Science-based help is better for addicts
Let's stop here for a moment, and address the inevitable protests. Yes, AA works for some people. The statistics show that. Yes, many people feel their lives have been saved by AA and other 12-step programs. Mandated treatment has help some offenders … Read more on Tyler Morning Telegraph

The Surprising Failures of 12 Steps
From its origins in the treatment of alcoholism, TSF is now applied to over 300 addictions and psychological disorders: drug-use, of course (Narcotics Anonymous), but also smoking, sex and pornography addictions, social anxiety, kleptomania, overeating … Read more on The Atlantic

Teen Choir Challenge comes to Nipawin
Teen Challenge Saskatchewan visited the Emmanuel Baptist Church on Wednesday night to talk about their program. The Teen Challenge Saskatchewan program is a 12-month, faith based drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for men and women ages 18 … Read more on Nipawin Journal

Jim Irsay arrest reports tell of cash, pills, erratic driving
The popular NFL team owner, who has been credited with playing a major role in bringing the 2012 Super Bowl to Indianapolis, is now undergoing unspecified treatment at an out-of-state medical inpatient facility, according to a statement issued by the … Read more on USA TODAY

Heroin is spreading in America's suburbs: Here's why
According to a series of papers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta: •More than 12 million Americans reported using prescription painkillers in 2010 without a prescription or just for the high that …. Treatment … Read more on Alaska Dispatch

Goodell's Irsay Problem
He said in a 2012 interview about his sobriety that he has spilled more alcohol than the interviewer has drank, a line many in recovery have used. But Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star quoted a source with knowledge of Irsay's situation as saying … Read more on The MMQB

March 20-26 Daily Calendars
Courage to Change Group of Narcotics Anonymous, Just for Today book study, open, non-smoking, noon, Atlanta Avenue, off Noble Street between 10th and 11th streets. • New Beacon for those in grief, 2 p.m., … Alcoholics Anonymous Piedmont Group, noon-1 … Read more on Anniston Star

'Audrie's Law' targets rapes of passed-out teens
Adachi noted that under current law, a juvenile can still end up in adult court on charges of sexually assaulting an incapacitated victim – but only after prosecutors prove to a judge at a hearing that the youth isn't fit to be rehabilitated through … Read more on San Francisco Chronicle

Abilene, Big Country calendar for weekend and beyond
Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Avoca United Methodist Church. 325-773-2611 … Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program support group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3535. Dystonia … Read more on ReporterNews.com

Nexus Recovery Center launches program focused on parent-child relationship
Catherine Wright, children specialist, sings a nursery rhyme to Sara Kendall's son, Jaxon, 2, during the new Pregnant and Post-Partum Prevention and Intervention program offered by Nexus Recovery Center in Dallas. The 10-week program focuses on the … Read more on Dallas Morning News

Wilson among the many indebted to Jobe
After a full year of rehab, Wilson couldn't believe how the ball felt coming out of his hand. "I was like, 'I'm a power pitcher all of a sudden,'" Wilson recalled. "Later that year I hit … Since recovering from a harrowing five-year addiction to … Read more on MLB.com

Question by afreshpath_admin: Mental “re-programming”?
I don’t know about anyone else but I have often thought that I could use some “re-programming”. There are some things I just don’t like about myself and as much as I try, I have made little progress in several areas. Other areas such as alcoholism I have made huge strides and things are great there.

Has anyone heard of any therapy that can produce a type of mental re-programming that does not have adverse effects?

Best answer:

Answer by emmie_keeferton
perhaps hypnosis is worth a try.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Free Alcoholism Newsletter! Sign Up
A key factor in any alcohol recovery program is this: first, alcoholics have to admit that they have a drinking problem and then they have to find a treatment program they can buy into and one that works for them. In short, one size does not fit all … Read more on About – News & Issues

Cymbrowitz Requests Million To Address Opiate Abuse
The Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is asking for $ 5 million to expand access to and capacity for treatment of opiate abuse, another $ 5 million to expand school-based prevention programs, and $ 5 million to expand community-based detoxification … Read more on Sheepshead Bites

Fitness calendar
The information line for Al-Anon and Alateen, which are 12-step recovery programs for relatives and friends whose lives have been affected by alcoholism, is 721-5818 or visit mt.al-anon.alateen.org for more information. Narcotics Anonymous – Meets at 6 … Read more on The Missoulian

Spring Break? Leave your Fake, says Coalition for a Secure Driver's License
"Law enforcement and state legislators are recognizing the link between underage drinking and self-destructive behavior, including alcohol influenced assault and date rape," said Brian Zimmer, President of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License … Read more on Sacramento Bee

Inmate death under investigation
… according to court records. Of the 60 days jail time he was to serve, 30 were to be in inpatient treatment in lieu of jail, according to court records. The initial investigation has not indicated any foul play contributing to Howarth's death … Read more on Coeur d’Alene Press

Places to go; Things to do
Outpatient nutrition counseling also available by appointment; 686-3961. ….. NA (Narcotics Anonymous) Got a drug problem? … Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised exercise and education program to help cardiac patients resume full and active lives. Read more on Santa Ynez Valley News

Florida congressman to resign after cocaine scandal
… 29 in Washington. Several GOP leaders, including Gov. Rick Scott, had asked him to resign. But Radel had pledged to stay in office and rebuild constituents' trust after completing in-patient treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. He entered rehab on … Read more on Arkansas Online (subscription)

Health care reform implementation update – January 13, 2014
… assessing payment adequacy and updating payments for ambulatory surgical centers, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term care hospitals, a status report on Medicare Part D, and financial assistance for low-income Medicare … Read more on Lexology (registration)

Question by Liliana: getting help for drug abuse?
A little background info: I’m an 18 year old girl and just graduated from high school. I’m working full time during the summer, but i don’t know what i’ll be doing this fall. Might keep working full time, move out, or go to community college, no idea what i want to do.
Here’s the problem.
I’ve been smoking weed for about two years, and at first it helped with my anxiety disorder, but lately it feel like it could be making my anxiety worse. I’ve been a heavy smoker (every single day, many times a day) for the past year. I’ve also been abusing various pills (klonopin, trazodone, darvon, xanax, tramadol, vicodin, seroquel, oxycontin, etc) at least a couple times a week for months. I know i have a drug problem but i doubt i have an addiction to any specific pill, and i wouldn’t have any real withrawal if i stopped cold turkey since i don’t take them every day. I’d just be cranky, completely stressed out and depressed for while. Weed isn’t a hard drug and is not physically addicting, so seeking help for a “weed addiction” just sounds pathetic. I used to have a prescription for klonopin but my doctor stopped prescribing it once he found out i had a history of substance abuse. So, once my current prescription runs out my anxiety is going to skyrocket unless i keep self-medicating. I believe that i could quit if I really wanted to, but i’m scared to actually try since i think i would fall apart. Recently i tried coke and lsd and it hit me that sometime or another, i have to stop. I can’t keep doing this forever. My question is, how do i get help for general substance abuse? Should i go see a therapist? Should i go see my doctor about trying a new anxiety treatment? Go narcotics anonymous meetings? How do i get help for this?

Best answer:

Answer by Carrie Henry
As we say in Narcotics Anonymous…”a drug is a drug is a drug.” Don’t feel “pathetic” for seeking help for ANY addiction.

The best thing for you to do is to seek treatment. An inpatient facility is best, because they will be able to keep you comfortable during your detox process (and you WILL detox, I guarantee it), and monitor you for any unsavory side effects of coming off the meds. You will be able to socialize with other addicts, and get information about Narcotics Anonymous…which is what has kept me sober for nearly ten years.

It sounds like your problem is self-medicating to “control” anxiety. News flash – you aren’t “controlling” anything. You’re just putting in on the back-burner for a while. You need to get to a point where you can handle your problems YOURSELF with the help of a support system, rather than self-medicate. It doesn’t do anything good for you. It really just prolongs the pain.

I’ve been where you are…I know how much it sucks. Please feel free to e-mail or IM me and let me know if you’d like to talk more – [email protected]

What do you think? Answer below!