Posts Tagged ‘higher power’
Wolanin writes book on battle with and recovery from addiction
Paul Wolanin has been to the edge of the abyss of drug and alcohol abuse, and with more than a little help from his friends and a higher power, the now reformed user was able to pull himself back. Today, he channels his energy into helping others … Read more on Midland Daily News
"Drugs Aren't the Problem": Neuroscientist Carl Hart on Brain Science & Myths …
He is also a member of the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse and a research scientist in the Division of Substance Abuse at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. However, long before he entered the hallowed halls of the Ivy League, Hart … Read more on Democracy Now
State officials detail 'pretrial services' for defendants with addiction issues
Andy Pallito, commissioner of the Department of Corrections, told lawmakers that he expects that new “pretrial services” would keep a large number of defendants with substance abuse problems out of jail and ultimately reduce recidivism rates and the … Read more on vtdigger.org
Question by jlarsen4: I quit using drugs 10 years ago. Do I need relapse over and over again in order to be considered an addict?
I quit using drugs the first time I really tried which was over 10 years ago. I have several addict friends who question whether or not I am an addict. I don’t need that label and frankly can live without it, however, I work in substance abuse treatment and feel strongly that addicts can overcome active addiction without having to go through relapse after relapse. Your thoughts?
Best answer:
Answer by pacemaker
a addict continue taking drugs on a daily basis ..your higher power is the drug what is a drug counselor to you.. what is more important how much your drug use or… because I was a drug counselor I have lived with people who wanted to stay clean or stay out of jail you puzzle me because you have drug addict friends.. but you work in a treatment center
What do you think? Answer below!
Virginia sanctuary helps veterans heal
“If there wasn't places like this, programs like this … there'd be a lot more veterans committing suicide, becoming alcoholics or drug addicts,” he said. As a recovering alcoholic himself, he said, he understood the appeal of self-medicating. “That … Read more on Staunton News Leader
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I couldn't stand living the same things over and over again. Abusive boyfriends, unhappy at my job, hating myself. No matter what I tried to change, nothing worked. The only thing that was constant in my life was my drinking. NOW, after 16-months of … Read more on About – News & Issues
Identity of mystery man who died 12 years ago in Milwaukee revealed
For more than 12 years after his death, his identity remained a mystery to investigators in Milwaukee, his fate unknown to his family in Chicago. When the man was last seen by his stepson, the alcoholism that would soon end his life already had ended … Read more on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Question by Tom: I have a love/hate relationship with alcoholics anonymous. Anyone else feel this way?
I like the fact that its a place where I can meet others that understand and support, but that’s about it. As far as almost everything within the big book and most of the steps, i think their bunk and cult-like. Does anyone else feel this way?
Best answer:
Answer by raysny
Sure do, except for the love part.
I bounced in and out of the rooms for years, never able to stop drinking for more than a few months at a time. I had to turn my back on AA and take responsibility for my alcoholism and my recovery. I had to unlearn the powerless nonsense, forget that I’m supposed to have a lifelong disease that I can never recover from.
I never received any support from members because I’m an atheist. They loudly predicted that I would die drunk in a gutter for refusing to find their God. Don’t believe their claims that your “Higher Power” can be anything you want, by their definition, their Higher Power is a pretty specific god, and one that is not entirely compatible with the Christian God or the God of any mainstream religion that I’m aware of.
I felt that if I could get help for the depression that fueled my drinking, I’d be able to stay stopped, but for years I couldn’t find anyone who would help unless I had a chunk of sober time through AA. So I’d try, I’d go to AA, get treated like dirt while my clinical depression merged with the chemical depression of early sobriety and I’d be suicidal.
Next month will be 11 years sober for me. I co-own the Yahoo group “without_aa”:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/without_aa/
which is about deprogramming from AA, alternatives, and the general weirdness of the rooms.
AA does NOT improve on the rate of natural remission, people quitting on their own. The vast majority of people quit without ANY type of treatment.
The NIAAA’s 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions interviewed over 43,000 people. Using the criteria for alcohol dependence found in the DSM-IV, they found:
“About 75 percent of persons who recover from alcohol dependence do so without seeking any kind of help, including specialty alcohol (rehab) programs and AA. Only 13 percent of people with alcohol dependence ever receive specialty alcohol treatment.”
http://www.spectrum.niaaa.nih.gov/features/alcoholism.aspx
Anyone having doubts about AA should do some poking around at this site:
The Orange Papers
http://www.orange-papers.org/
Add your own answer in the comments!
Ohio State sober tailgate provides 'college experience' for recovery group
The group has grown to 33 students who are in active recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. “We just want to provide a place for students in recovery to thrive academically and personally,” she said. The group holds meetings weekly to discuss … Read more on OSU – The Lantern
Recovery Group Holds Alcohol-Free Tailgate
People chose chili over the keg cups normally seen at Husker Tailgates. For clients with the recovery center, it was a way to take in the games hard hitting action and stay clean of harmful substances. "It just shows you can have fun without drugs and … Read more on 1011now
Former Sewickley woman returns to shed light on addiction
“For example, one gift will help provide transportation to someone in Narok or Kisumu, Kenya, to get to a recovery support group meeting,” she said. Webb said she and her late husband, Jack, to whom she was married for 58 years, are parents of three … Read more on Tribune-Review
Question by jlarsen4: I quit using drugs 10 years ago. Do I need relapse over and over again in order to be considered an addict?
I quit using drugs the first time I really tried which was over 10 years ago. I have several addict friends who question whether or not I am an addict. I don’t need that label and frankly can live without it, however, I work in substance abuse treatment and feel strongly that addicts can overcome active addiction without having to go through relapse after relapse. Your thoughts?
Best answer:
Answer by pacemaker
a addict continue taking drugs on a daily basis ..your higher power is the drug what is a drug counselor to you.. what is more important how much your drug use or… because I was a drug counselor I have lived with people who wanted to stay clean or stay out of jail you puzzle me because you have drug addict friends.. but you work in a treatment center
Add your own answer in the comments!
Epilepsy drug shows promise in treating alcohol dependence
There are just three medications used to treat alcohol dependence that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. One drug called disulfiram discourages drinking by making it quite unpleasant it blocks the metabolism of alcohol and causes … Read more on Fox News
Mayor Rob Ford's admitted alcohol and drug use shines spotlight on substance …
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's admitted alcohol and drug use have shone a glaring spotlight on addiction and substance abuse. But have Ford's troubles raised the kind of awareness that is beneficial or harmful to the public's understanding of the disease and … Read more on The Globe and Mail
Study: Drug Used To Treat Epilepsy Can Treat Alcoholism
(CBS Sacramento) – According to a new study by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute, a drug that is normally used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain can be used safely to treat alcoholism. “Gabapentin gives doctors a new option that is not … Read more on CBS Local
Question by Tom: I have a love/hate relationship with alcoholics anonymous. Anyone else feel this way?
I like the fact that its a place where I can meet others that understand and support, but that’s about it. As far as almost everything within the big book and most of the steps, i think their bunk and cult-like. Does anyone else feel this way?
Best answer:
Answer by raysny
Sure do, except for the love part.
I bounced in and out of the rooms for years, never able to stop drinking for more than a few months at a time. I had to turn my back on AA and take responsibility for my alcoholism and my recovery. I had to unlearn the powerless nonsense, forget that I’m supposed to have a lifelong disease that I can never recover from.
I never received any support from members because I’m an atheist. They loudly predicted that I would die drunk in a gutter for refusing to find their God. Don’t believe their claims that your “Higher Power” can be anything you want, by their definition, their Higher Power is a pretty specific god, and one that is not entirely compatible with the Christian God or the God of any mainstream religion that I’m aware of.
I felt that if I could get help for the depression that fueled my drinking, I’d be able to stay stopped, but for years I couldn’t find anyone who would help unless I had a chunk of sober time through AA. So I’d try, I’d go to AA, get treated like dirt while my clinical depression merged with the chemical depression of early sobriety and I’d be suicidal.
Next month will be 11 years sober for me. I co-own the Yahoo group “without_aa”:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/without_aa/
which is about deprogramming from AA, alternatives, and the general weirdness of the rooms.
AA does NOT improve on the rate of natural remission, people quitting on their own. The vast majority of people quit without ANY type of treatment.
The NIAAA’s 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions interviewed over 43,000 people. Using the criteria for alcohol dependence found in the DSM-IV, they found:
“About 75 percent of persons who recover from alcohol dependence do so without seeking any kind of help, including specialty alcohol (rehab) programs and AA. Only 13 percent of people with alcohol dependence ever receive specialty alcohol treatment.”
http://www.spectrum.niaaa.nih.gov/features/alcoholism.aspx
Anyone having doubts about AA should do some poking around at this site:
The Orange Papers
http://www.orange-papers.org/
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Question by Buybull Thumper: Are there any nonreligious alcohol and substance abuse meetings?
available like AA or NA just without the whole having to give yourself up to a higher power thing?
Best answer:
Answer by JDH
I think there is a “Moderate Drinkers Anonymous” or something similar. I’ll get back to you in 2 secs.
Check out “moderation.org”
:-))
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!