a common pattern with trauma survivors. Nobody feels trustworthy. “I would feel better if I was simply left alone” is a common statement. However, your chances for improvement are much better if you can build a few key supports. You can do this while attending AA/NA and working the steps with a sponsor.

A solidly run therapy group for trauma survivors can be a great adjunct.

Simply knowing you are neither alone nor unique can make a great difference; 4) Spiritual: this is more about outlook than religion. Those who develop PTSD often have trouble with fairness, the future and hope.

They struggle with ‘nihilism’ -sense that nothing will ever be right. Skilled clinicians often address this; many sponsors in AA and NA also assist with this. I strongly recommend reading Man’s Search for Meaning, Vicktor Frankl’s classic book that helps readers identify this part of the challenge.

His main theme is helping you look forward with a sense of meaning and purpose. Finding meaning going forward can be vital in keeping you sober as well as far healthier in terms of PTSD. It is important that trauma survivors work on building strength and resilience. It is not a matter of a clinician or treatment program ‘fixing what is broken’. It is more a matter of rediscovering your strength. Recovery from both PTSD and Addiction requires a sense of safety and restored balance as well as a core of self-forgiveness and acceptance. Much of this is covered within the 12 steps but you may need additional assistance in learning to better manage the impact of PTSD. One final caveat- whichever group or program you choose, remember that you are the consumer and you must go at a pace that is comfortable for you. You may feel some intense emotions but the goal is to keep you from feeling overwhelmed or ‘flooded’. Also, remember that what you do in therapy is only a beginning; building confidence, strength and sobriety requires considerable attention to your overall health and wellbeing. The untold secret of sustained sobriety is that you must work on all four dimensions outlined above. It requires learning new skills and becoming your own observer, staying away from guilt, harm, helplessness and dealing with triggers with the help of others.

The secret of recovery is perseverance with a focus on building strength, balance and resilience. It is not mystical; it involves hard work.

Dr. Boriskin is an author, lecturer, and clinician widely known for his ground breaking work in the fields of trauma, PTSD, and addictive disorders. He is a Senior Fellow for the Meadows of Wickenburg Arizona as well as a psychologist for the Northern California Veterans Health Care System.

He was a pioneer in extending the continuum of care and developed two extended residential treatment programs for co-occurring disorders. A passionate advocate for integrated treatment, he possessed a vision that predated the ongoing movement toward specialized and integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, particularly those involving trauma.

In addition to his groundbreaking clinical work Dr. Boriskin is the author of “PTSD and Addiction: A Practical Guide for Clinicians and Counselors.” and co-authored, “At Wit’s End: What Families Need to Know When A Loved One is Diagnosed with Addiction and Mental Illness.”

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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An Overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

By Suncoast Rehabilitation Center

Many rehab centers use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to facilitate the rehabilitation of the client. But what is CBT, and why is it useful?

CBT is actually a classification of a therapy type – not a specific technique. The following qualities are needed for a therapy to qualify as CBT: • Therapy based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors – and that if we change our own thinking, we can improve our feelings and behaviors.

• It is briefer than other therapies like psychoanalysis, which can, per its own admission, take years. Cognitive behavioral therapy has a discernible ending. Our program utilizes a long-term treatment program of approximately 3-months. This gives the person time to get through the program and demonstrate real changes in actions and behavior.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on helping the individual develop skills to make themselves better on their own – so they are not dependent upon their therapist. This also allows the therapy to have a discernible ending, with the person becoming self-sufficient and able to continue utilizing their new skills on their own.

• CBT doesn’t tell the person how they are thinking or feeling, like many other therapies. It allows the individual to discover this for themselves and improve themselves based on their own desire for improvement.

The way we approach CBT at Suncoast Rehabilitation is based on the idea that an individual can only improve if he or she recognizes the source of their difficulties and problems for themselves. We do not tell them what their problems are or why those are their problems. Nor do we tell them solutions they must implement.

Through the course of the therapy, they are able to come to their own conclusions, see a point at which they caused changes in their own life, and work out the best solutions to resolve past, current, and recurring problems.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is structured. There are specific techniques and a specific agenda to follow. This structure allows a person to understand that there is a beginning and an end to the therapy. In this way, they can learn and change at the speed which works for them, while the therapy aids them to come to their own conclusions about their situation.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the scientifically supported idea that most behaviors are learned. With this in mind, it becomes clear that bad behaviors can be un-learned and new, positive behaviors can be learned. In this way an addict can take control of his/her own life and start not only making the right decisions for a drug-free life, but also learning positive behaviors for a drug-free life-style. These behaviors span from themselves personally, through to their family and their work/career.

At Suncoast Rehab we have a specific educational regimen which has been proven effective in helping former addicts change their behavior and improve their lives after they have withdrawn from drugs. We utilize a drug-free detoxification program, and then help patients with cognitive behavioral therapy to change their point of view about drugs, drug addiction, and allow them to realize a drug-free lifestyle.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, contact us today. We can help you with our proven program. Call us at 800-5119403 or contact us via SuncoastRehabCenter.com.

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CARP, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization licensed by the Florida Department of Children & Families for the delivery of alcohol and drug treatment services.

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A Fresh Perspective On Drugs And Crime

By John Giordano DHL MAC

I talk to a lot of law enforcement professional as the North Miami Police Chaplain and they are frustrated. Everyday they go out and put their life on the line to protect our community from criminals, most of whom are high on something. Some of the veterans I’ve spoken with tell me that they often arrest the same person over and over again.

They start out as youth offenders who, over time, become habitual criminals with a long and sorted rap sheet of drugs and crime. It seems as though no matter what you do, nothing changes. You put these criminals away under the auspice of being rehabilitated while paying their debt to society. Yet they come out of prison a more harden criminal and addict then when they went in.

It’s a never ending cycle. Sure the faces on the mug shots change but the underlying story stays the same. A kid gets high on drugs and starts commiting crimes – sometimes simply because he’s high and other times because he needs cash to pay for his habit. The kid grows to become a man but his behavior doesn’t change. I know the circumstances – I’ve been counseling addicts for nearly thirty-years. They’re some of the most resourceful people you’ll ever meet.

Could you imagine what addicts could achieve if they would just channel their resourcefulness in the right directions? I’ve seen first hand what they can achieve and how productive they can be for our society. I’ve counseled addicts who’ve gone on to become business titans, professional athletes and musicians, teachers and even law enforcement officers. My biggest challenge is communicating this message to the people in the system – primarily judges – who make the decisions. If only someone in power would just take a few minutes to listen, I could help diminish the cycle of youth offenders becoming harden criminals.

Perceptions are always hard to change but realities are even harder to ignore. The stark and glaring reality in this case is the role drugs play in youth offenders which has increased to an alarming rate. Taking drugs off the street has not attenuated drug use to any measurable significance. In fact, not long ago an officer told me that busting drug dealers reminded him of Whack-A-Mole, an arcade game he used to play in his youth. Every time you whack a mole another one pops up some place else. Supply will always find its way to where there is a demand.

These issues are not going to go away on their own. Traditional thinking that addiction is a character flaw has led to the current strategies that began failing the second they were enforced. To have any real success at all in reversing the persistent cycle of drug related youth offenders turning into seasoned criminals; there needs to be a fundamental shift in how we think of addiction and an understanding of how it affects individuals’ behaviors.

Not long ago my good friend and colleague, Dr. Kenneth Blum did a study at my drug rehab center. Dr. Blum is a world renowned geneticist whose seminal discovery of the reward gene – also known as the addiction gene and the alcohol gene – over twentyyears ago permanently changed the understanding and treatment of addiction. After decades of research he found that people who carry this gene (DRD2-A1) have a genetic predisposition to addiction. They cannot feel the reward and pleasure others experience in everyday life. As a consequence, people with this genotype often turn to external sources like drugs and/or alcohol – not to get high – but to alter their brain chemistry so they can feel normal. Of the people we had tested at my center, 74% carried the addiction gene. Dr. Blum says this is consistent with other studies he’s conducted.

In saying that, it is imperative that we first recognize addiction for what it truly is – a disease. Before any progress can be made in ending this vicious cycle, we must accept the fact that addiction is a hereditary condition. It begins in the womb and begins attacking its victims at birth. It is also equally as important to know that a genetic predisposition to addiction is not a prediction of one’s future; but rather an indication of what one’s future could hold if the condition is not addressed by professionals.

Like many diseases, addiction is manageable. Early intervention is a key step to effectively controlling the disease. It’s paramount to begin treatment at the first signs, like using and committing crimes. What I am suggesting is that our legal system adopts a policy of ideally mandatory - or at least optional – addiction treatment for first time drug using youth offenders. The incentive for the defendant would be reduced sentences for those who complete the program.

The idea may be revolutionary but by no means novel. Policies similar to the one I’m proposing have been successfully put in place by quite a few municipalities.

One program that comes to mind was implemented in Vermont. A single judge required drug using youth offenders to undergo an evaluation at the time of arraignment to determine if addiction treatment was a feasible option. When the results were positive the judge made treatment a requirement for release. A program such as this forces young defendants to start thinking of taking steps to change. Of the participants who went through this program, the recidivism rate was just 18.7 percent. This is far better result when compared to the estimated 84.3 percent recidivism rate of those who did not go through the program.

For the life of me I cannot understand why we do not have a system like this in place in our community right now. It’s just the right thing to do. A program like I’m proposing would take potential criminals off our streets and make our community safer. It would reduce the recidivism rate. It would save lives both victims and perpetrators.

From a budgetary stand point, this is a very cost efficient program that will save tax payer’s dollars. Less crime means fewer expenses for local taxpayers. We’d

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be incarcerating fewer people in our already over crowded jails. (Footnote: studies have shown that up to two-thirds of the prison population have addiction issues while less than 17% get any type of addiction treatment at all.) It has proven to lower the recidivism rate which would translate into less congestion in our legal and court system.

What is of paramount importance in making a program like this successful is the quality of the addiction treatment program the individual receives. When I was in rehab, it wasn’t working for me the way it was for others. I felt that too much of the emphasis was placed on moral character and not enough energy was directed towards other aspects of addiction. This was a driving force in opening my own ‘holistic’ center where we treat the body, mind and spirit.

There have been so many discoveries since my days in rehab that treatment is barely recognizable. At my center we treat addiction like a mosaic with scientifically proven-evidenced-based therapies. We do a complete and comprehensive workup on everyone admitted to our center. We test for heavy metal toxicity, thyroid hormone disorders, hyperglycemia, nutrient deficiencies, allergies and closed head injuries then treat the individual accordingly. In addition we are the only center in the country that has a genetically directed therapy consisting or two proven effective nutraceuticals.

I’ve always been and still am a firm believer in personal responsibility. Everyone needs to be responsible for their own actions and behaviors. One of the first things I tell people seeking my help is that they have a choice to use or not use drugs. But these are people who already know they have a problem and are working towards solving it. Over time and as new science has emerged, I’ve come to accept the fact that for some the choices they face are clearer then for others. It is with this in mind along with the points I made above, that the program I’ve outlined is absolutely essential to dimishing the vicious cycle of drug using youth offenders turning into life-long harden criminals.

John Giordano DHL MAC is a counselor, President and Co-Founder of G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center in North Miami Beach and Chaplain of the North Miami Police Department. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me directly at 305-945-8384. Also for the latest development in cutting-edge treatment check out my website: www.holisticaddictioninfo.com

Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction

Continued from page 6

The risk for addiction is greatest among women, seniors, and, as mentioned earlier, teenagers. Women are two to three times more likely than men to be prescribed drugs such as sedatives; they are also about two times more likely to become addicted. This stems in large part from the fact that women are more likely to seek medical attention for emotional problems. Seniors take more drugs than the rest of the population and have a reduced capability of breaking them down and eliminating them; this increases their odds of becoming addicted. And, the surge in teenage abuse of prescription drugs has led to dependency among many. Other groups at increased risk for addiction are medical professionals, alcoholics, and smokers.

Other factors that put one at risk for addiction: • Medical condition that requires pain medication • Extreme stress from family tragedy or death • Divorce • Excessive alcohol consumption • Fatigue or overwork

• • • • •

Poverty Depression Dependency Poor self-image Obesity

Is everyone who takes addictive drugs at risk for addiction? The answer is no. Most people can do drugs with addiction potential and not progress to addiction; however, those who do become addicted likely have a preexisting addictive disorder, such as predisposition to alcoholism. The difficulty is, we don’t always know which patients this will be.”

Curbing the Epidemic of Addiction Stopping the abuse of prescription drugs is a challenge, to say the least. However, in 2011, the Office of National Drug Control Policy released a multi-pronged strategy to deal with addiction to prescription drugs. The plan calls for consumer education, proper medication disposal, an increase in law enforcement activity, and monitoring programs that allow health professional to keep track of how many narcotics are being prescribed to patients.

Rod Colvin is the author of Overcoming Prescription Drug Addiction (Addicus Books).

A former journalist, he wrote the book after the death of his 35-year-old-brother Randy, who died as a result of his long-term addiction to prescription drugs. www.prescriptiondrugaddiction.com Currently the publisher at Addicus Books, Omaha, Nebraska, Colvin is also the author of several other nonfiction books and numerous magazine articles. He may be reached at info@AddicusBooks.com

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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Collateral Damage of Addiction

By Sheryl Latzgus McGinnis

When formulating my thoughts for this article I realized the first thing I must say is how sorry I am for the need for such words. And how sorry that you, the reader, must have a need for the information in this magazine.

It’s wonderful that such an outlet exists but how much more wonderful it would be if there was no such thing as addiction. But this is the real world so we have to deal with reality. And the reality is that addiction is a family and societal disease that affects us all. It’s like a big menacing octopus that grasps all of us in its tentacles and won’t let go.

Even if you are not an addict and no one in your family is, you’re still affected by the outreach of these tentacles – the collateral damage.

Society suffers as a whole and it will take society, the global village, to help each of our brothers and sisters.

There are certain words that make us go weak in the knees - cancer; diabetes; heart attacks; terminal illness; death; accident; murder. These are just some of the many words that can change our lives or our loved ones’ lives in an instant.

Now enter Addiction; one of the cruelest words in our language. There is no test for it, no cure for it. It is a treatable disease which involves a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication on the addicts’ part, but it is not curable at this point in time. It is insidious, creeping into our lives unexpectedly.

A goodly amount of people are smug about this brain disease, claiming that it would never happen in their family because they’ve reared their children properly or because they take their children to church. Some go as far as to blame the parents when their child becomes addicted. They castigate the parents for not parenting properly, for not being involved in their children’s lives, for letting their children run wild.

Yes, the above might be true in some cases; I would venture to say a very, very small percentage of cases. But addiction can, and does, happen in the very best of homes; two parent homes, church-goers, loving, caring, responsible parents who are fully immersed in their children’s lives. And still this monster enters the home and destroys everyone in it.

Some believe that addiction is not a disease at all. Addiction is a brain disease but the problem that others have with it is how it is acquired.

To be sure it isn’t like catching a cold. It is self-imposed but so is lung cancer when caused by smoking, so is heart disease when caused by a fatty diet. But just like cancer and heart disease and diabetes, and other diseases, addiction can also occur because of our genetic makeup. There are addiction genes. And most addicts begin their journey down this perilous path while they are young and know everything!

Every addict I’ve spoken to has told me the same thing in one form or another: “If I had really known what addiction was like or that I could truly become addicted, I’d never have done any drugs - at all! This is a living hell.”

They chose drugs but they did not choose addiction! When an addicted person manages to get “clean” for a considerable amount of time and then relapses, some argue that they are indeed choosing addiction now.

I disagree. They are not choosing addiction. The Addiction Monster has been quieted but not vanquished. Just like the varicella virus (chicken pox) stays hidden within our bodies, so does addiction. The difference is the varicella virus re-emerges as shingles. Addiction remains the same – addiction. And can come back even stronger.

Addiction is a family disease; like that octopus it wraps its tentacles around everyone, the addicted person, the parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family members, close friends, co-workers, you name it, they’re all touched by this scourge.

No parent of a young child, a tween or teen, can keep an eye on their child 24/7. The reality is that no matter how close we are, no matter how much we talk (and listen) to our child, no matter how much we love and trust them, the day comes when they are out in the world on their own and we can’t be by their side monitoring their every move.

We can just hope that we have laid a strong foundation and that our children will comply with our wishes. But all our words can be for naught

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when they’re spending more time with their classmates and friends than they are with us. Peer pressure can be a horrible or wonderful influence on our child, depending on their choice of friends.

Even if your child has never shown any inclination to do drugs, you still need to be on full alert. This is not the world of yesteryear. This is a new world and unfortunately it’s saturated with drugs and amazingly easy accessibility to them. All it takes is that one time for them to satisfy their curiosity, to be coerced into taking your drugs by their friends. Don’t be caught looking at the pills in your prescription pill bottle and thinking ‘hmmm, I could swear I had X amount of pills left’ and then shaking your head thinking you must have miscounted. Always remember this mantra: Good kids do drugs too.

Some startling statistics from 2008 from PATS (Partnership Attitude Tracking Study) show that in 2008, 16% of 12th graders had tried crack/ cocaine, 7% had tried heroin and a whopping 27% had tried Rx drugs without a prescription. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America 8 million American adolescents and young adults need treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction and 9 out of 10 are not getting the treatment they need. Yet our government has drastically cut drug programs in our schools. Write your state representatives and urge them to put these programs back in school where they’re desperately needed.

We spend an incredible amount of money on jails. Imagine if we had an equal amount of money to spend on rehabs and drug education. Imagine if we actually wanted to help drug addicted people instead of castigating them and throwing them away like yesterday’s news.

We have many dedicated people in the addiction field trying to unlock the mysteries of the brain, why some people are prone to addiction and some aren’t, why some people can seemingly conquer this disease and some are tethered to their drug of choice for life. It’s important to understand that addiction is not a moral failing – it’s a disease, a legitimate brain disease. I always caution parents to make the distinction between their child and their disease. You can make sure they understand that you love them but hate their disease.

The only consolation my husband and I have is knowing our child went to his death knowing how much he was loved. We did everything we could to help him and he did try to help himself, voluntarily entering rehabs.

The major deterrent for a successful rehab is the short amount of time spent in one. It’s hard to take a person who has been addicted for many years and then expect them to be “cured” in thirty days. Addiction requires a multi-pronged approach and of course the desire for the addicted person to truly want sobriety.

Our son wanted sobriety and freedom from drugs but his addiction, what I call the Addiction Monster, was stronger than him. I don’t believe it has to be this way. I believe if we truly want to help people we must step up our efforts in the research field, fund these researchers who are working so hard to solve the riddle of the addicted brain. We need to begin educating our children at an early age.

Children are hearing about drugs from their classmates, siblings and friends. They hear how cool it is to do drugs. We need to countermand this information by speaking – and listening – to our kids from an early age. We can’t afford to wait until they’re older. Their heads are being filled with misinformation so it behooves us to arm them with the facts.

So do your best to raise a healthy, socially responsible good citizen but be prepared for the day that may come when you discover your heretofore sweet, innocent child has succumbed to the Addiction Monster, right under your very nose. It’s a heartbreaking slap in the face.

My sincere hope is that this never happens in your family. If it does, you will need a lot of compassion and understanding. You will then realize that as good a parent as you are, you can still find yourself in the battle of a lifetime - the battle to save your child from the Addiction Monster.

Sheryl has written 4 books on addiction and drugs. Her best-selling book “The Addiction Monster and the Square Cat” is aimed at children ages ten and up. For more information on the author and her books please visit her website at www.sherylletzgusmcginnis.com

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FARR: STANDARDS FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES

By Myles B. Schlam, J.D.,CAP/CCJAP

Florida has long been home to some of the finest recovery homes in the nation; residences operated by ethical management who are singularly focused on the well-being of those they serve. Regrettably, Florida is also home to a significant number of so called “halfway houses” managed by operators whose primary motivation is simply to fill beds. Both groups compete for referrals from the same Residential Treatment providers, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP). Both market themselves through the use of professionally designed websites, full color brochures and ‘feet on the street’ marketers who personally call on these referral sources to extoll the virtues of the properties they represent. These marketers speak the language of recovery. They know all the right buzz words and their programs all sound great! So; how can the therapists and counselors who make these referrals know which one is best suited for their client? Until recently they were dependent soley upon past experience and a “gut feeling” to guide their referral. The Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) has emerged as a central repository of reliable, objective and comprehensive data regarding transitional living facilities throughout the state.

As a founding board member of the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR), Nancy Steiner led the charge to establish standards for Recovery Residences here in Florida. FARR (Florida Association of Recovery Residences) has quickly gained momentum and support from all facets of the recovery community. She states, “We’re reaching out to treatment centers to collaborate as part of a continuum of care, and to identify those homes and programs throughout our state that meet FARR standards.”

FARR has accomplished much in its infancy. Their website, http://farronline.org is now up and operational. Of the first nineteen applicants, seven have completed the submission of required documentation supporting compliance with FARR standards and have passed a rigorous onsite review by a team of independent inspectors trained

by NARR. Several more are scheduled for inspection next month, including residences in Broward, Volusia and Pinellas counties. Caron-Hanley Foundation has volunteered to hold an educational gathering for treatment executives late next month at which the FARR Board will present their case for a unified approach to this continuum of care that necessitates channeling referrals soley to those residences who are members in good standing of FARR. As a Board Member and the Outreach Chair of FARR, John Lehman states “While our goals are ambitious; we’ll achieve them over time. FARR is establishing itself as the certification source upon which both the private and public sectors rely. We do not hold, nor do we seek, the authority to close down operators who fail to meet our standards. Our integrity hinges on providing quality and reliable information concerning programs we have confirmed do meet our standards.” FARR requires each of its members to publish and provide a clear “grievance procedure” to their residents that escalates, when necessary, to FARR and, if yet unresolved, to NARR. When a program is found deficient in one area or another, they are provided the opportunity to raise that particular standard to become compliant. Most owner/ operators welcome this guidance and support. A network of volunteers is busy at work behind the scenes developing training programs, policy & procedure manuals and other support facilities to assist members in their efforts to provide a solid, transitional environment for those in early recovery. Most of FARR’s members have been engaged at the front-line for decades. This further enhances the wealth of experience available through affiliation with the national organization. NARR now represents over 1,900 recovery residences with a combined capacity of 25,000 beds nationwide and anticipates it will cross the 50,000 milestone during 2013.

As impressive as these figures are, they fall far short of the demand which is conservatively estimated at over a quarter of a million beds. This means, among many other things, that there’s no real competition. There is an immediate need for additional recovery homes that truly focus on providing a safe, nurturing ‘sober’ environment for their residents. Existing operators are continually expanding and, even while doing so, are welcoming new startups with open arms provided they’re prepared to ‘do it right’ from the onset.

FARR Membership is not limited to recovery residences. The ‘Friends of FARR’ program includes a law firm, numerous treatment providers, an academic certification facility, a merchant services provider, web designer and several recovery coaches. The front door is wide open to those who have a genuine interest in supporting the association and its members. Many of these associate members have donated both time and funds to help FARR gain momentum. Service is a core principle of recovery and it is abundant throughout the organization. I myself am an active Friend of FARR, serving on the Membership Committee and inspecting the facilities of prospective members.

The FARR Advisory Board is comprised of professionals from a broad spectrum; including residential treatment executives, licensed therapists, law enforcement personnel, civic and business leaders, vocational educators and recovery residence owner/operators. This wealth of experience positions the association to carry the message of standard-based care within and without the organization. FARR has begun to reach out to local and state level government officials, the media and the community at large to educate those willing to listen about recovery. For too long; the public dialog has focused on issues related to the problems caused by addiction. That dialog incites fear, encourages debate and generally divides participants into disparate camps. The

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discussion worthy of promotion is all about Recovery. It’s a message of unity; how together we can save lives by forging alliances that build bridges rather than tear them down. For those once enslaved by addiction there is hope and healing to be found in the continuum of care offered through Recovery Residences.

There are currently four levels of care that members can apply to provide services at – Levels I-IV. Level I facilities have the least amount of structure and supervision, while Level IV have the most. It is important that people realize that in the past there has been no licensing for sober houses and no agencies to monitor and oversee them. While treatment centers all need to be licensed by the state and comply with a multitude of policies and procedures and standards, sober houses have been free to operate completely unaccountable to anyone.

One of the purposes of FARR and ASI (of which I am Executive Director), is to provide quality assurance to the consumers, who are usually Addicts who have just been discharged from treatment. Anyone just being discharged from treatment or just looking for the best sober living environment for them should call us at ASI and we will provide you with our list of preferred sober living facilities throughout the tri-county area and beyond. We also are fortunate to have sober houses which are affiliated with treatment centers which provide I.O.P. (Intensive Outpatient Program) where that is deemed necessary.

Myles B. Schlam, J.D.,CAP/CCJAP Advocare Solutions, Inc.- Executive Director (954) 804-6888 www.drugtreatmentpro.com *Myles B. Schlam is a nationally recognized expert in Drug Addiction and the Criminal Justice System and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He is one of 100+ Criminal Justice Addiction Professionals (CCJAP) in the State of Florida. Mr. Schlam graduated from the St. Thomas University School of Law in 2002. ASI is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and operates in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. **Special thanks to John Lehman, a Friend of FARR and active committee member for his extensive and critical input for this article.

CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH TREATMENT CENTER IS RIGHT FOR YOU? Choosing a treatment center is an important decision-one that you should not make alone! We can help you with: Placements • Consultation • Case Management Services • Client Advocacy • Court Liaison Services • Interventions • In-Custody Evaluations • Expert Testimony • Alternative Sentencing Hearings • Marchman Acts.

Call us today for a free consultation.

Licensed by the DCF

Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional Individualized Assessments

954-804-6888

Myles B. Schlam J.D., CAP/CCJAP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Myles@drugtreatmentpro.com www.drugtreatmentpro.com

My Little One…

By K.J. Foster

What has become of my little one Captured soul, mind control Eyes so bleak I cannot speak My heart aches, my heart breaks As the wicked blue pill consumes you I try to be strong, pretend nothing is wrong Some nights it goes on and on and on Robbed sleep, anger grows deep Sometimes all I do is weep Will you break, before I wake People say you’ll find your own way It’s so hard to know, so hard to let you go I want to guide you, I want to protect you I want to engage you, I want to save you From yourself my son, my first-born little one How far must you fall Do you really have to lose it all It’s strictly up to you There is only so much a Mother can do My love for you will never cease First born son, memories of my little one Thy will, not mine, be done January 2009 To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

By Mitchell E. Wallick PhD CAP CAGC

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE can often play an extremely useful role in the treatment of compulsive gamblers. The alternative treatments available enhance the traditional modalities that are used in treatment to form a synergy which helps address many of the symptoms of the compulsive gambler.

Those providing gambling treatment recognize that most compulsive gamblers entering treatment require a period of decompression. Withdrawal from gambling often leaves the patient jittery, unfocused and “ready to climb out of their skin.” This is a crucial time for the compulsive gambler in treatment because the uncomfortable feelings in early treatment frequently lead to the client leaving treatment.

Through a combination of acupuncture and aroma therapy can do much to relieve these feelings and diminish the likelihood of the client leaving treatment. We also know that many clients enter treatment in full blown denial. The five needle protocol developed by the National Association of Detox Acupuncturists, often creates an initial bonding with the program; helping even if the patient is in denial. This nonverbal approach used in either a group or individual setting helps reduce depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, restlessness and irritability that is frequently present in initial abstinence. In addition to helping the compulsive gambler participate more fully in groups and individual therapy, it provides immediate reinforcement for the client’s ability to heal and get better. As the client progresses, more specific individual problems such as anxiety, ADD, depression etc. are focused on.

A second holistic treatment is the use of aroma therapy. This treatment is literally the use of smell to treat symptoms and conditions. Aroma therapy has been shown, in some cases, to actually be more effective than traditional Western medications.

Diffusing specific combinations of oils, combined with controlled environments such as quiet meditation rooms, soothing music etc. combine with the Western approaches to enhance positive outcomes.

Meditation also improves the mental state, quieting the mind of the compulsive gambler, and allows them to face their problems with less discomfort.

Other innovative alternative methodologies such as yoga, Qi gong, and physical activities have also been found to be useful in treatment.

Mitchell E. Wallick PhD CAP CAGC is Executive Director of C.A.R.E. Addiction Recovery.

Back to Basics Basics--101 An introduction to the Twelve Steps of Recovery

During this seventy-five minute DVD, Wally Paton, noted archivist, historian and author, takes you through all Twelve Steps the way they were taken during the early days of the Twelve-Step movement. Experience the miracle of recovery as Wally demonstrates the sheer simplicity and workability of the process that has saved millions of lives throughout the past seventy years.

Wally has taken more than 500,000 through the Twelve Steps in his Back to the Basics of Recovery seminars. He has made this “Introduction to the Twelve Steps” presentation hundreds of times at treatment centers, correctional facilities, and recovery workshops and conferences around the world.

This is a DVD for newcomers and old-timers alike. You can watch it in its entirety or divide it into three segments: Surrender (Steps 1, 2 and 3); Sharing and Amends (Steps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9); and Guidance (Steps 10, 11 and 12).

The accompanying CD contains twenty-four pages of PDF presentation materials for facilitators and handouts for participants.

Here is everything you need to take or take others through the Twelve Steps “quickly and often.”

Wally has modified the “Big Book” passages so they are gender neutral and applicable to all addictions and compulsive disorders. In keeping with the Twelve-Step community’s tradition of anonymity, he does not identify himself, or anyone else in this DVD, as a member of any Twelve-Step program.

This DVD was recorded at the Public Broadcasting Service television studio in Tucson, AZ using high definition cameras, flat screen graphics, and PowerPoint overlays. It is a state-ofthe-art production that is both instructive and enlightening. “It works—it really does.”

To order this DVD plus CD, please contact: Faith With Works Publishing Company P. O. Box 91648 ~ Tucson, AZ 85752 520-297-9348 ~ www.aabacktobasics.org DVD+CD Price: $79.95 + $11.05 (priority s/h) Total Price: $91.00

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The Hurricane of A Loved One’s Addiction – How to Weather the Storm

By Beverly A. Buncher, MA, PCC, CTPC

Ever drive through sideways rain?

Eight years ago, Hurricane Rita was approaching and my husband was returning from his weekly out-of-state work commute. We had five hours until the storm, so I got in my car and began the 15 minute drive to FLL to pick him up.

Light rain was falling as I left my house. Within two blocks, the sprinkling showers gained power. By the time I reached the highway, the rain was falling hard. No big deal, I thought. In Florida, we are used to strong afternoon showers.

loved one’s openness to considering a change to their lifestyle! To Be A Loving Mirror™ is to cultivate an inner calmness, and on that basis, to communicate what you see your addict doing and what you hear him saying, in a calm, factual way, without judgment, or anger. If the ability to do this eludes you, keep practicing it. It is probably one of the most important things you can do for your addict, since it allows you to provide them with a mirror of their behavior so they can see things from the perspective of those affected by the storm they’ve created. When you do so calmly, you have a better chance of helping motivate them to make a change in their life.

But then I got on the highway, and moved into the middle lane. Suddenly, all Hell broke loose. The rain turned into blinding sideways sheets of concentrated water.

As I drove, the raging storm of water and wind pelted me from all sides. This sideways rain made it impossible to see anything but my windshield, the white line on the road and an occasional light to my left or right.

Just as victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters can find themselves in need of help afterward to get their bearings and recover from the trauma of what they’ve gone through, so, too, do family members need tools to help them find better ways to relate to themselves and each other, despite the traumas of the past.

I tried to figure out how to get off the road. But the lights that came up beside me were only slightly visible and they came and went without warning. I knew it would be far too risky to veer over into the exit lane, so I just followed the white line and kept moving forward.

No matter how bad things seem, as long as there is life, there is hope. Families can play a positive role in encouraging their loved ones to get and stay sober once they get their focus back on themselves. After all, family addiction, like a hurricane, can leave some pretty deep scars, especially if its effects are ignored or denied.

Doing so wasn’t easy. I was probably going about five miles per hour. It took every bit of concentrated focus for me to keep my mind on the road and off of my abject fear.

Each of these recovery practices will help you build inner resilience. Plus, each time you speak in a peaceful, loving way to someone who is struggling, you give them hope that there could be a way out of the insanity for them, too.

Instead of a 15 minute ride, it took me two hours to get to the airport. As I pulled into the arrivals gate, the sky began to clear. My husband didn’t understand why it took me so long to get there and I was too traumatized to explain. The road back was completely clear of any rain or wind. The sun was out. My husband was in an upbeat mood, happy to be home in time for the storm, while I could hardly talk or think.

Beverly Buncher, MA, PCC, CTPC, Family Recovery Coach, helps family members of addicts turn their chaos to sanity, through her Be A Loving Mirror (BALM) Family Recovery Coaching Programs. She is the originator and host of the Daily BALM, a weekday teleseminar that helps family members around the world learn practical recovery principles and tools. Author of the BALM E-Book series, Coach Bev is internationally recognized as a Professional Certified Coach by the ICF (International Coach Federation), on the faculty of Crossroads Coaching School and a mentor coach for the Institute for Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). You can learn more about her work on her website at www.familyrecoveryresources.com To contact Bev; you may email her at bbuncher @familyrecoveryresources.com or call her at 786 859 4050.

Like coastal residents facing a hurricane, the families of addicts move forward together as the addict’s descent into substance abuse begins. At first, they experience some little ups and downs. But when the addiction really kicks in, its storms can move from challenging to blinding in what seems like an instant.

As the addiction progresses, the addict is often unaware of its effects, numbed by his drug of choice. Meanwhile, the family members are awake, alert, and taking it all in. Tension, confusion, the search for landmarks and ‘a way out’ all add up to a traumatic ride for the family members.

If the addict and the family are fortunate, sobriety comes. But even then, while the addict may appear relieved and content, family members can find themselves racked with anger and anxieties as they wait for a slip or a relapse to take away all that they’ve always wanted...

Throughout the journey, of course, some family members fare better than others.

Those who do, have a built in resilience that allows them to weather the storm with minimal damage. Just as homes built of concrete outlast a storm better than those built of wood or tin, resilient family members bounce back from the storms of a loved one’s addiction more easily than those members with less resilience.

While not everyone finds it easy to bounce back, most of us can recover, even before and during the addiction’s worst moments, with some education, coaching, therapy, and encouragement. These recovery supports can be seen as storm protection, shielding those who seek them from the storm’s hardest hits.

Here are a few tips to help you build your endurance and inner calm in the midst of the storm of a loved one’s addiction: • Just keep breathing. Often, people who are upset by a situation or event get so worked up that they stop breathing. To avoid this, create a breathing practice for yourself that will allow you to consciously breathe, deeply, slowly, and naturally, on a regular basis. Some ways to stay conscious of your breath are to take a slow, deep breath before opening the door or answering the phone. Just cultivating these breath breaks can help you go a long way toward serenity.

• Understand that this behavior of your loved one’s is not about you! If you cry, scream, have a fit, and attempt to guilt them into stopping, you make it about you – and so will they! If you were a fly on the wall during their next drunk or run you might even hear them say, “if you had a (wife, husband, sister, mother, etc.) who acted like that, wouldn’t you drink?” Of course not, but crying, screaming and guilting are unhelpful behaviors better left for a conversation with your recovery coach, sponsor, or therapist. There are better ways to get your point across to your loved one! Discover and practice them regularly.

• Take good care of yourself. As a grown up, your job is to be there for yourself and the other people in the family. This is almost impossible to do if you are not taking care of yourself! Therefore, instead of letting yourself ‘go to pot’ along with your loved one, take a daily shower, brush your teeth and hair, and eat healthfully! Taking care of yourself is a prerequisite for any help you would like to give anyone else.

• Be A Loving Mirror™. This act alone can make a tremendous difference in your

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Back to the Basics of Recovery Amends: Steps Eight and Nine

By Wally P.

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

In our journey through the Twelve Steps, as they were taken during the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous, we have followed the ”Big Book” directions for our Surrender (Steps One, Two and Three) and our Sharing (Steps Four, Five, Six and Seven). As I mentioned in an earlier article, this process was usually completed in one sitting and took a couple of hours.

We are now ready to make our Amends (Steps Eight and Nine). Amends is a two-part process: making restitution to those we have harmed and forgiving those who have harmed us.

We start by reviewing our Fourth Step inventory. It contains our Eighth Step amends list. The “Big Book” authors confirm this in the third paragraph on page 76: “. . . Let’s look at Steps Eight and Nine. We have a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it

when we took inventory.”

result of making amends to those we’ve harmed and forgiving those who have harmed us. As we heal, we improve our conscious contact with the “One who has all power.”

In the next article we will take Step Ten, the first step of Guidance. We will learn how to enhance our “vital sixth sense” by practicing Steps Four through Nine on a daily basis.

Wally P. is an archivist, historian and author who, for more than twenty-three years, has been studying the origins and growth of the Twelve-step movement.

He is the caretaker for the personal archives of Dr. Bob and Anne Smith.

Wally conducts history presentations and recovery workshops, including “Back to the Basics of Recovery” in which he takes attendees through all Twelve Steps in four, one-hour sessions. More than 500,000 have taken the Steps using this powerful, time-tested, and highly successful “original” program of action.

On March 16, 2013, Wally will be conducting a “Back to Basics” workshop in Fort Myers, FL. For more information, please go to www.aabacktobasics.org.

Sponsorship / Step 1-­‐2-­‐3 Workshop

If we used the Assets and Liabilities Checklist described on pages 64 to 69 of the “Big Book”, we have inventoried our resentments, fears and harms.

Although there are no hard and fast rules, the “Big Book” authors explain that we overcome our resentments with forgiveness (page 67), our fears with faith (page 68), and our harms (selfishness, dishonesty, inconsideration, jealousy, suspicion and bitterness) with amends (page 69).

Presentation by: Wally P.

In order to forgive those we resent and to walk through our fears, we need to pray. The resentment prayer is at the top of page 67, and the fear prayer is in the third paragraph on page 68. These prayers are identified by the word “ask.”

AA Archivist & Historian

The Ninth Step is described on pages 76 to 83. On page 76, paragraph three, the “Big Book” authors tell us what we need to do:

23 + Years researching, interviewing, documenting and archiving the “ORIGINAL” AA Program

“. . . Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes.”

Thursday, March 14th 2013 Time: 7:00 -­‐ 8:30 pm

If needed, the sponsor and sponsee once again pray together. This time they pray for the sponsee to have the courage and conviction to approach those he or she is presently unwilling to face.

CENTRAL HOUSE

The “Big Book” authors provide us with detailed information on each of the four types of amends. They are direct amends, living amends, amends-inkind, and amends to those who cannot be seen. The sponsor and sponsee together decide which amends to make. They do this with a back-and-forth role play until the likely outcomes have been thoroughly examined.

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There are “Big Book” passages that describe each of these amends. Direct amends to those we dislike and to those we owe money are explained in the first paragraph on page 77 and the second paragraph on page 78.

In the first paragraph on page 83, we learn about living amends. This type of amends is straightforward. We start acting like a person in recovery, someone who is living a life based on “humility, fearlessness and honesty.” This is one of the greatest amends we can make, especially to family and friends.

The amends-in-kind is described on page 82, paragraph one. Some examples of this “in lieu of” or “indirect” amends are taking a meeting into a halfway house or prison; volunteering at a homeless shelter or assisted living facility; or serving a Twelve-Step group by accepting and fulfilling a service commitment.

In the third paragraph on page 83, the “Big Book” authors give directions on what we do if we can’t make amends to someone face-to-face. Here, the sponsor and the sponsee sit down and write a letter to the person on the amends list. Then the sponsee reads it aloud and puts it into an envelope.

Together, they go to the post office and mail it. The envelope has no name on it. It also has no address, no return name, no return address, and no stamp.

Another way to send the letter is to burn it. This is a relatively new phenomenon, but again, this is something the sponsor and sponsee do together. What is amazing is that the letter goes exactly where it needs to go in order for us to heal.

Taking the Steps is all about healing–healing the pain, remorse, shame and guilt associated with our past behaviors and actions. We heal as the direct

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The contents of this book may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without consent of publisher. Every effort has been made to include accurate data, however the publisher cannot be held liable for material content or errors. This publication offers Therapeutic Services, Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitative services, and other related support systems. You should not rely on the information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health care professional because of something you may have read in this publication. The Sober World LLC and its publisher do not recommend nor endorse any advertisers in this magazine and accepts no responsibility for services advertised herein. Content published herein is submitted by advertisers with the sole purpose to aid and educate families that are faced with drug/alcohol and other addiction issues and to help families make informed decisions about preserving quality of life.

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