5 myths about alcoholics - Per Wickstrom

This is a great article--and Mr Wickstrom does address the common myths about alcoholism. the Five myths he explains in detail are:
Myth #1: “Alcohol is not as addictive as cocaine, heroin, and other drugs.”
Myth #2: “Alcohol doesn’t kill like other drugs.”
Myth #3: “It’s relatively safe to drink while using prescription drugs.”
Myth #4: “The only rehabilitation that works for alcoholics is the Twelve Step (Alcoholics Anonymous) program.”
Myth #5: “You can always tell when someone is an alcoholic.”

If you still belive any of the above, please go to his sucess Site and read this article to find out why it is a myth.

For parents, there are a few more myths that need to be broken:

Myth # 6: If your child is a drug addict, you didn't raise them  in a healthy environment.
Myth # 7: Your addicted child should be treated in a teen center so he or she can relate.
Myth # 8: If your child is still an adolescent they are not really an addict--they are too young to really tell.
Myth # 9: AA is not a good place for you recovering child as their are sexual predators there.

Chew on those for a while-- if you believe any of them, go to Sober Coaching Your Teen and find out why they are myths...

5 myths about alcoholics - Per Wickstrom: "Alcoholism affects the young, the old, the skid row bum, the housewife, the burnt out salesman, the struggling artist, and the corporate CEO – no strata of life is exempt. As earlier stated, in order to address alcoholism, it is often necessary to design a program specifically tailored to each person. Treat people as individuals, and assist them in dealing with their individual problems connected with alcohol and drug abuse."

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Daughter's Heroin Habit Moves Lawmaker To Sponsor Good Samaritan Law

I love good Samaritan laws--I first learned of them when I went to get my CPR--that you could not be sued if you tried to help and the person died. Actually many people were sued for someone ding when they tried to help until the Good Samaritan laws made it into the law books.

Now a lawmaker in Wisconsin is trying to get these laws for drug addicts--or just those who overdose--can you imagine being at a party, one that is hosting illegal substances? Maybe you aren't even using them, but you know others are. You find a person who is obviously overdosed, you want to help, but coffee and a cold shower are not going to save this person. If you call an ambulance, the police come and you may be charged along with the rest of the guests. If you put them in your car and speed to the hospital, maybe they die in your car and you will go to jail.

What do you do? It's a valid question and one your kids might face more often than you know.

We need to support Good Samaritan Laws where and when we can. Read about this one here:

Daughter's Heroin Habit Moves Wisconsin Lawmaker To Sponsor Good Samaritan Law: "Two of the policies he's pushing are somewhat controversial. The first would offer limited immunity for people who call 911 or bring overdose patients to an emergency room. The sensible theory behind the policy is that people are reluctant to report overdoses if doing so could subject them to criminal charges. The other would expand those with access to Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose."

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I know when you’re texting |

I really wish we had a good sign like for our students who are drinking!

I know when you’re texting | Ice Age Now:

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Officials fighting drug crisis--heroin in a heartbeat

Here we go again talking about the prescription pills in your cabinet. Anyone who gets pain meds and decides they really like it--when the prescription is cut off, what does the patient look for? They usually look for more meds in the same category--people who really like oxycodone will go for heroin in a heartbeat. Over prescribing is a real problem--but so is leaving them in your medicine cabinet. If kids want drugs, they go after what they can find at home first--then often try to get a prescription for "pain." Girls get cramps, boys pull muscles--depending on who your doctor is, doctors can be the next best medicine cabinet around. Read the story below and stay aware of what your kid takes!

Officials fighting drug crisis - Watertown Daily Times Online : News: ""We are looking at this as a heroin problem, but it really is an opioid problem. They all cause the same withdrawal. They can all be used to stop the withdrawal," Klomberg said. "They will use oxycodone for a long time, but then can't get it and then they switch to whatever they can get their hands on. They are really interchangeable and we shouldn't focus exclusively on heroin."
Overprescribing pain medication is something that doctors across the area struggle with, Meade said. He added it is incredibly hard for a doctor to look a patient in the eye and tell them they are lying when they say they are in pain."

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Faces of drug abuse: » Parents reach out

I hate when I hear of parents who lose their kids to prescription drugs--well, we all hate it, I'm sure. But Prescription drugs is the single greatest way kids abuse drugs--they steal them from your medicine cabinet--just like I used to. It's so frickin easy--and we parents just don't monitor like we should--we don't want to believe our kids would rip us off--but they do. read this story below about a two parents who lost their kids--and what they are doing about it. Share on facebook please.

Faces of drug abuse: » Local News » The Morehead News: "To most, Michael Donta and Sarah Shay are statistics, two among thousands who die from prescription drug overdoses each year.
To their parents, they were life, their dreams and the future and their absence leaves holes in their hearts that won’t be healed short of their own deaths."

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Back to school, back to drugs? Five things parents need to know |

I never thought of it this way--back to school and back to drugs--we know the influences and this is a good article from Fox--but remember, no blaming the other kids--water seeks its own level and kids find their own devils. Be aware but don't blame others for the choices your kid makes...

Back to school, back to drugs? Five things parents need to know | Fox News: "As kids across the country are getting back into their routines with the start of the new school year, not everyone’s focus will be on class schedules and new teachers.  One of the most common – and potentially fatal – threats to our youth today is the pervasive peer pressure to use illicit drugs."

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Colleges Failing at Curbing Binge Drinking

Colleges Failing at Curbing Binge Drinking: "If you are sending children off to college this year you may not find much comfort in the fact that most colleges are failing miserably in trying to curtail dangerous binge drinking on campus and in their communities. In fact, many colleges and universities do not even know what works and what doesn't in preventing binge drinking."

When kids go away to college, it often is the start of some mean drinking and drugging...they sow their oats. but if the kids were like me...I didn't make it to college in the first place my drinking had already taken over. However, many young adults do start their drinking careers in college and parents have to be aware.

The main thing for parents whose kids do get to college--the biggest obstacle to knowing when your kid has a drinking or drug problem is  what you chose to believe. that;s right you. Many times counselors neighbors, even kids friends try to tell parents and they don't want to believe it--so if someone is trying to tell you your son or daughter may be drinking too much, LISTEN. Don't make excuses or think they are "jealous" or whatever we tell ourselves--listen to what others say even if you don't want to believe it, even if it shocks you. If a person in your son or daughters life has gotten up the courage to tell you your kid might have a drinking or drug problem you know it is difficult for them---listen.

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