Mississippi Welfare Reform Links Parent Drug Test to Child Benefits -

If I say I agree--people will call me heartless. But when parents do drugs, kids are not taken care of anyway...I know I've been there.

Mississippi Welfare Reform Links Parent Drug Test to Child Benefits - Businessweek: "Progressive groups have taken particular issue with a proposed regulation, drafted by the Mississippi Department of Human Services as part of putting HB 49 into effect, that would cut off benefits for children if a parent refused a drug test or failed one after completing a treatment program. The critics contend that such a provision contradicts state law by punishing the families of drug users and should be scrapped. "

'via Blog this'

Behaving our way into Better Feelings

We are responsible for what we do. So why do we so often give young adults a pass?

I did things like that too when I was young.
Kids will be kids.
They are sowing their oats.
They come from a broken home.
There is no father in the home.
If you came from the neighborhood, what would you do?
Racism contributed to his problem.

How many excuses can you think of the let kids do things they should not? Do you think it helps them or hurts them to excuse inexcusable behavior?

21: Science's limit when it comes to the drinking age

The law of unintended consequences. When Ronald Reagan signed the law that raised the drinking age to 21 he wanted to address a health concern, mainly drunk driving for underage drivers. And the law did help. Fatal crashes involved underage drinkers dropped from 61% in 1982 to only 33% in 1991. But once they made alcohol the forbidden fruit, drinking underage actually increased!

Why? Because kids want what they can't have..they test, they experiment. It is natural and a part of maturing. Read the study. Remember, when you "forbid" something--it makes it all the more intriguing. This same principle apply to the kids you have at home. Be very careful when you "forbid" your kids from doing something and rethink how you present rules. This doesn't mean you don't take stands and tell them how you feel and what your limits are...but consider it carefully understanding how your kids develop.Read this article--it can help give you ideas.

21: Science's limit when it comes to the drinking age - CNN.com: "But while the law did have a significant impact on drinking and driving, it did not stop kids from drinking. In fact, it may have made drinking even more appealing to teens, whose brains naturally seek out risk more than adult brains do -- without considering what the consequences might be.
A survey of students at 56 colleges across the country just a couple years after the legislation passed found that "significantly more under-age students drank compared to those of legal age." This study concluded that "the increase in purchase age appears to have been not only ineffective but actually counter-productive, at least in the short run.""

'via Blog this'

Health News - Who will binge-drink at age 16?

Yikes--one aspect of this study surprised me. that was even drinking 2 before 1 could predict binge drinking by 16! I'd like to see some follow up studies--it would be really helpful if such a predictor were true.

Health News - Who will binge-drink at age 16? European teen study pinpoints predictors: "Surprisingly, when developing their model to predict teenage binge-drinking, the scientists found that even 1-2 instances of alcohol consumption by age 14 was sufficient to predict if the teenagers would binge-drink at age 16. Previous research has suggested that the odds of adult alcohol dependence "



'via Blog this'

SAFE Helps Parents Combat Kids’ Drug Use

It looks like these people are giving out good information. I am often very critical of programs designed to "help" and what they really do is blame parents, take responsibility away from the kids, or inadvertently glamorize drug use. But this program seems down to earth and practical--



SAFE Helps Parents Combat Kids’ Drug Use: "Some parents believe it is okay to have a party in their home because then “they know where their children are,” Ortiz said. “That attitude is not okay.”
 
Ortiz said that currently the major concern for Glen Cove Police is the sale of medication by children, which they take from their relatives and then sell in school. “Even kids that are prescribed medication are selling their own medication,” he said. “We are working hard to stop this in Glen Cove.”"



'via Blog this'

When parents chase drugs, kids are left on their own |

We usually talk about the effect of kids taking drugs on parents--lets not forget its a two way street.

When parents chase drugs, kids are left on their own | The Columbus Dispatch: "Karen Ezirim promised her five young children she would be gone only a few hours when she left them with a family member.

But her best friends — alcohol, crack cocaine and pain pills — persuaded her to stay longer.

When she returned home days later, Ezirim’s children were gone, taken by Franklin County Children Service"



'via Blog this'

Getting kids off drugs or encouraging them to use them?

I was researching a book today and ran across a website (drugfreeworld.org)--and some really well done flip books and videos on why not to do drugs. They were designed for kids directly.

I have a real problem with this slick design and well done "warning" about the horrors of drugs. What this slick and hip flip book does is glamorize the world of drugs. With the fabulous photography and campy presentation, this publication does not deter anyone--it made me want to try Ecstasy! They use phrases like "Dancing with Death. There is a story bout Nikki  at the party and how she felt nothing--then never woke up...Come on. A picture of a skull with light glowing from the eyeballs is particularly intriguing. One guy thinks he's an orange and asks others not to "peel" him.

I'm sorry, but I know kids--hey I was one. This form of "warning" is really very appealing to the very ones it is supposed to deter.

Parents and professionals--this is a suggestion--do not use this glittery, dazzling, and glamorous presentation to deter young people against drug use. It will backfire. I can see that the creators of this site either hired or are very good at promotion. But they suck at deterring kids from wanting to do drugs.

Go to Drugfreeworld.org and review it. See what you think. after look at the Ecstasy presentation--look at the others like for prescription drugs. What is your gut reaction?

The Truth About Ecstasy: "Published by Official Foundation for a Drug-Free World
Ecstasy is extremely dangerous. So widespread has been the harm of this “designer drug,” that emergency room incidents have skyrocketed more than 1,200% since it became the “club drug” of choice at all-night “rave” parties and dance clubs. "

'via Blog this'

23 Sobering Alcoholics Anonymous Statistics |

Since its foundation in the year 1930, AA or Alcoholic Anonymous has actually become synonymous to recovery. Through the years, their twelve step process is being applied to a wide array of issues from overeating (Over eaters Anonymous), excessive gaming (online gamers anonymous) to Drug problems (Narcotics Anonymous).



Read these statistics--you'll be surprised!



23 Sobering Alcoholics Anonymous Statistics | interventionstrategies.com:







'via Blog this'

Testing kids and teens for drug abuse: What do I need to know?

You're going to want to read this if you test your kids for drugs--or even if you don't believe in it--read this article.



Testing kids and teens for drug abuse: What do I need to know?:



excerpt: The report gives a lot of clear and sensible advice (such as check the temperature of the urine sample immediately and if it is not between 95 and 100 degrees, it is not fresh urine – someone is trying to trick the tester), but the most important statement is in the parents’ guide: “If your teen undergoes a drug test, it should be knowingly. The AAP opposes drug tests without a teen’s knowledge and consent. “

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids/Testing-kids-and-teens-for-drug-abuse-What-do-I-need-to-know.html#Du83BfpEAg8HYSKZ.99

'via Blog this'

Sitting in Pictures

Picture recovery reflection of the day.

Excerpted from "Sitting in Pictures, Vision Meditations for Addiction Recovery"



Illustrations by Christine Sundly

Sitting in Pictures:



'via Blog this'

Here’s proof that Alcoholics Anonymous is just as effective as professional psychotherapies

Very important to keep this mind--AA just plain works! Not for everyone, not all the time--but works as well or better than other professional treatments..AND it costs NOTHING--but your time and energy (come on, how much time and energy does your addiction cost?) I particularly liked this quote, "Just as some obstetricians resent midwives, some addiction treatment professionals looked down on the non-professional AA members in their midst."  (Thanks to Leonard Buschel and his Addiction/Recovery eBulletin for this article.)

Read about why professionals are admitting that the 12 Steps really do work and work well!

Here’s proof that Alcoholics Anonymous is just as effective as professional psychotherapies - The Washington Post: "Studies such as these dramatically reduced the ranks of AA critics among scientists.  AA’s value is still questioned in a few quarters, but as Harvard Professor of Psychiatry John Kelly notes, this is becoming less true as the years go by: “The stronger scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of AA is relatively new. It takes time for evidence to disseminate into clinical practice as well as into broader society.”"

'via Blog this'

The Dangers Of Just One Evening Of Hookah Smoking

Shades of Alice in wonderland...read this about the caterpillar

....



The Dangers Of Just One Evening Of Hookah Smoking: "Just one evening of hookah smoking could make nicotine urine levels spike by more than 70 times, and also result in the increase of cancer-causing agents, according to the study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention"



'via Blog this'

Mistakes--some days are like this

Some days are like this--...having just turned off the Alaska Hwy to let the dogs pee and getting back on, going 60 miles in wrong direction before figuring it out!



So I pulled this from the Pocket Sponsor to share today...

Day Twenty/6:00 AM: from the original Pocket Sponsor / There are some people who learn from the mistakes of others... Then there are the rest of us.





 www.PocketSponsor.com

Child's drug use may be in plain sight

Very good article and presentation about kids hiding drugs and what to be awre of. Putting your head inteh sand is a way to deny the use--if I don't see it, it isn't happening--but maybe it is and if so, you need to know. Read the article--get informed.

Child's drug use may be in plain sight - New Jersey Herald: "If you saw a soda can poked with holes on your teen’s dresser, would you think he or she was using it to smoke marijuana? Would you realize that your teen may be doing inhalants if you saw Dust-Off in his or her backpack? And, would you think to look for heroin behind a light switch plate or sewn into the waistband of a pair of pants?

The answers to the above questions are “no” for many parents because the paraphernalia, hiding places and signs of alcohol and drug use are a mystery to them."

'via Blog this'

‘Jaidon’s Law’ crackdown on SC drug-abusing parents

It's getting harder for your kids to abuse their kids if they get pregnant while abusing drugs--when you learn to become your child's sober coach, you are also protecting your future grandchildren. The law discussed below is going to become more common across the country.

COLUMBIA, SC: ‘Jaidon’s Law’ crackdown on SC drug-abusing parents clears hurdle | Local News | The State:The bill, called Jaidon’s Law, came about after 22-month-old Jaidon Morris died in 2008 from a drug overdose a week after he was removed from a foster home and returned to his biological parents, who had a history of drug problems.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/14/3447069/jaidons-law-crackdown-on-sc-drug.html?sp=/99/132/#storylink=cpy

'via Blog this'

9 Myths About Alcohol, Busted

This is a great way to open discussions on alcohol with your kids--interesting fats they may or may not know--get this article and have a family counsel--ask what they know or don't know about alcohol and "bust" the myths! (this is a learning exercise for everyone and a great way to get started in these discussions).

9 Myths About Alcohol, Busted: "It's the world's most used drug, and the drug that most frequently sends users to the emergency room, and yet less than 60 percent of heavy drinkers recognize that their habits put them at high risk, according to the 2014 Global Drug Survey."

'via Blog this'

Rise In Marijuana Intoxication in Dogs

Dog staggering? He got home from the park and began jerking around and unsteady on his paws? Maybe its the pot! Yes, our furry friends are sometimes getting into marijuana  and it can be a really serious problem. Read about it here:

Rise In Marijuana Intoxication in Dogs « Pop News, Artists, Celebrity Gossip, Fernando & Greg – 99.7 [NOW!]: "With edibles becoming more of a common trend with marijuana users, dogs are finding more and more of these drugs discarded in parks and bushes. The problem comes when these dogs ingest the marijuana edibles."

thanks to Leonard for his Writers in Treatment addiction bulletin.

'via Blog this'

Parents should be concerned about children and spice |

Being a parent means being on 24/7. As if its not enough to watch out for glue, gasoline, and paint as "drugs" of abuse--now they have to watch for this new synthetic marijuana--Sigh. OK--any one with kids from 8 to 18--go read this this, its important.

Counselor: parents should be concerned about children and spice | FOX10 News - Mobile: "She said spice is a popular drug because kids can now make it at home. The recipe is as close as the internet.

“These kids are wanting to do it because it doesn’t show up on a lot of jobs or schools drug screenings,” she said.

Keeping a close eye on children, and their behavior, could keep them from overdosing."

'via Blog this'

Drunken Monkeys: Does Alcoholism Have an Evolutionary Basis?

Those of us from alcoholic families already know that alcoholism is an inherited disease--we don't need science to tell us. However--does it have an evolutionary basis? and is it helpful to propagating the family or not? find out more here:

Drunken Monkeys: Does Alcoholism Have an Evolutionary Basis? | LiveScience: "Now, about 15 years after conceiving the idea, Dudley, who studies the physiology and biomechanics of flight at the University of California, Berkeley, has published a book, "The Drunken Monkey: Why We Drink and Abuse Alcohol" (University of California Press, 2014) that delves into the evolution of humans' and other animals' attraction to fruit, "

'via Blog this'

New online questionnaire for parents

Wonder if you need to worry about your kids and drugs? Do you wonder if they may be hiding something form you? We now put up an on-line questionnaire that you can take and score. If you have any kids from at home over the age of 9, please use go here:

Take this online Questionnaire!

Sober Coaching Your Teen: "DOES YOUR CHILD NEED HELP?"



'via Blog this'

Today's Sober Joke

I feel sorry for people who don’t drink or do drugs. Because someday they’re going to be in a hospital bed, dying, and they won’t know why. (Redd Foxx)

Sometimes if you don't laugh, you'll cry!

Amazon.com: I don't want Roses and Posies When I Die: (Working the 12 Steps in Conjunction with Cancer) eBook: Shelly M., Susie S.: Kindle Store

An interview with Susie S regarding working the 12 Steps in conjunction with cancer. This is the Kindle version--the pamphlet will be available in the next few weeks--I'll keep you posted.

Amazon.com: I don't want Roses and Posies When I Die: (Working the 12 Steps in Conjunction with Cancer) eBook: Shelly M., Susie S.: Kindle Store:



'via Blog this'

Solid parenting reduces drug abuse risks/Yeah right

Nuts to this "advice"--you can do all these "solid" things and if your kid is going to use, you can't do a whole lot about it. Remember Amy's story in the front of our workbook? she is the president of SODA? She comes from a great family and is scared to death to tell anyone she drinks too much, way too much.



Of course basic parenting skills do influence your kids, but it doesn't "prevent" addiction. Maybe it helps them make better choices after they experiment and do get into trouble.

Solid parenting reduces drug abuse risks: "Basic parenting skills can go far in reducing the likelihood of a child’s becoming substance-addicted or ever experimenting in the first place, Dr. Mann Spitler says.
There are six behaviors in particular which parents should make a habit."

'via Blog this'

From Bongs to books for this young actress

You just have to love these young celabs and their high profile "recovery." We wish Amanda the very best!

After rehab stint, Amanda Bynes is ‘a great student’ | Page Six: "She’s gone from bongs to books.
Since enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Janua
ry, Amanda Bynes has proved herself quite the student."

'via Blog this'

Addiction: A Guilford Family's Story

Here is the first of a three-part series on youth battling addiction, WNPR introduces you to the Harmons family of Guilford. This appears to be a very factual look at kids becoming addicted in a family, how the family finds out and what they can do about it. If you are dealing with kids and addiction (or drug abuse) I suggest that you read this entire series. 

I find this first of the series full of facts that a lot of parents don't know--for instance, 60 percent of the drugs kids get are GIVEN to them by friends or relatives--mostly siblings. Parents and communities are so very worried about the dealer down the street--so much so that they make laws increasing penalties for "selling" drugs near a school ground. News flash--dealers selling drugs by schools is almost a non-issue!  Less than 20% of kids gets drugs from dealers--and very seldom start by buying from dealers. Their brothers, sisters, aunts, parents, friends...and even doctors are the ones who get them started.



Read the series...its full of useful facts and information is the place to begin. correct information--not scare tactics.

Addiction: A Guilford Family's Story | WNPR News: "Tim's father, Justin, said, "I don’t think we realized what a serious problem it was until he nearly died." 

The Harmons had heard that members of his swim team had been experimenting with drugs. "We thought he was experimenting," Justin Harmon said. "We believed it was at the level of marijuana. "

'via Blog this'

Spring Break Can Be Deadly

Although you can' do much about your kids participating in Spring Break antics--they make their own choices after all, you don't have to bank roll it if you don't agree--think about wht you give your son or daughter money for--especially if they have trouble with alcohol and other drugs--Spring Break is no longer just a break from school for a bit of relaxation--it is almost exclusively a drinking, drug, and sexual overindulgence.

Spring Break Can Be Deadly: "Today college spring break no longer resembles a 1960 movie with Connie Francis singing "Where the Boys Are" on the beach. It's more like watching an MTV bikini contest or an episode of "Girls Gone Wild."

These days, spring break presents a wide variety of dangers for college students targeted by marketing efforts that promote dangerous drinking and sex."

'via Blog this'