March15 issue

INTERVIEW WITH DR ANDREW KOLODNY ASKING FOR SUPPORT IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH HIDDEN CONTRIBUTORS TO ADDICTION ROLLING WITH RECOVERY: HOW COMBAT SPORTS HELP BATTLE ADDICTION BENEFITS AND TRENDS OF INTERVENTION THE MOONEY FAMILY STORY THE EVOLUTION OF THE SOUL: HEALING ADDICTION AND TRAUMA THROUGH STRING THEORY, ALCHEMY AND HYPNOSIS

12 STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL 12 MONTHS TOWARDS SOBRIETY A NEW YEAR; A RENEWED MISSION… SELF-CARE: MINDFULLY RECLAIMING YOUR TIME ADOLESCENTS, HOMELESSNESS, AND SUBSTANCE USE TJA KI - TRAUMA AND ADDICTION HORSES HELP KIDS RECOVER FROM ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES GRATITUDE HOUSE: CELEBRATING 46 YEARS OF TRANSFORMING LIVES FREEDOM OF ADDICTION

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A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Readers, I welcome you to The Sober World magazine. The Sober World is an informative award winning national magazine that’s designed to help parents and families who have loved ones struggling with addiction.

We are a FREE printed publication, as well as an online e-magazine reaching people globally in their search for information about Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

one (under the age of 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, Extended Living and there are Sober Living Housing where they can work, go to meetings and be accountable for staying clean.

We directly mail our printed magazine each month to whoever has been arrested for drugs or alcohol in Palm Beach County as well as distributing locally to the schools, colleges, drug court, coffee houses, meeting halls, doctor offices and more throughout Palm Beach and Broward County. We also directly mail to rehabs throughout the country and have a presence at conferences nationally.

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 as an alternative to 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. 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.

Our monthly magazine is available for free on our website at www.thesoberworld.com.

If you would like to receive an E-version monthly of the magazine, please send your e-mail address to patricia@thesoberworld.com Drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions throughout the country and is steadily increasing. It is being described as “the biggest manmade epidemic” in the United States. More people are dying from drug overdoses than from any other cause of injury death, including traffic accidents, falls or guns.

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

Purdue Pharma, the company that manufactures Oxycontin generated $3.1 BILLION in revenue in 2010? Scary isn’t it?

Addiction is a disease but there is a terrible stigma attached to it. 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 one’s life. They are more apt to listen to you now than 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 detox centers that provide medical supervision to help them through the withdrawal process, There are Transport Services that will scoop up your resistant loved To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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 best care suited for their needs. They need help.

Deaths from prescription drug overdose have been called the “silent epidemic” for years. There is approximately one American dying every 17 minutes from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Please don’t allow your loved one to become a statistic. I hope you have found this magazine helpful. You may also visit us on the web at www.thesoberworld.com.

We are on Face Book at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sober- World/445857548800036 or www.facebook.com/steven.soberworld, Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesoberworld, and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/pub/patricia-rosen/51/210/955/.

Sincerely,

Patricia

Publisher Patricia@TheSoberWorld.com

For Advertising opportunities in our magazine, on our website or to submit articles, please contact Patricia at 561-910-1943 or patricia@thesoberworld.com.

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INTERVIEW WITH DR ANDREW KOLODNY

By Patricia Rosen

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Andrew Kolodny who is the Chief Medical Officer of Phoenix House, which has locations throughout the United States, and President of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing.

Patricia- Thank you so much for this interview. When I read about a doctor who felt the same way that I and so many other people throughout the country feel about the way pain pills are being prescribed, I had to reach out to you.

Dr. Kolodny- It’s my pleasure.

Patricia- Before we speak about PROP and how you became involved in that tell our readers a little about yourself.

Dr. Kolodny- I graduated Temple University School of Medicine, completed my residency in Psychiatry at Mount Sinai and pursued my interest in Public Health with a public psychiatry fellowship at Columbia University and a Congressional Health Policy fellowship in the United States Senate. Once that was completed I worked as Medical Director for Special Projects in the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Patricia- What did you do for them?

Dr. Kolodny- My first assignment was to reduce drug overdose deaths in New York City. This was in the beginning of the 2000’s. When you talked about a drug overdose death, it was mostly in New York City’s highest need, lower income minority communities that had been hit with addiction epidemics in the past. They happened mostly in neighborhoods like East Harlem, the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn.

Most of the overdoses were from heroin, and many of these people were struggling with this since their addiction in the 70”s. There were also overdoses from crack cocaine although this era was winding down.

Overdose deaths in middle class white neighborhoods were very rare.

Patricia- Was it just New York City that was affected by this?

Dr. Kolodny- Well, because I was working with the health department on drug overdoses I was plugged into a national data base on drug overdose deaths. As I was looking at some of the data that was coming in from different parts of the country, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at, especially in New England and Appalachia. I thought they had the decimal point wrong. This is when I first realized there was a serious problem not just in New York City but other parts of the country as well.

Patricia- What did you do to try to reduce these deaths?

Dr. Kolodny- One of the things we did in New York City and we were one of the first in the country to do it and do it legally, was we started giving out Naloxone through a syringe exchange program to people addicted to heroin so they would get training and know how to respond to an overdose. We didn’t do this directly. We funded a project with the harm reduction coalition. The idea was that clients of the syringe exchange program would be taught how to rescue their peers when they witnessed an overdose.

Patricia- So you were really ahead of your time because I know now, 15 years later they are trying to get the Naloxone Access Law passed in many states. What is your opinion for some states not wanting to pass that law which would enable police, EMT’s, parents, people with drug dependency and all other emergency first responders to be trained and equipped with Naloxone?

Dr. Kolodny- I don’t think there is much of an argument against it. I think early on you heard that they thought it would encourage risky use or that somehow the government was condoning drug use. At this point I don’t think its opposition, I think its more inertia, getting states to change their rules. It would be helpful if the federal government could do something like that. I think we were ahead of our time because the health commissioner at that time was Dr.Thomas Frieden who is now the director

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of the CDC. Dr. Frieden was interested in drug overdose deaths even though they were common at that time with the poor and non-white who didn’t vote. The rest of the country wasn’t interested in overdose deaths until it hit main stream white America. As a public Health Commissioner he cared about drug overdose deaths before it was a hot topic and that’s why we were ahead of our time.

Patricia- What other things did you do to try to prevent overdose deaths?

Dr. Kolodny- Another thing which we worked on which I feel to this day is still even more important than access to Naloxone is to expand treatment to those addicted to opioids. I think that the first line of treatment to those addicted to heroin or painkillers is Buprenorphine or Suboxone. We worked very hard to get doctors in New York City trained and able to prescribe Buprenorphine.

Patricia- Isn’t that something for the short term?I mean do you feel people should be on Suboxone for a long time? Sometimes you hear of people on it for a year or 2 years. Don’t you feel it should be something really used short term and then just tapered off of it?

Dr. Kolodny- Why would you say that?

Patricia- Because then aren’t you substituting one drug for another? I hear of people abusing Suboxone as well.

Dr. Kolodny- Yes, but how long someone is on it has nothing to do with the abuse of it. There is some diversion. Sometimes it’s not prescribed responsibly. Sometimes a doctor won’t check the urine to make sure the patient is taking it. Some doctors don’t give more than the prescription as if somehow the prescription alone will magically cure addiction . Many people need more than Suboxone unless they are very stable. You do see some people trading it for other drugs and it ends up on the black market. I don’t think you have abuse in the sense that people are getting high from it. If your opioid addicted and taking Suboxone regularly it’s not possible to feel high from Buprenorphine. Some people do need it long term. Once patients come off of it, it’s much harder for them to do well. Once they come off their chances of relapse are greater. For some patients the right decision for them is just to stay on it. Nobody wants to be on a medicine long term. Think of people on medicine for high blood pressure or diabetes. I mean if some diabetics could lose weight or eat properly they might not need their insulin or pills. That is the better way to go, but we would never say “ oh, you are just getting your insulin or pills for 6 months or 8 months and then you’re on your own” People should take these medicines for as long as they need it.

Patricia- How did you get into the addiction treatment field?

Dr. Kolodny- I got into addiction treatment through the Buprenorphine work I did with New York City. I realized that you can save someone from an overdose but if you want to reduce the amount of deaths you really have to expand the treatment available. We were very interested in Buprenorphine and Suboxone because of the French experience. In the mid 90’s Buprenorphine became available in France to treat heroin addiction. They didn’t have Suboxone which is Buprenorphine mixed with Naloxone. They only had pure Buprenorphine which frequently ended up on the black market. People were even injecting it. But despite all of this, the drug overdose death rate declined 80% in 6 years. We were very excited about that in New York and worked very hard to expand access to Buprenorphine. One of my jobs working for New York City was to get doctors to use it. A lot of doctors who worked with those struggling with heroin addiction started seeing young white males from Staten Island, Long Island and middle aged pain patients addicted to painkillers. It started to become clear to us that we were in Continued on page 38

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ASKING FOR SUPPORT IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH

By Patricia Spadaro

“My progress is my own responsibility. I don’t need others and I shouldn’t depend on them for help.” True or false? As with most things in life, there is no yes or no answer to that question. At times, it’s important to ask for support and at times we must fly solo.

Knowing what’s the right approach to take and when is part of what I call the play of paradox. Life is rarely, if ever, an either/or equation.

In principle and in practice, life is full of contradiction—paradox. It’s a balancing act.

The dilemma so many of us face in trying to achieve that balance is that we’re awesome helpers and givers but not very good receivers.

We don’t ask for support. We don’t admit to others or to ourselves that we need any. We forget that there are always two sides to the picture of wholeness. To fulfill our role and our potential in life, we must learn to give and to receive.

Here’s an easy way to understand why getting support is essential.

We always hear on airplane flights that if there is an emergency, we should put on our own oxygen masks first before helping others. It’s obvious: If you can’t breathe, how can you help others survive? Now apply that to your own life. If you’re stuck because you don’t have the support you need, how can you give your gifts and help others get unstuck? Taking time to get the care you need may temporarily look to others as selfish or uncaring, but it’s not.

Increasing your capacity to give is the most giving thing you can do.

Nature is full of metaphors that help us see the principle of support in action. Take the habit that birds have of flying together in V-shaped formations. Flying like that saves energy. It reduces the drag force the birds would experience if flying alone and permits them to fly much farther than they could by themselves. When the lead bird, who has to work the hardest, gets tired and falls back, another bird quickly takes its place. Survival during their Olympic migrations depends on individual strength and teamwork.

That kind of integration of self-reliance and team work doesn’t come naturally for all of us. If that’s the case for you, you may be burdened with the insidious myth that “if I can’t make it on my own, something is wrong with me.” Even worse, you may believe that you don’t deserve support. Everyone deserves support, and we all must learn to give as well as receive it.

We forget that even the brightest stars in any field of endeavor have always needed their coaches, mentors, and cheerleaders. Where would the heroic hobbit Frodo Baggins be if his friend Samwise Gamgee hadn’t stuck by him through thick and thin, saving Frodo several times so that he could complete his mission? How far would Helen Keller have gotten without her faithful tutor, Anne Sullivan?

How could Michael Phelps have earned his eight gold metals and an Olympic world record without teammates to help win those stunning medley relays? You are no different. Someone is destined to be your cheerleader and help you move toward the fulfillment of your dreams.

One of the greatest lessons we can learn is that asking for support, when appropriate, is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

Asking for support is healthy. It means you believe that you are worthy of receiving. Not only that, but asking for support is an act of love. When you seek support in making the best decisions in your life, you are acting out of love—love for yourself and for those who will be impacted by your choices.

3 Tips for Getting Unstuck and Seeking Support If you have trouble asking for support when you need it, these three tips can help you get unstuck and move full steam ahead.

1. Focus on what you need most now. Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck? What kind of support would help you move forward more quickly? Support can be physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It can be anything from scheduling a

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massage once a week to joining a community where you can share your passion or get answers to issues you’re facing. It can involve talking through a decision with someone you trust or hiring a consultant or coach. In the spirit of giving and receiving, consider trading services with someone whose help you need.

TIP: Ask yourself: What one step can I take right now to seek support, guidance, or advice in an area where I feel stuck?

2. Surround yourself with positive people. Choose friends who are positive, have healthy habits, and make you feel good about yourself. Steer clear of toxic people or critics who make you feel unworthy or are not willing to support you in achieving a healthy lifestyle.

TIP: If someone in your life is weighing you down with their judgment, politely choose to spend time instead with positive people. If you need new friends, join a community where you will find support and comfort and where you, in turn, can help other people with your unique gifts.

3. Challenge critical voices. All of us have some self-doubt.

Learn to challenge the negative voices in your head that would try to convince you that you aren’t good enough to get support with a strong statement of truth. Create an affirmation that you can say aloud or silently to yourself when those critical voices come sneaking up on you, such as: “I am worthy, and getting the support I need will make me stronger,” or “I honor myself and my full potential by asking for and receiving the right kind of support.”

TIP: People are more willing to help than you might think. If the people you approach cannot help right now or are not willing to help, it doesn’t mean you aren’t worthy. It just means you haven’t found the right supporters yet. You will.

Patricia Spadaro is the author of the award-winning book Honor Yourself: The Inner Art of Giving and Receiving, an inspiring guide to giving your best gifts by learning to honor your own needs, draw healthy boundaries, let go of painful endings, and celebrate your unique voice. Patricia is dedicated to empowering others to live more deeply, fully, and authentically. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. For more inspiration and to learn more about Patricia’s work, visit her at www.HowToHonorYourself.com.

Copyright © Patricia Spadaro

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HIDDEN CONTRIBUTORS TO ADDICTION

By John Giordano DHL, MAC

My new position on the editorial board of the Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (JRDS) has allowed me a unique view into a world of addiction research that I never had before. I’m very encouraged by the extent of the researchers and scientists interest in RDS and extensive studies they’re conducting. I’m also reminded of just how interconnected – and fragile – our physiology really is. Through the contributions of Dr. Blum and his contemporaries we’ve learned more about addiction and its treatment in the last thirty years than we have in any other era in medical history. We’ve come so far and acquired so much knowledge. Yet with all that we have come to know to be true, we as healers continue to fail the people we treat. Relapse rates have not improved proportionally with what has been scientifically proven to be successful.

Unfortunately we find ourselves in a place where addiction treatment is becoming more driven by profit than ever before.

Years ago you’d find most treatment centers were independent facilities founded by people genuinely interested in helping others.

They weren’t the most profitable investments a business person could make, but profit wasn’t the motivating force – helping people overcome their addictions was. We were willing to test the waters with new modalities, regardless of costs, if we saw the potential in improving someone’s opportunities of getting well. This sentiment has changed. As a result treatment protocols are being designed more with profit in mind than patient outcome. New and innovative modalities tend to be the enemy of profit in their early stages, thus rarely see the light of day in modern addiction treatment. This is one of my many criticisms of rehab mills with a one size fits all approach to treatment. Even though they can profit by providing new cutting edge and scientifically proven modalities; the treatment mills choose to stay with their assembly line approach that only allows for the treatment of basic issues with complete indifference to the many contributing factors to addictive behaviors.

It would not be unusual for someone with a genetic predisposition to addiction to live a happy and productive life without ever abusing drugs or engaging in risky behavior. Genetics are just one part of the equation. However, a change in environment or physiology could provide the impetus for someone – regardless of their genetics – to engage in addictive behaviors. More often than acceptable in my opinion, changes in physiology that cause a behavioral shift are incorrectly diagnosed and mistreated.

A great example of this is hormone imbalances. For the sake of simplicity, let’s just focus on one case in point; thyroid hormones produced by a butterfly shape gland in the neck. Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid conditions. Thyroid hormones do many things in the body. One of its main functions is to regulate one of the ‘happy’ brain chemicals (serotonin). When everything is functioning properly the release of serotonin will causes a carefully choreographed chain reaction that ends in the release of other ‘happy’ brain chemicals. This is what gives us the feel of calm and the sense of wellbeing. But when the thyroid is not producing enough hormones (hypothyroidism) to keep serotonin in check, our mood can be lowered and depression can easily set in. Conversely, when the thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), anxiety and irritability can result. Generally speaking, the more severe the thyroid disease, the more severe the mood changes.

Depression and/or anxiety on their own will not turn us into addicts.

However, these emotional issues can provide the catalyst which leads us to self-medicate. Without proper testing, these hormone imbalances causing behavior changes can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed leading to the wrong treatment prescribed. I’ve met several people who have been prescribed anti-depressants for a thyroid condition, which in turn creates a whole new set of problems.

Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar – is becoming increasingly more

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prevalent in our society. It can be hereditary, but more times than not, hypoglycemia is the result of a poor diet. The brain is a hungry organ consuming one third of our sugar intake. This provides the energy for all of our brain functions including the production and release of the ‘happy’ chemicals. As you may have already surmised, someone with low blood sugar does not have the capacity to keep the ‘happy’ brain chemicals flowing the way they should. This can result in moodiness, irritability, depression and a greater risk of self-medication.

Closed-Head Injuries are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) where the brain experiences physical trauma while the skull and dura mater remain intact. At times these injuries can be hard to detect. They’re caused by falls, car accidents, sports, a sudden, violent motion or any head injury resulting from blunt or penetrating trauma caused by an external force. TBIs can result from something as simple as walking into a door or hitting your head on the counter.

The degree of severity can range from mild to life ending.

According to a study by Vani Rao and Constantine G. Lyketsos at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, more than 50% of patients who suffer from a traumatic brain injury will develop psychiatric disturbances with the majority experiencing persistent emotional, behavioral or neurological disability. It’s known that a person with a closed-head or traumatic brain injury often suffers from depression, anxiety, loss of self-esteem and altered personality, any of which will put a person at a greater risk of abusing drugs and/or alcohol. But what is even more concerning is that drugs and/or alcohol abuse can damage the brain in a similar way as TBIs including blackouts.

These are just a few of the many co-contributing conditions to addiction. I’ll review more in future articles. What I find most concerning is that treatment has not caught up with science especially in the treatment mill one size fits all approach. Perhaps this is just reflective of our healthcare in general – reactive as apposed to preventive. However, what gives me hope is what I call the pendulum effect. Things have a way of balancing out. Every treatment mill that opens gives a healer a new opportunity to showcase his or her progressive programs that will surely outshine the assembly line facilities and advance addiction treatment. If you or a loved one is seeking treatment, you owe it to yourselves to look at centers that treat the entire disease with a genuine concern about your wellbeing.

Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.

-

Hippocrates

John Giordano DHL, MAC is a counselor, Founder and former owner of G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center, President and Founder of the National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies, Laser Therapy Spa in Hallandale Beach and Chaplain of the North Miami Police Department. For the latest development in cutting-edge treatment check out his website: www.holisticaddictioninfo.com

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ROLLING WITH RECOVERY: HOW COMBAT SPORTS HELP BATTLE ADDICTION

By Chase Beckwith

Even after achieving recovery, many graduates of addiction programs relapse not long after returning to their previous environment. Although taking up a hobby can be a valid preventative measure in itself, they often do not seem to be as effective in staving off relapse unless they are physically engaging to some degree. While sports can provide some degree of therapeutic value, in most cases they are physically and logistically intensive, making them an unrealistic option as a daily hobby let alone as an augmentation to recovery.

Some combat sports however, such as grappling, rely more on the cerebral aspect of the game versus raw conditioning, striking a balance between physicality and accessibility that has proven to be an effective recovery hobby for many.

Originally, part of the centuries old art of judo, or “the gentle way,” the modern incarnation of jiu-jitsu was derived from a modified version of the Japanese system imported to the U.S. from Brazil in the mid-20th century where it was popularized, a feat due much in part to the famous Gracie clan’s efforts in elevating the level of the sport marketing wise.

Referred to as “rolling” by its practitioners, jiu-jitsu is a perpetually evolving collection of ground fighting techniques that include sweeps, chokes, hyperextensions and compressions of joints and limbs, many of which focus on leverage and fighting a physically stronger opponent.

Like all sports, jiu-jitsu carries a risk of injury, although no one has died from a correctly applied jiu-jitsu technique as of yet.

A technique known as a rear naked choke has been linked to accidental deaths as a result from a simple and fatal technical mistake of applying pressure to the trachea and causing suffocation, where a proper choke would target the carotid arteries only. Unlike all sports other than Olympic long jumping, no sport regularly subjects its practitioners to an existential fear of death more than combat sports.

A Natural Form of Detox Grappling with not only the fear of injury but embarrassment on a daily basis is probably one of the reasons jiu-jitsu is effective for many as a recovery hobby. Experiencing that fear and anxiety while maintaining focus in the present moment is a skill that can be applied to the psychological hurdles in maintaining recovery, making triggers more manageable and relapse less likely.

After a session of “rolling,” the brain’s limbic system is flooded with stress hormones and endorphins creating a “runner’s high” strong enough to act as a de facto detox therapy for some. Jiu-jitsu is also one of the few sports that are an equal mix of anaerobic and aerobic respiration, making cells more efficient both with and without oxygen. Healthy cell respiration is associated with less oxidative stress or fewer free-radicals, which in turn has been linked to reductions in anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse. Deep diaphragmatic breathing that will happen in jiu-jitsu has also been linked to fewer symptoms of the aforementioned issues as well.

Adhering to a jiu-jitsu regimen is also useful for its tendency to stabilize diet and sleep patterns that are often disrupted by addiction. Although jiu-jitsu itself has been accused of being addictive, loss of appetite and insomnia are two symptoms that it has never caused. Also, the cultivation of the mind-body (and spiritual, for some) connection that jiu-jitsu offers is an invaluable tool not just for recovery but for personal growth and development as well.

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Addiction and Adaptability While learning to manage negative emotions is undoubtedly an effective skill in preventing relapse, jiu-jitsu offers something else that other sports do not - an unceasing demand to evolve.

Granted, traditional sports are ever-changing as well; however, the regulation court sizes and rules of traditional sports are generally conservative in nature and relatively static. However, combat sports, namely grappling, seem to be the most rapidly evolving of all.

Before the mid-20th century, jiu-jitsu was considered judo; before the 21st century, Brazilian/Gracie jiu-jitsu was believed to be the optimal form of the sport. In recent decades new styles have arisen based on other positions that are beginning to replace the old guard as well. While the old Taoist adage of “like water” has been used in martial arts for ages, jiu-jitsu arguably demands it the most, not only by requiring its practitioners to adapt and react creatively to surprising circumstances, but by an arms-race mentality that is constantly rendering existing techniques null, leaving a demand for creative and effective new ones.

In jiu-jitsu if you are the more deceptive and creative person you will likely win. For this reason it is most commonly compared to a chess match. Just like with addiction and recovery, winning essentially comes down to being able to adapt and “roll” with the situation at hand.

Chase Beckwith is a writer with the Sovereign Health Group. To learn more about Sovereign’s addiction treatment program, read more of Chase’s work and to read patient reviews, visit www.sovehalth.com.

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BENEFITS AND TRENDS OF INTERVENTION

By Bill Maher, CIP, CADC, BRI II

Intervention has saved thousands of lives over the decades. It’s an incredibly useful tool that continues to evolve. Its use is also expanding to combat addictions globally.

When used appropriately and facilitated by an experienced, credentialed professional, interventionist interventions can be a useful key to long-term success.

I consider it diagnostic when an individual makes a call to an interventionist. Taking that step indicates they are in quite a bit of pain and their level of concern has pierced their own denial.

Understanding this is helpful to know in order to engage them initially. I routinely offer multiple references and strongly encourage families to check them out. Hearing from other families who have been in their shoes decreases anxiety and increases their trust in the process and my skills to guide them.

Having facilitated over 3,000 interventions with a variety of models, I’ve developed a hybrid that is extremely effective for long-term success. It’s founded on the Ed Speare/Wayne Raiter Systemic, invitational model of intervention, with quite a few advancements. This has now evolved into the Action Intervention™ model incorporating psychodramatic techniques assisting the family in warming up to change much more effectively. Ed developed this model in the early 80’s. In this model the focus is on the family as opposed to an individual.

When a family comes into my office inquiring about my services, I immediately want to initiate an educational process that includes videos, literature, questionnaires and writing out very specific types of histories. My one consistent question is how has addiction impacted you, the individual family members?

The first step after a family contracts with me is to have them use specific, prescribed language to notify their loved one who is addicted that I have been hired. In addition, one by one, each family member notifies the addict how the disease has affected them. The emphasis is always on connecting it back to the disease. This is a shame antidote for the addict. The timing and sequence of these dialogues is critical. Again, it’s important these dialogues are grounded in the distinction between the human being and the disease. These notifications begin a process of the 5 stages of grief both for the addict and family members alike. For the addict, we’re asking them to say goodbye to their best friend- drugs or whatever is the issue. An intervention using this model is not one event but a series of “mini” interventions slowly knocking on the door of denial for everyone in the system. The Action Intervention™ model has been used effectively for addictions, mental health issues, process disorders, senior citizen abuse, and more. I primarily focus on addictions.

At the onset of work with a family I request an abstinence contract with all members as well as any friends involved in the process, and attendance of 12 step meetings is “suggested.” This encourages the family to begin their own recovery process (Al-Anon or something similar) long before the addict enters treatment. As family members implement each of these recommendations it creates another mini intervention for the addict. I instruct them to share in a specific dialogue what they are learning about the disease and how it’s affecting them in their meetings with the addict.

The Action Intervention™ model includes a 2-day workshop with the addict and family members. After the workshop dates have been scheduled with the family they are given specific, prescribed language to notify and invite the addict to attend. This is a delicate part of the process that requires intense management. In my experience, 95% of the addicts will attend BUT the workshop is NOT contingent on the addict’s attendance. The workshop takes place with or without them attending.

During the workshop I use a combination of didactic education and experiential exercises to engage different learning and processing styles as well as disarm emotional defenses. Consequently, the focus is on the grease board, not the addict. More importantly, it is on the

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disease and how it impacts everyone. Each member of the system receives guidance on how to walk out of this disease - long term.

The 3 areas covered in the workshop are: a. Defining addiction b. Defining the impact of the disease on the family c. Recommendations

The results are defenses are lowered, the addict is included in the family, and the family makes decisions about how to move forward and severe the ties with this disease. I use Motivational Interviewing and Positive Psychology techniques to keep them focused on, “What do you have to gain, rather than what do you have to lose?” Addicts have already beaten themselves up enough. This approach is not an “us against them model.” The most effective way to motivate a family into recovery is by touching their heart and this process does so very effectively. In my experience, this process will typically place up to 3 or 4 family members into a therapeutic environment starting them on their own journey of recovery. Consequently, this approach eliminates the need to escort an individual into treatment. They enter into treatment under their own volition. Beginning treatment with this much “buy-in” dramatically increases motivation and produces significantly better, long-term results.

Remember the histories and questionnaire from the initial screening process? These will follow the addict AND family members throughout their journey of treatment and healing, giving clinicians a comprehensive overview of the entire family.

Picking an appropriate facility for an addict and their family is an art form. One size does NOT fit all. In my experience placing addicts in a similar population has HUGE advantages. I have found over the years that treatment centers will find a niche that they are good at and focus on that population. We now have facilities specializing in licensed health professional’s, military, gay and lesbian populations, and more.

The practice and process of intervention continues to evolve increasing effectiveness and improving participants’ experiences. The use of psychodrama techniques such as sociometry and experiential sculptures coupled with positive psychology are examples of great innovations for increasing a sense of safety and openness for the addict and family alike. The result is most individuals intervened on will now voluntarily transport and admit themselves into treatment. In addition, the whole family enters recovery. When the family has a buy-in like this, we have better long-term success.

I hope those coming into the field will bring their own inspirations to both pioneer and further evolve interventions and make it easier for loved ones to access healing. Intervention works!

Bill Maher is a Board Registered Interventionist ll, a member of the National Association of Alcoholism and NAADAC as well as the former VicePresident of AIS. Twitter at BillMaherCIP or ActionInterventionTraining.com, Bill@interventionctr.com, www.interventionctr.com Maher’s next intervention training with his colleagues, Jim Tracy, DDS, MA, CADCII, LAADC, CETII, CP & Jean Campbell, LCSW, CET III, TEP will be announced soon.

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15

THE EVOLUTION OF THE SOUL: HEALING ADDICTION AND TRAUMA THROUGH STRING THEORY, ALCHEMY AND HYPNOSIS

By P.D. Alleva

Emotions are the driving force behind human thoughts, actions and behaviors. In my experience with treating trauma in the addiction field, I’ve found a clear misperception of current emotions as a result of past traumatic experiences with my clients. It has become clear that these clients have been unable to resolve and find balance with their emotions, developing learned behavior patterns such as addiction, cutting, and acting out as a means to cope with their emotions. This insight into the nature of addiction for trauma is yet to be incorporated into the thinking of many current substance abuse counselors.

As pointed out by Philip Diaz MSW, in his latest book, Healing Trauma through Self-Parenting, HCI 2012, addiction and trauma requires a different sense of direction when treating traumatized addicts.

Trauma or the Traumatic Experience: In order to comprehend the full scope of trauma as practitioners; we need to redefine our definition of trauma. Living a substance abuse lifestyle is a traumatic experience because the addict experiences situations, events, and circumstances that conflict with societal, personal moral or ethical values. This is not considered in traditional drug treatment as an issue to be addressed in the addicts plan for recovery.

The majority of clients being treated for addiction have experienced one or more traumatic experiences such as rape, violence, emotional abuse, etc. The manifested coping mechanism is their use of drugs and/or alcohol. Remember, addiction is not the problem; it’s a solution to a problem. So, what’s the actual problem? Typically it is some form of traumatic experience as defined above.

The Process of Addiction: A New Perspective When we are born there are two primary emotions: Fear and Love. As we grow, our experiences develop alternative derivatives of these two emotions. We witness an event or situation that creates a deep emotional impact, sometimes so strong that the event cannot be processed.

The hypothalamus pumps a billion chemicals each minute, these chemicals attach to electrical impulses in the brain while events are happening. They are then processed in the brain until the event and emotion are completely processed. However, a traumatic event differs in that the emotion clings to an impulse that gets trapped in the brain, never fully being processed.

This emotion elicits a thought (protect yourself), which then turns into action (drink a beer, use drugs). I always ask clients: “What is the emotion behind why you use?” Repeatedly, I’ve found the answer is: Fear.

Learned behavior (addiction) teaches the mind how to protect itself. The law of attraction; if fear is the primary emotion and that fear is associated in the brain with traumatic episodes, then further traumatic episodes will come into that person’s life, in a continuous loop.

So what do we do? Filter out the bad energy through meditation!

String Theory: String Theory in essence is used to teach the client how emotions turn into behaviors, behaviors that the client has power over.

Clients are presented with six lines, or strings. The universe is made up of atoms, protons neutrons and electrons which exist on and within strings, like strings on a guitar, which make up the entire universe. The strings are in constant vibration and elicit emotional responses. String one carries a vibration of pure love or heaven. String six is a vibration of hate or hell, an experience equal to the nightmare of addiction, with each string in between carrying a derivative in different intensity of the string it is closest to. Between strings three and four, all physical objects exist because of the emotional balance of the primary emotions.

Clients are instructed to relate addiction to a vibration equal to string four or above. Utilizing Newton’s law, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” clients are instructed of the power of choice, they can choose an alternate reality, based on a primary emotion through alchemy.

Alchemy: Simplified, alchemy is the ability to change one’s emotional state simply

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by choosing to do so.

Alchemy is a vision statement, the ability to create a future out of thought and believing in the vision, making it reality.

Artistic expression is the fastest moving and direct flow of energy capable of changing our emotions, thoughts and actions. The vibrational pattern of artistic expression changes the biochemical flow of brain waves, eliciting a change in the system; our system, the brain.

Clients are instructed on their ability to make behavior changes instantaneously, with choosing to feel the sensations of the third and second strings. In the age old tradition of true alchemy, a symbol must be selected.

Hypnosis: the art of using symbols to elicit a hypnotic suggestion: or retraining neural pathways: My certification in hypnotherapy comes from Dr. Jon Conelly’s Rapid Resolution Therapy with Clinical Hypnosis training. However, over time my clinical skills with this certification has evolved to include a derivative of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Nuero Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Eriksonian Hypnosis. This dynamic combination assists the client in achieving two objectives. The first is a change of perception; gaining an understanding of a different way of looking into their current pathology; the main objective is to empower the client. The second objective is to assist the client in putting the self-defeating behavior pattern and underlying emotion attached to it in the past and relieving the client of current emotions that manifest into negative behaviors.

The addictions field caters to clients that are resistant. Utilizing this simple skill allows the practitioner to reach the client with a desired effect without having to perform a common induction through hypnosis.

Clients who suffer from PTSD or any related traumatic experience feel the problem as though it is currently happening. The emotional content associated with the event is to abuse drugs/alcohol. To explain, I share a personal story.

Being a NY Giants fan, when they won the super bowl last year, I was jumping up and down like a maniac-beyond happy. I remember how happy I was on that day, but I’m not feeling the same way right now because the event happened in the past. People who suffer from PTSD feel the same way in the present moment. The mind has not processed the information enough to convince the mind that the event is in the past and can no longer affect them. In order to achieve this putting it in the past event a simple induction (guided meditation) is performed.

This is the time where string theory and alchemy filters into the process. The client had been instructed that the event and emotion is vibrating on string four or five, however, through alchemy, the client is able to transform their vibration over to string three or two.

The practitioner assists the client in identifying the emotion they are struggling with. They are asked to express and feel this emotion in current time and then to attach a symbol to it. Using NLP the problem is referred to in past tense and the solution referred to in future tense and brought into the present by asking the client to believe they are experiencing this event in current time. Once achieved, the solution is symbolized by the client using a natural environment and a wild animal to symbolize the empowering feeling. After, the client’s chosen symbol is induced during a theta wave induction. Clients have described the induction process as though they were floating or even flying. The result is one of satisfaction and liberation.

Recovering from addiction and trauma requires a spiritual and empowering experience. A full spiritual program is a part of the journey of recovery. A journey of enlightenment and relief that the past is over and they can choose to make their lives extraordinary.

P.D. Alleva, MSW is the founding owner of Lifescape Solutions and Evolve Mental Health which he opened in December of 2011, based on a new model of healing and psychotherapy called Spiritual Growth Therapy.

His newest book Let Your Soul Evolve: Spiritual Growth for the New Millennium 2nd edition describes the model. www.lifescapesolutions.com

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THE MOONEY FAMILY STORY

By Dr. Al J. Mooney

My name is Al Mooney, and I am not an alcoholic or addict, but many others in my family are—my parents, my brothers, Jimmy and Bobby, and our sister, Carol Lind. Drinking and using drugs are more than just a challenging medical problem to me. They are personal.

Very personal.

When I was growing up in Statesboro, Georgia, alcohol and drugs were in charge of our family. My father, John Mooney, was a wonderful physician – and an addict and alcoholic. He did not want to treat any patients when he had been drinking, so during office hours he used pills, alternating between uppers and downers. At night, he broke out the bottles. He thought he was doing a good job of hiding it from his patients.

My mother, Dot Mooney, was doing her best to be a good mom, but she popped codeine for her hangover headaches, tranquilizers for depression, and barbiturates so she could sleep (with an M.D. for a husband, it wasn’t hard to get hold of all the drug samples she wanted). Like Dad, she was also doing her best to cover up her drinking and drug use. She would drive us to Sunday school every week, and then hide in the back of the room so no one could smell the liquor on her breath. Eventually her mind got so foggy that she was afraid to take us anywhere—especially after she dropped my little brother Jimmy at the library and forgot to pick him up.

One night in our living room, my father went into a convulsion from an overdose. That started him on a series of visits to psychiatric hospitals to “dry out.” Each time, my mother tried to cover up his absence by telling us kids -- and his patients -- that he was at a medical conference. The kids believed it for a while, but I am not sure if anyone else did.

Like so many first born children of alcoholic/addict parents, I felt I had no choice but to do what I could to keep the family going – covering up for Dad’s absences, getting the kids up for school in the morning, poking Mom awake when the car she was driving was drifting off the road and telling her where to turn so she wouldn’t keep driving until she ran out of gas. I remember one time in particular when I was “helping” her to drive – I was so young, I could barely see over the dashboard. Nevertheless, there I was, telling her, “Mom, turn left now!”

Relatives and family friends complimented me on being “the little man in the family” in that and dozens of other out-of-control situations, and I acquired a lot of self-confidence running rescue operations anytime the Mooney family train ran off the tracks. I should have been just a kid playing in the backyard, but that wasn’t the way my family worked.

It all finally turned around when my father, who had written himself hundreds of phony prescriptions, was sent to prison for six months.

It was a big wake-up call for him, as well as a blessing. With the help of an AA member who visited him there, by the time he was released from prison, he was finally ready for sobriety.

Back home, after a few months of solid sobriety, an interesting thing happened. Dad’s doctor friends started asking him to care for their alcoholic patients. It turned out he was pretty good at it. Mom, who by then had also sworn off anything stronger than coffee, helped out. As their reputations grew, more people began coming to them for help. Several hundred people were treated at our big old house on Lee Street; the dining room was set aside for detox.

Eventually, however, their good works outgrew the house (and the patience of our neighbors). So, Mom and Dad built an addiction treatment hospital in Statesboro. My mother named it Willingway.

Today it is a successful, fully accredited, 40-bed treatment facility.

My parents worked there for the rest of their lives, helping countless people. Despite our family’s difficult early years, I will always remember them not as hopeless addicts but as wise teachers and wonderful parents.

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As a young adult, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor like my dad, but I was not at all sure I wanted to work with addicts and alcoholics.

I had seen far too much of that world already. I was set on being a surgeon. Ironically, it was my surgical rotation in medical school that changed my mind. While stitching up trauma patients, I realized that it did not matter whether the person on the table was there because of a stabbing, a car accident, or family violence. In nearly every case, the root cause was alcoholism or addiction. I realized I could do more good helping people to turn their lives around before they ended up in surgery. I returned to Statesboro and eventually served as the medical director of Willingway.

Given my family’s history, all my life I have done everything I could to avoid alcohol and mood-altering drugs. Addiction is a disease that runs in families, for both genetic and environmental reasons. I kept to the only sure way I knew of to prevent it from taking control of me – total abstinence. You might think that, seeing the mess alcohol and drugs had made of our parents’ lives, my siblings would have done the same. No such luck. All of them spent a few years in active addiction.

Eventually, however, everyone in the family found recovery – and a way to help others find it, carrying on the legacy of our parents.

Jimmy, Bobby, and Carol Lind have all had wonderful careers helping people: working at Willingway, running a women’s halfway house, working with a drug court program, and more. Each one has also now enjoyed decades of personal sobriety.

The Mooney family story was rooted in active addiction for a very long time. Though it often seemed like an impossible dream, every member of our family was able to finally change their own lives and find a content, purposeful and peaceful life in recovery. I truly believe that such a peaceful life is possible for every person with addiction and every family member who is struggling alongside them.

Al J. Mooney, M.D., currently the Director of Addiction Medicine and Recovery at Willingway, lectures internationally on the latest science and treatments for recovery. He also speaks as a recovery activist at venues around the world. Most recently, he has been instrumental in establishing recovery programs and awareness in Egypt, Bosnia, and Ghana. He is the author of The Recovery Book (Workman Publishing) which was recently revised and updated in a second edition.

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SELF-CARE: MINDFULLY RECLAIMING YOUR TIME

By Emily Keefer, LMSW, LCDCI

There’s something about the topic of self-care that seemingly allows people to mentally distance themselves from personalization. “Sure, people need self-care, but me? I don’t have time. I’m fine. And I don’t want to be too indulgent.” As with most ambiguities, self-care can be seen as confusing, unnecessary, and even slightly threatening. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine doesn’t have to mean that you’re weak, too touchyfeely, or self-centered. Incorporating time for self-care means that you value your emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual well-being. You want to work at actively bettering your life through activities that make you happy. Any healthy activity that when done results in you feeling better can be defined as self-care. Make time for your needs, because no one can do it but you.

Why do we need self-care?

Self-care helps improve our mental health baseline. Regardless of other methods used for fostering sound mental health, be it attending therapy, medication management, or working a 12Step program, self-care is a readily available, tangible tactic that will unquestionably increase your well-being and can easily be added to any existing practice. Self-care is a free tactic that can be employed at any point without others even being aware of its use. It’s a skill at your disposal ready to be utilized. And like any skill, self-care has to be practiced in order for it to be easily incorporated, improved and become routine. When we’re making cognizant use of activities that make us happy, our mental health baseline is being raised. As we learn to increase our baseline, suddenly the lows don’t seem as low. We’re more able to sit with discomfort when we’re doing better. Start finding time to incorporate life-enhancing activities into your daily schedule, so that when the rough days roll around and you’re in need of inner strength; you already have a healthy schedule in place.

When feeling stressed or anxious, we often go into fight, flight, or freeze mode, which then results in tunnel vision. When we’re triggered, it’s easy to forget that beneficial options for coping and making ourselves feel better are available. Because of our ingrained, parochial view of and reaction to stressful situations, making self-care a habit becomes even more imperative. The times when we’re in the most need of self-care, also tend to be the times when planning pleasurable, nourishing activities are the least likely. When we’re truly stressed out, it’s more probable that we isolate ourselves from our support system, mentally detach and work through the pain, instead of mindfully checking in with our bodies and processing the overwhelming feelings with someone whom we feel close. Stress is unavoidable, meaning that changing the way that we view and experience it is essential for minimizing resistance and amplifying prolonged vitality.

What does self-care look like for you?

Chances are you are already incorporating self-care into your routine without even noticing. Whether it’s taking a three minute break at work to walk around the building, booking an appointment for a massage, deciding to eat lunch outside instead of at your desk, or taking sixty seconds to regroup and settle your mind before walking into a new environment, options for self-care are endless. If you need some ideas for figuring out your personalized self-care routine, ask yourself the following questions: • What activities do you do that result in you feeling better after than before you started?

• After a conversation with friends or family, from whom do you walk away from the interaction feeling lighter and more energetic?

• What activities result in feelings of appreciation and gratitude?

• What have you always wanted to try, but never had to courage to do?

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• Which of the five senses do you relish in the most, and what can you do to integrate more of that sense into your routine?

• Are there specific times during the day or week where you feel more drained and exhausted than others? Plan ahead to make time for vitality by increasing activities during those specific periods.

• What do you look forward to each day? Each week? Each month? Make certain to not miss or skimp on those gems of enjoyment.

The importance of a realistic routine Try to plan for different types of self-care activities. It’s easy to dismiss pleasurable relaxation by rationalizing that you don’t have time, or cannot afford out of the ordinary activities. Devise realistic, free, daily pursuits, so that your inner dialogue cannot nix your idea before you even start. No matter how busy you are, you can always manage a one to two minute mental break where you get up and stretch, practice deep breathing to quell anxiety and center yourself, or mindfully take a few bites of your favorite snack.

Be careful not to let the idea of taking care of yourself morph into something that seems unattainable or stresses you out. If booking a facial isn’t in your budget or not within your time constraints, don’t do it. If the idea of joining a gym is resulting in negative self-talk and feelings of guilt, is it really self-care? Break down your goal into smaller, more attainable steps. You might try going on a ten minute walk after dinner or buy yourself an at-home facial mask.

Figure out what’s realistic for you.

Often times, our bodies send signals that we need a break, long before our brains pick up on the ques. Learn to listen to your body and appreciate its knowing signals. Find that you’re having trouble concentrating, or that you’re developing a headache that feels like it came out of nowhere? Maybe you’re feeling strangely agitated and tense, but cannot figure out the cause, making discounting your experience even easier. Take a break. And truly convince yourself that it’s okay to take a break. After listening to your body’s request for momentary relief, you’ll find that your productivity levels flourish when you’re centered and feeling your best. Working yourself to and through exhaustion can work, but it is not a long-term solution. You deserve to live your life to its fullest extent, appreciating hidden moments of delight and experiencing gratification at every turn. Each day is a new adventure, ready for you to reap the benefits of heightened appreciation for the everyday joys of life.

Emily Keefer is an LMSW and LCDCI, working as a dual diagnosis therapist at Sage Recovery & Wellness Center in Austin, TX. She is continually working to fine-tune her own self-care routine, so that she can live a more mindful, fun-loving life and better serve her clients and profession.

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23

ADOLESCENTS, HOMELESSNESS, AND SUBSTANCE USE

By Fred Dyer, Ph.D., CADC

In any discussion around homelessness it is necessary to address poverty. Research on adolescent risks factors reminds us that extreme economic deprivation is a risk for substance use, difficulty with self-regulation and impulsivity, and of course, homelessness.

Before continuing, it is important to identify who the homeless youth are. According to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which was reauthorized as a Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act (PL107-110): The term “homeless children and youth means: • Individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence—which includes children and youth who share the housing of other persons because of loss of housing, economic difficulty, or other similar reasons; those living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds because they lack alternative adequate accommodations, those living in temporary housing, such as emergency or transitional shelters, being abandoned in hospitals, or waiting to be placed in foster care.

• Additionally, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act includes youth whose primary nighttime residence is a public or private place not designed for general use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. With the aforementioned terms, it is necessary to consider that more than an estimated 1/6 to 1/7 million adolescents join the ranks of runaways and homeless each year. This particular youth is referred to as an unaccompanied youth, which can be divided into the following subgroups: • Runaway – homeless youth who’s stayed away at least overnight without parents’ or guardian’s position.

• “Throwaways” – adolescents who left home because parents encouraged them to leave or locked them out.

• Independent youths who feel that they have no homes to return to due to irreconcilable familial conflicts or have lost contact with their families.

The above list would not be complete without referencing the impact of mental illness or substance use on parenting practices and styles, as well as youth who have been sexually or emotionally maltreated. Homeless youth who have been exposed to familial substance use are at risk for using due to modeling reinforced behaviors of family members.

Additionally, adolescents on the streets may begin to experience the coping motive of using alcohol and drugs as a means of distraction and of survival in the streets. In other words, their alcohol and drug use places them at a greater risk for harder drugs, i.e., heroin, methamphetamines, LSD, whether securing or using.

However, for the using adolescent, that consideration is miniscule in light of what they believe and feel and what their experiences were at home (i.e. sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment, violence perpetrated against them interpersonally, and then as co-victims, and lack of emotional attachment and accessibility, and a lack of everyday basic needs). The end result is that the adolescent runs away from home and is out on the street, using alcohol and drugs.

It is imperative for substance abuse counselors, social workers, youth advocates, teachers, and anyone working with youth who may have in their own youth run away or in their adult years have experienced homelessness to focus on how to assist the adolescent who runs away in the here and now.

For many adolescents, the longer that they are out on the streets, the more likely they are to adapt to the culture, ways, and people on the street and join with other homeless adolescents (isn’t that adolescence?) in an effort to survive, get by, and get through.

The question going forward is what engagement and treatment issues are necessary in order to help and/or facilitate services for the substance using adolescent, remembering that homelessness

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exposes youth to significantly higher risk for trauma and substance use. Treatment goals must focus on beginning to transition out of being homeless and into a physical and emotional place where more targeted treatment for substance use and corresponding problems can begin.

Intervening with homeless youth has been characterized as cross-cutting work. When assessing and treating substance use, trauma, and depression, it is important to recognize that these youth are members of a unique cultural group that while in the street have similar lifestyles, values, attitudes, dress, and ease of communication. In order to survive, they must learn where to find resources, establish whom to trust, and adapt to social structures of the street economy. Street smarts gained through observation and experience while homeless may not be pro-social behaviors; however, they enable homeless youth to develop competencies to endure their daily existence. For example, these young people may protect themselves from harm by carrying a weapon, avoiding certain places or people, networking with other street-wise peers who can protect them, and may form surrogate families with other street youth—connections that offer all parties involved an increased sense of security and belonging. The following represent services for homeless youth, but it is necessary to remember that this will not take place unless a trusting therapeutic alliance has been formed with the adolescent who is on the street: • Drop-in centers with case managers • Emergency shelters with case managers and while in the shelters having safety-seeking sessions.

Case managers are important for helping homeless youth develop linkages to services, resources, and for assisting them with their daily basic needs.

It is important for those working with homeless adolescents with substance using problems to navigate themselves back into living situations that are stable, safe, violence- and drug-free, and where they can work toward building successful lives.

References provided upon Request Fred Dyer, PhD., CADC, is an internationally recognized speaker, trainer, author and consultant who services juvenile justice/ detention/residential programs, child welfare/foster care agencies, child and adolescent residential facilities, mental health facilities and adolescent substance abuse prevention programs in the areas of implementation and utilization of evidence-based, gender-responsive, culturally competent, and developmentally and age appropriate practices. He can be reached at www.dyerconsulting.org

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LIVING BEYOND Dr. Asa Don Brown

Dear Reader, I am honored to have the privilege to write a monthly column for The Sober World Magazine. My intentions will be to offer a few words of inspiration, encouragement, and support.

The idea is to challenge your person and those around you, by offering ideas, concepts, perceptions, impressions, and opinions that may have you seeing the world from a different perspective.

May this monthly column and this incredible magazine inspire, transform, and rejuvenate your person.

Warm Regards, Dr. Asa Don Brown LIVING BEYOND “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.”

– Dr. William James What does it mean to live beyond? What are we living beyond?

The concept of living beyond is a transformative idea of living in the present moment. As a society, we are taught, influenced and encouraged to live beyond the present moment. As children and youth, we are always fantasizing about the day that we will be capable of driving the ultimate car. We salivate with anticipation about becoming adults and having the perceptional idea of freedom.

WHAT IS A LEVEL 4 TRANSITIONAL CARE HOUSE? Sunset House is currently classified as a level 4 transitional care house, according to the Department of Children and Families criteria regarding such programs. This includes providing 24 hour paid staff coverage seven days per week, requires counseling staff to never have a caseload of more than 15 participating clients. Sunset House maintains this licensure by conducting three group therapy sessions per week as well as one individual counseling session per week with qualified staff. Sunset House provides all of the above mentioned services for $300.00 per week. This also includes a bi-monthly psychiatric session with Dr. William Romanos for medication management. Sunset House continues to be a leader in affordable long term care and has been providing exemplary treatment in the Palm Beach County community for over 18 years.

As a Level 4 facility Sunset House is appropriate for persons who have completed other levels of residential treatment, particularly levels 2 and 3. This includes clients who have demonstrated problems in applying recovery skills, a lack of personal responsibility, or a lack of connection to the world of work, education, or family life. Although clinical services are provided, the main emphasis is on services that are low-intensity and typically emphasize a supportive environment. This would include services that would focus on recovery skills, preventing relapse, improving emotional functioning, promoting personal responsibility and reintegrating the individual into the world of work, education, and family life.

In conjunction with DCF, Sunset House also maintains The American Society of Addiction Medicine or ASAM criteria. This professional society aims to promote the appropriate role of a facility or physician in the care of patients with a substance use disorder. ASAM was created in 1988 and is an approved and accepted model by The American Medical Association and looks to monitor placement criteria so that patients are not placed in a level of care that does not meet the needs of their specific diagnosis, in essence protecting the patients with the sole ethical aim to do no harm.

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What ever happened to the idea of living in the present moment?

Do we thrive on being in the presence of those that we adore, cling to, or consider a friend or a family member? Why is it that time is capable of moving at a rapid speed when we are having a good time, but the momentum of time is slow when we are experiencing perceptional boredom?

On this very day, I encourage you to digest every ticking of the time clock. I appeal to the very nature of your person to take time out to smell the roses, to hold your child, to offer a word of encouragement. Living beyond is a key ingredient of living beyond the hardships, trials and tribulations of this life. I am not encouraging you to forget the positive perspectives of your past, but rather to cling to the positive perspectives of today. Finally, I am encouraging you to lay down your garment bags and to travel the world free of the burdens of life’s luggage.

May you begin living beyond.

Dr. Asa Don Brown Author: Asa Don Brown, Ph.D., C.C.C., D.N.C.C.M., F.A.A.E.T.S. Website: www.asadonbrown.com

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12 STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL 12 MONTHS TOWARDS SOBRIETY

By Kelly Cordovano

Starting a rehabilitation program can be intimidating. The separation from family and friends, the prospect of being on your own, and the withdrawals are all hard pills to swallow. With the holidays around the corner—a time meant to be shared with loved ones—it’s especially difficult to say goodbye to the life you once led. But it’s important to accept the hardships in order to achieve sobriety.

Here are twelve steps to success in your twelve months toward sobriety.

Have an open mind Some rehab facilities heavily implement the ideas of God and faith into the program. Of course, not everyone is going to believe in God or have spiritual beliefs. Having an open mind when going through the program is ideal. You need to be open and teachable.

You’re not guaranteed an experience you’re going to agree with, but you are guaranteed a process that will help you get better. Don’t be quick to shoot ideas down, and trust that what you’re doing is in your best interest.

Talk to your family and friends—when you can Most rehab facilities only allow families and friends to visit at fixed times on specific days. It’s highly recommended to take advantage of these privileges. Speaking to your loved ones will serve as a reminder as to why you seek sobriety in the first place: so that you can live among them without being a detriment to yourself or to them. Their support will keep you going, especially if your stay has become difficult.

Be willing to look at yourself Self-reflection is a critical part of recovery. It involves asking yourself a number of questions: What brought me here? Why have I chosen to get sober? Often, it can get personal and dig up some deeply rooted problems. During your stay in rehab, it’s necessary to confront this. Though it may be scary, the willingness to look deep inside you can prove to be cathartic and will be a critical step to sobriety.

Surround yourself with support It’s very important to surround yourself with supportive friends, especially if they’re part of the rehab program with you. They need to associate themselves with people going in the right direction.

Sometimes we see people who make the wrong decisions, and it’s important that they befriend people who will keep them making good choices. Encouraging friends will provide a pillar of strength during your stay in rehab. If there is anyone who understands what you’re going through, it’s him or her.

Follow the rules Rules are there for a reason. Rules will keep you on the right path and have been designed to do so. This means you must follow curfew, go to class when required, and do as you’re scheduled. Any violation could lead to a dismissal. Remember: rules are not meant to hinder, but to help.

Trust the staff At times, the staff will feel like the enemy, especially at the beginning of your stay, when your mind and body have not yet conformed to a cleaner lifestyle. They will discipline you, they will watch you, and they will force you to confront issues that you may not want to confront. But the staff’s biggest goal is to support you.

They are not there to do anything else. They are your personal cheerleading squad and they only want to see you succeed. Take comfort in that.

Work a job Some rehabilitation programs require patients to work a job during their stay. Working (and keeping) a job holds a number of benefits. Not only does it provide you income, but also it gives you a distraction. Working will take your mind off of your stay in rehab.

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It will also serve as a social outlet; you will meet coworkers and customers that could play critical roles in your recovery. Plus, having a job in rehab means you’ll have a job when you finish the program.

Stay positive Though it’s easier said than done, keeping a positive mindset can make all the difference during your stay. Studies show that having an optimistic attitude will reflect in the way your day goes. Looking on the bright side will lead to a good day; being a pessimist will attract negative energy. By keeping your chin up, you are more likely to enjoy your stay and reap the benefits, instead of focusing on the negative.

Be honest In order to make the change to sobriety, you have to be honest, not only to the staff, but also to yourself. Honesty will allow you to find the reason behind your addiction. The rehab staff works hard to accomplish this task. They work to dig deep and find the problem.

Sometimes people have anger, or want forgiveness,whatever people’s issues are, that’s what we determine. Figuring out what brought about the addiction is the key to long-term sobriety.

Go the extra mile I highly recommend doing more than what is expected; this can produce better results. For example, most rehabs have a lot of resources available, besides class every night. They assign homework tailored to your specific issues. If the option for more work is present, then you should take advantage: it will help you in the long run.

Do your work It may seem like you’re back in school, but the assignments given to you are for your benefit. Be diligent and make sure to complete the tasks you are given. They are designed to help you succeed.

Want to get better Above everything else, you must want to get better. If you are being forced or have been coerced to go to rehab, and don’t really have any desire to turn over a new leaf, then the whole process is moot. You will not make any progress. You are wasting your time and your money. You are wasting the chance of a lifetime. The key to sobriety is the genuine desire to recover. Once you can say to yourself, “I want to get better,” you will be unstoppable.

Kelly Cordovano is co-director of Fresh Start Ministries, a men’s rehabilitation center located in Central Florida. Along with her husband Joe, Kelly works with men who have taken the step to reach sobriety. With over 25 years of rehab teaching under her belt, she has seen people from all walks of life and is well versed in the experiences had by clients. www.freshstartministries.com

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TJA KI - TRAUMA AND ADDICTION

By Gilbert Shepard, LMFT

Tja Ki was discovered by Catholic nuns in an empty Korean clinic early one morning. She had been left there by her mother the night before, apparently because her mother knew of their orphanage next door. The nuns estimated that she was one year old.

The orphanage where she was taken was very poor and food was obviously scarce because she weighed 15 pounds when she came to our home at three and a half years of age. In comparison my son weighed 35 pounds at one year old.

From the way this tiny girl behaved it was clear she had been sexually abused; she tried to please both my wife and myself by being sexual with us. She had been abandoned by her mother, suffered sexual abuse and was starving. And Tja Ki had learned to please others in order to survive.

All this abuse and neglect took their toll on Tja Ki and led to an addiction to meth when she was older. I have seen this repeatedly in my therapy practice. The pain of unresolved trauma is so great that survivors of that abuse attempt to escape it through various addictions, especially alcohol, drugs and sex.

The abandonment by Tja Ki’s mother probably traumatized her as much or more than the sexual abuse. Any infant is totally dependent upon others for survival and this includes emotional dependence. During World War II some babies in war orphanages that were emotionally neglected died – with food and blankets.

When an infant cries in that heart wrenching cry it is expressing fear of survival. If it stops crying that cry, it has perhaps given up.

When we got Tja Ki she didn’t cry.

What happens if the child learns to give up her own needs as a lifelong response because she can’t get help? That learning may last a lifetime yielding loneliness and excruciating emotional agony.

Using alcohol and/or drugs is an attempt to alleviate the agony.

The pain of abandonment was too much for Tja Ki to bear. How do I know that? Because when she was in the throes of addiction in a relapse after one year of inpatient treatment, she screamed into the phone to me, “Why didn’t my mother want me?” She was forty years old and the original trauma remained as if it just happened!

Tja Ki was expressing shame. She felt the reason she was abandoned was that something was wrong with her. Shame is a feeling that you are lacking value or worth in the very depth of your being. YOU are ‘shame-full’ and therefore no good.

Rooted in shame you ‘know’ that you are inadequate, insufficient and just plain bad to the depth of your being. You have a hollow emptiness within you that is pure agony. Reasoning cannot cure this result of neglect and abuse. It is emotional learning, not mental.

You just ‘get’ that it was your fault or you would have been loved.

Tja Ki’s feeling was “I am no good so I was thrown away.

Something was wrong with me or my mother would have kept me.”

Adding to this was the overwhelming, emotionally destabilizing and traumatic effect of sexual stimulation at an early age. Her history of traumatic shocks left its imprint on her brain and made her emotionally unstable. This shame can remain for a lifetime.

To a young child a moment is forever. Have you noticed how sometimes when a baby cries as if he is being tortured, distraction will stop the crying instantly? Jiggle keys and he stops! The panic has changed to curiosity.

There were many ‘moments’ in that dark room for Tja Ki. Just surviving in that dark empty room alone all night was enough to leave Tja Ki with a set up of a lifetime of terror. But in addition, she was starved. When she came to our home her skin was puffy due to malnutrition and she stared wide eyed at the pot that we took food from for her. Silent, she was obviously amazed there was so much food.

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This very small child had been trained to please others sexually; to meet the needs of others. She should have experienced being protected and having her needs met. What happens if a child doesn’t get basic needs met? She becomes hyper sensitive to fear of abandonment, abuse or hunger and any hint of these yields instant panic. Many years later it still does.

Angry and defensive in her teens she was on drugs in her 20’s.

After a yearlong in-patient treatment program where she was betrayed by a counselor she returned to drugs. Humiliated by her failure to stay clean she felt responsible and guilty. She knew it was her fault. However, once again the truth was that she was not protected and her betrayal - abandonment pain returned.

Trauma such as Tja Ki endured is common in people with all kinds of addictions. This trauma must be treated with the addiction or else anything that triggers a past painful memory can cause a person to flip back to the panic of an earlier trauma.

It is said that if you are using a substance therapy won’t work. But that puts a trauma based addicted person in a double bind. “I can’t tolerate my agony so I use to ease it. If I stop using, my agony returns. How can I survive sobriety?”

There are various treatments for this. One is a dual diagnosis treatment center that has therapists well trained in treating trauma.

Detox removes the blanket of protection that had covered the original traumas so after detox any raw vulnerability you have is exposed.

This rawness can be a super sensitivity to any sense of rejection, which can cause panic and relapse. Skillful and supportive trauma therapy is needed to work through this next step.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is an empirically demonstrated effective process to resolve trauma.

It is endorsed by many agencies including the World Health Organization of the UN and the Veterans Administration.

While moving your eyes back and forth in a specific protocol you rapidly process your trauma and lose its effects. Then, remembering your past trauma has the neutrality of remembering eating breakfast. Best of all you realize you have always been OK and not shameful.

EMDR also has protocols to remove your desire to drink or use that may yield dramatic results.

Gilbert Shepard is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Walnut Creek, California. He has worked with traumatized clients for many years and has used EMDR for about 10 years.

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HORSES HELP KIDS RECOVER FROM ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

By JoAnn Richi, MC, LPC

Baylie is eight years old. Born to a mother addicted to cocaine and an alcoholic father, removed from her parents at six months and covered with bruises and cigarette burns, Baylie has spent her childhood shuffled from one foster home to another. She rarely speaks, makes little eye contact with adults, shows no interest in playing with children her age, and recoils from any attempt at physical affection.

Baylie’s ability to connect with anyone, or anything, seemed impossible until the day she met a horse named Steady.

Baylie is very lucky. Her court-appointed therapist has found a way to combine her own love of horses with the rapidly evolving field of equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Once a week Baylie goes to the stables, holds out an apple for Steady to nibble from her hand, pats, brushes and talks quietly to him about the things she does not want anyone else to hear.

For children like Baylie who have never been able to trust people, a horse can become a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world.

Suddenly something big and powerful leans in, nuzzles you and looks you right in the eye. There is nothing to fear; this animal will not leave you, he will not betray you. With a trained equine-assisted therapist, a child like Baylie can gradually be introduced to forming a relationship with the horse. This ability to bond will then hopefully expand, allowing her to trust and connect with the wider world and to the people who exist within it.

March 23 – 25, 2015 experts from as far away as Finland are arriving at Saguaro Lake Ranch, a 1940s dude ranch near Scottsdale, AZ, for a four-day conference: Human Resiliency, Horses & Healing: An Integrated Approach to the Treatment of Trauma.

Surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Tonto National Forest, this conference provides the opportunity for the therapists to explore the world of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the process of recovering from childhood trauma, largely through the equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Jamie Vinck, a counselor and horsewoman who shows Arabian horses throughout the U.S., is one of the keynote speakers.

Vinck uses these ‘‘1000-pound gentle giants,” as she affectionately calls them, in treating trauma in patients struggling with substance abuse in her private practice in Scottsdale, and at Sierra Tucson, a substanceabuse treatment center where she is the chief clinical officer.

Equine therapy is big in Arizona and therapists like Vinck are adamant that horses can sooth the pain and heal the damage from the accumulated effects of childhood trauma.

“Fear, anxiety and resentment are rife in individuals with substanceabuse issues,” Vinck says. “Often these feelings stem from abuses in childhood, so they have trust issues, and their defenses are way up. Horses are very grounding and centering. This is exactly what people who have experienced trauma need.”

According to Dr. Vincent Felitti, co-founder of the CDC-Kaiser Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, a person who experienced six types of childhood adversity has a 4,600% increase in the likelihood of becoming an IV drug user when compared to a person who experienced no childhood adversity.

Baylie’s ACE score is 7, which means that during her brief formative years she experienced seven of the following types of trauma: physical, sexual or emotional abuse; physical or emotional neglect; a family member addicted to alcohol or some other substance; a family member with a mental illness or incarcerated; witnessing her mother being abused; losing a parent due to abandonment, or divorce or death. These traumatic experiences flooded her developing body and nervous system with toxic stress hormones, and set in motion a propensity for a lifetime of physical, emotional

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and psychological difficulties.

The ACE Study identified alcoholism and drug abuse as two of the issues associated with multiple traumas in childhood. Diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer and heart disease have also emerged as potential medical ramifications of intense and chronic exposure to adverse experiences in childhood.

Vinck uses a variety of unique approaches. “Horses are intuitive and expressive,” she says. “When someone looks into the eyes of a horse they see themselves reflected back. This is what we call a mirroring; an instant rapport, a bonding. It opens people up, and brings barriers down, and sometimes the outcomes, the successful breakthroughs are sheer magic.”

Equine-assisted psychotherapy has been widely used in Europe for decades. Nina Ekholm Fry, born and raised around horses in rural Finland was recruited by Prescott College in Arizona to develop one of the few equine-assisted psychotherapy graduate and postgraduate level counseling programs in the United States.

As a former Red Cross crisis-response team member in Finland, Fry has witnessed severe trauma in children and adults and is highly sensitive to its effects and is leading a day-long workshop at the conference.

Fry thinks back to a case in Finland in which a colleague, also an equine therapist, treated a four-year-old girl.

“The child had been in foster care almost all her life. Every week she would get up on the horse, her therapist would cover her with a blanket and she would sleep for the first 20 minutes of the session.”

Fry smiles. “That little girl had experienced so much trauma — her ACE score was a 7 — yet laying on top of that big, soft animal, she felt so safe she could release completely. That is the power, and the beauty, of equine-assisted psychotherapy.”

Like so many equine therapists, Sarah Jenkins grew up around horses. She has added Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to her work. At the conference, Jenkins will demonstrate how EMDR and equine-assisted psychotherapy work together to dissipate the emotional damage left by childhood trauma.

Eight-year-old Baylie still has trouble looking at people, but she is learning to gaze directly at a being that seems to respond warmly to her. By seeing her own refection mirrored back in the big, welcoming eyes of her therapy horse, Baylie is developing a sense of rapport, not only with the animal, but also with her therapist.

Baylie now looks forward to counseling sessions she used to resist, and has begun the long, slow process of transferring the trust she has for Steady to a therapist who tried something a little different to reach, and to heal, a damaged child.

JoAnn Richi, MC, LPC is a Master’s level, Licensed Professional Counselor and the Clinical Consultant for Vitae Seminars, LLC.

FlexDek® is the Scientifically Proven Method to Dramatically Reduce Relapse Rates FlexDek® is a new mobile app designed for everyone who is interested in participating in another’s ongoing care. This can be a Spouse, Sponsor, Children, Care Giver, Therapist, Coach or Case Manager. It is compatible with I-Phone, Android and all tablets.

For Loved Ones, use it to passively monitor how recovery is progressing based on consistent input by your loved one. When needed, proactive intervention can be accomplished. Let’s face it, trust is long gone and everyone wants it back. What better way than to use today’s technology for the betterment of all involved. This is a proven method to change unwanted behaviors without the usual overbearing, perceived as controlling conversation; did you really go to the meeting? Are you really not drinking? FlexDek® will make your life easier and more relaxing. Put the accountability where it belongs, on the recovering person, then sit back and wait for the alerts to sound. No news is good news!

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LIFE’S ONION®

Breakthrough Therapeutic Tool Produces Big Results for Clinics and Clients We all know the saying about what to do when life gives us lemons - make lemonade! But what do you do when life gives you onions?

If you’re Mark Wetherbee, founder and creator of Life’s Onion, you make a therapeutic tool so innovative that it is awarded a patent.

Life’s Onion is a handheld, onion-shaped device with 12 peels which transforms into a flower when opened. People in self-help and therapy record their goals and achievements on the actual peels, and peeling them back to flower petals as progress is made.

It’s a simple tool, but its application is what makes it unique: while there are other methods of tracking improvement, Life’s Onion is the only product which marks people’s progress in a tangible, visual form and remains with them to reinforce their successes.

One Life’s Onion user stated, “It will be a daily reminder of my journey through treatment, self-reflection, growth, and continued success in life.” It is not often that people have a visible reminder of their growth and achievements outside of the therapeutic environment, and this was clearly the creator’s goal.

Life’s Onion incorporates elements of journaling, art therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Schema Therapy. The tool can be used by an individual or with any therapeutic modality or style. In addition to the tool itself, there is a full package of support materials designed to integrate Life’s Onion into existing programs.

After more than 3 years of research, development and field trials, Life’s Onion is now being made available to the public.

To find out more visit: www.lifesonion.com

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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A NEW YEAR; A RENEWED MISSION…

By John Lehman

Over the last year, FARR achieved these “top ten” milestones: 1. At present; FARR has completed the certification of 48 programs operating 352 recovery homes that provide safe, dignified and peer-supportive housing to 1,424 individuals from Miami to Jacksonville and Daytona to Naples. The certification application pipeline currently includes another 49 providers operating 387 homes serving an additional 1,645 persons in recovery. Our application velocity has steadily grown to the current rate of 18 new applications for certification each month.

2. Each of these programs has submitted documentation to support their compliance with FARR’s forty-eight (48) standards and our code of ethics. Each provider has been, or is preparing for, an onsite visit by trained inspectors who work collaboratively with operators to ensure documented policies, procedures and protocols are implemented in the residential setting.

3. FARR has hosted, sponsored and otherwise delivered educational seminars statewide covering such topics as :Standards, Support Levels, Ethics, Social Model Philosophy, Farr’s Certification Process, Fair Housing Rights and the development of peer-to-peer programming that builds a Recovery Capital.

4. We continue to collaborate with municipal, state and federal policy makers to develop legislation (HB 21 & SB 326) that both honor FHAA & ADA protections of persons in recovery and provide operators a path to achieving voluntary certification, effectively linking commerce opportunities with compliance to standards and ethics.

5. FARR has successfully raised industry awareness regarding the need for the SUT community to unite in defense of ethical practices.

We continue to refer grievances related to patient brokering and insurance fraud directly to the law enforcement agencies who possess the authority to properly address these issues.

6. FARR forges alliances with organizations such as FADAA, DCF, Chambers, Civic Groups, Foundations Network, Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), Young People in Recovery (YPR), C4, NAATP, ARCO, Suncoast Harm Reduction Project, Rockers in Recovery (RIR) and the Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition to fortify our position as a leader in the Florida Recovery Support Services sector and to more effectively fulfill our vision through collaboration.

7. Recently, a dozen FARR Certified Residences commenced a “Recovery Measures” pilot project to survey residents regarding Quality of Life (QOL) and Assessment of Recovery Capital (ARC).

As this project evolves, we hope to chart the groups progress through transition from clinical services to recovery support services; the first such study to be conducted in the state of Florida.

8. FARR integrated our proprietary certification software with our soon to be released, upgraded website. This integration will deliver unparalleled efficiencies for the administration of the certification process. Additionally, FARR Members gain access to a “member only” section that provides visibility to their profile, total transparency regarding certification status of all applicants and a resource library that will continuously be updated with high-quality materials of import to our members.

9. FARR is nearly finished with the implementation of our Member Database, Committee Management and Grievance Resolution cloud-hosted software solution. This customized application is the first of its kind and the engine that will drive our organization well into the next decade.

10. Committed volunteers remain our greatest asset. The FARR office currently operates with a single paid employee. Recently, we were fortunate to attract an intern who is completing his degree in public health from the University of Georgia. FARR Board, Officers and Committee Chairs collectively volunteer

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hundreds of hours monthly to carry our vision forward. Thirty four additional volunteers staff our Advocacy, Education & Training, Ethics & Standards, Events, Outreach and Residents committees. Both as an organization and as individual participants, we are learning how best to direct this grassroots energy towards actionable paths.

Presently; FARR is in discussion with members of both the Florida House and Senate as well as the Attorney General’s and Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Offices regarding what has become a systemic problem surrounding rent assistance, scholarships and case management fees. Peer-supportive, transitional living programs, at their best, help to transition residents to take on the challenges of life and, in so doing, experience the great rewards that come from developing self-esteem. Encouraging these individuals to treat their insurance card as if it were Amex Black is the antithesis of our primary purpose. Addressing issues related to the distinction between true hardships –vs- marketing inducements is now one of our most pressing tasks. The entire industry must achieve resounding clarity regarding not only what is and what is not legal as it relates to “inducements”, but also what is and what is not in the resident’s best interest. In the current climate, the “Good Guys” find it increasingly difficult to compete with those who would sacrifice client care in exchange for expedient marketing “gimmicks. Ultimately; it is the residents themselves who suffer when clinical service providers offer this self-serving “benefit” to persons seeking guidance and support as they transition from dependence on external care to self-reliance.

John Lehman is the president of FARR. Over the last two years, he has helped to develop the organizational infrastructure and continues to support initiatives to enhance the rights of residents who seek to enjoy alcohol-drug free housing that is safe, clean, and peer supportive. John is also the managing partner of Cashbox Solutions, a payment system developer that designs financial and management cloud-hosted software solutions for the recovery industry.

It’s our

home.

Certifying safe and digniied recovery residences for individuals seeking peer-supportive shelter.

“Are you FARR Certiied?”

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To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

35

GRATITUDE HOUSE: CELEBRATING 46 YEARS OF TRANSFORMING LIVES Want to live longer? Want to be a happier, healthier person?

The newest scientific research shows that we can all boost our health with a heavy dose of gratitude. “Gratitude”, the quality of being thankful and the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness, leads to higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. Dr. Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, founder of the “the Greater Good Science Center” and the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude teaches that: “Gratitude heals, energizes, and transforms lives.”

We, at Gratitude House, have always understood the power of a grateful heart and we will be marking 46 years of transforming lives at our 7th Annual Gala on March 21, 2015. The event will be a festive celebration of recovery with great music and inspirational stories. The Gala will feature an acoustic performance by award winning singer/songwriter Richie Supa. With a long and successful career in the music industry, Richie now channels his artistry along with his experience, strength and hope into his work with recovering addicts. Clean for 26 years, Richie is the Director of Creative Recovery at “Recovery Unplugged”, a unique addiction treatment center located in Ft. Lauderdale, where Music Makes the Difference.

Linda Kane, Executive Director of Gratitude House, says: “Through our annual Gala, we are able to raise much needed funds to continue our offering of long-term clinical treatment services to the poorest women and children in our community affected by substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues.”

All members of treatment industry and the greater recovery community are encouraged to join us at the Gala in order to come together to celebrate recovery while supporting vitally important nonprofit treatment services in our community.

Back in 1968, eleven women met in the “Serenity Room” of the Triangle Club on 4th Street in West Palm Beach. They emptied their pockets, and with $23 they founded Gratitude House. The women were determined to find a place where they could offer homeless, needy, alcoholic women a place to live providing housing, meals and rehabilitation. Back then, jail was the only option for women with no resources.

Over the years, Gratitude House has adapted to the needs of the community. Today, Gratitude House is a fully accredited Level II licensed treatment center that serves the needs of the poorest women and their children in Palm Beach County. We offer long-term substance abuse treatment services for all women 18 years of age and older, with specialized programs for those that may be pregnant, post-partum with infants, or HIV+. We take a comprehensive, long-term approach to treatment, with the average episode of care ranging from 9-12 months. As our clients progress in their recovery, they step down to less restrictive levels of services to help transition them back into life in a gradual way that is suited to their individual needs. We offer a comprehensive continuum of care that includes: Intervention, Residential, Transitional Housing, Day Treatment, Outpatient, Family Program, Vocational Training and Case Management. In 2005, Gratitude House became one of only six facilities in the country to offer the innovative MITT Program (Mothers and Infants in Treatment Together). The MITT Program allows mothers and their children to remain together as they progress on the path to recovery as a healthy family unit.

In the summer of 2015, Gratitude House will open a new Child Care Center to facilitate greater access to evidence-based familycentered treatment for mothers in crisis while providing at-risk infants and toddlers with optimal care to ensure their safety,

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physical well-being and psychosocial-emotional development.

The Child Care Program will help fulfill a well-documented need for child care in the overall treatment model as it relates to women’s recovery, child welfare and help to reduce a significant barrier to treatment for women.

The 7th Annual Gratitude House Gala takes place on March 21st from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at the Four Season Resort on Palm Beach. Tickets for the 7th Annual Gratitude House Gala are $300 per individual, and $3000 for a table with additional, premium sponsorship levels ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 available. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 561.833.6826 x228 or email events@gratitudehouse.org

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INTERVIEW WITH DR ANDREW KOLODNY

By Patricia Rosen

the midst of a new epidemic.

Patricia- Tell me a little bit about PROP and why and when you started it.

Dr. Kolodny- I realized we had a painkiller problem and knew we had an opioid epidemic in the United States but didn’t know the cause very well. There was a very important article published in 2006 that said that overdose deaths were increasing in parallel with increases in the prescribing of painkillers. It became very clear to me from this research that the epidemic of overdose deaths and addiction was being caused by doctors prescribing too much. I began to learn more about the use of opioids especially for chronic pain and became very concerned that doctors were aggressively prescribing these medications for conditions that you would be more likely to hurt the patient then to help them by putting them on opioids long term. Many doctors in different specialties were also coming to the same conclusion that the medical community was part of the problem. Many of our colleagues bought into this campaign- a campaign funded by the pharmaceutical companies to prescribe aggressively. The argument for aggressive prescribing was very compelling. They told them things like patients were suffering needlessly, that the compassionate way to prescribe is aggressively, that with any complaint of pain, opioids should be the drug of choice and they weren’t addictive. These were the messages. Many of our colleagues bought into this. When we first started speaking out, some of our colleagues thought we were going to punish those suffering with pain because of bad behavior by drug abusers. That’s how we were seen. We would say” no, no, no that’s not what’s going on!”

Patricia- Well, here in Florida we had pain clinics on just about every corner. It was terrible. There were doctors writing prescriptions for 120 80mg pills at a time along with other pills! It was awful.

Dr. Kolodny- hmmm Patricia- It was really a problem.

Dr. Kolodny- Yes, well we felt the prescribing was too aggressive but we couldn’t get our colleagues that interested in what we were saying. Initially they thought our views were too anti-opioid. Since 2010 the evidence is much clearer, and our view that opioids shouldn’t be used LONG-TERM for MOST PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC pain is much more an accepted position. Older less competent doctors are still prescribing them but the younger doctors are hearing what we are saying. The American Academy of Neurology recently issued a statement that we should NOT be using long term opioids for lower back pain or headaches. The federal government put out a new review of evidence basically saying that there is no evidence that it’s effective but LOTS of evidence that it’s dangerous.

Patricia- It’s evident by all the overdoses and people that can’t get their pills that are turning to heroin.

Dr. Kolodny- It’s not just the young people getting addicted through recreational use; the pain patients are being harmed.

Patricia- Yes and people in their 70’s and 80’s!

Dr. Kolodny- The rate for overdose is highest for people 45-54 who get it prescribed by doctors.

Patricia- I didn’t know that.

Dr. Kolodny- yes, so the drug companies were saying and the pain organizations that take money from the drug companies, they were trying to tell the government that we have 2 problems in America. We have drug abuse and chronic pain as a problem. They wanted policy makers to think that these drugs were good for chronic pain and all the harm was limited to the drug abusers. What they were really saying to the policy makers was don’t punish the pain patients for the bad behavior of the drug user. What PROP is saying is we don’t have these 2 distinct groups, so called drug abusers that are harmed and millions of pain patients that are helped. There is tremendous overlap and what we really have is an epidemic of addiction to these medicines. People are getting addicted through medical use and recreational use but we

38

Continued from page 6

have to stop creating new cases of addiction and treat the people that are already addicted if we ever hope to bring it under control.

Patricia- I would like to know when our tolerance for pain became so low. Years ago if you broke your wrist or leg you were told you would feel better in a day or two , take two aspirin and call your doctor in the morning . Today they are ready to give you dilaudid or morphine for that!

Dr. Kolodny- That was part of the campaign by the pharmaceutical companies to make pain the 5th vital sign. Hospitals ask patients in surveys after their hospital visit if the hospital did everything to address their pain. So now we have hospital administrators telling doctors to prescribe more aggressively.

Patricia- I saw it first hand with my mother which is another story but I brought her in for nausea and they kept asking her level of pain and giving her painkillers.

Dr. Kolodny- That’s what they do. They keep asking your pain level.

That was an aspect of a brilliant pharmaceutical campaign that paid off very well for those companies.

Patricia- It sure did. Purma Pharma who manufactures OxyContin made billions of dollars. What’s your opinion of the new drugs like Zohydro and Hysingla?

Dr. Kolodny- I am very concerned that the FDA keeps approving these drugs. The fact that some are harder to crush or snort doesn’t make it any better or less addictive. When people become addicted, they become addicted by swallowing the pills. I am very concerned because when a company brings a new drug on the market, it costs them millions and the only way to recoup their investment is to convince doctors to prescribe it.

Patricia- That’s so true and then we will have another addictive drug on the market.

Dr. Kolodny- What concerns me is when we are in an epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths caused by too much prescribing of opioid pills, the last things we need is a new opioid being released and a marketing campaign to convince doctors to prescribe them. The FDA keeps approving these drugs and they allow the drug companies to promote them for conditions where their use is not safe or effective.

The CDC is trying to convince doctors not to use opioid medicine for chronic pain, yet the FDA keeps approving new opioids and allows the drug companies to promote them for chronic pain which I believe is a violation of federal law. The law is called the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. That law states that drug companies can only promote products for conditions where using the product is proven safe and effective.

Since we know that long term use of opioids for most patients with chronic pain is not safe or effective, the FDA should not be allowing drug companies to promote that practice.

Patricia- My understanding is that the panel voted 11-2 NOT to approve Zohydro yet it was approved anyway. Since they started The Prescription Drug User Fee Act the FDA is getting a lot of money from the pharmaceutical companies and unfortunately approving all these drugs.

Dr. Kolodny- Your right- the PDUFA has transformed the FDA which was regulating pharmaceutical companies to one that now seems more concerned with providing good customer service to pharmaceutical companies.

Patricia- Exactly, but who is protecting us?

Dr. Kolodny- Correct. Another example, last week the FDA approved Vyvance for binge eating disorders even though we had an amphetamine epidemic caused by marketing amphetamines for weight loss. That practice became prohibited but just last week the FDA approved a new amphetamine to be marketed for so called binge eating disorder.

Continued on page 40

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

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San Diego, California | March 30 - April 2 | Hotel del Coronado | San Diego, California

Innovations in Recovery is about the discovery and discussion of effective solutions for professionals and their patients. As the landscape of behavioral health continues to change, shaped by scientific advances and the challenges of our modern world, staying up-to-date in the treatment field has never been more important. Professionals will learn best practices for treating co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders, process addictions, and unconventional and unwilling populations, as well as how to facilitate a framework for the longterm recovery of their patients. Precise treatment methods and effectual post-treatment plans are key to the healing of those suffering from co-morbid and complex conditions.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Patrick Kennedy, Jane McGonigal, Andrea Barthwell, Louise Stanger, Peter Delany, Judy Crane, Judith Landau, Heather Hayes, Mendi Baron For more information and to register, please visit FoundationsEvents.com or call (877) 345.3360

INTERVIEW WITH DR ANDREW KOLODNY

By Patricia Rosen

Look for your FREE issue of The Sober World

Continued from page 38

Patricia- What is the answer to stop this, is it up to the people to rally together? How do we protect ourselves?

Dr. Kolodny- I haven’t heard the current administration mention this epidemic at all and the FDA is their agency. They also haven’t put in the appropriate resources for this problem. It was similar to the aids epidemic. Ronald Reagan was criticized for not mentioning it and ultimately did only after 20,000 people died. Why didn’t he want to mention it? Because it involved a public health problem that involved gay men and people with addiction. I really think this health crisis should be handled by the Department of Health and Human Services. You have the CDC, FDA and SAMSHA all in that agency and they should take the lead in this. I am surprised that the current administration is allowing the FDA to approve these drugs.

Patricia- I can see if you’re on your deathbed and they give you a drug like that or if you have broken every bone in your body but other than that I see no need for a drug that strong.

Dr. Kolodny- If the FDA had limited their marketing of extended release opioids to end of life care we might not have an opioid crisis today, but the FDA is letting drug makers promote their products for common chronic problems.

Patricia- I want to thank you for this interview. It’s nice to know there is a group of doctors out there trying to educate the medical field and bring awareness to this terrible epidemic.

Dr. Kolodny- I want to thank you for all you do with The Sober World.

It’s magazines like The Sober World that help educate and keep people informed about the latest issues in the addiction and behavioral health field.

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You can now find The Sober World at every Starbucks in Palm Beach County as well as schools, colleges, doctor offices, meeting halls and more throughout South Florida. We directly mail to anyone who has been arrested for drugs or alcohol in Palm Beach County, as well as various treatment centers throughout the country.

A free issue will be in every attendee’s bag at the following conferences/events: • It Happens to Boys - March 6-7- Rancho Mirage, CA • Gratitude Gala - Four Seasons Hotel - March 21, Palm Beach, FL • Innovation in Recovery 2015 - March 30-April 2, San Diego, CA • West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders - May 28-31, La Quinta, CA • NAATP - May 16 - 18, Carlsbad, CA • Innovation in Behavioral Healthcare - June 22-23, 2015, Nashville, TN • C.O.R.E - Clinical Overview of the Recovery ExperiencesJuly 19-22, Amelia Island, FL • Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders - September 10-13, Hyannis, MA • 2015 Moments of Change - September 28 - Oct. 1, Palm Beach, FL • 2015 Lifestyle Intervention Conference- Oct 6-8- Las Vegas, NV

The Sober World is a free national online e-magazine as well as a printed publication. We use an educational and informative approach as an outreach to parents, families, groups and others who have loved ones struggling with addiction.

CONTACT US TODAY!

For information regarding advertising in our magazine or online please contact Patricia at 561-910-1943 or e-mail patricia@thesoberworld.com Visit www.thesoberworld.com

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

41

FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION

By Susan Shafran, LCSW

Over the past 10 years, I have been asked on numerous occasions, “Can I ever be free of my addiction?” “Will I ever be cured?”

“Is battling addiction a lifelong problem?” According to a study conducted at The University of Pennsylvania, addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that is characterized by relapse and if left untreated or mistreated it can and will result in death”.

Moreover, addiction to drugs is a major health issue. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is defined as a primary chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. It is a condition that people learn to manage using various techniques and treatments.

How does one distinguish addiction versus habit? Addiction is when you have no idea what you are saying, doing, taking, and using, and are dependent on the substance/alcohol to get through your day. A habit is when an individual has free will and is in control of their decisions. Meaning- that a person can stop using at any given time. Addiction is the result of varying factors and to date, not fully understood. Research has showed that addiction is due to a combination of pre genetic disposition, family history, environment, circumstance, and emotional factors.

Finding the leading quality Treatment Center is essential to ensure success for someone suffering with addiction. The right program will provide an individual with coping skills, build a foundation to manage addictive behaviors, get to the root cause of the situation, and maximize the chances of recovery.

Research has found that there are four components of the biology of addiction; Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual.

PHYSICAL: Substance abuse depletes the body resulting in physiological and neurological imbalances. Research portrays a correlation between sugar addiction and drug addiction. Addicts crave sugar to increase Dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitter resulting in the well-known sugar crash. Sugar cravings are also triggered by depression, stress, and Candida overgrowth. Healthy nutritious foods serve as essential amino acid building blocks for depleted neurochemicals. Ask your doctor or therapist to learn more about how alternative evidence based scientifically proven treatment such as genetically directed therapies, amino acid rebuilding programs (either intravenous or oral), and supplements such as Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, L Glutamine, 5HTP, Omega 3 Fatty Acids can help rebalance your neurochemicals to minimize or stop cravings, and help you feel good. Creating endorphins and balance through proper nutrition and exercise is essential for your body.

MENTAL: The mental component of substance abuse can cause automatic thoughts whether positive or negative, and result in varying powerful emotions between depression, anxiety, anger, and feelings of euphoria. Awareness of our breath, in conjunction of diaphragmatic and slow controlled breathing assist as well in minimizing stress as a way to control urges to use substances.

The awareness of your breath teaches you how to cope with stress without allowing thoughts to change into intolerable emotions.

Recharge your mind by getting adequate sleep, proper hydration and adequate exposure to sunlight, fresh air, speaking the truth, practicing good communication, and surrounding yourself with a positive, sober support network.

It is important to control mental urges to use substances by playing the entire tape through. Visualize yourself using a substance with all of the consequences and feelings associated with shame and guilt, followed by visualizing the restriction of substances with feelings of pride.

EMOTIONS: Emotions play a critical role with people struggling from addictions. It makes them very vulnerable in areas where they can view situations from varying degrees of intensity which may be negative or positive. Emotions comprise feelings of fear or love, with varying degrees of intensity. The late Dr. Emoto

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expressed how human feelings in consciousness have an effect on the molecular structure of water. He demonstrated how ‘loving’ thoughts produce beautiful geometric forms and ‘hateful’ thoughts produce chaotic, discordant forms. Considering an adult’s body is about 60% water, the implications of the effects of your thoughts on your body are incredibly powerful.

SPIRITUAL: Developing healthy self-esteem is fundamental for selflove and spirituality. A lack of it leads to guilt, shame, and urges to use substances. Being able to identify ones accomplishments (things you’re proud of) help to promote self-worth and a sense of pride.

This is similar to a Kabbalistic concept called “Bread of Shame.”

Earning your reward through personal effort is one of the secrets of fulfillment. Increase spirituality by attending spiritual services and stepping outside your comfort zone. Using the power of prayer, helping others and volunteering is important in finding your life’s purpose and passion. This can be done through practicing daily gratitude, acceptance, compassion, humility, and forgiveness. To nourish your spirit is central to a successful recovery.

By holistically integrating the four components of the biology of addiction and designing a strong customized aftercare plan, one can help promote abstinence. One needs to encourage pushing a little harder by looking within oneself, utilizing the strategies mastered and taking action to battle addiction. These things are necessary to avoid the mode of relapse.

Some therapeutic tools to explore include; Tai Chi, Qignong, Science of Breath, Holotropic Breathwork, Kundalini, Binaural Beats, Music, Guided Meditations, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (which has been proven to be effective in healing brain trauma). Techniques such as Neurofeedback train the brain to self-regulate alpha and theta waves which many addicts are found to be deficient in.

There are many treatment options available based on one’s individual needs. Before choosing a treatment center you should check what options they offer. Treatment can include; nutrition, theta healing, weekly chiropractic services, boxing, exercise, HIV & STD education, medication management, life skills, spa treatments, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization, Psych Education, Anger Management, Empowerment, Motivational Interviewing, customized Aftercare Planning, AA and/or NA meetings and working the 12 steps.

Explore what’s best for you by consistently working your program with realistic expectations. True recovery doesn’t stop at the 12th step; it starts at the 13th step, which is your spirituality. Just like you wouldn’t expect to transform yourself into a bodybuilder over night without resistant training, earning your freedom from addiction requires dedication to persevere through challenging obstacles and learning how to take advantage of all resources available to you.

Substance abuse is a lifelong disease that requires monitoring and management throughout one’s life.

Susan Shafran, LCSW is the Clinical Director of Holistic Recovery Center in Hollywood, Florida. She has over ten years of experience specializing working with adolescents, adults, and their families in the areas of substance abuse, trauma, PTSD, drama therapy, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, psychosis, & dual diagnosis. www.holisticrecoverycenters.com

What makes Holistic Recovery Center different?

Treatment Programs: ` Addiction

` Adult Residential

Holistic Recovery Center’s focus is highly individualized. The client to therapist ratio is never more than 6 clients per therapist. Holistic Recovery Center offers more weekly one-on-one sessions than virtually anywhere else.

` Dual Diagnosis

Holistic Recovery Center is truly holistic.

The focus is on healing the mind,body and soul, not just the substance abuse, for a full and lasting recovery.

Out/Inpatient:

Some of the everyday holistic activities include: beach yoga, chiropractic, acupuncture, meditation and more.

Client centered facility with 35 beds to ensure the best level of care. Holistic Recovery Center also offers fully furnished apartments with the finest amenities a home could offer.

Holistic Recovery Center provides full spa treatments such as manicures, pedicures and haircuts.

Enjoy yourself while in treatment with weekend activities such as Go-Kart racing, sporting events, trips to local art museums, etc.

To Advertise, Call 561-910-1943

` Residential Relapse Recovery ` Substance Abuse • Alcohol • Cocaine • Methamphetamine

• Marijuana • Opiate

` Intensive Outpatient Program ` Outpatient

` Partial Hospitalization (Day Treatment)

` Residential Inpatient Treatment Give up the daily struggle that is caused by active addiction and begin a new chapter in your life, it can all start with a simple phone call!

1-877-673-9048

www.holisticrecoverycenters.com 7709 Davie Road Extension Hollywood, FL 33024 1-877-673-9048

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P.O. BOX 880175 BOCA RATON, FLORIDA 33488-0175 www.thesoberworld.com

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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