Mental health and Addiction Parity Bill

Making mental health and addiction parity with other medical illnesses is a must for our society. The problem with the this bill currently passed both houses is not parity. In other words, it doesn't have to be included in insurance policies. Mental Health and addiction, are symptoms of brain changes that have occurred,just as a change in various other organs have changed as the result of a disease. The price paid is untold suffering, creating loss of families, wounded children, divorces and losses to our economy and our society. Providing adequate mental health and addiction health care for our society will bring the ability to use our brains in creative, solution focused ways for us to restore ourselves as a nation.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D, MFT, CAS
Clinical Director

Foundational 50 #9 Soltitude

Day 9


Be still and know that I am.
Bible

The ability to find solitude in this busy world of ours is a challenge. Solitude, is a time out to regroup without any expectations for quieting the mind and body is important in our overall physical and emotional health. In solitude we integrate the stimulation to refresh our creative selves. Solitude is often confused with isolation. The disease of addiction is a disease of isolation. It is staying away from others so we can drink and use drug without anyone bothering us. In recovery, isolation is a dangerous thing to do as it can contribute to a relapse to drink or use drugs. Isolation is a lonely experience, disconnected from the world of activity.

During times of change in recovery it is very important to allow our inner self time to process our thoughts and emotions. In the stillness of solitude, our change germinates. We then hear the whisper of our direction and receive guidance.

Sit in silence for five full minutes. Then, write a few words, draw a picture or symbol to describe your experience in the silence:


Solitude

UNFULFILLED

Irritable, isolating, resistant, bored, avoiding others calls or contact. We feel alone and lonely, less productive, overwhelmed, tension in body, feeling disconnected to self. It is a time we may experience cravings for for alcohol and or drugs.

SATISFIED

Feel the peace and quiet of our world. We tap the stillness within us and feel relaxed and connected to our deeper self, for we know we are not really alone in our communities and families.

TRY THIS:

* Find a quiet spot in your home, office, garden or park.
* Meditate at the same time each day.
* Sit quietly for three minutes,then, journal for ten minutes
* Practice silence; listen rather than speak today.

Write about a time you felt the stillness of solitude:



Find peace in your stillness today.


Judy Saalinger,Ph.D., MFT, CAS
Clinical Director

Commentary - Evidence based Treatment

MSN Health and Fitness section recently had a report entitled Beyond 12 Steps.

The author, Mia Szalavits, poses the question, 'how do you find evidence-based addiction and alcoholism treatment for yourself or a loved one instead of, or in addition to,12 step approaches?'

I agree with this guide and am encouraged to see worthwhile information available in the media regarding treatment and care for people with alcohol and drug addictions. As an addiction specialist and licensed psychotherapist, I see the amazing results in our program with this combination of treatment approaches.

Here are the five dos and five do not's as the best guide to treatment:

1. Do start your search for treatment with full psychological or psychiatric evaluation from and M.D. psychiatrist or a Ph.D. psychologist.

2. Do look for therapists who use empirically supported or evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or motivational enhancement therapy.

3. Do make sure you feel safe and understood by the therapist or treatment approach you choose.

4. Do get as much social support as possible, and do not limit your search to traditional support groups.

5. Do consider the use of anti-addiction medications.

6. Do not accept treatment that is confrontational, humiliating or degrading.

7. Do not think a formal intervention, in which family members confront the addict about his or her problem is the only way to help.

8. Do not assume inpatient treatment is superior to outpatient treatment.

9. Do not use a facility for troubled teens that treats multiple disorders with a one-size-fits-all approach.

10. Do not give up.

This handy guide to locating treatment for yourself or a loved one is essential. Thanks MSN for putting this online!


Judy Saalinger, Co-Owner and Clinical Director
Lasting Recovery

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Forum

ADDICTION FORUM
What does Evidence-Based Practice have to do with Addiction Treatment?

HAZELDEN, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949 to help people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction, in collaboration with Lasting Recovery, NCADD San Diego, and Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, is offering a free educational forum.

Date: Friday, October 17, 2008
8:30am - Registration and Continental Breakfast
9 - 10:30 a.m. - Presentation

Location: Handlery Hotel, San Diego

Reservations: 888-257-7800 x 4204

Binge Drinkers Tend to Forget Aspects of Being Drunk

Print Subscribe News Summary

Binge drinkers tend to forget the negative aspects of getting drunk and focus on the pleasant memories, which may help explain why they continue to drink despite instances where they get sick, black out, or have other problems.

The Independent reported Sept. 10 that Theodora Duka, a researcher from Sussex University, said that studies show that alcohol affects memory selectively, and that many binge drinkers don't remember the worst aspects of their drinking experiences.

"The effects of alcohol on mood are known contributors to its use and abuse. It is less known how its effects on memory and inhibitory control add to alcohol being and addictive drug," said Duka, a Sussex University professor. "Material acquired in an intoxicated state is less effectively retrieved in a sober state. Thus people who abuse alcohol forget the consequences of intoxication during periods of abstinence."

Studies show that memory degrades significantly as alcohol builds up in the body. Experts say that relatively little is known about the impact of alcohol on memory, but believe that it could be one of the most important aspects of addiction.

"The effect of alcohol to weaken control processes intuitively appears to be the most important contributor to the development of alcohol addiction, since alcohol addiction is perceived to be an inability to control drinking," Duka said. "Alcohol facilitates memories for emotional events experienced before intoxication -- mostly positive -- and impairs memories for emotional events experienced after intoxication -- often negative -- biasing memory to positive effects of alcohol, and support [for] further drinking."

Foundational 50 - #6 Emotional Release

Foundational Fifty - 50 Days to Meeting Your Needs

#6. Emotional Release

“We humans are full of unpredictable emotions that logic cannot solve.”
-Capt. James T. Kirk, Star Trek

Take the necessary moments to nurture your emotions every day. Spend time alone and allow yourself to feel the sadness, fear, relief, anxiety and excitement of your day. These often-complex emotions are indicators that signal the feeling side of us and communicate that movement and growth is necessary, much like a bud emerging on a vine. Emotional release is our ability to surrender to the emotional expressions of our lives.

Many of us grew up in homes where the rule was not to feel, and we held in our pain until we became numb to what was around us. Avoiding our emotions will keep us stuck. Opening the door to release brings forth our joy... and our vulnerability. In the safety of a friend or a supportive person we can begin to shed the armor that has both protected us and blocked our growth.

As we play, make love, cry, listen to music, work on a project, build something, play a musical instrument, create art, write, sculpt or get a massage, we release our emotions. When we are emotionally open during the transition of change, we receive the necessary ingredients to let go of the past and find our voice to fulfill our most important needs.

What emotion do you want to release: anger, sadness, bewilderment, hurt, excitement?

Describe how you release your emotions:

Emotional Release

UNFULFILLED

Feel bound up with emotion. Realize we are having an emotional response to a situation, after an event has occurred. Avoid situations for fear we will break down and cry, explode with anger or run away because of our fear. The emotions may be emerging after many years in hiding.

SATISFIED

Feel our emotions in the moment and are able to find release. We give ourselves permission to cry. We take the time to identify what we are feeling and can share it with others safely.

TRY THIS:

* Draw, paint, sculpt or write about your emotions.
* Get or give a massage, relax and let go.
* Listen to music, dance! Sing, or just sweat!
* Write your feelings in your journal .

Rate your ability to release your emotions safely on a scale of 1-10:

When is the last time you sat down and had a good cry to release the emotional hurts you've been collecting?

Alcohol and drug abuse recovery includes getting in touch with the emotional side of yourself.

New Online Addiction Recovery Broadcast September 5, 2008

Announcement From: C4 Recovery Solutions
http://www.c4recoverysolutions.org/
Email: c4info@c4recoverysolutions.org
SoberBullDog.comhttp://www.soberbulldog.com/
Email: contact@soberbulldog.com

SoberBulldog is excited to launch The Afflicted & Affected (A&A) Internet broadcast. Hosted by well-known radio personality and recovery lecturer Chris Schroeder, A&A adds dynamic webcasts to the on-line blog, relevant articles, and recovery resources that SoberBulldog is known for. The show highlights the most current and effective professional services and treatments for addictive illnesses as well as the latest tools available for building a successful long-term recovery. Tune in and join in: interviews and discussions with experts;
post-show question and answer sessions; getting your specific questions answered by experts in the field; on-line polls that provide both national and international perspectives;
archived shows and videos covering specific topic areas.

"This is a unique opportunity to educate both professionals and those in recovery," explains Schroeder. "The show is also an easy way for folks to stay connected with recovery and get the best and the latest in research and recovery tools as well as inspirational stories that show how they really work."

Shows are broadcast Monday and Thursday nights at 7:30 PM EST and host well-known experts from around the globe discussing the latest issues that affect the treatment, understanding, and politics of addiction. The schedule of upcoming A&A broadcasts found on the SoberBulldog website serves as an outline for the best that is known about beginning, sustaining, and improving recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, co-existing disorders, and more.
Tune in to http://www.soberbulldog.com/ for upcoming A&A broadcasts.

Research Summary - Women and Smoking

U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher released a report that shows the devastating impact smoking has had on women in the United States over the past few decades. According to Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General, women now account for 39 percent of all smoking-related deaths each year in the United States, a proportion that has more than doubled since 1965.

Since 1980, nearly three million U.S. women have died prematurely from smoking.
The study found that increased marketing by tobacco companies has hindered progress in cutting smoking by women. Recent increases in smoking among teenage girls also threatens to overwhelm any progress that has been made in the last few decades.

"In the early decades, smoking prevalence was more prominent among men, and it took nearly 25 years before the gap narrowed and smoking became commonplace among women," Dr. Satcher said. "Women not only share the same health risk as men, but are also faced with health consequences that are unique to women, including pregnancy complications, problems with menstrual function, and cervical cancer."

The report examined patterns of tobacco use among women, factors associated with starting and continuing to smoke, the health consequences of smoking, tobacco marketing targeted at women, and cessation and prevention interventions.

"Smoking is a critical women's health issue that must be addressed on all fronts," said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "We must begin this battle in schools before girls even begin to smoke, and we must share with teenage girls that smoking is not only harmful, but it is not glamorous. Society must not glorify smoking."

"In addition, we must provide information to women and minority groups detailing the harmful affects of smoking as well as the benefits of smoking cessation," he said. "The facts are clear: smoking significantly reduces life expectancy and hampers quality of life."

Research Summary - Alcohol Taking Deadly Toll on Native Americans

CDC Finds Alcohol Taking Deadly Toll on Native Americans September 2, 2008
Research Summary
A study of death certificates recorded between 2001 and 2005 found that about 12 percent of all deaths among Native Americans were related to alcohol, All Headline News reported Aug. 30. The alcohol-related mortality rate among Native Americans was three times greater than among the general population, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alcohol-related deaths among Native Americans were most prevalent in the Northern Plains states.

Alcohol-related causes of death included traffic accidents and liver disease, each of which caused about one-quarter of all fatalities. Roughly two-thirds of the Native Americans who died from alcohol-related causes were men, and about the same proportion were under age 50.
The study was published in the Aug. 29, 2008 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Little Overall Change in Drug Usage, National Survey on Drug Use and Health

The annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health found little overall change in past-month use of illicit drugs in 2007, although use of cocaine and methamphetamine did decline, the Associated Press reported Sept. 4. Use of illicit drugs dipped from 8.3 percent of Americans ages 12 and older in 2006 to 8 percent in 2007. Adolescent drug use fell from 9.8 percent in 2006 to 9.5 percent in 2007, the survey found, but past-month use of illicit drugs among those ages 50-59 rose from 4.3 percent to 5 percent. Marijuana was by far the most popular illicit drug among all age groups.

The findings are based on interviews with more than 67,000 Americans. The federal Office of National Drug Control Policy credited the decline in cocaine and methamphetamine use to decreased supply of these drugs, resulting in higher prices and reduced purity. Critics disputed government claims of progress in fighting drug abuse, however, and a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report concluded that use of cocaine, marijuana and other illicit drugs is a bigger problem in the U.S. than in any of the other 16 nations studied.
"Use of marijuana and other drugs naturally fluctuates and if you look at long-term trends, current rates are smack in the middle of the range they've been in for decades," said Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project. "There is simply no evidence that current policies ... have made any difference."

"The use of drugs seems to be a feature of more affluent countries," noted the WHO report. "The U.S., which has been driving much of the world's drug research and drug policy agenda, stands out with higher levels of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis, despite punitive illegal drug policies as well as a higher minimum legal alcohol drinking age than many comparable developed countries."

Foundational 50 - Environmental Comfort

Foundational 50 - 50 Days to meeting your basic needs:

5. Environmental Comfort: “Bless the life that is lived here. Grant that trust and peace and comfort abide within and that love and life and usefulness may go out from this home forever."
--A Kitchen Plaque

Our environmental surroundings affect our physiology and have an impact on us both physically and emotionally. We can sense a greater fulfillment in an environment that is safe and comfortable, that supports us physically with fresh air and low noise. A clean environment organized aesthetically with colors, textures, and design is also important. Our environment can bring out our feelings of peace and tranquility or stress and confusion. The presence of clutter and items that we do not use or need today create an energy drain on us.

Janet had become depressed and was unable to get her home life organized. Each time she went into her home she felt overwhelmed and drained. One of her friends wanted to help her to straighten things up and when Janet accepted the offer as a possible solution in her healing, she was amazed at how much better she felt. Keeping up the organization meant she needed to organize other areas of her life. She bought a daily organizer, started making lists, writing her goals and ideas that came to mind.

Look around your space right now, at the books and papers or clothes. Really notice the details of each item. Pick one item from the room: where did it come from, does it have a story behind it? Each of the items speaks to your unconscious in its own way. By clearing out the things we are not using, we are making a statement to the universe about letting go of the old. Clean out old files, letters, and clothes and recycle them with friends, or through a resale/thrift shop. Allow your body to feel free of the old. If replacement of items would help you to feel more comfortable in your environment, letting go of the old first will create the space to manifest the new.

Describe your environment at this moment:

UNFULFILLED

Inadequate warmth and safety; lack of necessities to provide ease in cooking, sleeping, relaxing.

SATISFIED

Home and workplace that is safe, secure, comfortable, orderly and provides a place for organized activity as well as rest and rejuvenation.

TRY THIS:

* Fix something in your home today.
* Make your bed, organize a drawer or closet.
* Create a comfortable personal space for rest.
* Give away or sell those items you don’t use anymore.

Now, rate the fulfillment of your environmental comfort needs today on a scale of 1-10:

What are you willing to do to fully satisfy your environmental needs?