Battling Addiction

By Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis

Mother’s Day! The words conjure a picture of a loving mother surrounded by her children and loving family, receiving flowers, gifts, and mushy cards from her progeny, celebrating the sacrifice and love of motherhood.

This Mother’s Day the above scenario will take place again, all over the country. It will be a wonderful day for so many, a chance to say Thank You Mom for always being there for me, for loving me even during times when I wasn’t so lovable.

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By D. Erickson

Many of the drug treatment centers available now seem to cost a fortune. Many insurance companies won’t cover in-patient treatment, and a lot of drug abusers don’t have health insurance. Therefore, it seems that many drug rehab centers cater to those who make a lot of money, and only a fraction of drug abusers who need help are getting it.

It would seem that drug abuse treatment centers should give unbiased support to all of its clients, and drug abusers who are looking to enter into drug treatment. One way that many drug treatment centers are able to offer treatment to more drug abusers, is if they receive monetary help in the form of donations or from other outside help. Fortunately in some places this is the case, but more of this needs to take place. The more drug abusers who are able to attend drug abuse treatment centers, the better. It’s a common belief that these places should be affordable to all. Money, or a lack of, should not become a restriction to a person’s pursuit of sobriety. It’s so important that more drug abuse treatment centers make an effort to be affordable to all people.

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By Mike Spencer

Myth. Drug Addiction is a bad habit, the result of moral weakness and over-indulgence.

Fact Drug Addiction is a chronic, life-threatening condition, like hypertension, atherosclerosis and adult diabetes.

Fact. Genetics and substance abuse - drug addiction has roots in generic susceptibility, social circumstance and personal behavior.

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By Michele Graham

Drug addictions are destroying our country, little by little. The families that suffer from having a family member addicted to drugs are increasing in numbers. We as the family of the addict, need to rise up in arms to be heard.

I personally have a family member that has been an addict for 13 years, half of his life. When he is sober and not using, he is the kindest most wonderful person you would ever want to know. But when he is using, you cannot trust him or anything he says or does. He has no money for drugs, so he obtains them by giving everything that is not nailed down away to the dealers that prey on his weakness.

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By Clara Myers

Like it or not, the drug subculture is now part of the mainstream. Despite the government’s war on drugs, access to illicit drugs is relatively easy for anyone that wants them. A cursory glance at the headlines or television will tell you that drugs have invaded all parts of our society. The housewife, the professional athlete, and the elected official have all succumbed to the temptation of illicit drugs. Even scarier is the dramatic rise in drug use among children as young as 10 and 11 years old.

Parents are right to worry about their children and the influence the drug culture has over them; however, the dilemma is trust versus safety. If parents become heavy-handed in their approach to dealing with the problem, they risk losing the trust of their child and will have to deal with the ensuing emotional backlash. To take a laissez-faire approach could bring disaster as well. Many teens admit that they would use drugs more often if it weren’t for the threat of regular drug testing at home.

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By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

The American Psychiatric profession believes, “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Once a drug addict, always a drug addict. Alcoholism/drug addiction is a disease and ‘Relapse’ is part of recovery.”

“Not true” says, Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Holistic Healer. “Using a holistic approach – Body, Mind and Spirit—people can be healed of alcoholism and drug addiction without relapse and without cravings by healing the underlying causes which precipitate the need to use alcohol or drugs to cope. A holistic approach incorporates life coaching, massage therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, yoga, physical fitness, spiritual awakening, as well as Chinese herbology.”

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By Stephanie Loebs

For a parent, child, employer or friend, the knowledge that a loved one may be abusing drugs is most assuredly difficult to accept. One can ponder the whys and hows of a close friend or family member becoming dependent on drugs and/or alcohol for a long time, and oftentimes people blame themselves for enabling others into what may seem an irreversible situation.

However, instead of placing blame or worrying about what to do, a loved one should take immediate action when drug abuse is suspected. Consulting a physician or healthcare professional with experience in drug rehabilitation is a necessary step.

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