Rise in Illicit Drug Use Findings

The SAMSHA website released Shocking News: Rise in Illicit Drug Use

Illicit Drug Use Increasing

The use of illicit drugs among Americans increased between 2008 and 2010, according to a national survey conducted by SAMHSA. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows that 22.6 million Americans age 12 or older (8.9 percent of the population) were current illicit drug users. The rate of use in 2010 was similar to the rate in 2009 (8.7 percent), but remained above the 2008 rate (8.0 percent). Another disturbing trend is the continuing rise in the rate of current illicit drug use among young adults age 18 to 25—from 19.6 percent in 2008 to 21.2 percent in 2009 and 21.5 percent in 2010. This increase was also driven in large part by a rise in the rate of current marijuana use among this population.

“We stand at a crossroads in our Nation’s efforts to prevent substance abuse and addiction,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “These statistics represent real lives that are at risk from the harmful and sometimes devastating effects of illicit drug use. This nation cannot afford to risk losing more individuals, families, and communities to illicit drugs or from other types of substance abuse—instead, we must do everything we can to effectively promote prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across our country.”

The annual NSDUH survey, released by SAMHSA at the kickoff of the 22nd annual National Recovery Month observance, is a scientifically conducted annual survey of approximately 67,500 people throughout the country, age 12 and older. Because of its statistical power, NSDUH is the Nation’s premier source of statistical information on the scope and nature of many behavioral health issues.

www.stages2change.com

Father's Day Dream "A Boy and His Dad" by Edgar Guest

"A Boy and His Dad" a poem by Edgar Guest   The dream for father and son. A boy and his dad on a fishing-trip— There is a glorious fellowship! Father and son and the open sky And the white clouds lazily drifting by, And the laughing stream as it runs along With the clicking reel like a martial song, And the father teaching the youngster gay How to land a fish in the sportsman's way. I fancy I hear them talking there In an open boat, and the speech is fair. And the boy is learning the ways of men From the finest man in his youthful ken. Kings, to the youngster, cannot compare With the gentle father who's with him there. And the greatest mind of the human race Not for one minute could take his place. Which is happier, man or boy? The soul of the father is steeped in joy, For he's finding out, to his heart's delight, That his son is fit for the future fight. He is learning the glorious depths of him, And the thoughts he thinks and his every whim; And he shall discover, when night comes on, How close he has grown to his little son. A boy and his dad on a fishing-trip— Builders of life's companionship! Oh, I envy them, as I see them there Under the sky in the open air, For out of the old, old long-ago Come the summer days that I used to know, When I learned life's truths from my father's lips As I shared the joy of his fishing-trips.   www.stages2change.com

Recovery and Latch Key Children

Microwave Explosion

I opened the microwave to heat up a tamale and cheese.  As I opened the door, my eyes got wide and my thoughts of horror turned into angry words. "What happened! Who did this!" I screamed at my 7 year old son and husband lounging in his recliner. The story unfolds . . . .yesterday I was out of town at a meeting.  My husband had carpal tunnel surgery on his hand. After they got home, my husband fell asleep in the recliner.  

My son was hungry and decided to make his own dinner.  He found a can of spaghetti in the pantry and placed it in the microwave.  The spaghetti exploded. 

Learning to cook is a life skill.

When I looked into the microwave this morning, in addition to seeing dried red spaghetti on all the walls I did see some wipe marks where there was an attempt to clean up the mess.  This morning my son said,  "Mama, it is ok because I made another spaghetti . . . and this time I took the metal top off." 

Many kids today are cooking for themselves when their parents are not available.  Parents may still be at work when their children get home from school.  A "latchkey kid" is a name given to a child who comes home to an empty house.  Sometimes children are left home alone while parents run an errand.  

How old must a child be to be left home alone? 

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, "Supervision of children is basic to the prevention of harm. Adequate supervision means an adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care.  Although, there is no Texas law that defines a specific age at which a child may be left home alone, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding how closely to supervise a child, including:

• the age, emotional maturity and capability of the child;
• layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting;
• neighborhood circumstances, hazards, and risks;
• the child's ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies; and
• whether the child has a mental, physical, or medical disability.

The number of children left unsupervised, the accessibility to other responsible adults, the length of time or frequency with which the child is left alone, and the child's knowledge of the parent's whereabouts are additional relevant factors."

Learning to cook and care for oneself is a part of growing up.  Adults are given the responsibility of training children.  As children mature, they are able to take on more responsibility and develop healthy life skills. 

www.stages2change.com

Changing the Stinkin' Thinkin'

From Shame to Truth

I went to the gym yesterday.  I have known for sometime that I need to get back into shape.  

I can blame my new weight gain on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Birthdays . . . but in reality I have become undisciplined in my eating and exercise habits.  

At the gym I had a young buff trainer named Jonathan.  He probably thought I looked like his mother.  He showed me how to maneuver the weights and the seats so I could find the best position for me as I attempted strength training.  He showed me how to use the tread mill.   I had to be attached with a clip - in case I fell off the tread mill  it would stop. 

The tread mill was cool, I could wear headphones and watch CNN or Fox News at the same time I was walking.  The second day I used the tread mill, I realized I could also see myself walking. The four tread mills were set along a mirrored wall.   I watched myself walking.  At first I did not recognize myself.  Who is that middle aged, sweaty and overweight lady?  

I carry an image of what I look like in my head.  The image in the mirror that day was not the same picture that is in my head.  I see myself as much younger, much less wrinkled, trimmer and there are no gray hairs.  

What image do you carry of yourself?   Does it match the one in the mirror?  

My father is a youthful 80 year old.  He is active, sane, witty and healthy.  One day I asked him what it is like to be his age. How do you see yourself?  

He said, "I see myself as a 25 year old man." 

Sometimes a person with a beautiful and healthy body sees themselves as ugly and fat.  Again there is a discrepancy between the true image and the imagined self image. 

In the dictionary shame is defined as,

"A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace."

When a person experiences negative shame - they will feel unrealistic guilt or a sense of "badness" about them self.  Statements like:

* "I am bad."

* "I am unlovable." 

* "I am garbage."

* "I am not worthy." 

are all shame based statements.  They are simply not true statements.  To overcome negative shame a person must begin to see and embrace the truth about themselves. 

For an aging person, they may need to embrace the fact that they are no longer young. That does not mean they are not beautiful. Beauty comes from the inside.  For the person who is young and attractive yet feels they are fat and ugly - they may need to learn that they are not ugly - and they are worthy.

Replacing old tapes with new messages - that is a first step in overcoming shameful thinking.  Taking the stinkin thinkin' (as the 12 step programs call it) of "I am bad and unworthy" and saying to yourself 

"I have made mistakes, yes, however I am worthy and I have purpose."

As a person takes steps to recovery they will consider their thoughts and begin to replace negative thinking with truthful thinking. To learn more about overcoming addiction check out the free resources at www.Stages2Change.com

SEX ON THE BRAIN

A Healthy Prefrontal Cortex Can Change Your Life

Standing in line at the grocery store, I am bombarded with the headlines:  

"Tiger Woods Goes to Rehab for Sexual Addiction"  

"Arnold Tells Maria He Fathered a Child 10 Years Ago"

"John Edwards has a Child with Mistress Rielle Hunter"

"IMF Senior Employee in Jail for Hotel Rape"
 

Whether these headlines reveal fact or fiction - there is something going on inside or outside the bedroom that needs to be discussed.  

Sexual and other addictions are compulsive desires to repeatedly do the desired thing inspite of consequences.  As an addiction progresses a person will eventually find they are powerless to stop their addiction.  Compassionate friends and family may judge the addict as weak willed, morally corrupt or relationally immature. However, it may be a brain problem - a dysfunctional prefrontal cortex.

Did you know that the greatest sexual organ is the brain?  

The prefrontal cortex is in the front of the brain.  For an addict - sexual or otherwise - this area of the brain may be dysfunctional.  When a person has a brain injury - such as a sports injury to the head, car wreck, falls out of a tree - on the head, etc.  The prefrontal cortex may be harmed.  This area of the brain controls things like planning, decision making and delayed gratification. Medical diagnoses such as ADHD, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder may be signs there is some dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex.

What I am saying is this - sometimes overcoming an addiction - sexual or otherwise may take more than just "gutting it out."  

A brain can be strengthened to become more healthy.  Here are some steps to begin developing a healthy brain:

* eating a healthy diet

* meditation and prayer

* getting proper rest - taking a daily sabbath weekly

* cultivating an attitude of gratitude

* taking medications when necessary

Dr. Daniel Amen has clinics in California and Virginia that study the brain and conduct brain scan imaging for clients interested in learning more about their brain's function.  Dr. Amen's popular book "Change Your Brain Change Your Life" gives guidelines on how to begin the process to a healthy brain on your own.  

It is important to be aware of the signs of possible brain injury: numbness, drowsiness, severe headache, weakness in the arms, dizziness, loss of vision, vomitting, confusion and disorientation. If this occurs, please take proper precaution and have your head examined. 

If you have an addiction - there is help available. For more information on addiction and recovery check out my website: www.stages2change.com

For information on brain image scanning at the Amen Clinics:
www.amenclinics.com