How Do I Start On Line Recovery Counseling?

To schedule a free 30 minute consultation with a counselor go to the Stages2Change website:
http://www.stages2change.com/

Email exchanges: susanbeerybuck@gmail.com

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Becoming Uniquely You

Be the Best You
Chicago O'Hare Airport People Mover
It is summer and time for vacations and travel.  Perhaps it is a road trip, cruise or flight to a visit relatives.  Maybe it is just a staycation (staying home and enjoying the local culture).  This summer has been a traveling summer for my family.   At the end of the summer I will have driven through eight states.  As I visit each state, I marvel at the cultural differences.  I notice something memorable or recognizable about every city or state.  Here is a little test  . . . when you read the name of a place . . . what comes to mind? 
Memphis . . . . . blues, barbeque, Stax or Sun Records, the Orpheum, Elvis and Graceland
Iowa . . . .national elections, hogs, Amana Colonies, Des Moines farmer's market, bridges
Oklahoma . . . . college football (Sooners and Cowboys), Trail of Tears, Rte. 66
North Carolina . . . outer banks, Research Triangle Park, The Biltmore, college basketball
Charlottesville . . . . UVA, Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, wine
Pigeon Forge. . . . Dolly Parton, Gaitlinburg, Smokey Mountains
Colorado Springs . . . Pikes Peak, Air Force Academy, gold rush
Chicago . . . pizza, baseball, John Hancock building, Magnificent Mile, O'Hare airport
Annapolis . . . bay bridge, Naval Academy, eating crabs
Seattle . . . grunge, Pikes Place Market, Nirvana, Sleepless in Seattle
Ananheim . . .Disneyland, ocean
Pennsylvania . . . Gettysburg, Hershey's chocolate, Pennsylvania Dutch
you get the idea.  
Every city or state has identifiable features.  Well, you know what . . . so do you.  

Every person is designed uniquely.  There is no one like me and there is no one like you.  Too often there is a desire to be someone else.  If we have red hair we want blond hair.  If we are tall we want to be short.  If we are blue eyed we want to be brown eyed.  The comparison and desire to have someone else's features steals our thoughts.  It will never work . . . . trying to be like somebody else.  So stop trying . . . embrace yourself.  Rejoice in your special talents, looks, abilities and community.  Begin to accept yourself.  Accepting ourselves brings a freedom and peace inside.  Comparisons stop.  A fresh ability to love and be loved occurs.  
I love the unique personality of each city and state.   As humans, we each have our unique personality.  Only you can be the best you.  Take a deep breath and let go of comparison. Give yourself a big hug and go forward.  Now go tell someone how you love their uniqueness . . . . .

www.stages2change.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

Suburban High School Heroin Ring Busted

Heroin Use in High School Increasing

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Six Signposts Leading to Early Addiction

Families today are not like the 1950s
Families have changed over the years and the family structure of the 1950s is almost unrecognizable.  Today young parents live together and may or may not live with their own children.  Grandparents may live many miles or states away and have little involvement in a grandchild's life.  Changing work environments have led families to pick up and move in search of work.  Small towns seem to be dying.  The fabric of our culture is changing and families today are made up of many cultures and nationalities.
Addiction in the United States is the top health concern. Have you ever wondered if there was a way to protect a young person from becoming at risk for addiction?  The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has identified six risk factors and six protective factors that may curb early a person's drug involvement.  Here is the list:

Six Risk Factors with Protective Factors:                                                                 
1.  Risk factor:  Early Aggressive Behavior with Protective Factors:  Self Control
2.  Risk factor: Poor Social Skills  Protective Factors: Positive Relationships
3.  Risk factor: Lack of Parental Supervision  Protective Factors:  Parental Monitoring and Support
4.  Risk factor: Substance Abuse  Protective Factors:  Academic Competence
5.  Risk factor: Drug Availability  Protective Factors:  Anti-Drug Use Policies
6.  Risk factor: Poverty  Protective Factors:  Strong Neighborhood Attachment

Taken from "Drugs, Brains and Behavior - The Science of Addiction" Published by NIDA