HOPE Addictions Ministry Bulletin Topic Archives.html

Scan and click on the topic links menu listed below to access additional information on a variety of subjects that have been addressed by Hope Ministry announcements appearing in past issues of the Sunday Bulletin. If you cannot find references to satisfy your needs, contact us for additional assistance. Hope Ministry members are available to help, not as treatment professionals, but in a spiritual support role and as a conduit to information about your particular concerns. For a confidential conversation, contact any Hope Ministry member, or send an E-mail to stjhope@hotmail.com

12-STEP RECOVERY PROGRAMS (for both addicts and for their loved ones).

The 12 Steps, originally associated with Alcoholics Anonymous have now been adapted to a variety of self-help programs ranging from drug addiction, to overeating, to the codependency of individuals trying to control erratic behaviors in their loved ones -- whether caused by drugs, alcohol, or emotional problems. Remember, any time you are dealing with 12-Step programs or writings about them, the principles are the same. So whether the specific writings mention alcohol, drugs, or other substances or behaviors, you can simply substitute the particular issue you are dealing with at the time.

A firsthand history of The 12 Steps written by Bill W., one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, is available along with other background information from the sidebar links of the http://www.the-twelve-steps.adkinsons.com Web site. And if you are struggling in your relationship with a friend, associate, or loved one who exhibits compulsive/addictive behaviors, two excellent books authored by Melody Beattie -- "Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself" and "Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps" -- deal with issues of codependency. Both are available at local bookstores or on-line at sites like Amazon.com.

You can visit http://www.12step.com/ to learn more about history and perspectives of 12-Step programs in general, as we continue to address a different step for each month. For identification of specific 12-Step groups serving a wide variety of needs, you can also go to the list http://www.12step.com/12stepprograms.html included at that site. You can also learn about specific steps or the context of the overall program, at http://www.12step.org

Step 2 says, (we) "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." Here are some Scripture readings relating to that step and to our relationships with God in times of stress and trouble.

Mark 9:17-27 -- A man's faith in Jesus' healing power is still tinged with doubt.
Luke 13:10-17 -- Jesus heals without reservation.
John 6:61-69 -- Having faith, even when it is hard to understand life. (Also read the earlier part of John 6 to put the passage in context.)
John 12:46 -- Christ is our light, even in times of darkness.
Psalm 18:1-3 -- An excellent affirmation to reinforce us when we are in times of self-doubt.
Psalm 142 -- Another reaffirming prayer when we find ourselves in troubled times.

Step 3 says, (we) "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." Here are some Scripture readings relating to that step and to putting our trust in God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Trust God instead of trusting our own instincts and insecurities.
Matthew 11:28-30 -- Have faith that Jesus will provide rest for our souls.
Ephesians 2:8-9 -- We are saved by the grade of our faith in God, not by our own efforts.
Psalm 91:1-4 -- Refuge is provided to one who trusts in the Lord.

TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND SMOKING
So how do you broach the subject of drinking, smoking, or drug use with your child? How soon should you start? How can you answer the pointed questions they inevitably will have?

Experience shows that the family dinner table is an excellent forum that can have a positive effect on discouraging teen experimentation with potentially harmful substances. The more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs. In fact, Joseph Califano, Jr. -- a former US Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, and current Director of the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University -- says, "If I could wave a magic wand to make a dent in our nation's substance abuse problem, I would make sure that every child in America had dinner with his or her parents at least five times a week." That's why CASA is promoting Monday, September 24, 2012 as "Family Day", a time to reinforce the habit of having family dinner together.

Consider the research published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (see Chapter Six -- Youth Prevention-Related Measures) which shows how parental involvement and teen attitudes make a difference. For example:

Now that you know parental involvement has an impact, how do you go about achieving it? First, you can visit the Family Day Web site to click on the "Tools You Can Use" links for ideas. Next, get informed with these multiple red links on how to prevent, recognize, or confront teen drug use. And for practical guidelines on how to deal with the subject, read reviews and learn more about the book “How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents” written by CASA Director Joseph Califano, Jr.

PARENTS: BE AWARE OF READILY AVAILABLE HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
One of the frequent questions at our recent Awareness Weekend, was for more information about some of the substances that are not yet legally regulated, are readily available and are abused by teens. Whether such substances are currently "legal" or illegal, natural or manufactured, they can still be dangerous. Remember, just because it is natural, doesn't mean it's safe. And just because it might not be illegal, doesn't mean it can't be harmful. Regardless of the substance, parents need to communicate their concerns to their children and to address any underlying feelings that might tempt a child to experiment with or abuse such substances.

One of those is Salvia Divinorum a natural herb that has not yet been regulated nationally under the Controlled Substances Act, although some states are actively moving to ban its sale. Another readily available natural plant is Jimsonweed which includes toxins in all its forms -- leaves, flowers, and seeds. New Jersey is one of only three states that has moved to make it illegal. Other readily accessible substances that pose a danger when used to get high include synthetic marijuana and bath salts. And normal household chemicals are equally accessible and equally dangerous when used as inhalants.

EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are complex conditions that can arise from a variety of potential causes. Once started, however, they can create a self-perpetuating cycle of physical and emotional destruction. For a better understanding of various disorders and access to treatment options visit any of the following Web sites:

National Eating Disorders Association This group's Website says that getting help from a professional who understands and specializes in eating, weight, and body image issues, is essential during recovery from an eating disorder. The site provides lists of treatment providers that specialize in the treatment of eating disorders and offer support services, medical advice, and nutritional therapy. To locate a treatment professional near you, you can also call 1-800-931-2237

Eating Disorder Referral also includes links to information about a wide variety of Eating Disorders, as well as listings of treatment options. Several of the regional resources they list for eating disorder treatment include The Medical Center at Princeton and Somerset Medical Center. This link to an article on Emotional Eating is one excellent example of the type of information available at that Website.

Eating-Disorder.com is yet another site that offers background information and listings of treatment resources.

APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
Whatever your experience with alcohol, documented research reveals some sobering statistics:

Hazardous drinking (5 or more drinks at one sitting) accounts for more than half of the alcohol industry’s $155 billion market, and more than 75% of the beer industry’s market.
Alcohol is implicated in the deaths of some 85,000 Americans every year, making it the nation's third leading cause of preventable death after smoking and obesity.
Underage alcohol use is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined, and more than 1,700 college students in the U.S. are killed each year—about 4.65 a day—as a result of alcohol-related injuries.
Underage drinking spawns the future heavy and addicted drinking on which the industry depends for most of its sales, since people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence at some time in their lives compared with those who have their first drink at age 20 or older.
Nearly 14 million Americans – one in every 13 adults -- abuse alcohol or are alcoholic, yet fewer than 25% of those who need treatment get it in a given year.

CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS
Here are some "sobering" research observations and statistics about the children of alcoholics. Many of the concepts can also be common for children of parents with other types of addictions.

The home page of the National Association of Children of Alcoholics Web site also offers links to numerous resources, brochures, articles, and a section "Just For Kids." There are also links to information for teachers, clergy, social workers, etc. that offer multiple perspectives for anyone concerned about a child exposed to alcoholism or addiction.

SPRING BREAK AND BINGE DRINKING
No one is claiming that a Spring semester break is a bad idea. But many sources do counsel college students and their parents to be aware of Spring Break issues that can turn a fun time into a nightmare. Learn what the Center For Disease Control, and a healthcare insurer, and an on-line magazine have to say about Spring Break Safety. You can also learn some statistics about Binge Drinking compiled by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

If you’re a parent looking for a way to talk to your child about Spring Break and Binge Drinking, compare these resources from a mental health Web site, a site for parents of college students, and from advertisers trying to reach the college student audience. You can also download PDF brochures from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism regarding college drinking in general and Spring Break drinking specifically. (For that second PDF brochure, scroll down to the third choice under "Fact Sheets.")

And even if your child does not engage in such risky drinking behavior, they might be able to save the life of a friend or a fellow student by knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to react to them. (Be sure to click through to all nine topic links listed under the "Basics" tab to learn about the many facets of alcohol poisoning.)

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH AND NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
Use this month to gain greater awareness and valuable information about mental health issues for people of all ages. Start with an appreciation of the many links on this site promoting National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 9, 2012. Then review these SAMHSA links for background information about children's mental health issues.

For hands on information, click on the link to the PDF file of the brochure “Navigating The Teen Years” which includes tips on communication, peer pressure, managing anger, and bullying, as well as on drug and alcohol use. For additional guidelines on children’s mental health and teen substance abuse, visit the many menu bar links on the SAMHSA Children's Mental Health page.

Finally, listen to first-hand stories of hope in mental health and coping with mental illness from the excellent speaker’s bureau of the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign. Don't miss Jordan Burnham's video link at the bottom of that page.

HAVE A SAFE GRADUATION PARTY
With the high school and college graduation season upon us, here are some perspectives for parents regarding underage drinking at these types of parties, and guidelines for talking with your teens and young adults about underage drinking in general. One sobering fact relating to this topic, according to a study conducted a few years ago, was the revelation that 40 percent of teen traffic fatalities during prom and graduation weekends were alcohol-related.

For a medical professional's opinion, read about 27 guidelines from a physician on staff at Dartmouth College. You can also find a host of other perspectives from parents and teens by exploring this Google Web search that uses the specific phrase "high school graduation" with other words (such as drinking and alcohol) as keywords. And regardless of your personal opinions on teenage drinking in your own home, you should be aware of social host liability laws.

Congratulations to all our graduates and to their parents and families. Be safe, so that you can enjoy the next phase of your life.

SENDING STUDENTS OFF TO SCHOOL SAFELY
Anyone who has read the local newspapers over the past few years knows about the dangers of student drinking from recent experiences at The College of New Jersey and Rider University. The beginning of the new school year is an excellent time to have a heart-to-heart talk with students of every age -- particularly those starting their freshman year at college, away from home for the first time.


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