'It's beyond pain': how Mormons are left vulnerable in Utah's opiate crisis |

Prescription pain pills are taking a lot of folks out--especially in AA. Yes, we sometimes need pain killers for surgeries, an accident, some unforeseen event--but it should be with the doctor's full knowledge that we are alcoholics and addicts--if you don't tell your doctor in clear terms then you are leaving the way open to continue to get drugs--many many people go out when their doctor prescribes pills. It is epidemic not only in Utah but across the country.

When you work with others in the program a strict rule is this:

Tell your primary caregiver, your secondary caregiver, your dermatologist, your dentist, --every provider that you do not take mind-affecting chemicals BECAUSE you are an alcoholic/addict. You only take them under supervision and for the least amount of time possible.

For chronic pain, you must find other solutions and, yes, there are many other solutions. The person who wants to stay sober will find those solutions. The inner addict will claim that only the pills work.

Read the article about Utahans below--it is what is happening around the country.

'It's beyond pain': how Mormons are left vulnerable in Utah's opiate crisis | US news | The Guardian: "“Maline never thought she had a problem,” said her sister, Mindy Vincent, a recovering addict. “She was a firm believer that because the doctor prescribed the pills it was OK. She didn’t see any shame in it. She didn’t think she was an addict. It wasn’t like taking drugs. But she was on the painkillers for 15 years until they wouldn’t give her any more."

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7 Tips for Mothers of Adult Addicts

 Good parents are not perfect parents and there are things you can do to help your adult child addict. I read these 7 suggestions and I love them! If you are dealing with addiction and an adult child--please read this article. It is worth your time! Takes 4 minutes.

7 Tips for Mothers of Adult Addicts | Psychology Today: "Depending on how far from your personal measure of “good” your child falls, your personal level of anger and shame may vary. Some parents resort to hot anger and recriminations of “I didn’t raise you to be like this!” Other parents fall into a trap of accepting the blame that some misbehaving adult children want to place on them. Some parents may be bled dry by meeting the financial assistance pleas/demands from children who are habitually showing up in the judicial system and need money for court/legal fees. (And they may hope, often in vain, that the money goes to the stated purpose rather than buying their child more trouble). Some parents carry great shame about their children’s mistakes – believing that if they had just done a better job somewhere along the line, this problem/incidence/pattern/behavior would not have appeared in their child’s life."



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Risky Business: Drug Abuse Among Baby Boomers On Rise

Just remember in the world of drugs, it is not "Do as I say..."  It will always be "Do as I do..." for kids with parents who use and abuse and grandparents who use and abuse.

Risky Business: Drug Abuse Among Baby Boomers On Rise | Falmouth Columns | capenews.net: "Kids who are exposed to parents or grandparents who drink excessively, use recreational street drugs, or misuse or abuse prescription medication (especially opioid painkillers) are more likely to develop a substance use problem. Also, older adults tend to use more prescription medication, especially painkillers. Having these medications around in a cabinet, on a kitchen counter, in a pillbox or a purse provides easy access to a family member or friend who might want to either sell or use the drugs. Research studies have documented that more than 60 percent of teens who start to abuse prescription opioids get the drugs from a family member."



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'Drug Recovery Pods' help Manatee County offenders battle addiction

This is amazing--I would love to see this program with their recovery pods in action--like a sci fi film!

At least this legal system is working on solutions! 50 people began the program in their recovery pods--article worth reading for anyone in the field.

'Drug Recovery Pods' help Manatee County offenders battle addiction - Sarasota News | Mysuncoast.com and ABC 7: Local News: ""They have parenting skills, life skills, employability skills training, full church services," says Lt. Yvonne Ingersoll, the program coordinator. "You name it, they get it, and it's 100 percent participation." It's volunteer-only, and inmates must admit to having a problem. "You can't commit a person to sobriety, it has to come from within," says Ingersoll, who's brother battled addiction through his life."



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