Your Recovery Path

So now we need to find a path for our recovery? Where do we start? Who do we go to? Which will be our best rate for our success? What issues are we hoping to solve? What do we want to change? Where would we like to be in our lives? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to get what we want? Are we desperate or so tired of living the life that we had or the substance that has caused our doom that we are now ready to do something about the issue and get a new life? We need to be very honest here and yeah that is really something that none of us like to have to be or use is that word honest/honesty but without it or the acceptance of it there will be no recovery. I only speak from my own ESH (Experience, Strength, and Hope).

First place we need to realize what area we need the help in and we must be able to have complete confidence in a closed mouth friend. Someone that we are willing to open up to and be able to discuss anything and everything that pertains to not just our usage in life of drugs but our issues that we deal with in our lives as well. Some might not agree with me on this which is fine, we can today disagree and still be disagreeable if we have any type of program at all. I always love to listen to some people and than watch there actions for there actions is really who they are not what they say that they are. I have had issues over some of the most silliest things not only where I live but on the Internet as well and now that I look back at my part in it with really no harm done but yet our intentions are not always our actions. Than to watch so called professionals do some things that I would call very childish not only in my eyes but also in some of the professionals in the state that I live in and they couldn't believe that things went the way in which they did. So issues have to be addressed and they have to be done at a level that is comfortable to you!

One of the neatest things that I have found on this journey is that there are so many avenues to take. We have 12 Step Programs which started out to be the only way into which you could get and stay sober. With the ratio a lot higher than today but I look at the population and how it has grown, so IMO it might be close to the same but probably not. We have treatment centers today and we had them back than in the 30's also just a different name, we have other programs today such as Smart Recovery, Rational Recovery, and many others that have branched off of AA to be a singleness of purpose for the drug or whatever else you have as a demon of your own.

I do know that for myself I have used and still use a mixture of many different things when it comes to my own Personal Recovery Walk today. I don't have to stick with just one thing, example, NA. Although I do love the Program on NA and everything that goes with it, I feel that if I would only just use that for a Program to recovery, I would be limiting myself from a world that has so much to offer in so many different aspects. I use all sort of different Programs and reading material to keep me focused on what my main mission is and that is to stay clean today no matter what. It is so important for us that we feel what we are doing is the right path for us, not for others. And if we are truly doing what we feel is right for us it will also reflect onto others, and it will also show in our daily lives. That is what was so freely given to me in the Program of Narcotics Anonymous, the freedom to find out exactly what works for myself and what doesn't.

A Love and Hate Relationship with Sexuality - Part 1

``…of course the feeling of losing oneself in someone's arms — yet at the same time finding oneself there – is irreplaceable. Nothing compares to the intensity of that feeling."

Katarina Witt, Gold Medal Ice Skater, featured in Playboy Magazine December 1998

As I watched Katerina Witt enthusiastically discuss her Playboy Magazine experience on TV, I marveled. She has something very few people have - a clean, healthy comfort with her own sensuality. It's worth looking up this back issue to see her unabashed pride in herself as she lies draped over rocks, stands beside rushing streams, leaps down a hill, and throws her arms back as she stands perched on a rock with an ecstatic expression on her face. She could have easily posed for the statue of a temple dedicated, not to a mystical Buddha or god, but to the best within an individual.
Many people will laugh heartily at sexual jokes and will give the impression that it is a healthy part of their own lives, only to silently face, in the privacy of their own homes, a discomfort and an ambivalence with sex. Often this reaches a love-hate relationship with sex itself. Most people have many conflicting ideas about it. Is it healthy or smutty? A welcome pleasure or a necessary chore? Should you feel elated or shameful after an afternoon delight? Genuine confusion abut sex is the unfortunate internal state of many people.
How can something so good and healthy as the delightful experience of being in your partner's arms turn sour? Feeling sensually aroused, enjoying the emotional delights that your body and mind are capable of and wanting to experience the pleasure of sex - how do these get damaged? There are many causes of sexual problems. The primary cause is holding the wrong moral code.
I want to focus on one common problem which will illustrate this: the ambivalence that leads many women (and not so infrequently, men) to let their sexual desire fizzle.
I have worked with many couples and individuals in therapy who have complained that sex has become a necessary chore, an annoying mechanical duty, a less than satisfying experience that has received too much hype. They may dutifully try to please their spouses, (e.g., get sex over with to get it off the ``to-do list") or just avoid sex altogether (``I'm too tired." ``My back hurts.") What have they allowed to happen to such a potentially rich source of pleasure in their lives?
See if you can figure out what is happening. Come along with me to my early dating years. In one of my first romantic relationships, I recall lying alongside my boyfriend, kissing and hugging. I adored him. I was feeling very aroused and I was not inhibited in showing my enjoyment. I experienced a delicious sensual spontaneity. Suddenly he broke me out of my romantic trance by saying, in critical tone, ``Does this make you feel good?".
Now the simple, healthy response would have been for me to proudly, honestly and directly say ``Of course - it feels great!". But instead I was mortified. I had been caught enjoying the sexual experience. I felt selfish. From multiple sources in my life, I had partially bought into the idea that anything focused on me was bad, anything focused on pleasing others was good. Now I was translating this monstrous moral code into the area of my own sexuality. I must have tucked away the idea at that moment that I would enjoy sex by not focusing on myself. Instead I would just try to please my partner.
See any problem with this? There is a built in contradiction. For a clue - think of what I must have been saying to myself in my mind. ``Okay, have fun, enjoy sex, but make sure it doesn't feel good. That would be selfish. I don't ever want to be that!" Well, unfortunately for me, the alternative was to be selfless.
Selflessness involves, not self-valuing, but self-sabotage. It is the notion that ``I don't need anything for myself. What makes me happy is doing for others". This idea is psychologically deadly. When it's dressed up in an appealing-sounding name such as ``altruism" its deadliness is only camouflaged. Altruism doesn't mean being nice to others. You can value and enjoy the good aspects in others. This is consistent with liking yourself and being rationally selfish.
Altruism technically means ``other-ism": you are good only to the extent that you give up your wants, desires and goals and focus on pleasing others. But a life of giving up that which is nearest and dearest to you is a life not worth living. Try to enjoy anything in life by being selfless. It can't be done.
Try to live by giving up those rational things that make your life delicious (e.g., your dream career, your choice in hobbies, a boyfriend or girlfriend whom you adore). You will soon feel bitter, frustrated and depressed. This is the altruism trap. Too many women fall in to it.
Would you like to go to the bedroom to enjoy a romantic interlude? You can't if your partner wants to have sex on the couch while watching the game. By the moral code of altruism, you shouldn't ``enjoy" or focus on your own needs. You are only there to ``please your partner". He wants you to attend to his needs. What's in it for you? Nothing? Then you've achieved your ideal. You are not selfish. You're also missing out on sex.
So if you have fallen into the altruism trap and you're feeling that sex is a duty to be endured, how do you climb out of it? One of the key prerequisites in healthy sexuality is feeling that you are and should be the center of your own world. Rational self-interest is a prerequisite to your own sexuality and to having a wonderful intimate relationship with your partner. What do I mean by that? Let's look at Katarina (literally and figuratively).
Unlike most people who feel a vague undefined self-doubt and who don't feel they are worthy of love, Katarina Witt projects a sense of feeling entirely worthy. She seems to value her life, her character and her sensuality. (Whether this is true in the facts of her life is not my point. I am going by my observations of her over the years on the ice.)
Self-esteem is a psychological achievement, an achievement that requires many virtues. Since that broader topic is beyond the scope of this article, we will focus on sex. How can you start to uproot bad premises about sex that you may have picked up unwittingly from your religion or family?

Uprooting damaging ideas:

1. In order to learn to express what you like and dislike in lovemaking, first observe yourself in other areas in your life. Do you find it easy to ask for what you want or do you typically let others make the decisions? Whether choosing a restaurant or a movie or deciding whether to spend your vacation time at a romantic getaway or with relatives, do you routinely ``give-up" or defer to others' choices? Try an experiment - practice saying what you want assertively (not aggressively) and unapologetically.
For example, instead of saying ``Of course we'll visit your mother during our vacation this year." you may try: ``I know you feel we owe it to your mother to visit her during the holidays. It is my only vacation and I would much prefer that we go on a romantic holiday together in the Caribbean and visit your mother at another time. No, I would not enjoy having your mother come with us to the Caribbean."

2. What happens when you make love? Are you typically thinking ``I wonder what he or she wants me to do? What should I do to please him or her?" or are you focused on the sensual pleasure you're getting from your partner? If your focus is almost exclusively off yourself and on your partner, you need some skills to get your focus back on yourself. That doesn't mean you should ignore your partner. It does mean that you fully allow yourself to experience the pleasure that earns sex its good name.

3. Ask yourself how often during the week do you think of food. Now compare that to how often you think about sex. Most people spend some time each week, if not each day, anticipating an enjoyable meal. Is sex something you give yourself time to focus on - or is it something you push out of your mind and don't even think about? An article in my local paper was titled ``I almost had a thought about sex." If your thoughts about sex are few and far between, here are some tips to spice up your sex life.

Drugs, Downey, Strawberry, junkies and hypocrites

Actor Robert Downey Jr. has been arrested for drug use again.

He could get a four-year prison sentence, so it's obvious he didn't take the drugs for pleasure. He took them because he's an addict. They aren't a means of entertainment for him; they're a curse.

The same appears to be true of Darryl Strawberry -- who was booted out of Major League Baseball because he couldn't stay off drugs. He is an addict -- not a person who simply refused to "say no."

Productive people
In any discussion of the Downey and Strawberry cases, one point seems to be overlooked: Even though both are addicts, they're quite able to perform their jobs properly.

Drugs haven't kept Downey from showing up for work, from cooperating with his fellow workers, or from acting well enough to win numerous awards. And Darryl Strawberry managed to hit home runs even while plagued with drug problems.

If these people can function so well, why do they get hustled off to jail?

They're already living in private hells -- unable to shake the drug habit. Once a person is addicted, giving up drugs is far harder than giving up smoking or fatty foods. There are very few examples of addicts shaking the habit and remaining clean ever after.

So what is gained by having the police hound them?

The Downey and Strawberry cases should remind us that prior to the drug laws many addicts were productive members of society. They bought morphine, opium, or heroin at the local pharmacy, showed up for work every day and lived otherwise normal lives.

The difference between them and today's "junkies" is that earlier addicts lived in a society where drugs were legal. They didn't buy from black-market criminals who laced drugs with unknown substances. And they didn't have to steal to pay astronomical prices for black-market drugs. They bought safe, inexpensive drugs marketed by well-known companies. They could survive and prosper.

But today's addicts devote enormous amounts of time, money and attention to acquiring drugs, live in fear of being caught and sometimes die from taking bad drugs.

Role models
We're told we must make examples of people like Downey and Strawberry because they're "role models."

But I don't understand why actors or ballplayers must be held to such a high standard.

After all, what kind of role model is George W. Bush? He boozed it up, was arrested for drunk driving, apparently did drugs and became president of the United States. Now he puts people in prison for five or 50 years for doing what he did -- and he gets to call himself "compassionate."

What kind of role model was Bill Clinton? He admits smoking marijuana, but he signed laws increasing the prison terms for people who do what he did.

What kind of role model was Ronald Reagan? He claimed to be for the Constitution, but decided the Fourth and Fifth Amendments were unnecessary. He stepped up the Drug War, imposed new intrusions on your privacy, signed oppressive mandatory sentencing laws, and instituted asset-forfeiture programs that can take your property without accusing you of a crime.

Anyone concerned about role models ought to take a closer look at the people they hold up as heroes -- and leave Robert Downey and Darryl Strawberry alone to work out their problems.

What's the point?
Tell me whose life is better because of the drug laws -- other than black-market drug dealers, politicians and law-enforcement agencies that get to steal your property.

We don't make life easier for the children who get harassed by drug dealers at school, or who die in drive-by shootings when criminal gangs fight over drug territories.

We don't provide better role models when we disgrace honest actors and ballplayers while honoring hypocritical politicians.

And we don't turn addicts into better people by throwing them in prison.

Or would George W. Bush and Bill Clinton be better people today if, for their "youthful indiscretions," they had spent 10 years in prison?

SELF ESTEEM, SELF LOVE and SELF CENTEREDNESS

SELF ESTEEM, SELF LOVE and SELF CENTEREDNESS

by Nancy Poitou, M.A., M.F.T.

I have been asked often about what is self-esteem, self-love and self-centeredness. These are very good questions and it is a fine line that separates these concepts.

Self esteem means to hold oneself in high esteem, feeling worthy of a good life and good treatment by others. Self-esteem results from self-respect and respect from others. Self-respect includes competence, confidence, mastery, achievement, independence and freedom. Respect from others includes recognition, acceptance, status, and appreciation.

Healthy self-esteem is a realistic appraisal of one's capacities and begins with deserved respect from others. This usually begins to be built in childhood, when we learn some new skill, or take a risk, a parent says, "Good! You learned how to tie your shoe!" And so begins the building of self-esteem. However when a parent is overly critical or abusive, we get a message that we will never be good enough, that there is just something inherently bad about us, that we are defective. As children we are dependent on adults to give us the foundation of our self-esteem and be role models for what is good.

Self love is the ability to hold onto our good qualities and strengths even when we are feeling bad about ourselves or something we have done. It is the strength to see our short comings and love ourselves enough to know that we can learn and grow and not to give up on ourselves because we are not perfect, made a mistake or still have some problems. In other words, we are worthy of love even if we are not perfect.

Self-centeredness is self-esteem and self-love gone too far. It means that the world revolves around us, we are at the center of our world, meaning that we think that we are better than anyone and everyone else and so are more deserving, in other words, selfish.

Good self-esteem means that we have enough self-confidence to not need the approval of others. We don't need to wear the latest fashions, be the thinnest or the richest to feel good about ourselves. It is feeling good about who we are on the inside, so that approval and love does not have to come from the outside before we can love ourselves. Many people function just the opposite, they don't feel good about themselves unless in a relationship so that they can say, "I am loved, so I must be loveable." But that means needing the relationship too much, that you will endure anything, any abuse or maltreatment to stay in the relationship, because without it you feel empty. It is always good to receive approval and love from others but good self-esteem means we are not dependent on it to feel whole or good.

Without self-esteem and self-love we are so desperate to be in a relationship that we do not see the red flags, in fact we may be in denial that there are potential problems. Usually we attract another with the same level of self-esteem and when the other does not have our approval or love 100% without question, they resort to putting us down in order to feel better about themselves. And so the cycle starts, then we put the other down and around and around we go, trying to be on top, yet at the same time we are putting the other down, we erode any self-esteem we might have had and a downward spiral begins for the relationship and the individuals involved.

Besides relationships there are other traps in life we can fall into. Drugs and alcohol can temporarily make us feel good, and that is how some people start an addiction. Other examples are things like new cars, clothes, money, sex and thrills. These only provide a momentary high, and we are unaware that we need these things or activities to feel good. These traps are only temporary external fixes to an internal problem, and distract us from acknowledging our shortcomings and getting in touch with and working on healing past hurts that contribute to low self-esteem.

To have self-esteem and self love we do not need to be self-centered, we do not have to be the best looking or make the most money. In fact acting or being self-centered is a kind of arrogance that is usually a coverup for low self esteem, or a lack of self-love.

In order to have good self-esteem we need to act in accordance to our conscious and/or unconscious beliefs about what is good in a human being. This often comes from a spiritual ideal, one individual that sets an example for us, or a role model that demonstrates the inner qualities that attracts us and draws us to that person. Usually that means being around that person makes us feel good. That person can validate us and see our good qualities and strengths and reflect that back to us because they have good self-esteem and self-love. That person does not need to feel better than or one up to feel good and appreciate others' good qualities. That person is not self-centered in needing to feel that they are better than anyone else around them. Their self-confidence and security comes from earned respect from others and self-respect from acting in accordance with what a good human being would do. There is usually an honesty and authenticity in them as well, they can acknowledge their mistakes and shortcomings and therefore work on them, they are "a work in progress."

References:

Barksdale, L.S. (1972) Building Self-Esteem. Idyllwild, CA The Barksdale Foundation for Furtherance of Human Understanding

Bradshaw, John (1988) Healing the Shame that Binds You. Dearfield Beach, Florida. Health Communications, Inc.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism Symptoms

Alcoholism is a disease. It is often diagnosed more through behaviors and adverse effects on functioning than by specific medical symptoms. Only 2 of the diagnostic criteria are physiological (those are tolerance changes and withdrawal symptoms).

• Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are associated with a broad range of medical, psychiatric, social, legal, occupational, economic, and family problems. For example, parental alcoholism underlies many family problems such as divorce, spouse abuse, child abuse and neglect, welfare dependence, and criminal behaviors, according to government sources.
  
  
  • The great majority of alcoholics go unrecognized by physicians and health care professionals. This is largely because of the alcoholic’s ability to conceal the amount and frequency of drinking, denial of problems caused by or made worse by drinking, the gradual onset of the disease, and the body's ability to adapt to increasing alcohol amounts.
    
    
  • Family members often deny or minimize alcohol problems and unwittingly contribute to the continuation of alcoholism by well-meaning behaviors such as shielding the alcoholic from adverse consequences of drinking or taking over family or economic responsibilities. Often the drinking behavior is concealed from loved ones and health care providers.
    
    
  • Alcoholics, when confronted, will often deny excess consumption of alcohol. Alcoholism is a diverse disease and is often influenced by the alcoholic's personality as well as by other factors. Therefore, signs and symptoms often vary from person to person. There are, however, certain behaviors and signs that indicate someone may have a problem with alcohol. These behaviors and signs include insomnia, frequent falls, bruises of different ages, blackouts, chronic depression, anxiety, irritability, tardiness or absence at work or school, loss of employment, divorce or separation, financial difficulties, frequent intoxicated appearance or behavior, weight loss, or frequent automobile collisions.
    
    
  • Late signs and symptoms include medical conditions such as pancreatitis, gastritis, cirrhosis, neuropathy, anemia, cerebellar atrophy, alcoholic cardiomyopathy (heart disease), Wernicke's encephalopathy (abnormal brain functioning), Korsakoff's dementia, central pontine myelinolysis (brain degeneration), seizures, confusion, malnutrition, hallucinations, peptic ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
  
  
• Compared with children in families without alcoholism, children of alcoholics are at increased risk for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, conduct problems, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. Alcoholic individuals have a higher risk of psychiatric disorders and suicide. They often experience guilt, shame, and depression, especially when their alcohol use leads to significant losses (for example, job, relationships, status, economic security, or physical health). Many medical problems are caused by or made worse by alcoholism as well as by the alcoholic’s poor adherence to medical treatment.

Easter And What It Means

Easter is a spring festival that celebrates the central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ three days after his death by crucifixion. {1} Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year.

All the Christian movable feasts and the entire liturgical year of worship are arranged around Easter.

Easter Sunday is preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentence culminating in Holy Week, and followed by a 50-day Easter Season that stretches from Easter to Pentecost.

Name of Easter

The origins of the word "Easter" are not certain, but probably derive from Estre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring {2}. The German word Ostern has the same derivation, but most other languages follow the Greek term used by the early Christians: pascha, from the Hebrew pesach (Passover).

In Latin, Easter is Festa Paschalia (plural because it is a seven-day feast), which became the basis for the French Pâques, the Italian Pasqua, and the Spanish Pascua. Also related are the Scottish Pask, the Dutch Paschen, the Danish Paaske, and the Swedish Pask. {3}

Date of Easter

The method for determining the date of Easter is complex and has been a matter of controversy (see History of Easter, below). Put as simply as possible, the Western churches (Catholic and Protestant) celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.

But it is actually a bit more complicated than this. The spring equinox is fixed for this purpose as March 21 (in 2004, it actually falls on March 20) and the "full moon" is actually the paschal moon, which is based on 84-year "paschal cycles" established in the sixth century, and rarely corresponds to the astronomical full moon. These complex calculations yield an Easter date of anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

The Eastern churches (Greek, Russian, and other forms of Orthodoxy) use the same calculation, but based on the Julian calendar (on which March 21 is April 3) and a 19-year paschal cycle.

Thus the Orthodox Easter sometimes falls on the same day as the western Easter (it does in 2004), but the two celebrations can occur as much as five weeks apart.

In the 20th century, discussions began as to a possible worldwide agreement on a consistent date for the celebration of the central event of Christianity. No resolution has yet been reached. {4}

Recent and upcoming dates {5} for Passover (Judaism), Easter (Western Christianity), and Pascha (Eastern Christianity) are:

	Passover	Easter	Pascha
2006	April 13	April 16	April 23
2007	April 3	April 8	April 8

History of Easter and the Easter Controversy

There is evidence that Christians originally celebrated the resurrection of Christ every Sunday, with observances such as Scripture readings, psalms, the Eucharist, and a prohibition against kneeling in prayer. {6} At some point in the first two centuries, however, it became customary to celebrate the resurrection specially on one day each year. Many of the religious observances of this celebration were taken from the Jewish Passover.

The specific day on which the resurrection should be celebrated became a major point of contention within the church. First, should it be on Jewish Passover no matter on what day that falls, or should it always fall on a Sunday? It seems Christians in Asia took the former position, while those everywhere else insisted on the latter. The eminent church fathers Irenaeus and Polycarp were among the Asiatic Christians, and they claimed the authority of St. John the Apostle for their position. Nevertheless, the church majority officially decided that Easter should always be celebrated on a Sunday. Eusebius of Caesarea, our only source on this topic, reports the affair as follows:

A question of no small importance arose at that time [c. 190 AD]. The dioceses of all Asia, as from an older tradition, held that the fourteenth day of the moon, on which day the Jews were commanded to sacrifice the lamb, should always be observed as the feast of the life-giving pasch, contending that the fast ought to end on that day, whatever day of the week it might happen to be. However it was not the custom of the churches in the rest of the world to end it at this point, as they observed the practice, which from Apostolic tradition has prevailed to the present time, of terminating the fast on no other day than on that of the Resurrection of our Saviour. Synods and assemblies of bishops were held on this account, and all with one consent through mutual correspondence drew up an ecclesiastical decree that the mystery of the Resurrection of the Lord should be celebrated on no other day but the Sunday and that we should observe the close of the paschal fast on that day only. {7}

With this issue resolved, the next problem was to determine which Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. The Christians in Syria and Mesopotamia held their festival on the Sunday after the Jewish Passover (which itself varied a great deal), but those in Alexandria and other regions held it on the first Sunday after the spring equinox, without regard to the Passover.

This second issue was decided at the Council of Nicea in 325, which decreed that Easter should be celebrated by all on the same Sunday, which Sunday shall be the first following the paschal moon (and the paschal moon must not precede the spring equinox), and that a particular church should determine the date of Easter and communicate it throughout the empire (probably Alexandria, with their skill in astronomical calculations).

The policy was adopted throughout the empire, but Rome adopted an 84-year lunar cycle for determining the date, whereas Alexandria used a 19-year cycle. {8} Use of these different "paschal cycles" persists to this day and contributes to the disparity between the eastern and western dates of Easter.

Religious Observances on Easter

Common elements found in most Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant religious Easter celebrations include baptisms, the Eucharist, feasting, and greetings of "Christ is risen!" and "He is risen indeed!"

In Roman Catholicism, and some Lutheran and Anglican churches, Easter is celebrated with a vigil that consists of "the blessing of the new fire (a practice introduced during the early Middle Ages); the lighting of the paschal candle; a service of lessons, called the prophecies; followed by the blessing of the font and baptisms and then the mass of Easter." {9} The traditional customs of the Catholic church are described in detail in the online Catholic Encyclopedia {10}.

In Orthodox churches, the vigil service is preceded by a procession outside the church. When the procession leaves the church, there are no lights on. The procession conducts a symbolic fruitless search for Christ's body, then joyfully announces, "Christ is risen!" When the procession returns to the church, hundreds of candles and lamps are lit to symbolize the splendor of Christ's resurrection, and the Easter Eucharist is taken. {11}

Protestant observances also include baptism and the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper), and often a sunrise service (to commemorate Mary Magdalene's arrival at the empty tomb "early, while it was still dark") and special hymns and songs.

Easter eggs

Popular Easter Customs

Over the centuries, these religious observances have been supplemented by popular customs, many of were incorporated from springtime fertility celebrations of European and Middle Eastern pagan religion. Rabbits and eggs, for example, are widely-used pagan symbols for fertility. Christians view the Easter eggs as symbols of joy and celebration (as they were forbidden during the fast of Lent) and of new life and resurrection. A common custom is to hide brightly colored eggs for children to find.

Asking For Help

Sometimes it is difficult to ask for help. We prefer to solve problems on our own. Most of the time we are able to do so, using the resources we already have: family, friends and community. We all have 'ups and downs.' We all have normal grief at the death of a loved one and normal concerns about our children.

However, occasionally, life piles on too many stresses at once. Circumstances may overwhelm our usual coping skills. A normally 'good kid' may start going bad. You or a loved one may lose a job. You may suffer a prolonged or difficult illness. Stress may weaken your body's defenses, disrupting your sleep, appetite or zest for life. You may not feel comfortable discussing the problem with friends or family.

It is hard to ask help from a stranger. Asking for help may make you feel vulnerable or ashamed. A good mental health therapist should help you feel at ease quickly and remind you that you have every right to pursue all avenues to feeling better. Needing help is not a moral weakness. In fact, all of us have a responsibility to seek help for our own sake and the sake of our loved ones. There are many barriers to seeking help, but the first usually resides in our own reluctance to ask for assistance.

Another barrier is the concern 'what will people think of me?' We worry: 'What if my boss finds out?' 'What will the neighbors think?' It is true that many people are uncomfortable around issues of mental upset or stress. For the most part, our culture expects us to be rugged individualists, solving our own problems and riding off into the sunset in a ruggedly individualistic way. That is a fine approach, if we have the resources to solve the problem.

Historically, there has been some stigma attached to seeking mental health help. But modern day life can be stunningly complex. We no longer expect to be our own accountants, doctors, lawyers or bankers. Whatever our chosen profession, some times we need to seek consultation from experts in other fields. No one thinks less of us for seeking consultation from an accountant or lawyer. Similarly, we should insist on the opportunity to seek consultation from a mental health professional. You and you alone are the judge of your own needs.

Access To Treatment

Access to Treatment

Access to quality drug treatment is one of the greatest obstacles to addressing the issue of drug misuse in the United States. Drug treatment is woefully under-funded, the treatment capacity is inadequate to accommodate everyone who requests it, a wide range of effective treatment modalities are unavailable, and drug treatment facilities often face NIMBY issues which can block their opening.

One of the greatest failures of current drug policy is the emphasis and support that is placed on investigation, prosecution and incarceration of drug possession offenses, rather than funding drug treatment and preventative drug education. Over the past 30 years, the government has spent 70% of drug war resources on police, prisons, and military with only 30% devoted to drug education and treatment. South Carolina is the state which spends the least on drug treatment and yet has some of the most punitive policies for drug use, particularly for women who need treatment during pregnancy. Further exacerbating the funding difficulties, health insurance companies fail to provide equal coverage for drug treatment as they do for similar recurring conditionals.

The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that 3.9 million people who needed treatment did not get it and treatment professionals estimate that only 1 in 10 people receive the treatment they need. Increasingly, the only way for people who do not have the financial means but need drug treatment to access it is through the criminal justice system. After being arrested for drug related crimes, some states and jurisdictions divert offenders into treatment as a cost-effective and humane alternative to incarceration, yet drug courts and other diversion programs are available only to minute percentage of eligible and needy individuals and these models problematically rely heavily on non-therapeutic drug testing and coercion. Two states, California and Arizona have implemented sweeping reforms that require nonviolent drug offenders be offered drug treatment with models that address many of the fundamental concerns of placing treatment in the criminal justice system, and have had a great deal of success so far. Read more about other ballot initiative efforts at the Campaign for New Drug Policies.

The limited option of treatment methods available is another obstacle to the provision of quality treatment. The most common form of drug treatment follows the AA model, which works well for many people but is inappropriate and inadequate for many others. Despite solid scientific evidence attesting to the effectiveness of certain drug treatment modalities, such as methadone maintenance for opioid addiction and several harm reduction models, there is strong resistance, particularly within the criminal justice system, to any model not based on abstinence. Treatment has generally been based on a model proven effective for a single ethnic group and gender and the lack of culturally sensitive treatment options and programs that provide critical ancillary services, particularly for women with children, further restrict access to successful treatment.

The NIMBY - Not In My Back Yard - phenomenon is perhaps the greatest barrier presented by the communities and the public at large. Many individuals who support drug treatment do so as long as it is not located in their community. Although health and safety considerations are understandable, they are most often based on misunderstanding and a false sense that drug treatment creates crime and instability in a community. The Drug Policy Alliance has been involved in several efforts to oppose NIMBY attitudes and policies, including the successful litigation opposing an ordinance that tried to block a methodone clinic from opening (BAART v. Antioch), and current efforts to prevent the City of Oakland from enacting policies to make it more difficult for treatment centers to open at a time when 61% of California voters support drug treatment instead of incarceration.

Drug Rehab

Selecting a drug rehab center is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will make in your lifetime. Few of us know what to look for in a quality rehab program and not all drug rehabilitation centers are alike. Each drug rehab has its own program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.

Asking appropriate questions when you call a drug rehab for information is important and you should expect to receive clear answers.

Before you make any decisions-ask questions and get the facts!

Does the drug rehab offer a variety of programs?

Alcohol and drug addiction is a disease that progresses through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

A drug rehabilitation treatment center should offer a variety of treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.

The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.

The length of stay depends on the severity and stage of the disease.

How much does a drug rehab center cost?

"How much does it cost?" is often one of the first questions asked.

The price tag for drug abuse & alcoholism treatment is presented in many different formats. You need to know what is included, what will be added to your bill as a fee-for-service program, and what services your health insurance will cover. This makes it extremely difficult to compare prices by simply asking the question - "What does it cost?"

If you are seeking the best value for your treatment dollar, remember: Price can be meaningful only in the context of quality and performance.

Is the drug rehab treatment program medically based?

There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a Drug Rehab. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital services to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Medical credentials and accreditation can also be important. For example, a chemical dependency Drug Rehab that earns JCAHO accreditation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meets national standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state licensing is also an important consideration.

Be sure to ask which medical costs are included in the price of treatment at the drug rehab.

What is the degree of family involvement in a drug rehab program?

Drug abuse and alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the alcoholic/addict. Quite often family members do not realize how deeply they have been affected by chemical dependency. Family involvement is an important component of recovery.

Drug Rehabs vary in the degree and quality of family involvement opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures and others offer family therapy. Ask if there is any time devoted to family programs and if group therapy is included.

Does drug rehabilitation include a quality continuing care program?

There are no quick fixes for the diseases of drug abuse and alcoholism. Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive rehabilitation treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time.

Some drug addiction treatment programs will offer a follow-up program but only in one location which may make it difficult to use.

Drug rehabilitation treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program that supports and monitors recovery.

The decision to enter a drug rehab program can be a very difficult and painstaking process. If you are confused by the many choices offered on this drug rehab site, please call one of our our treament center specialist at 866-762-3712.

Our treatment center helpline is answered by a professional staff who understands what you are going through. They will listen to your questions and concerns, and provide you with free drug rehab referrals.

Drinking And Driving

Drinking & Driving

Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous and drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at greatly increased risk of car accidents, highway injuries and vehicular deaths. Possible prevention measures examined here include establishing DWI courts, suspending or revoking driver licenses, impounding or confiscating vehicle plates, impounding or immobilizing vehicles, enforcing open container bans, increasing penalties such as fines or jail for drunk driving, and mandating alcohol education. Safety seat belts, air bags, designated drivers, and effective practical ways to stay sober are also discussed.

THE PROBLEM

Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is totally preventable. Although the proportion of crashes that are alcohol-related has dropped dramatically in recent decades, there are still far too many such preventable accidents. Unfortunately, in spite of great progress, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically effects many victims annually.

It’s easy to forget that dry statistics represent real people and real lives. Therefore, this page is dedicated to the memory of one randomly-selected victim of a drunk driver, young Donette Rae Jackson.

THE FACTS

Most drivers who have had something to drink have low blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) and few are involved in fatal crashes. On the other hand, while only a few drivers have BACs higher than .15, a much higher proportion of those drivers have fatal crashes.

• The average BAC among fatally injured drinking drivers is .16 1
• The relative risk of death for drivers in single-vehicle crashes with a high BAC is 385 times that of a zero-BAC driver and for male drivers the risk is 707 times that of a sober driver, according to estimates by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 2
• High BAC drivers tend to be male, aged 25-35, and have a history of DWI convictions and polydrug abuse. 3

THE SOLUTION

Drunk driving, like most other social problems, resists simple solutions. However, there are a number of actions, each of which can contribute toward a reduction of the problem:

• DWI courts, sometimes called DUI courts, sobriety courts, wellness courts or accountability courts have proven effective in reducing the crime of drunken driving (driving while intoxicated or while impaired). Such courts address the problem of hard-core repeat offenders by treating alcohol addiction or alcoholism. The recidivism or failure rate of DWI courts is very low. 4
• Automatic license revocation appears to be the single most effective measure to reduce drunk driving. 5
• Automatic license revocation along with a mandatory jail sentence appears to be even more effective than just automatic license revocation. 6
• Impounding or confiscating license plates. 7
• Mandating the installation of interlock devices that prevent intoxicated persons from starting a vehicle. 8
• Vehicle impoundment or immobilization. 9
• Expanding alcohol server training programs. 10
• Implementing social norms programs that correct the misperception that most people sometimes drive under the influence of alcohol. 11
• Passing mandatory alcohol and drug testing in fatal crashes would promote successful prosecution of drunk and drugged drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that 18-20% of injured drivers are using drugs and although drinking is on the decline, drugging is on the increase. However, this figure appears to be much too low. For example:
  • A study of drivers admitted to a Maryland trauma center found that 34$ tested positive for drugs only, while 16% tested positive for alcohol only. 12
  • A study by the Addiction Research Foundation of vehicle crash victims who tested positive for either legal or illegal substances found that just 15% had consumed only alcohol. 13
  • In a large study of almost 3,400 fatally injured drivers from three Australian states, drugs other than alcohol were present in 26.7% of the cases. Fewer than 10% of the cases involved both alcohol and drugs. 14
  • NIDA’s Monitoring the Future survey indicated that in 2004, 12.7% of high school seniors in the U.S. reported driving under the influence of marijuana and 13..2% reported driving under the influence of alcohol in the two weeks prior to the survey. 15
  • In the State of Maryland’s Adolescent Survey, 26.8% of the state’s licensed, 12th grade drivers reported driving under the influence of marijuana during the year before the survey. 16

MADD Canada is to be commended for recognizing this serious but generally unrecognized problem and including the reduction of drugged driving as a major goal. Of course, fighting drugged driving must not detract us from working to reduce drunken driving.

Promising but inadequately evaluated measures include:

• Marking the license plate to indicate ownership in the family of someone whose driver’s license is suspended or revoked for alcohol offenses. 17
• Passing and enforcing bans on open containers would probably reduce drunk driving by deterring drinking while driving. Surprisingly, some states have vehicular no open container laws. 18
• Imposing graded or multi-tiered penalties based on BAC at the time of arrest. This policy is virtually universal with regard to speeding. 19
• Restricting nighttime driving by young people. This appears to be effective in those states with such restrictions. 20
• Electronically monitoring repeat DWI offenders. 21
• Involving drivers in identifying and reporting possibly drunken drivers to law enforcement authorities by dialing 911 on their cell phones. See Help Police Stop Drunken Drivers
• Requiring every state to provide adequate information on alcohol and driving to prospective drivers and adequately testing them on the subject in their driver’s exams. In too many states, the subject is given only brief mention and do not include any information or testing in the process of obtaining a driver’s license. Some actually provide factually incorrect information.

All of these very promising measures should be rigorously evaluated scientifically to determine their potential contribution to improving safety.

Measures of little or no value:

• Incarceration. Jail or prison sentences for alcohol offenses, in spite of their great popularity, appear to be of little value in deterring high BAC drivers. In short, It appears that we can’t “jail our way out of the problem.” 22
• The perception of swift and certain punishment is more important than severity. 23
• Large fines appear have little deterrent effect, according to research. 24
• Increasing the cost of alcohol with increased taxation would have virtually no impact on reducing drunk driving. 25 Both research and common sense suggest that heavy drinkers are not deterred by cost and most minors who drink don’t pay for or purchase their beverages. 26

Improved roads and vehicles can contribute significantly to increased highway safety. Technological improvements include raised lane markers, which are easier to see and also emit a startling sound when a tire wanders over them. Similarly corrugations along the edges of roads emit a sound when driven over, thus alerting inattentive drivers to their inappropriate location. Wider roads, improved street and highway lighting, break-away sign posts, brake lights positioned at eye level, door crash bars, and many other improvements can save lives and be cost-effective.

PROTECT YOURSELF

While society has done much to improve highway safety, you can do much to protect yourself.

Don’t drink and drive and don’t ride with anyone who has too much to drink. Remember, it is usually themselves and their passengers who are harmed by drunk drivers. 27 The risk of collision for high BAC drivers is dramatically higher than for a non-drinking driver.

• Volunteer to be a designated driver.
• Always use a safety seat belt.
• Use four-lane highways whenever possible.
• Avoid rural roads.
  Avoid travel after midnight (especially on Fridays and Saturdays).
• Drive defensively.
• Choose vehicles with airbags.
• Refer to safety ratings before selecting your next vehicle. See “Buying a Safer Car” (nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/NCAP). “Buying A Safer Car” includes safety ratings of cars, vans, and sport utility vehicles by year, make, and model.
• Never use illegal drugs. Illicit drugs are involved in a large proportion of traffic fatalities.
• Never drive when fatigued. The dangers posed when fatigued are similar to those when intoxicated. A drunk or fatigued driver has slowed reactions and impaired judgment. And a driver who nods off at the wheel has no reactions and no judgment! Drivers who drift off cause about 72,500 injuries and deaths each and every year. 28
• Don’t use a car phone, put on make-up, comb your hair, or eat while driving. Drivers using cellular phones are four times more likely to have an accident than other drivers. 29
• Steer clear of aggressive drivers. Aggressive drivers may be responsible for more deaths than drunk drivers.

If you must drive after drinking, stay completely sober: 30

• Don’t be fooled. The contents of the typical bottle or can of beer, glass of wine, or liquor drink (mixed drink or straight liquor) each contain virtually identical amounts of pure alcohol. When it comes to alcohol, a drink is a drink is a drink and are all the same to a breathalyzer. 31 For more, visit Standard Drinks.



• Know your limit. If you are not sure, experiment at home with your spouse or some other responsible individual. Explain what you are attempting to learn. Most people find that they can consume one drink per hour without any ill effects. Also, experiment with the Blood Alcohol Educator, which is very informative and useful.
• Eat food while you drink. Food, especially high protein food such as meat, cheese and peanuts, will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your body.
• Sip your drink. If you gulp a drink, you lose the pleasure of savoring its flavors and aromas.
• Don’t participate in “chugging” contests or other drinking games.
• Accept a drink only when you really want one. If someone tries to force a drink on you, ask for a non-alcohol beverage instead. If that doesn’t work, “lose” your drink by setting it down somewhere and leaving it.
• Skip a drink now and then. Having a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic ones will help keep your blood alcohol content level down, as does spacing out your alcoholic drinks
• A good general guideline for most people is to limit
  consumption of alcohol beverages to one drink (beer, wine or spirits) per hour.
• Keep active; don’t just sit around and drink. If you stay active you tend to drink less and to be more aware of any effects alcohol may be having on you.
• Beware of unfamiliar drinks. Some drinks, such as zombies and other fruit drinks, can be deceiving as the alcohol content is not detectable. Therefore, it is difficult to space them properly.
• Use alcohol carefully in connection with pharmaceuticals. Ask your physician or pharmacist about any precautions or prohibitions and follow any advice received.

PROTECT OTHERS

• Volunteer to be a designated driver.
• Never condone or approve of excessive alcohol consumption. Intoxicated behavior is potentially dangerous and never amusing.
• Don’t ever let your friends drive drunk. Take their keys, have them stay the night, have them ride home with someone else, call a cab, or do whatever else is necessary - but don’t let them drive!

Be a good host:

• Create a setting conducive to easy, comfortable socializing: soft, gentle music; low levels of noise; comfortable seating. This encourages conversation and social interaction rather than heavy drinking.
• Serve food before beginning to serve drinks. This de-emphasizes the importance of alcohol and also sends the message that intoxication is not desirable.
• Have a responsible bartender. If you plan to ask a friend or relative to act as bartender, make sure that person is not a drink pusher who encourages excessive consumption.
• Don’t have an “open bar.” A responsible person needs to supervise consumption to ensure that no one drinks too much. You have both a moral and a legal responsibility to make sure that none of your guests drink too much.
• Pace the drinks. Serve drinks at regular reasonable intervals. A drink-an-hour schedule is a good guide.
• Push snacks. Make sure that people are eating.
• Be sure to offer a diversity of attractive non-alcohol drinks. (For numerous non-alcohol drink recipes, see www.idrink.com).
• Respect anyone’s choice not to drink. Remember that about one-third of American adults choose not to drink and that a guest’s reason for not drinking is the business of the guest only, not of the host. Never put anyone on the defense for not drinking.
• End your gathering properly. Decide when you want the party to end and stop serving drinks well before that time. Then begin serving coffee along with substantial snacks. This provides essential non-drinking time before your guests leave.
• Protect others and yourself by never driving if you think, or anyone else thinks, that you might have had too much to drink. It’s always best to use a designated driver.

THE GOOD NEWS

We can do it! While we must do even more to reduce drunk driving, we have already accomplished a great deal.

• The U.S. has a low traffic fatality rate (drunk, as well as sober) and is a very safe nation in which to drive. And it’s been getting safer for decades. 32 There are now fewer than one and a half deaths (including the deaths of bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, auto drivers, and auto passengers) per one hundred million vehicle miles traveled. 33 Alcohol-related traffic fatalities have dropped from 60% of all traffic deaths in 1982 down to 39% in 2005 (the most recent year for which such statistics are available). 34
• Alcohol-related traffic fatalities per vehicle miles driven has also dropped dramatically — from 1.64 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 1982 down to 0.56 in 2005 (the latest year for which such statistics are available). 35
• The proportion of alcohol-related crash fatalities has fallen 35% since 1982, but the proportion of traffic deaths NOT associated with alcohol have jumped 53% during the same time. We’re winning the battle against alcohol-related traffic fatalities, but losing the fight against traffic deaths that are not alcohol-related. 36

We can and must do even better

Remember, don’t ever, ever drive if you, or anyone else, thinks that you may have had too much to drink. And don’t let anyone else. That includes reporting drivers who may be drunk. It’s always safest not to drink and drive.

Crack in the Body

Photo courtesy U.S. DEA Crack cocaine is usually smoked.

Most users smoke crack, although in rare cases, they may inject it. To smoke crack cocaine, the user places the drug into a small glass pipe (sometimes called a "straight shooter"). He or she then places a small piece of a steel wool at one end of the pipe tube and puts the rock on the other side of this filter. When the rock is heated from below, it produces a vapor, or smoke. The user inhales that vapor into his or her lungs. From there, the drug is taken up by the person's bloodstream.

When it gets into the body, crack acts upon a part of the brain called the ventral tegmental area (VTA).

It interferes with a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine, which is involved in the body's pleasure response. Dopamine is released by cells of the nervous system during pleasurable activities such as eating or having sex. Once released, dopamine travels across a gap between nerve cells, called a synapse, and binds to a receptor on a neighboring nerve cell (also called a neuron). This sends a signal to that nerve cell, which produces a good feeling. Under normal conditions, once the dopamine sends that signal it is reabsorbed by the neuron that released it. This reabsorption happens with the help of a protein called the dopamine transporter.

Crack interrupts this cycle. It attaches to the dopamine transporter, preventing the normal reabsorption process. As dopamine builds up in the synapse, it continues to stimulate the receptor, creating a lingering feeling of exhilaration or euphoria in the user.

Because crack is inhaled as a smoke, it reaches the brain much faster than inhaled powder cocaine. It can get to the brain and create a high within 10 to 15 seconds, compared to the 10 to 15 minutes it takes to feel the effects of snorted cocaine. The crack cocaine high can last anywhere from five to 15 minutes.

My Disease Has Lead To This

Medical ventilator

A medical ventilator may be defined as an automatic machine designed to mechanically move breatheable air into and out of the lungs, to provide respiration for a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.

Ventilators are chiefly used in intensive care medicine, home care, and emergency medicine (as standalone units) and in anesthesia (as a component of an anesthesia machine).

In its simplest form, a modern positive pressure ventilator consists of a compressible air reservoir, air and oxygen supplies, a set of valves and tubes, and a disposable or reusable “patient circuit”. The air reservoir is pneumatically compressed several times a minute to deliver room-air, or in most cases, an air/oxygen mixture to the patient. When overpressure is released, the patient will exhale passively due to the lungs‘ elasticity, the exhaled air being released usually through a one-way valve within the patient circuit. The oxygen content of the inspired gas can be set from 21 percent (ambient air) to 100 percent (pure oxygen). Pressure and flow characteristics can be set mechanically or electronically.

Ventilators may also be equipped with monitoring and alarm systems for patient-related parameters (e.g. pressure, volume, and flow) and ventilator function (e.g. air leakage, power failure, mechanical failure), backup batteries, oxygen tanks, and remote control. The pneumatic system is nowadays often replaced by a computer-controlled turbopump.

Modern ventilators are electronically controlled by a small embedded system to allow exact adaptation of pressure and flow characteristics to an individual patient’s needs. Fine-tuned ventilator settings also serve to make ventilation more tolerable, and comfortable for the patient. In Germany, Canada, and the United States, respiratory therapists are responsible for tuning these settings.

The patient circuit usually consists of a set of three durable, yet lightweight plastic tubes, separated by function (e.g. inhaled air, patient pressure, exhaled air). Determined by the type of ventilation needed, the patient-end of the circuit may be either noninvasive or invasive.

Noninvasive methods, which are adequate for patients who require a ventilator only while sleeping and resting, mainly employ a nasal mask. Invasive methods require intubation, which for long-term ventilator dependence will normally be a tracheotomy canula, as this is much more comfortable and practical for long-term care than is larynx or nasal intubation.

[edit] Life-critical system

Because the failure of a mechanical ventilation system may result in death, it is classed as a life-critical system, and precautions must be taken to ensure that mechanical ventilation systems are highly reliable. This includes their power-supply provision.

Mechanical ventilators are therefore carefully designed so that no single point of failure can endanger the patient. They usually have manual backup mechanisms to enable hand-driven respiration in the absence of power. Some systems are also equipped with compressed-gas tanks and backup batteries to provide ventilation in case of power failure or defective gas supplies, and methods to operate or call for help if their mechanisms or software fails.

[edit] Ventilator history

The early history of mechanical ventilation begins with various versions of what was eventually called the iron lung, a form of noninvasive negative pressure ventilator widely used during the polio epidemics of the 20th century after the introduction of the “Drinker respirator” in 1928, and the subsequent improvements introduced by John Haven Emerson in 1931. Other forms of noninvasive ventilators, also used widely for polio patients, include Biphasic Cuirass Ventilation, the rocking bed, and rather primitive positive pressure machines.

In 1949, John Haven Emerson developed a mechanical assister for anesthesia with the cooperation of the anesthesia department at Harvard University. Mechanical ventilators began to be used increasingly in anesthesia and intensive care during the 1950’s. Their development was stimulated both by the need to treat polio patients and the increasing use of muscle relaxants during anesthesia. Relaxant drugs paralyze the patient and improve operating conditions for the surgeon, but also paralyze the respiratory muscles and stop breathing.

In the United States, the Bird ventilator was an early gas driven model, it required no electrical power source. In the United Kingdom, the East Radcliffe and Beaver models were early examples, the later using an automotive wiper motor to drive the bellows used to inflate the lungs. Electric motors were, however, a problem in the operating theatres of that time, as their use caused an explosion hazard in the presence of flammable anesthetics such as ether and cyclopropane. In 1952, Roger Manley of the Westminster Hospital, London, developed a ventilator which was entirely gas driven, and became the most popular model used in Europe. It was an elegant design, and became a great favourite with European anesthetists for four decades, prior to the introduction of models controlled by electronics. It was independent of electrical power, and caused no explosion hazard. The original Mark I unit was developed to become the Manley Mark II in collaboration with the Blease company, who manufactured many thousands of these units. Its principle of operation was very simple, an incoming gas flow was used to lift a weighted bellows unit, which fell intermittently under gravity, forcing breathing gases into the patient’s lungs. The inflation pressure could be varied by sliding the movable weight on top of the bellows. The volume of gas delivered was adjustable using a curved slider, which restricted bellows excursion. Residual pressure after the completion of expiration was also configurable, using a small weighted arm visible to the lower right of the front panel. This was a robust unit and its availability encouraged the introduction of positive pressure ventilation techniques into mainstream European anesthetic practice.

[edit] High frequency percussive ventilation

High-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) began to be used in selected centres in the 1980’s. It is a hybrid of conventional mechanical ventilation and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. It has been used to salvage patients with persistent hypoxemia when on conventional mechanical ventilation or, in some cases, used as a primary modality of ventilatory support from the start.

Depression

Lately Lindsay hasn’t felt like herself. Her friends have noticed it, too. Kia was surprised when Lindsay turned down her invitation to go to the mall last Saturday (Lindsay could always be counted on to shop!). There was really no reason not to go, but Lindsay just didn’t feel like it. Instead, she spent most of Saturday sleeping.

Staying in more than usual isn’t the only change in Lindsay. She’s always been a really good student. But over the past couple of months her grades have fallen and she has trouble concentrating. She forgot to turn in a paper that was due and is having a hard time getting motivated to study for her finals.

Lindsay feels tired all the time but has difficulty falling asleep. She’s gained weight too. When her mother asks her what’s wrong, Lindsay just feels like crying. But she doesn’t know why. Nothing particularly bad has happened. Yet Lindsay feels sad all the time and can’t shake it.

Lindsay may not realize it yet, but she is depressed.

Depression is very common and affects as many as 1 in 8 people in their teen years. Depression affects people of every color, race, economic status, or age; however, it does seem to affect more girls than guys.

How Do People Respond to Someone Who’s Depressed?

Sometimes friends or family members recognize that someone is depressed. They may respond with love, kindness, or support, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. They may offer to listen if the person wants to talk. If the depressed feeling doesn’t pass with a little time, friends or loved ones may encourage the person to get help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.

But not everyone recognizes depression when it happens to someone they know.

Some people don’t really understand about depression. For example, they may react to a depressed person’s low energy with criticism, yelling at the person for acting lazy or not trying harder. Some people mistakenly believe that depression is just an attitude or a mood that a person can shake off. It’s not that easy.

Sometimes even people who are depressed don’t take their condition seriously enough. Some people feel that they are weak in some way because they are depressed. This is wrong — and it can even be harmful if it causes people to hide their depression and avoid getting help.

Occasionally, when depression causes physical symptoms (things like headaches or other stress-related problems), a person may see a doctor. Once in a while, even a well-meaning doctor may not realize a person is depressed, and just treat the physical symptoms.

Why Do People Get Depressed?

There is no single cause for depression. Many factors play a role including genetics, environment, life events, medical conditions, and the way people react to things that happen in their lives.

Genetics

Research shows that depression runs in families and that some people inherit genes that make it more likely for them to get depressed. Not everyone who has the genetic makeup for depression gets depressed, though. And many people who have no family history of depression have the condition. So although genes are one factor, they aren’t the single cause of depression.

Life Events

The death of a family member, friend, or pet can go beyond normal grief and sometimes lead to depression. Other difficult life events, such as when parents divorce, separate, or remarry, can trigger depression. Even events like moving or changing schools can be emotionally challenging enough that a person becomes depressed.

Family and Social Environment

For some teens, a negative, stressful, or unhappy family atmosphere can affect their self-esteem and lead to depression. This can also include high-stress living situations such as poverty; homelessness; and violence in the family, relationships, or community.

Substance use and abuse also can cause chemical changes in the brain that affect mood — alcohol and some drugs are known to have depressant effects. The negative social and personal consequences of substance abuse also can lead to severe unhappiness and depression.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can affect hormone balance and therefore have an effect on mood. Some conditions, such as hypothyroidism, are known to cause a depressed mood in some people. When these medical conditions are diagnosed and treated by a doctor, the depression usually disappears.

For some teens, undiagnosed learning disabilities might block school success, hormonal changes might affect mood, or physical illness might present challenges or setbacks.

What Happens in the Brain When Someone Is Depressed?

Depression involves the brain’s delicate chemistry — specifically, it involves chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemicals help send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Certain neurotransmitters regulate mood, and if they run low, people can become depressed, anxious, and stressed. Stress also can affect the balance of neurotransmitters and lead to depression.

Sometimes, a person may experience depression without being able to point to any particular sad or stressful event. People who have a genetic predisposition to depression may be more prone to the imbalance of neurotransmitter activity that is part of depression.

Medications that doctors use to treat depression work by helping to restore the proper balance of neurotransmitters.

Types of Depression

For some people, depression can be intense and occur in bouts that last for weeks at a time. For others, depression can be less severe but can linger at a low level for years.

Doctors who treat depression distinguish between these two types of depression. They call the more severe, short-lasting type major depression, and the longer-lasting but less severe form dysthymia (pronounced: diss-thy-me-uh).

A third form of depression that doctors may diagnose is called adjustment disorder with depressed mood. This diagnosis refers to a depressive reaction to a specific life event (such as a death, divorce, or other loss), when adjusting to the loss takes longer than the normally expected timeframe or is more severe than expected and interferes with the person’s daily activities.

Bipolar disorder (also sometimes called manic depressive illness) is another depressive condition that involves periods of major depression mixed with periods of mania. Mania is the term for abnormally high mood and extreme bursts of unusual activity or energy.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Symptoms that people have when they’re depressed can include:

• depressed mood or sadness most of the time (for what may seem like no reason)
• lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
• inability to enjoy things that used to bring pleasure
• withdrawal from friends and family
• irritability, anger, or anxiety
• inability to concentrate
• significant weight loss or gain
• significant change in sleep patterns (inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get up in the morning)
• feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• aches and pains (with no known medical cause)
• pessimism and indifference (not caring about anything in the present or future)
• thoughts of death or suicide

When someone has five or more of these symptoms most of the time for 2 weeks or longer, that person is probably depressed.

Teens who are depressed may show other warning signs or symptoms, such as lack of interest or motivation, poor concentration, and low mental energy caused by depression. They also might have increased problems at school because of skipped classes.

Some teens with depression have other problems, too, and these can intensify feelings of worthlessness or inner pain. For example, people who cut themselves or who have eating disorders may have unrecognized depression that needs attention.

How Is Depression Different From Regular Sadness?

Everyone has some ups and downs, and sadness is a natural emotion. The normal stresses of life can lead anyone to feel sad every once in a while. Things like an argument with a friend, a breakup, doing poorly on a test, not being chosen for a team, or a best friend moving out of town can lead to feelings of sadness, hurt, disappointment, or grief. These reactions are usually brief and go away with a little time and care.

Depression is more than occasionally feeling blue, sad, or down in the dumps, though. Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. It interferes with a person’s ability to participate in normal activities.

Depression affects a person’s thoughts, outlook, and behavior as well as mood. In addition to a depressed mood, a person with depression can also feel tired, irritable, and notice changes in appetite.

When someone has depression, it can cloud everything. The world looks bleak and the person’s thoughts reflect that hopelessness and helplessness. People with depression tend to have negative and self-critical thoughts. Sometimes, despite their true value, people with depression can feel worthless and unlovable.

Because of feelings of sadness and low energy, people with depression may pull away from those around them or from activities they once enjoyed. This usually makes them feel more lonely and isolated, making the depression and negative thinking worse.

Depression can be mild or severe. At its worst, depression can create such feelings of despair that a person thinks about suicide.

Depression can cause physical symptoms, too. Some people have an upset stomach, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss, headaches, and sleeping problems when they’re depressed.

Getting Help

Depression is one of the most common emotional problems in the United States and around the world. The good news is that it’s also one of the most treatable conditions. Therapists and other professionals can help. In fact, about 80% of people who get help for their depression have a better quality of life — they feel better and enjoy themselves in a way that they weren’t able to before.

Treatment for depression can include talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Talk therapy with a mental health professional is very effective in treating depression. Therapy sessions can help people understand more about why they feel depressed, and ways to combat it.

Sometimes, doctors prescribe medicine for a person who has depression. When prescribing medicine, a doctor will carefully monitor patients to make sure they get the right dose. The doctor will adjust the dose as necessary. It can take a few weeks before the person feels the medicine working. Because every person’s brain is different, what works well for one person might not be good for another.

Everyone can benefit from mood-boosting activities like exercise, yoga, dance, journaling, or art. It can also help to keep busy no matter how tired you feel.

People who are depressed shouldn’t wait and hope it will go away on its own because depression can be effectively treated. Friends or others need to step in if someone seems severely depressed and isn’t getting help.

Many people find that it helps to open up to parents or other adults they trust. Simply saying, “I’ve been feeling really down lately and I think I’m depressed,” can be a good way to begin the discussion. Ask your parent to arrange an appointment with a therapist. If a parent or family member can’t help, turn to your school counselor, best friend, or a helpline to get help.

When Depression Is Severe

People who are extremely depressed and who may be thinking about hurting themselves or about suicide need help as soon as possible. When depression is this severe, it is a very real medical emergency, and an adult must be notified. Most communities have suicide hotlines where people can get guidance and support in an emergency.

Although it’s important to be supportive, trying to cheer up a friend or reasoning with him or her probably won’t work to help depression or suicidal feelings go away. Depression can be so strong that it outweighs a person’s ability to respond to reason. Even if your friend has asked you to promise not to tell, severe depression is a situation where telling can save a life. The most important thing a depressed person can do is to get help. If you or a friend feels unsafe or out of control, get help now. Tell a trusted adult, call 911, or go to the emergency room.

Depression doesn’t mean a person is ”crazy.” Depression (and the suffering that goes with it) is a real and recognized medical problem. Just as things can go wrong in all other organs of the body, things can go wrong in the most important organ of all: the brain. Luckily, most teens who get help for their depression go on to enjoy life and feel better about themselves.

Stop Smoking Miracle Drug?

What is Chantix?

Chantix is a smoking cessation medicine. It is used together with behavior modification and counseling support to help you stop smoking.Chantix may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Chantix

Use Chantix exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Chantix. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using Chantix and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Chantix can cause persistent nausea for up to several months. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Chantix?

Before using Chantix, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. Chantix may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Chantix passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Chantix without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Chantix?

Take Chantix exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

To improve your chances for successful smoking cessation, set a date to quit smoking. Start taking Chantix one week before your planned quit date.

When you first start taking Chantix, you will take a low dose and then gradually increase your dose over the first several days of treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Chantix.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Take the medicine after eating.In most cases, Chantix treatment lasts for 12 weeks. Your doctor may recommend a second 12-week course of Chantix to improve the chance that you will quit smoking long-term.

It is important to take Chantix regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure Chantix is not causing harmful effects, your kidney function may need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store Chantix at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Be sure to take the medicine after eating.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Chantix overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while taking Chantix?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Chantix.

Chantix side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have changes in your behavior, or thoughts about hurting yourself.

Talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:

• nausea (may persist for several months);
• stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, constipation, gas;
• weakness, tired feeling;
• increased appetite;
• unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• headache; or
• sleep problems (insomnia) or unusual dreams.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Chantix?

After you stop smoking, the doses of any medications you are using may need to be adjusted. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• insulin;
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
• theophylline (Respbid, Theobid, Theoclear, Theo-Dur, Uniphyl).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with or be affected by Chantix. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Chantix.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Chantix only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugs.com drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Health Acceptance

As I come here this morning after about 2-3 weeks or more of serious health issues that most of it I am sure was caused from my drug usage and drinking, among living a life that was full of being a little bit more than on the wild side, I need to come here and talk about acceptance. They say in the program that acceptance is the answers to all of our problems. LMMFAO

I am not too damn sure about everything that I hear, or everything that I read. But I have come to learn to have a open-mind on certain things and one of those things is that I do need to learn some acceptance in my life, even on the part of my life and my health that I am currently in.

I, like most addicts/alcoholics have drank and used most of there lives and most of us will continue to use no matter what. Why? Because in my own experience once you have passed that so called imaginary line you have nothing left but to use. You mind has been transfered and the decisions that would be healthy become unhealthy and all we can do than is think about that next line, hit, smoke, or whatever else is there. I have come to know that even being clean for almost 2 years now that my mind still has a addict mind or my thought patterns in certain areas are about the same.

Because of the lifestyle and the usage that I have done, my health has turned and not very well for being a guy that is only 47. Having COPD (emphasema) and now a heart condition that came on because I couldn’t breath. I sit here finding myself not at all able to do anything really at all. Even being here and trying to maintain my sites is a chore and very stressful. This stuff is causing issues with me and also with my health since I had what would be considered a heart attach on the 18th of last month. Being in the hospital for 10 days and not remembering any of it but the last two days. Kinda sad but so true.

Since my release and bedridden I have had to change servers, trying to help a client of mine on the internet with his site, and still myself teaching myself all of this stuff which I have no one to ask about is a chore. I continue to keep going though, but …. it almost seems to me that there might have to be a time when I have to say….enough is enough. I have no friends on the Internet that have the knowledge that I need to try and help me, so that I can ask them questions. I search and search and most of the time I can get the answers but right now with what has happened to my health I am left in complete defeat.

With around 10 websites that I am the owner of, and all recovery based to give back to what was so freely given to me I am to the point in my life I think where I might have to make a decision to let go…. This is really going to be a decision that I will have to really look at because I have put so much time and energy and not to say money into promoting these sites and they are doing really well. So I come here writing because that is what I was taught to do, not to whine but to get it out, look at it and than make a decision. Maybe slow down might be it? Does a guy have to post in a blog everyday to try and make it in the hits or what is the point anyways? Spreading the word that you can live without using!!!!

Accepting Change

In order to be successful in life, we have to accept the fact that everything around us changes, all the time. Once you have reached the point where you can accept, it is time to adapt to the world around you. You only have control over your own mind, and for some of us, that’s debatable.

First, let’s talk about accepting change. There are some things in life we have limited control over, such as relationships, decision-making, and the directions we choose to go in. You have no control over hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornados. Life and death situations will throw us “off the track” too.

Now - we realize that we have some control over most situations, but what about changing jobs, technology, or an economy? In each of these cases, you also have limited control, but you have more control by adapting.

For example: Computer and Internet technology now change on an almost daily basis. We have the option to refuse to advance ourselves, and our businesses. However, that will only please your competition, beyond their expectations. How many businesses have you seen close because they didn’t adapt to the “rising tide” of change?

Darwin’s theory of evolution applies to business at “light speed.” Companies and families have to be willing to adapt to economic changes and be ready to “turn on a dime.” Change seems to be the only permanent thing on earth.

So, the only option we have is to adapt by moving forward. You can learn, enlist help, or develop strategic partnerships. It is up to you, but adapting doesn’t have to cost “an arm and a leg.” The first ingredient is the motivation to adapt. After that, “weigh up” your affordable options and proceed with caution.

It important to take only calculated risks in the present economic climate. Why “lose your shirt,” if you don’t have to? Devote time to research, and do your homework before making a sudden change.

You should always know that you would encounter difficulties on the path to success. You can’t allow yourself time to be discouraged from taking action. There is always someone who will discourage you from taking a chance, but most of them are not successful. Beware of believing too much negative rhetoric.

Most of the free and unsolicited advice I receive comes from people who tell me how to run my business, but they don’t have one. Some of them don’t own a home either. What do I do? Listen, evaluate, and decide whether any action is warranted.

Why do I bother to listen? Free advice is worth listening to, but you don’t have to act on it. You might learn something from a different point of view, and I am an eternal optimist. When you consider what you pay for an education, you may want to reconsider the value of free advice.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.