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Posts Tagged ‘
abuse ’
Introduction
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) updated guide to finding local substance abuse treatment programs is now available. The guide, National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2006, provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four U.S. territories.
The directory, a nationwide inventory of nearly 11,000 drug abuse and alcoholism treatment programs and facilities, is organized and presented in state-by-state format for quick reference by health care providers, social workers, managed care organizations, and the public. It lists public and private facilities, all of which are licensed, certified, or otherwise approved by substance abuse agencies in each state.
The directory is designed to provide the reader quickly with key information about the location of specific facilities and the nature of the programs and services provided. This includes level of care offered and areas of service specialization, such as programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and pregnant women.
The 2006 directory identifies long and short-term residential treatment facilities and facilities that provide residential beds for clients’ children.
The updated directory is a paper-based complement to SAMHSA’s Internet-based Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator Service. The Internet service, which is continuously updated, provides driving directions to the nearest treatment facilities, as well as descriptions of services available, and contact information, including addresses and telephone numbers. By following simple instructions available online through this service, users can locate public and private substance abuse treatment facilities in any state, city or community anywhere in the nation. The direct website link is http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
To obtain a free copy of the National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2006, contact SAMHSA’s Clearinghouse or call (800) 729-6686.
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Tags: abuse, addiction, alcohol, clearinghouse, Directory, drug, internet-based, options, resource, SAMHSA, Treatment Programs
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Statistics have shown that the use of alcohol and other drugs is often directly connected to crime, incarcerations, domestic violence, child abuse, and problems related to work. Understandably, the primary focus of treatment and intervention has been on the person who has a problem with substances. However, there are far more people affected than just those persons with alcohol and other drugs problems. Fortunately, more attention is now being given to the serious impact substance misuse has on family members and significant others, who are also greatly impacted by the problem.
Families (including spouses, partners, children, siblings, and others who are connected to someone with a substance use problem) can be affected emotionally, physically, spiritually, and economically. Many family members live in a state of constant fear and uncertainty about what to do. Six skills are summarized below that can be useful to family members and significant others in learning new ways to address substance use problems in the family.
Before reviewing the six skills it is important to note that whether a person with a substance use problem will seek help, stay in recovery, or relapse at some point is impossible to predict, as every individual is unique. Many times when families and significant others seek help first, the person with the substance use problem will follow, although there are no guarantees. Sometimes things can get worse before they get better and it is very important to always address any safety concerns immediately (see Skill #6)
This can be the most difficult idea to understand at first. Sometimes people understand this to mean that we should walk away from our loved one. Actually, detaching yourself from the problem means that you should know that the person who is misusing alcohol or other drugs has the problem, not you. It is very important to understand this.
Many family members have done things that seemed as though they could help, but they actually made it easier for the person to continue misusing substances. Calling in sick for them, bailing them out of jail, etc. can actually make things worse by delaying the substance user from having to address their problem. Limits need to be set to stop doing things that make it easier for a person to continue misusing substances.
As the substance abuser begins to see changes in the other family members, he or she may become irritable, angry, or hostile. By deciding on a position and sticking to it, family members will help the addicted person begin to learn that there is a new way that things are going to be handled. This is good for everybody– the person with the problem and the family. Consistency is essential.
There are many ways to support sobriety – to clearly let the person know that you are there for them in the recovery process. Compliments about positive change, bringing them to or picking them up from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, etc., and other support groups, participating in family therapy, and asking the person about their progress, are all examples of ways to support sobriety.
Those working towards recovery must set small goals like "One Day at a Time." The same is true for families. A good goal is a small goal. Indeed families can become very overwhelmed and it is important to step back and set one small goal just for today. For example, instead of setting a goal to attend Al-Anon meetings regularly, set a goal to attend one meeting on a specific day this week. Likewise, instead of a goal to take better care of yourself, set aside a specific amount of time today to go to a park and spend some time walking or sitting quietly.
A person's physical, mental, and/or spiritual health may all be negatively affected when they misuse substances. The same often happens to those who care about that person. Eating properly, getting exercise, taking breaks, and addressing any spiritual needs are all examples of things that family members should do to take care of themselves. Taking care of your personal needs is a must, and this also includes any safety concerns such as domestic violence or child abuse. It is critical that if there is an unsafe situation, you may have to leave the situation immediately or contact law enforcement for assistance to help remove others, such as children, from the unsafe situation.
Researchers have found that when family members are involved and supportive of individuals with substance use problems who are seeking treatment, the likelihood of success is improved. Not only can family members work towards making things better for themselves, but they can increase the chances of the person achieving recovery.
Many times we start to see changes in the person with an addiction history when they enter treatment. Their mood, eating patterns, appearance, or friends may change. They may also reduce or stop going to 12-Step meetings or counseling sessions. These can be the initial signs of relapse, which may be seen first in the home. As noted in the first skill, relapse is not a problem for which we are responsible, but we can support a person's sobriety (Skill #4) by providing feedback to them about the changes we see.
Having a loved one who is misusing substances can cause families to feel angry and fearful. The best antidote is to address what is going on. Staying alert and on-track is important.
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To read more articles by Dr. Ligon on this subject, please go to http://chhs.gsu.edu/socialwork/sixstepsligon.asp.
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Tags: abuse, addiction, advice, coping skills, drugs, families, limits, steps, substance abuse, tips
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American Academy of Pediatrics Car Safety Seats Transportation Safety Web Site
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for children and adolescents ages 1 to 21. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has information on topics ranging from care safety seats to school buses to teen driving.
www.aap.org/healthtopics/carseatsafety.cfm
The American Red Cross
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguished itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.
www.redcross.org
CDC Guide to Community Preventive Services
Every day, children witness, hear about, or directly experience traumatic events. These can be single or repeated events, on an individual or a mass scale (e.g., a homicide versus a plane crash); they can be natural or manmade (e.g., a tsunami versus a bombing); and they can be intentional or unintentional (e.g., rape versus severe illness). The CDC has conducted a systematic review of seven common interventions to reduce harm among children and adolescents exposed to trauma. Before this review was conducted, many professionals who work with youth who have been exposed to trauma did not know whether the therapies they used were effective.
www.thecommunityguide.org
Child Welfare League of America
The Child Welfare League of America is the nation’s oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization. It is committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth and their families; and protecting every child from harm.
www.cwla.org
Choose Respect
Choose Respect is an initiative sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control to help adolescents form healthy relationships to prevent dating abuse before it starts. This national effort is designed to motivate adolescents to challenge harmful beliefs about dating abuse and take steps to form respectful relationships.
www.chooserespect.org
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, located in Madison, Wisconsin, offers a 24-hour crisis line, a 25-bed safe house for women and their children, legal advocacy, support groups, information and referrals. DAIS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
www.abuseintervention.org
Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Emergencies and First Aid
The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide Web site offers information on basic lifesaving techniques including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, cardiopulmary resuscitation (CPR), medical identification tags, what families should have in a first-aid kit and more.
www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/firstaid/firstaid.shtml
Homelessness Resource Center
The Homelessness Resource Center is an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at federal, state, and local levels. We share state-of-the art knowledge and promising practices to prevent and end homelessness through:
training and technical assistance, publications and materials, on-line learning opportunities and networking and collaboration.
http://www.homeless.samhsa.gov/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Lambda GLBT Community Services
LAMBDA is a non-profit, gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender agency dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation and non-profit, gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender agency dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation, and non-violence.
www.lambda.org
National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a private, nonprofit tax-exempt organization whose primary mission is to enable people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur. NCPC publishes books, kits of camera-ready program materials, posters, and informational and policy reports on a variety of crime prevention and community-building subjects. NCPC manages the McGruff “Take A Bite Out of Crime” public service advertising campaign.
www.ncpc.org
National Latino Alliance
The mission of the National Latino Alliance is to promote understanding, sustain dialogue, and generate solutions that move toward the elimination of domestic violence affecting Latino communities, with an understanding of the sacredness of all relations and communities.
www.dvalianza.org
National Tribal Justice Resource Center
The National Tribal Justice Resource Center is the largest and most comprehensive site dedicated to tribal justice systems, personnel and tribal law. The Resource Center is the central national clearinghouse of information for Native American and Alaska Native tribal courts, providing both technical assistance and resources for the development and enhancement of tribal justice system personnel. Programs and services developed by the Resource Center are offered to all tribal justice system personnel — whether working with formalized tribal courts or with tradition-based tribal dispute resolution forums.
www.tribalresourcecenter.org
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
This organization provides resources for professionals, parents and youth working to prevent violence committed by and against young people.
http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/index.asp
Office on Women's Health, Violence Against Women
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) was established in 1991 within the US Department of Health and Human Services. OWH coordinates the efforts of all the HHS agencies and office involved in women’s health. OWH works to improve the health and well-being of women and girls in the United States through its innovative programs, educating health professionals, and motivating behavior change in consumers through the dissemination of health information.
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/index.cfm
Parents Anonymous ®
Parents Anonymous ® Inc. is the the nation’s oldest child abuse prevention organization, dedicated to strengthening families and building caring communities that support safe and nurturing homes for all children. Parents Anonymous leads a dynamic international network of 267 accredited organizations and local affiliates that implement quality Parents Anonymous Programs for adults and children. Parents Anonymous provides training and technical assistance, develops publications and conducts research on meaningful Parent and Shared Leadership, systems reform and effective community-based strategies to strengthen families.
Parents Anonymous ® Inc. operates the National Parent Helpline ®. This toll-free service (1-855-4A PARENT/ 1-855-427-2736) and website (www.nationalparenthelpline.org) seeks to strengthen families by helping parents and building protective factors. Helpline Advocates are available Monday-Friday from 10 AM -7 PM Pacific Standard Time, providing emotional support and referrals in English and Spanish to parents, caregivers and organizations. Visit us on the web at www.nationalparenthelpline.org for online parenting resources and a bulletin board to share parenting experiences, create caring communities and help others. You can also find us on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/NationalParentHelpline; Twitter- http://twitter.com/parenthelpline, & YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/parenthelpline. Please help us spread the word! Contact: Jodi Doane, jdoane@parentsanonymous.org for more information.
Safety House
The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center designed the Safety House Web site to assist parents, grandparents, and young children in recognizing the hazards that can occur within the home. The majority of poisonings and other unintentional injuries can be prevent by following a few simple steps to make the child’s surroundings safe for them at each level of development.
www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/safety-house/
StopAlcoholAbuse.Gov
StopAlcoholAbuse.Gov is a comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue. People interested in underage drinking prevention — including parents, educators, community-based organizations, and youth-will find a wealth of valuable information here.
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Tags: abuse, family, glbt, organizations, parents, programs, resources, safety, websites, youth
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
www.aa.org
Al-Anon/Alateen
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
www.al-anon.alateen.org
AlcoholScreening.org
AlcoholScreening.org is an easy-to-use, scientifically validated online alcohol screening test. Users answer a few quick questions, instantly finding out if their drinking patterns are likely to be risky or harmful. AlcoholScreening.org is a service of Join Together as part of its Demand Treatment! initiative. Join Together, a project of the Boston University School of Public Health, is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
www.alcoholscreening.org
Faces and Voices of Recovery
Faces & Voices of Recovery is a national campaign of individuals and organizations joining together with a united voice to advocate for public action to deliver the power, possibility and proof of recovery. Faces & Voices of Recovery is governed by a diverse group of recovery advocates from around the country and supports local recovery advocacy by increasing access to research, policy, organizing and technical support; facilitating relationships among local and regional groups; improving access to policymakers and the media; and providing a national rallying point for recovery advocates.
www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Join Together
Join Together, founded in 1991, supports community-based efforts to reduce, prevent, and treat substance abuse across the nation. We are funded primarily by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to the Boston University School of Public Health. In 2000, Join Together launched Demand Treatment!, an initiative to drive up the demand for treatment in American communities.
www.jointogether.org/home/
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