Are “Pill Mills” a problem for us here in Columbia South Carolina?
When I was very young, which admittedly now was a long time ago, I would occasionally hear peers proclaim, “it’s for the money stupid”. I never really wanted to believe that statement in conjunction with the “nature of mankind”. I somehow wanted to believe, in some way, that man’s time here on earth served some higher purpose other than the accumulation of “money”.
In Columbia South Carolina, you may or may not have recently heard a new phrase in relationship to our “war on drugs” and that phrase is “Pill Mill”. It sounds harmless enough, perhaps some industrial warehouse for the pharmaceutical companies but no, we must check naievity at the door when examining our current drug environment our children live in. Parents, there’s a new term in town and that word is “Pill Mill”. Sadly, “Pill Mill’s” are in fact, just “for the money”. And before you ask, this too is a deadly problem for our South Carolina families!
“Pill Mills” is a recent term to describe a doctor, clinic or pharmacy that is prescribing or dispensing powerful narcotics inappropriately or for non existant medical reasons. They give good doctors a bad name and they put people's lives at risk. Pill mills are places where bad doctors hand out prescription drugs like candy. "Pill mill" clinics come in all shapes and sizes but authorities say more and more are being disguised as independent pain-management centers. Pill Mill’s tend to open and shut down quickly in order to evade law enforcement. Although the problem is nationwide, Drug Enforcement Administration officials believe the highest concentration of pill mills are in Florida and Texas with the Florida pill mills earning the nickname "oxy express" as oxycontin is the primary drug being trafficked.
Some obvious signs of a “Pill Mill” are:
Accept cash only
No physical exam is given
No medical records or x-rays are needed
You get to pick your own medicine, no questions asked
You are directed to "their" pharmacy
They treat pain with pills only
You get a set number of pills and they tell you a specific date to come back for more
They have security guards
There may be huge crowds of people waiting to see the doctor
Government efforts to curb abuse have shown little success, with emergency room visits from prescription drug overdoses doubling from 2004 to 2009 when they topped 1.2 million, according to federal health officials. And more overdose deaths are connected to prescription drugs than heroin and cocaine combined.
A recent report by Florida medical examiners found that in the first six months of 2010, 1,268 deaths in Florida were caused by prescription drugs, or about seven fatalities a day. A Kentucky governor is quoted as saying “82 people die of overdoses each month in his state”. Renee Doyle, a Fort Lauderdale mother whose son Blayne was in an oxycodone haze when he was struck and killed by a car in 2009, said her son was able to get 240 pills on each monthly visit to a local pain clinic by doing little more than asking for them. More than 850 pain clinics are currently registered in Florida, where doctors prescribe 85 percent of all such pills in the nation. "I think people were just not paying attention and then greed took over," she said. "They are legal drug dealers and they should be outlawed”.
It really is, just “about the money”. I still do not want to have to believe that.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Monday, June 20, 2011
Frappe Mocha Addiction?
Just what is “addiction” anyway? I mean, is “addiction” a bad thing? Always? In Columbia SC, is addiction synonymous with “law breaking”? Really?
Wikipedia defines addiction as, “a physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco, heroin and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain”. But is this definition truly accurate? Must our addictions really be associated with a drug, law-breaking, or outright evil? Always?
Webster defines addiction a little differently stating “to devote or give oneself habitually or compulsively”. Webster’s definition offers a bit more latitude in conforming my on personal behavior into a certain mold.
When I use to drink, my behavior was often a slave serving my master… which was king alcohol. What I mean by that is my actions to obtain a drink of alcohol was often dictated by the alcohol itself. Looking back on my thirty one year drinking life, I often found myself “slipping” out of the house while the family slumbered. When cash was short, found myself sifting through my wife’s slender purse. In a rush, seldom did I care about my personal appearance.
These were the thoughts in my head early this bright Saturday morning in the waning hot days of a South Carolina spring as I rose earlier than anyone else in the house. I looked out upon the day, considered what I might write in this column, licked my lips as my minds eye locked onto what I really wanted, eased through my wifes purse to find her debit card and car keys, drove myself through the familiar "drive through window" a few blocks away at the neighborhood golden arches and with eyes as bright as any child on Christmas morning... asked for my “Frappe Mocha”!
Will I ever be cured?
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Wikipedia defines addiction as, “a physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco, heroin and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain”. But is this definition truly accurate? Must our addictions really be associated with a drug, law-breaking, or outright evil? Always?
Webster defines addiction a little differently stating “to devote or give oneself habitually or compulsively”. Webster’s definition offers a bit more latitude in conforming my on personal behavior into a certain mold.
When I use to drink, my behavior was often a slave serving my master… which was king alcohol. What I mean by that is my actions to obtain a drink of alcohol was often dictated by the alcohol itself. Looking back on my thirty one year drinking life, I often found myself “slipping” out of the house while the family slumbered. When cash was short, found myself sifting through my wife’s slender purse. In a rush, seldom did I care about my personal appearance.
These were the thoughts in my head early this bright Saturday morning in the waning hot days of a South Carolina spring as I rose earlier than anyone else in the house. I looked out upon the day, considered what I might write in this column, licked my lips as my minds eye locked onto what I really wanted, eased through my wifes purse to find her debit card and car keys, drove myself through the familiar "drive through window" a few blocks away at the neighborhood golden arches and with eyes as bright as any child on Christmas morning... asked for my “Frappe Mocha”!
Will I ever be cured?
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize Marijuana?
Marijuana use in Columbia SC is all to common among all ages let alone our youth. To ask if Columbia parents can recognize marijuana, on the surface, seems laughable but yet it is a question that begs to be asked. If your child is smoking marijuana, can you recognize the associated signs of marijuana use?
Marijuana use is hotly debated in our society but make no mistake; marijuana is a drug and like ALL drugs, marijuana has associated side effects and consequences. All parents of our South Carolina children greatly need to understand and know our current drug delima if we are to save our children from the ravaging effects of any drug abuse. Marijuana is no exception to the greater challenge.
Todays column has an associated pictoral slide show of several typical views of marijuana and is compliments of About.com. Street names for marijuana are; pot, herb, weed, grass, widow, boom, ganja, hash, Mary Jane, cannabis, bubble gum, northern lights, fruity juice, gangster, afghani #1, skunk and chronic. Marijuana is a mind-altering drug and ranks as the most popular illegal drug used in the U.S. It is a mix of dried flowers, leaves and stems from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta 9 tetrhydrocannabinol) and the drug ranges in color from green to brown.
The most common way to take Marijuana is to smoke it. Users will roll it into cigarette "joints," put it into an emptied cigar casing "blunts" or smoke it in a pipe or water-pipe called a "bong." Marijuana can also be baked into food and eaten or mixed in tea. People smoke marijuana because it elevates their mood and relaxes them. Depending on the level of THC, users may also experience euphoria, hallucinations or paranoia.
Marijuana use is hotly debated in our society but make no mistake; marijuana is a drug and like ALL drugs, marijuana has associated side effects and consequences. All parents of our South Carolina children greatly need to understand and know our current drug delima if we are to save our children from the ravaging effects of any drug abuse. Marijuana is no exception to the greater challenge.
Todays column has an associated pictoral slide show of several typical views of marijuana and is compliments of About.com. Street names for marijuana are; pot, herb, weed, grass, widow, boom, ganja, hash, Mary Jane, cannabis, bubble gum, northern lights, fruity juice, gangster, afghani #1, skunk and chronic. Marijuana is a mind-altering drug and ranks as the most popular illegal drug used in the U.S. It is a mix of dried flowers, leaves and stems from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta 9 tetrhydrocannabinol) and the drug ranges in color from green to brown.
The most common way to take Marijuana is to smoke it. Users will roll it into cigarette "joints," put it into an emptied cigar casing "blunts" or smoke it in a pipe or water-pipe called a "bong." Marijuana can also be baked into food and eaten or mixed in tea. People smoke marijuana because it elevates their mood and relaxes them. Depending on the level of THC, users may also experience euphoria, hallucinations or paranoia.
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize cocaine?
If your child in Columbia, SC, was in danger of perhaps using cocaine, would you know what to be looking for?
Not all cocaine looks the same. Cocaine comes in several different shapes and forms and is packaged differently according to the quantity being shipped or sold. Although cocaine is typically a white powder, it sometimes comes in other shapes and colors. For instance, crack cocaine looks like a small rock, chunk or chip and it is sometimes off-white or pink in color.
Street names for cocaine are; Coke, Blow, Dust, Toot, Line, Nose Candy, Snow. Sneeze, Powder, Girl, White Pony, Flake, C, The Lady, Cain, Neurocain, Rock, Crack. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug of abuse. Once having tried cocaine, users cannot predict or control the extent they will continue to use the drug.
Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant. It is a strong stimulate that effects the body's central nervous system. Cocaine can be injected, smoked, sniffed, or snorted.
Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. Nearly one percent of Americans are currently using cocaine. Users can be from all economic status, all ages and all genders. The drug creates a strong sense of exhilaration. Users generally feel invincible, carefree, alert, euphoric and have a lot of energy. This is usually followed by agitation, depression, anxiety, paranoia and decreased appetite. The effects of cocaine generally last about two hours.
Cocaine is highly addictive, leaving users with an overwhelming craving for the drug. The addiction to crack develops quickly, sometimes after just a few times of smoking it. A slide show of various images of cocaine is associated with this article and is compliments of a recent About.com article regarding cocaine and it’s use.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.comor visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Not all cocaine looks the same. Cocaine comes in several different shapes and forms and is packaged differently according to the quantity being shipped or sold. Although cocaine is typically a white powder, it sometimes comes in other shapes and colors. For instance, crack cocaine looks like a small rock, chunk or chip and it is sometimes off-white or pink in color.
Street names for cocaine are; Coke, Blow, Dust, Toot, Line, Nose Candy, Snow. Sneeze, Powder, Girl, White Pony, Flake, C, The Lady, Cain, Neurocain, Rock, Crack. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug of abuse. Once having tried cocaine, users cannot predict or control the extent they will continue to use the drug.
Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant. It is a strong stimulate that effects the body's central nervous system. Cocaine can be injected, smoked, sniffed, or snorted.
Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. Nearly one percent of Americans are currently using cocaine. Users can be from all economic status, all ages and all genders. The drug creates a strong sense of exhilaration. Users generally feel invincible, carefree, alert, euphoric and have a lot of energy. This is usually followed by agitation, depression, anxiety, paranoia and decreased appetite. The effects of cocaine generally last about two hours.
Cocaine is highly addictive, leaving users with an overwhelming craving for the drug. The addiction to crack develops quickly, sometimes after just a few times of smoking it. A slide show of various images of cocaine is associated with this article and is compliments of a recent About.com article regarding cocaine and it’s use.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.comor visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize Heroin?
Can any parent even begin to imagine the horror’s of what it would be like to have a child taking heroin? How could any parent prevent such a dreadful nightmare?
Mankind has sought retreat from his on concious mind since grapes were crushed if not longer. Opiates are no different from any other chemical in that it is an escape from concious thought. The euphoric release into an intoxicated world is just simply to over powering for most human beings to resist. Time after time the story of heroin addicts has been recounted and the path traveled is always the same.
Answer’s are always something like; “the simple answer is I feel nothing else I have ever experienced compares in the slightest, nothing in my life seems worth stopping for, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, it's just too hard to stop”. The path of heroin addiction is precisely the same and predictable every single time a human steps into the abyss.
This edition of Columbia Family addiction is featuring a slide show depicting opium and heroin to provide Columbia SC parents with a small tool in our war on drugs and is compliments from About.com.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and its use is a serious problem in the United States. Recent studies suggest a shift from injecting heroin to snorting or smoking because of increased purity and the misconception that these forms of use will not lead to addiction. Heroin street names are; Smack, H, Ska, Junk, Big H, Blacktar, Brown sugar, Dope, Horse, Junk, Mud, and Skag. Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is processed from morphine, which comes from the seed pod of the opium Asian poppy plant. It is a depressant that inhibits the central nervous system and long term use is typically quite deadly.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in ColumbiaSCwith addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Mankind has sought retreat from his on concious mind since grapes were crushed if not longer. Opiates are no different from any other chemical in that it is an escape from concious thought. The euphoric release into an intoxicated world is just simply to over powering for most human beings to resist. Time after time the story of heroin addicts has been recounted and the path traveled is always the same.
Answer’s are always something like; “the simple answer is I feel nothing else I have ever experienced compares in the slightest, nothing in my life seems worth stopping for, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, it's just too hard to stop”. The path of heroin addiction is precisely the same and predictable every single time a human steps into the abyss.
This edition of Columbia Family addiction is featuring a slide show depicting opium and heroin to provide Columbia SC parents with a small tool in our war on drugs and is compliments from About.com.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and its use is a serious problem in the United States. Recent studies suggest a shift from injecting heroin to snorting or smoking because of increased purity and the misconception that these forms of use will not lead to addiction. Heroin street names are; Smack, H, Ska, Junk, Big H, Blacktar, Brown sugar, Dope, Horse, Junk, Mud, and Skag. Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is processed from morphine, which comes from the seed pod of the opium Asian poppy plant. It is a depressant that inhibits the central nervous system and long term use is typically quite deadly.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in ColumbiaSCwith addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize Ecstasy?
Ecstasy is an illegal synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering or hallucinogenic) drug that contains the active ingredient MDMA (methylendioxymethamphetamine) and is known on the streets as; Adam, Xtc, X, Hug, Go, Hug Drug, Beans and Love Drug. Because Ecstasy is produced illegally using a variety of ingredients, it comes in a wide range of shapes and colors with many different logos stamped into the pills. A slide show of various Ecstasy pills is attached and is compliments of a recent About.com article.
Ecstasy is known for its energizing effect, as well as distortions in time, perception and enhanced enjoyment from physical experiences. The effect lasts from three to four hours. Ecstasy’s popularity grew in the late 1980s in the rave and club scenes and on college campuses because of its reputation for producing high energy and a 'trusting' effect among those who take it.
The physical side effects that can occur while taking Ecstasy can last for weeks. Users often experience muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating. MDMA is very dangerous for those individuals with circulatory or heart disease, because the drug increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
If you’re the parent of a child in Columbia SC that you suspect might be using or in any way involved with Ecstasy, intervention into that young persons life will go a long way in providing the future you once saw for your child. “Help” can begin at any of the locations found at the end of this article.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Ecstasy is known for its energizing effect, as well as distortions in time, perception and enhanced enjoyment from physical experiences. The effect lasts from three to four hours. Ecstasy’s popularity grew in the late 1980s in the rave and club scenes and on college campuses because of its reputation for producing high energy and a 'trusting' effect among those who take it.
The physical side effects that can occur while taking Ecstasy can last for weeks. Users often experience muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating. MDMA is very dangerous for those individuals with circulatory or heart disease, because the drug increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
If you’re the parent of a child in Columbia SC that you suspect might be using or in any way involved with Ecstasy, intervention into that young persons life will go a long way in providing the future you once saw for your child. “Help” can begin at any of the locations found at the end of this article.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Friday, June 17, 2011
Is My Child Using Drugs?
One of the hardest life experiences we will ever face here in Columbia SC is the day we must contemplate the question, “is my child using drugs”? When a child is using drugs or alcohol, chances are they are doing everything they can to cover up that activity. Would you know if your child was using drugs? About.com recently published a set of questions to assist parents in focusing attention on this gut wrenching issue. The answers to the following questions might help you in determining if some of the tell-tell signs of substance abuse are showing up in your home and your child's behavior.
Has anyone ever told you your child is drinking or using drugs?
Do you know for sure that your child has 'experimented' with either drugs or alcohol?
Have you noticed that one minute your child can be happy and giddy followed by withdrawal, depression, or fits of anger or rage?
Has your child suddenly developed the need for additional money, for vague or unexplained reasons?
Has your child suddenly turned away from his old friends?
Have you notice changes in the pupils of your child's eyes, or redness or bloodshot eyes?
Is your child suddenly using breath mints consistently?
Has your child lost interest in tidiness in his room or does your child pay less attention to personal hygiene?
Has your child developed a negative attitude against anti-drug or anti-alcohol programs, materials or literature?
Has your child been in trouble with the law for any reason?
Has your child developed a bad attitude toward any authority figures in his life?
Have you found that your child has generally become dishonest about things?
Have you noticed any alcoholic beverages missing or noticed anything missing from the medicine cabinet?
Have you found unexplained empty alcohol or solvent containers around the house or grounds?
Has your child suddenly started smoking cigarettes openly?
Has your child had medical conditions that might be attributed to substance abuse, such as digestive problems?
Has your child's attitude toward school suddenly changed?
Is your child hanging out with an older group or with those that you suspect are using drugs?
Have you seen your child's grades go from pretty good to very bad?
The more questions you answer YES the more likely your child may be using drugs or alcohol.. If you think your child may be using, please intervene and contact a resource listed below. Alcohol and drug abuse intervention will require every bit of energy, intelligence and effort any parent can muster. Our Columbia SC children deserve our very best in this on-going war.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Has anyone ever told you your child is drinking or using drugs?
Do you know for sure that your child has 'experimented' with either drugs or alcohol?
Have you noticed that one minute your child can be happy and giddy followed by withdrawal, depression, or fits of anger or rage?
Has your child suddenly developed the need for additional money, for vague or unexplained reasons?
Has your child suddenly turned away from his old friends?
Have you notice changes in the pupils of your child's eyes, or redness or bloodshot eyes?
Is your child suddenly using breath mints consistently?
Has your child lost interest in tidiness in his room or does your child pay less attention to personal hygiene?
Has your child developed a negative attitude against anti-drug or anti-alcohol programs, materials or literature?
Has your child been in trouble with the law for any reason?
Has your child developed a bad attitude toward any authority figures in his life?
Have you found that your child has generally become dishonest about things?
Have you noticed any alcoholic beverages missing or noticed anything missing from the medicine cabinet?
Have you found unexplained empty alcohol or solvent containers around the house or grounds?
Has your child suddenly started smoking cigarettes openly?
Has your child had medical conditions that might be attributed to substance abuse, such as digestive problems?
Has your child's attitude toward school suddenly changed?
Is your child hanging out with an older group or with those that you suspect are using drugs?
Have you seen your child's grades go from pretty good to very bad?
The more questions you answer YES the more likely your child may be using drugs or alcohol.. If you think your child may be using, please intervene and contact a resource listed below. Alcohol and drug abuse intervention will require every bit of energy, intelligence and effort any parent can muster. Our Columbia SC children deserve our very best in this on-going war.
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize Stimulants and Amphetamines?
Illegal or abused drugs permeate Columbia SC in broad classifications. Often, a very fine line seperates a drugs legality from its illegality. Medications used to lose weight or treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are classified as stimulants and amphetamines and are very popular drugs of abuse although they are also commonly used in the valid treatment of many common physical disorders. These stimulants and amphetamines can be abused and become very addictive and they pose an alarming threat to the Columbia community.
If you, as a Columbia parent of a child, found any of these illegal drugs in your child’s room for instance, would you be able to recognize them as a dangerous illegal drug? Would you know the difference between a harmless allergy medication and a dangerous stimulant or powerful sedative?
Todays Examiner article on addiction has put together another slide show of 11 of the most popular stimulants and amphetamines found in our local Columbia communites. The pictures making up this slide show are compliments of a recent article from About.com titled “Stimulants and Amphetamines”.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.comor visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at;
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
If you, as a Columbia parent of a child, found any of these illegal drugs in your child’s room for instance, would you be able to recognize them as a dangerous illegal drug? Would you know the difference between a harmless allergy medication and a dangerous stimulant or powerful sedative?
Todays Examiner article on addiction has put together another slide show of 11 of the most popular stimulants and amphetamines found in our local Columbia communites. The pictures making up this slide show are compliments of a recent article from About.com titled “Stimulants and Amphetamines”.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.comor visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at;
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize Methamphetamine?
Most methaphetamine is homemade in illegal laboratories and appears as powder, crystalized form, or can also come in pills. The drug is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol and is taken orally, intranasally (snorting the powder), by needle injection, or by smoking. Street names for methamphetamine are "meth", "ice" or "crystal meth".
What has become quite noticable in Columbia SC is the interaction and purchasing of what has always been over-the-counter products in local area drug stores. Long time pharmacist in Columbia, Vera Tumbling of a national chain drug store, tells the Examiner that recent federal law now requires a drivers license to purchase common house hold products like Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine). Prior to 2005 Sudafed (a decongestant) and many other common products could be purchased in any drug store over the counter like buying aspirin. Around 2005 the drug, methaphetamine, became quite popular with the public realization of its easy production. Crystal meth labs began rapidly popping up and operating with just a few items from any drug store.
Ms Tumbling goes on to report that current federal law only allows any one person to purchase 9 grams of Sudafed in any given month. Checks are done by scanning drivers licenses against a national database which allows verification across state lines. The 2006 Patriot act has also come into play in the prosecution of methaphetamine court cases as much of this drug comes into the USA crossing our borders.
Methamphetamine’s ability to release dopamine rapidly in reward regions of the brain produces the intense euphoria, or “rush,” that many users feel after snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug. In other words, crystal meth is highly addictive.
Chronic methamphetamine abuse significantly changes how the brain functions. Recent studies in chronic methamphetamine abusers have also revealed severe structural and functional changes in areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory, which may account for many of the emotional and cognitive problems observed in chronic methamphetamine abusers.
Crystalmeth is highly addictive and very destructive to its victims. Users of methamphetamine are often seen within a year displaying appearances once thought of only in more elderly alcoholic types; items such as rotted teeth, chronic weight loss, deteriorated physical appearances (clothing, etc). Columbia parents will do well to recognize and intervene in a child’s use of this deadly drug.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
What has become quite noticable in Columbia SC is the interaction and purchasing of what has always been over-the-counter products in local area drug stores. Long time pharmacist in Columbia, Vera Tumbling of a national chain drug store, tells the Examiner that recent federal law now requires a drivers license to purchase common house hold products like Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine). Prior to 2005 Sudafed (a decongestant) and many other common products could be purchased in any drug store over the counter like buying aspirin. Around 2005 the drug, methaphetamine, became quite popular with the public realization of its easy production. Crystal meth labs began rapidly popping up and operating with just a few items from any drug store.
Ms Tumbling goes on to report that current federal law only allows any one person to purchase 9 grams of Sudafed in any given month. Checks are done by scanning drivers licenses against a national database which allows verification across state lines. The 2006 Patriot act has also come into play in the prosecution of methaphetamine court cases as much of this drug comes into the USA crossing our borders.
Methamphetamine’s ability to release dopamine rapidly in reward regions of the brain produces the intense euphoria, or “rush,” that many users feel after snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug. In other words, crystal meth is highly addictive.
Chronic methamphetamine abuse significantly changes how the brain functions. Recent studies in chronic methamphetamine abusers have also revealed severe structural and functional changes in areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory, which may account for many of the emotional and cognitive problems observed in chronic methamphetamine abusers.
Crystalmeth is highly addictive and very destructive to its victims. Users of methamphetamine are often seen within a year displaying appearances once thought of only in more elderly alcoholic types; items such as rotted teeth, chronic weight loss, deteriorated physical appearances (clothing, etc). Columbia parents will do well to recognize and intervene in a child’s use of this deadly drug.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Can parents in Columbia SC recognize Sedatives and Depressants
Columbia has many dozens of different types of illegal drugs in it’s many communities. Many of these drugs can come as legal prescriptions for some in the form of sleeping pills and tranquilizers. These types of pills fall into a category known as “Sedatives and Depressants” and a thin line between legal and illegal can exist for the posseser of these drugs. If the prescription was written by a licensed physician and the posseser is the patient of that physician, then the drug is a legal prescription. For all others that may find themselves holding the bottle or pill of said drug, this would be classified as an illegal prescription simply because the posseser of the drug is not the patient of the physician authorizing the prescription. These sedatives and depressants can be abused and become very addictive and they pose an alarming threat to the Columbia community.
If you, as a Columbia parent of a child, found any of these illegal drugs in your child’s room for instance, would you be able to recognize them as a dangerous illegal drug? Would you know the difference between a harmless allergy medication and a dangerous stimulant or powerful sedative?
Todays Examiner article on addiction has put together a slide show of 38 of the most popular sedatives and depressants found in our local Columbia communites as of today. The pictures making up this slide show are compliments of a recent article from About.com titled “Photos of Sedatives and Depressants”. We hope that Columbia parents will review this slide show and commit these images to memory as this information could just happen to save a young life someday.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.comor visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at;
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
If you, as a Columbia parent of a child, found any of these illegal drugs in your child’s room for instance, would you be able to recognize them as a dangerous illegal drug? Would you know the difference between a harmless allergy medication and a dangerous stimulant or powerful sedative?
Todays Examiner article on addiction has put together a slide show of 38 of the most popular sedatives and depressants found in our local Columbia communites as of today. The pictures making up this slide show are compliments of a recent article from About.com titled “Photos of Sedatives and Depressants”. We hope that Columbia parents will review this slide show and commit these images to memory as this information could just happen to save a young life someday.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.comor visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at;
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Drunk Driving Legal Terms
Do you know what SR-22 insurance is or "enhanced BAC penalty" means? These are familiar terms in the world of alcoholics, drug addicts and our legal system. If you or someone you know has been arrested for drunk driving, chances are you may begin to encounter some of these terms. The following terms and definitions are compliments of a recent About.com article on alcoholism.
Blood alcohol content (BAC) - The amount of alcohol in a driver's bloodstream as measured by a chemical test, either a breath test, blood test or urine test.
Breathalyzer - A machine that measures a driver's blood alcohol content by determining the amount of alcohol in his lungs. Drivers blow into this machine, are usually given two back-to-back breath tests, and the scores are averaged.
Child Endangerment - In regards to drunk driving, child endangerment refers to whether a child was in the vehicle when someone was arrested. Many states have enhanced sanctions and penalties if a child was endangered by the drunk driver.
DUI - An acronym for driving under the influence. Although DUI means driving while intoxicated, it also can include driving under the influence of drugs.
DWI - An acronym for driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired. Either term refers to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Enhanced Penalty - Penalties for drunk driving in many states are increased depending on several factors, including a blood alcohol content over .15 or .20, driving over a certain speed, having minors in the car, refusing to take a chemical test, having a traffic accident, or having prior convictions.
Fake ID - A photo identification card usually used to show that someone who is not old enough to drink is over 21. Can also refer to a fake driver's license.
Felony DUI - Most drunk driving charges are misdemeanor offenses, but most states file felony charges under certain situations, such as for repeat or habitual offenses or if someone is killed as a result of driving while impaired.
Field Sobriety Test - A group of tests used by police to determine if a driver is impaired. The tests assess balance, coordination and the ability of the driver to divide his attention to more than one task.
Habitual Offender - Many states have laws that provide for increased penalties if someone is repeatedly convicted for the same offense. Usually a driver is considered a habitual offender after three convictions, but many states now have greater sanctions for even a second offense.
Hardship License - Most states will allow limited driving privileges to be restored to drivers convicted of drunk driving even while their driver's license is suspended or revoked. Drivers usually must demonstrate special hardship, such as being the sole support of their families, to justify restoring privileges during suspension. Privileges often are limited such as driving only to work and back.
Impaired - As it is related to drunk driving laws, impaired means that a driver's abilities are diminished. In some states, a driver can be arrested for driving while impaired--even if his blood alcohol content is below the .08 level of legal intoxication--if the arresting officer believes his abilities are impaired.
Mandatory Alcohol Education - In many states, penalties and fines for drunk driving convictions can be reduced if the driver participates in an education and assessment program. In some states, participation is mandatory in order to restore driving privileges.
Mandatory Jail Time - As part of the penalty for repeat drunk driving offenders, most state sentences must include some jail time. Some states have mandatory jail time for the first DUI offense.
Open Container Law - Laws that prohibit the possession and drinking from an open alcoholic beverage container from inside a vehicle or in public places. Some states prohibit only the driver from having an open container, while most states prohibit anyone in the vehicle from having open containers.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Blood alcohol content (BAC) - The amount of alcohol in a driver's bloodstream as measured by a chemical test, either a breath test, blood test or urine test.
Breathalyzer - A machine that measures a driver's blood alcohol content by determining the amount of alcohol in his lungs. Drivers blow into this machine, are usually given two back-to-back breath tests, and the scores are averaged.
Child Endangerment - In regards to drunk driving, child endangerment refers to whether a child was in the vehicle when someone was arrested. Many states have enhanced sanctions and penalties if a child was endangered by the drunk driver.
DUI - An acronym for driving under the influence. Although DUI means driving while intoxicated, it also can include driving under the influence of drugs.
DWI - An acronym for driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired. Either term refers to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Enhanced Penalty - Penalties for drunk driving in many states are increased depending on several factors, including a blood alcohol content over .15 or .20, driving over a certain speed, having minors in the car, refusing to take a chemical test, having a traffic accident, or having prior convictions.
Fake ID - A photo identification card usually used to show that someone who is not old enough to drink is over 21. Can also refer to a fake driver's license.
Felony DUI - Most drunk driving charges are misdemeanor offenses, but most states file felony charges under certain situations, such as for repeat or habitual offenses or if someone is killed as a result of driving while impaired.
Field Sobriety Test - A group of tests used by police to determine if a driver is impaired. The tests assess balance, coordination and the ability of the driver to divide his attention to more than one task.
Habitual Offender - Many states have laws that provide for increased penalties if someone is repeatedly convicted for the same offense. Usually a driver is considered a habitual offender after three convictions, but many states now have greater sanctions for even a second offense.
Hardship License - Most states will allow limited driving privileges to be restored to drivers convicted of drunk driving even while their driver's license is suspended or revoked. Drivers usually must demonstrate special hardship, such as being the sole support of their families, to justify restoring privileges during suspension. Privileges often are limited such as driving only to work and back.
Impaired - As it is related to drunk driving laws, impaired means that a driver's abilities are diminished. In some states, a driver can be arrested for driving while impaired--even if his blood alcohol content is below the .08 level of legal intoxication--if the arresting officer believes his abilities are impaired.
Mandatory Alcohol Education - In many states, penalties and fines for drunk driving convictions can be reduced if the driver participates in an education and assessment program. In some states, participation is mandatory in order to restore driving privileges.
Mandatory Jail Time - As part of the penalty for repeat drunk driving offenders, most state sentences must include some jail time. Some states have mandatory jail time for the first DUI offense.
Open Container Law - Laws that prohibit the possession and drinking from an open alcoholic beverage container from inside a vehicle or in public places. Some states prohibit only the driver from having an open container, while most states prohibit anyone in the vehicle from having open containers.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Drug testing welfare recipients
Effective July 1, only a few weeks from now, neighboring state Florida begins a new program of drug testing welfare recipients. With South Carolina’s republican governor, can Columbia be far behind?
Conservative leaders around the country are beginning to say, “unfair for taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction” with a recent push toward drug testing welfare recipients. “Under new laws, those applying for public assistance will be responsible for the cost of the drug screening tests. If they qualify for the program, they will recoup the cost of the testing from the program” states a recent About.com article.
Obvious challenges and objections to these new laws have been, 1) how are children affected 2) invasion of privacy and 3) are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?
In answering some of these complaints, proponents of the legislation have come up with the following; "if someone is applying for assistance for children and they fail the test, they can designate another person to receive the benefits on behalf of their children". A novel idea but abuse of the law may still be possible.
The undocumented driving force behind these conservative positions is the simple fact that many states are having great difficulties balancing state budgets in the current economic environment. Simply put, many states are near bankruptcy and are seeking economic solutions at every turn.
Also, a recent CNN.com article has disclosed a growing new problem of hallucinogenic designer drugs known as "bath salts." "The chemical substances found in 'bath salts' constitute a significant threat to health and public safety. Poison control centers are beginning to report a lot of calls of 'bath salts' abuse." The drugs "are readily available at convenience stores, discount tobacco outlets, gas stations, pawnshops, tattoo parlors, and truck stops, among other locations” reports CNN.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Conservative leaders around the country are beginning to say, “unfair for taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction” with a recent push toward drug testing welfare recipients. “Under new laws, those applying for public assistance will be responsible for the cost of the drug screening tests. If they qualify for the program, they will recoup the cost of the testing from the program” states a recent About.com article.
Obvious challenges and objections to these new laws have been, 1) how are children affected 2) invasion of privacy and 3) are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?
In answering some of these complaints, proponents of the legislation have come up with the following; "if someone is applying for assistance for children and they fail the test, they can designate another person to receive the benefits on behalf of their children". A novel idea but abuse of the law may still be possible.
The undocumented driving force behind these conservative positions is the simple fact that many states are having great difficulties balancing state budgets in the current economic environment. Simply put, many states are near bankruptcy and are seeking economic solutions at every turn.
Also, a recent CNN.com article has disclosed a growing new problem of hallucinogenic designer drugs known as "bath salts." "The chemical substances found in 'bath salts' constitute a significant threat to health and public safety. Poison control centers are beginning to report a lot of calls of 'bath salts' abuse." The drugs "are readily available at convenience stores, discount tobacco outlets, gas stations, pawnshops, tattoo parlors, and truck stops, among other locations” reports CNN.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
TOO Addicted to Technology 2
Just how severe a problem does Columbia SC have with technology addiction? In seeking answers to this question, this Examiner has sought out various professionals in the Columbia community and considering this is an “addiction” column, what professional could possibly be better than a local pharmacist? Thusly, Ms Vera Tumbling, head pharmacist of a local retail Rx for a nationally well known pharmacy chain enters the conversation:
Ms Tumbling was asked about the problems she sees arising from technology addiction. The seasoned pharmacist responds with voluminous reports depicting customers coming to counters or drive through windows with cell phones in their ears and paying far more attention to a conversation than the prescription transaction they came to the store for. Ms. Tumbling reports that it is impossible for her to do her job as a conscientious pharmacist when the patient/customer is not paying attention. Ms. Tumbling goes on to describe the brief interaction that takes place between a pharmacist and a patient when she indicates she always needs a few brief seconds to explain the patients medication and any side effects or complications that may arise from taking the new prescription.
If these few moments were not frustrating enough, reports Ms Tumbling, the experienced pharmacist goes on to explain the federal guidelines she must function within, otherwise known as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Act), where she is bound by federal law to operate within certain restrictions regarding the patients or customers privacy. Ms Tumbling explains “it is impossible to communicate with people that are paying more attention to a private phone conversation than what she has to say”.
If customer issues were not enough, Ms Tumbling continues to explain, further difficulties encountered escalate with young / newer employees that simply insist on using their cell phones, Facebook and other technologies while on the job. Ms Tumbling explains that all national pharmaceutical employers have now adopted corporate guidelines and policies policing the personal use of today’s technologies. Ms Tumbling explains in her company, it is against corporate policy to log Facebook entries making any comments regarding the company or work related issues. The pharmacist explains that breaching this policy is punishable by immediate termination!
Have I mentioned you can Google me?
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Ms Tumbling was asked about the problems she sees arising from technology addiction. The seasoned pharmacist responds with voluminous reports depicting customers coming to counters or drive through windows with cell phones in their ears and paying far more attention to a conversation than the prescription transaction they came to the store for. Ms. Tumbling reports that it is impossible for her to do her job as a conscientious pharmacist when the patient/customer is not paying attention. Ms. Tumbling goes on to describe the brief interaction that takes place between a pharmacist and a patient when she indicates she always needs a few brief seconds to explain the patients medication and any side effects or complications that may arise from taking the new prescription.
If these few moments were not frustrating enough, reports Ms Tumbling, the experienced pharmacist goes on to explain the federal guidelines she must function within, otherwise known as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Act), where she is bound by federal law to operate within certain restrictions regarding the patients or customers privacy. Ms Tumbling explains “it is impossible to communicate with people that are paying more attention to a private phone conversation than what she has to say”.
If customer issues were not enough, Ms Tumbling continues to explain, further difficulties encountered escalate with young / newer employees that simply insist on using their cell phones, Facebook and other technologies while on the job. Ms Tumbling explains that all national pharmaceutical employers have now adopted corporate guidelines and policies policing the personal use of today’s technologies. Ms Tumbling explains in her company, it is against corporate policy to log Facebook entries making any comments regarding the company or work related issues. The pharmacist explains that breaching this policy is punishable by immediate termination!
Have I mentioned you can Google me?
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
TOO Addicted to Technology?
Has Columbia SC become too addicted to technology? As I witness my world around me and watch my children and other youth, I am often left with a sad feeling these young people simply could not function in a world without constant stimulation from technology. Can that be true?
A recent Columbia channel 10 WIS news article titled, “Disconnecting in a too-connected world” talks about actually detoxing and withdrawals from technology addiction. The articles author, a Ms Barbara Ortutay, admits Alcoholics Anonymous first step when she states “I readily admit that I am powerless and must be forced to break from email, text messages, Facebook and an endless stream of online news and blogs. I am an information addict to mobile service in an age where smartphones have become like limbs”.
Is this bad for our Columbia children?
A recent Denverchannel.com ABC channel 7 news article titled “Driver Films Alleged Texting Crash” attempts to discuss some of the dangers of technology addiction. The channel 7 article published a now popular YouTube video which filmed a teenage driver who was texting, swerving and then crashed. This video has been attached to this Examiner article and is compliments of Mr. Sean Symons who posted the video on YouTube May 27 under the title "Do not text and drive." (Warning, there is foul language.) The video is shocking as the driver swerves completely off the highway several times on both sides of the road before finally side swiping two cars and crashing off the opposite side of the highway, all because he was texting!
The texting youth was later proven to be free of any alcohol or drug use and completely “sober”. When subsequently shown the video and interviewed, the young man expressed alarm and could not believe what he had done while driving and texting.
Have I mentioned you can find me on Facebook?
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
A recent Columbia channel 10 WIS news article titled, “Disconnecting in a too-connected world” talks about actually detoxing and withdrawals from technology addiction. The articles author, a Ms Barbara Ortutay, admits Alcoholics Anonymous first step when she states “I readily admit that I am powerless and must be forced to break from email, text messages, Facebook and an endless stream of online news and blogs. I am an information addict to mobile service in an age where smartphones have become like limbs”.
Is this bad for our Columbia children?
A recent Denverchannel.com ABC channel 7 news article titled “Driver Films Alleged Texting Crash” attempts to discuss some of the dangers of technology addiction. The channel 7 article published a now popular YouTube video which filmed a teenage driver who was texting, swerving and then crashed. This video has been attached to this Examiner article and is compliments of Mr. Sean Symons who posted the video on YouTube May 27 under the title "Do not text and drive." (Warning, there is foul language.) The video is shocking as the driver swerves completely off the highway several times on both sides of the road before finally side swiping two cars and crashing off the opposite side of the highway, all because he was texting!
The texting youth was later proven to be free of any alcohol or drug use and completely “sober”. When subsequently shown the video and interviewed, the young man expressed alarm and could not believe what he had done while driving and texting.
Have I mentioned you can find me on Facebook?
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
President Obama says NO to legalizing marijuana
In Columbia South Carolina the debate continues to rage on regarding the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana and possibly other forms of recreational drugs. The pertinent questions still remain unanswered, “would this action of drug legalization really be good for the long term social moiré’s and families of Columbia SC not to mention what it would mean to the already overwhelming addiction problems our society and culture currently endures?”
One voice has clearly rang out on this subject and that being the opinions of our president of the United States of America. President Obama, in a CBSNEWS article, is quoted as saying “I opposes the legalization of marijuana…I do not think that's the right plan for America”. This CBS news article can be found at, “Obama: Legalizing Pot Won't Grow Economy”
The CBS news article goes on to discuss and debate many popular aspects of drug legalization such as; 1) would drug legalization help the economy? 2) would drug legalization help the prison over crowding problem? 3) would drug legalization help the debt and deficit problem? This is just to name a few issues but the overriding question still remains, “what would drug legalization do for Columbia’s addiction problems and Columbia’s families?” Until these imperative questions are fully examined and satisfactory answers provided to the public at large, do we as South Carolinians really want to tamper with the laws regarding this issue? This subject really does boil down to “what kind of Columbia do we want to leave to our children?”
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. Further information may also be found at the following public sites:
Columbia Treatment Centers
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
One voice has clearly rang out on this subject and that being the opinions of our president of the United States of America. President Obama, in a CBSNEWS article, is quoted as saying “I opposes the legalization of marijuana…I do not think that's the right plan for America”. This CBS news article can be found at, “Obama: Legalizing Pot Won't Grow Economy”
The CBS news article goes on to discuss and debate many popular aspects of drug legalization such as; 1) would drug legalization help the economy? 2) would drug legalization help the prison over crowding problem? 3) would drug legalization help the debt and deficit problem? This is just to name a few issues but the overriding question still remains, “what would drug legalization do for Columbia’s addiction problems and Columbia’s families?” Until these imperative questions are fully examined and satisfactory answers provided to the public at large, do we as South Carolinians really want to tamper with the laws regarding this issue? This subject really does boil down to “what kind of Columbia do we want to leave to our children?”
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. Further information may also be found at the following public sites:
Columbia Treatment Centers
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Federal prosecutors head up drug taskforce in Orangeburg SC
A US attorney and SC solicitor (federal and county prosecutors) have been appointed to head up a drug taskforce and are being recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice for their efforts in fighting the war on drugs says a recent The State article.
The State goes on to say, “U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles and Orangeburg Solicitor David Pascoe have joined Deputy Attorney General James Cole in WashingtonDCto discuss their Drug Endangered Child Community Response Team”.
This task force is working with long time existing anti-drug campaigns such as educators and ministers to combat South Carolina drug issues.
“Nettles says children who are born into households where the parents use, make or distribute illicit drugs are nearly 60 percent more likely to be arrested than children who don't live in homes with drugs” continues the State article.
Mr. Bill Nettles and Mr. David Pascoe have just recently held their first anti-drug meeting in Orangeburg.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack.
The State goes on to say, “U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles and Orangeburg Solicitor David Pascoe have joined Deputy Attorney General James Cole in WashingtonDCto discuss their Drug Endangered Child Community Response Team”.
This task force is working with long time existing anti-drug campaigns such as educators and ministers to combat South Carolina drug issues.
“Nettles says children who are born into households where the parents use, make or distribute illicit drugs are nearly 60 percent more likely to be arrested than children who don't live in homes with drugs” continues the State article.
Mr. Bill Nettles and Mr. David Pascoe have just recently held their first anti-drug meeting in Orangeburg.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack.
Drug war failed; legalize marijuana – Would Columbia SC be better or worse?
It’s a simple question really, if marijuana were legalized, would Columbia South Carolina be a better place to live and raise families or worse?
A recent “The State” article titled “Major panel: Drug war failed; legalize marijuana” seems to be slanted in favor of drug legalization claiming“the global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world” which is the opinion of a UN commission or “major panel” on this matter.
The report goes on to emphatically state, “Political leaders and public figures should have the courage to articulate publicly what many of them acknowledge privately: that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that repressive strategies will not solve the drug problem, and that the war on drugs has not, and cannot, be won".
The real question that really matters in this debate is; "would Columbia SC be better off or worse off by legalizing marijuana and other controlled substances”? Would Columbia SC be a better or worse place to live and raise families? Would the addiction epidemic, which is raging in Columbia, be made better or worse?
To begin to answer these imperative questions, one needs to first analyze the premise of “The States” opening position on this matter. Has Columbia SC in fact LOST the war on drugs? Has the “war on drugs” really “failed”?
For those of us with distance from our own youth, we are now able to realize moral issues such as this are never really a matter of being “won” or “lost”. We have learned that if we wish to have appealing property for a lifetime, we must occasionally paint and do other necessary maintenance. We have learned in order to preserve what we care about, we must keep it moving along a certain path. Entering the twilight of our on lives, we now know the absurdity of eliminating the speed limit just because a wreck has been reported at 60 mph. If addiction is truly a problem, how can “more substance” make anything better for anyone?
The real answer to Columbia’s addiction issues is not in more legally distributed substances but will be found by raising our children in such a manner they do not feel compelled to find a chemical that makes them feel “good enough” or worthy. We must raise our young so they have the self confidence, self esteem and the will to be able to “like themselves”. That will be the day we “win” the “war on drugs”.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack.
A recent “The State” article titled “Major panel: Drug war failed; legalize marijuana” seems to be slanted in favor of drug legalization claiming“the global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world” which is the opinion of a UN commission or “major panel” on this matter.
The report goes on to emphatically state, “Political leaders and public figures should have the courage to articulate publicly what many of them acknowledge privately: that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that repressive strategies will not solve the drug problem, and that the war on drugs has not, and cannot, be won".
The real question that really matters in this debate is; "would Columbia SC be better off or worse off by legalizing marijuana and other controlled substances”? Would Columbia SC be a better or worse place to live and raise families? Would the addiction epidemic, which is raging in Columbia, be made better or worse?
To begin to answer these imperative questions, one needs to first analyze the premise of “The States” opening position on this matter. Has Columbia SC in fact LOST the war on drugs? Has the “war on drugs” really “failed”?
For those of us with distance from our own youth, we are now able to realize moral issues such as this are never really a matter of being “won” or “lost”. We have learned that if we wish to have appealing property for a lifetime, we must occasionally paint and do other necessary maintenance. We have learned in order to preserve what we care about, we must keep it moving along a certain path. Entering the twilight of our on lives, we now know the absurdity of eliminating the speed limit just because a wreck has been reported at 60 mph. If addiction is truly a problem, how can “more substance” make anything better for anyone?
The real answer to Columbia’s addiction issues is not in more legally distributed substances but will be found by raising our children in such a manner they do not feel compelled to find a chemical that makes them feel “good enough” or worthy. We must raise our young so they have the self confidence, self esteem and the will to be able to “like themselves”. That will be the day we “win” the “war on drugs”.
If you enjoy this column, please subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Drugs and alcohol of the rich and famous
When it comes to problems stemming from drug and alcohol abuse, we here in Columbia South Carolina can hardly claim innocence in regards to these serious issues. However, as the saying goes, “misery loves company”. We that have problems often like to focus on some perceived “sin eater” to make us feel better or in some way deflect from our on problems. So here we go:
Lindsay Lohan fitted with ankle bracelet, placed under house arrest
Lindsay Lohan’s drug and alcohol legal issues are nothing new to Columbia South Carolina residents. Ms Lohan’s problems have certainly made the news the past few years and not in a flattering way. Why do Columbian’s on the east coast focus on the problems of a single individual all the way to the west coast? The reason is simple, it is comforting to transfer the focus from ourselves and by doing so, we gain a perverted temporary sense of relief. But does this really help anything?
Oscar De La Hoya Battling Alcohol, Cocaine Problems
In Los Angeles California retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya voluntarily checks himself into a local drug and alcohol treatment center for substance abuse issues. Can this in some way comfort those of us in Columbia SC needing to follow the same path as we certainly do also have an abundance of highly qualified drug and alcohol treatment facilities.
Musician Pete Doherty jailed for possession of cocaine
Mr. Doherty was sentenced to 6 months of jail time after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine. He had been arrested by police investigating the death of heiress Robin Whitehead, who died from a suspected drug overdose last year. Sadly, the Columbia area is filled with similar such stories and way to many for a moral society to be comfortable with.
Estella Warren allegedly crashes into parked cars, is arrested and attempts to flee
Actress Estella Warren was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of felony drunk driving after allegedly crashing her Toyota Prius into parked cars and attempting to escape authorities. The humor of these headlines only softens the parrallels of our on lives for those of us in Columbia that have found ourselves on similar paths.
ESPN’s Jalen Rose pleads guilty to drunken driving
DUI, reckless-driving charges against Derek Lowe dropped
Rick Springfield allegedly threatened deputy during DUI arrest
Jeff Conaway in a coma after apparent OD
The list is endless but no matter where we stop reading, are our on problems any better?
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Questions or comments for the author can be sent to AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the authors recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack
Lindsay Lohan fitted with ankle bracelet, placed under house arrest
Lindsay Lohan’s drug and alcohol legal issues are nothing new to Columbia South Carolina residents. Ms Lohan’s problems have certainly made the news the past few years and not in a flattering way. Why do Columbian’s on the east coast focus on the problems of a single individual all the way to the west coast? The reason is simple, it is comforting to transfer the focus from ourselves and by doing so, we gain a perverted temporary sense of relief. But does this really help anything?
Oscar De La Hoya Battling Alcohol, Cocaine Problems
In Los Angeles California retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya voluntarily checks himself into a local drug and alcohol treatment center for substance abuse issues. Can this in some way comfort those of us in Columbia SC needing to follow the same path as we certainly do also have an abundance of highly qualified drug and alcohol treatment facilities.
Musician Pete Doherty jailed for possession of cocaine
Mr. Doherty was sentenced to 6 months of jail time after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine. He had been arrested by police investigating the death of heiress Robin Whitehead, who died from a suspected drug overdose last year. Sadly, the Columbia area is filled with similar such stories and way to many for a moral society to be comfortable with.
Estella Warren allegedly crashes into parked cars, is arrested and attempts to flee
Actress Estella Warren was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of felony drunk driving after allegedly crashing her Toyota Prius into parked cars and attempting to escape authorities. The humor of these headlines only softens the parrallels of our on lives for those of us in Columbia that have found ourselves on similar paths.
ESPN’s Jalen Rose pleads guilty to drunken driving
DUI, reckless-driving charges against Derek Lowe dropped
Rick Springfield allegedly threatened deputy during DUI arrest
Jeff Conaway in a coma after apparent OD
The list is endless but no matter where we stop reading, are our on problems any better?
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
Questions or comments for the author can be sent to AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the authors recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Children’s deadly spiral into prescription drug abuse on the rise
Where does Columbia South Carolina stand in regards to these alarming national statistics?
Residents of South Carolina often breath a sigh of relief that some other state, such as Mississippi, has kept South Carolina from “last place” when reviewing statistics regarding educational levels, STD rates, alcohol consumption and DUI’s, yadda… yadda. So often do we see our home stack up poorly compared to the rest of the nation. Should we be surprised to learn of similar trends when we turn the focus to our children and the recent surge in prescription drug abuse?
The worsening economy of recent years has produced unexpected consequences as our nations youth have turned to the illegal use of prescription drugs as teens and adolescents have begun rummaging family medicine cabinets. According to a 2008 “Monitoring the Future” survey, 15.4% of high school seniors have used prescription drugs found in family medicine cabinets for non-medical purposes.
Federal government agencies estimate about twenty five hundred teens each day are abusing legal drugs for the first time. In fact, seven of the top 10 drugs being misused by high-school seniors are legal prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Again, according to a “Monitoring the Future” survey of almost 50,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grade, teens are abusing prescription amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, and Ritalin, as well as over-the-counter cough medication.
Parents can take steps to combat this escalating new trend of prescription drug abuse by our youth as follows:
Get rid of unused medications
Many adults have developed a life long habit of simply leaving numerous prescription pill bottles in a medicine cabinet or some other easily accessed family location. The most affective remedy in the fight against escalating prescription drug abuse is to simply get rid of all unused medications and no longer keep old prescriptions around the house. Reasons for keeping old prescriptions vary but none of these reasons are good enough when one considers our youth is abusing these medications. Discard old medications into the toilet and watch as the pills are flushed away. Do not trust simply throwing medications into a trash can. Take care in discarding old prescription pill bottles as the labels can provide abusive information to identity thieves.
Count your medications and know what you have “on-hand”
Take the time to inventory and “KNOW” what medications you do in fact have in your home. Count your pills… often.
Secure medications
Keeping prescription medications in the family medicine cabinet will not be a big secret to anyone. Keep your active medications in a more secure personal and private location. For females, perhaps your purse and for men, if you have any kind of safe in the house, your prescription medications might need to be the first items placed in them. Lastly, talk with relatives and the parents of your teen's friends and encourage them to keep their medications secured.
And finally, talk with your children!
Let your children know that the misuse of prescription drugs is not safer than abusing illegal drugs and can be just as dangerous.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
Questions or comments for the author can be sent to AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the authors recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack
Residents of South Carolina often breath a sigh of relief that some other state, such as Mississippi, has kept South Carolina from “last place” when reviewing statistics regarding educational levels, STD rates, alcohol consumption and DUI’s, yadda… yadda. So often do we see our home stack up poorly compared to the rest of the nation. Should we be surprised to learn of similar trends when we turn the focus to our children and the recent surge in prescription drug abuse?
The worsening economy of recent years has produced unexpected consequences as our nations youth have turned to the illegal use of prescription drugs as teens and adolescents have begun rummaging family medicine cabinets. According to a 2008 “Monitoring the Future” survey, 15.4% of high school seniors have used prescription drugs found in family medicine cabinets for non-medical purposes.
Federal government agencies estimate about twenty five hundred teens each day are abusing legal drugs for the first time. In fact, seven of the top 10 drugs being misused by high-school seniors are legal prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Again, according to a “Monitoring the Future” survey of almost 50,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grade, teens are abusing prescription amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, and Ritalin, as well as over-the-counter cough medication.
Parents can take steps to combat this escalating new trend of prescription drug abuse by our youth as follows:
Get rid of unused medications
Many adults have developed a life long habit of simply leaving numerous prescription pill bottles in a medicine cabinet or some other easily accessed family location. The most affective remedy in the fight against escalating prescription drug abuse is to simply get rid of all unused medications and no longer keep old prescriptions around the house. Reasons for keeping old prescriptions vary but none of these reasons are good enough when one considers our youth is abusing these medications. Discard old medications into the toilet and watch as the pills are flushed away. Do not trust simply throwing medications into a trash can. Take care in discarding old prescription pill bottles as the labels can provide abusive information to identity thieves.
Count your medications and know what you have “on-hand”
Take the time to inventory and “KNOW” what medications you do in fact have in your home. Count your pills… often.
Secure medications
Keeping prescription medications in the family medicine cabinet will not be a big secret to anyone. Keep your active medications in a more secure personal and private location. For females, perhaps your purse and for men, if you have any kind of safe in the house, your prescription medications might need to be the first items placed in them. Lastly, talk with relatives and the parents of your teen's friends and encourage them to keep their medications secured.
And finally, talk with your children!
Let your children know that the misuse of prescription drugs is not safer than abusing illegal drugs and can be just as dangerous.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
Questions or comments for the author can be sent to AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the authors recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack
Columbia SC pharmacies enter prescription drug abuse battle
Prescription drug store chains in Columbia South Carolina have joined forces nationally with NACDS (National Association of Chain Drug Stores) in an ongoing effort in the battle against the growing problem of prescription drug abuse. Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 9:00 am in the Washington DC headquarters of the 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building (a senate subcommittee on crime and terrorism) the NACDS submitted their report to the federal government in a document labeled “Responding to the Prescription Drug Epidemic: Strategies for Reducing Abuse, Misuse, Diversion, and Fraud (The complete NACDS statement is available in PDF format here.) The NACDS believes the following list of actions will help in the fight against prescription drug abuse.
Support by pharmacies for controlled substance prescription monitoring programs.
Using medication therapy management services.
Shutting down illegitimate Internet drug sellers.
Providing patients with a way to dispose of unused medications.
Thirty five states, so far, have joined forces in this fight by setting up controlled substance prescription monitoring programs. In these 35 states, pharmacies report information about all prescriptions of controlled drugs so that suspicious activities can be detected and reported on a national level.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores membership is made up of 39,000 pharmacies that employ 2.7 million employees, including 118,000 full-time pharmacists. The chain drug stores fill about 72% of annual prescriptions nationwide, or about 2.6 billion prescriptions a year. Familiar Columbia names in this chain of drug stores would be Walgreen, Wal-Mart, CVS, Riteaid and many other commonly patronized pharmacies.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
Support by pharmacies for controlled substance prescription monitoring programs.
Using medication therapy management services.
Shutting down illegitimate Internet drug sellers.
Providing patients with a way to dispose of unused medications.
Thirty five states, so far, have joined forces in this fight by setting up controlled substance prescription monitoring programs. In these 35 states, pharmacies report information about all prescriptions of controlled drugs so that suspicious activities can be detected and reported on a national level.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores membership is made up of 39,000 pharmacies that employ 2.7 million employees, including 118,000 full-time pharmacists. The chain drug stores fill about 72% of annual prescriptions nationwide, or about 2.6 billion prescriptions a year. Familiar Columbia names in this chain of drug stores would be Walgreen, Wal-Mart, CVS, Riteaid and many other commonly patronized pharmacies.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
President Obama signs legislation to “crack down” on prescription drug abuse
Columbia South Carolina is leading the way in a national crack down on prescription drug abuse with its pilot anti-drug program marking a 43 percent decrease in the number of pain medications prescribed as described in a recent Tuesday May 24, 2011 The State news article titled “Senate Panel seeks answers to prescription drug abuse”.
The crack down is coming after a “Senate panel on Tuesday pressed administration officials and experts for answers to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse” reports The State. Senator Sheldon, who is a democrat from RI and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime and terrorism, is reported to have said, "their (prescription drugs) abuse poses a serious and growing threat to our communities and young people".
The paper went on to report that Gil Kerlikowske, the administration's director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the panel that the “U.S faces an epidemic of prescription drug abuse”. He said “the pills were popular because they were easy to get and there was a low perception of risk”.
The State article went on to say, “Last month the White House announced plans to crack down on prescription drug abuse, including putting a priority on ridding the nation's medicine cabinets of outdated, unused medications. Kerlikowske said that nearly 75 percent of people who abused prescription drugs reported that they got painkillers from friends or relatives”.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) has enacted a program they are terming the national "Prescription Drug Take-Back". The DEA is enforcing this program in all 50 states.
The White House has urged officials to step up efforts in the disposal of prescription drugs. President Barack Obama has signed legislation that would make it easier for consumers to get rid of unused medication.
The States article can be read in its entirety at: “Senate Panel seeks answers to prescription drug abuse”.
Columbia South Carolina residents and citizens experiencing addiction issues with prescription drugs or any other form of addiction are urged to contact one of the many treatment facilities which can be found at: Columbia Treatment Centers
or Columbia's AA Intergroup office.
The crack down is coming after a “Senate panel on Tuesday pressed administration officials and experts for answers to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse” reports The State. Senator Sheldon, who is a democrat from RI and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime and terrorism, is reported to have said, "their (prescription drugs) abuse poses a serious and growing threat to our communities and young people".
The paper went on to report that Gil Kerlikowske, the administration's director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the panel that the “U.S faces an epidemic of prescription drug abuse”. He said “the pills were popular because they were easy to get and there was a low perception of risk”.
The State article went on to say, “Last month the White House announced plans to crack down on prescription drug abuse, including putting a priority on ridding the nation's medicine cabinets of outdated, unused medications. Kerlikowske said that nearly 75 percent of people who abused prescription drugs reported that they got painkillers from friends or relatives”.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) has enacted a program they are terming the national "Prescription Drug Take-Back". The DEA is enforcing this program in all 50 states.
The White House has urged officials to step up efforts in the disposal of prescription drugs. President Barack Obama has signed legislation that would make it easier for consumers to get rid of unused medication.
The States article can be read in its entirety at: “Senate Panel seeks answers to prescription drug abuse”.
Columbia South Carolina residents and citizens experiencing addiction issues with prescription drugs or any other form of addiction are urged to contact one of the many treatment facilities which can be found at: Columbia Treatment Centers
or Columbia's AA Intergroup office.
Columbia Rotarians affirm AA sponsorship concept
Over the many decades since the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, much has been said and second guessed regarding AA’s sponsorship program. There is never a more positive confirmation of any program than the affirmed success of the program itself. Columbia South Carolina has recently just witnessed such affirmation with the great success of the Spring Valley Rotary Club’s mentoring program. This mentoring program was established several years ago by one of Columbia’s true hero’s and Fort Jackson’s former commanding general, Maj. Gen John A. Renner, Ret., Army Ranger. (Read more: Former Fort Jackson commander Renner dies)
The Rotarians have an established program now where they meet weekly, usually Monday nights for 1 ½ hours. In the sessions, about 10 community volunteers huddle in one-on-one sessions with their "clients'' who have signed contracts acknowledging their readiness to enter the mentoring relationship. Clients into this prestigious six-month program are processed through the Salvation Army after being screened by other agencies. The "State" article goes on to say, “The Rotarians are helping recovering alcoholics and drug addicts re-enter society as sober, productive wage-earners”.
Much more can be learned about this amazing program at: “Business give new hope to addicts”.
For further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in Columbia South Carolina, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
If you or a loved one are experiencing the heartache of one of this nations greatest challenges, addiction, this examiner truly wishes you the absolute best of luck and is confident compassionate resources will be found at the above describe locations and resources.
The Rotarians have an established program now where they meet weekly, usually Monday nights for 1 ½ hours. In the sessions, about 10 community volunteers huddle in one-on-one sessions with their "clients'' who have signed contracts acknowledging their readiness to enter the mentoring relationship. Clients into this prestigious six-month program are processed through the Salvation Army after being screened by other agencies. The "State" article goes on to say, “The Rotarians are helping recovering alcoholics and drug addicts re-enter society as sober, productive wage-earners”.
Much more can be learned about this amazing program at: “Business give new hope to addicts”.
For further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in Columbia South Carolina, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
If you or a loved one are experiencing the heartache of one of this nations greatest challenges, addiction, this examiner truly wishes you the absolute best of luck and is confident compassionate resources will be found at the above describe locations and resources.
Gov. Nikki Haley vetoes addiction bill
In Tuesday’s “The State” newspaper, Columbia South Carolina’s governor is reported to have vetoed an addiction bill. At first glance, a misleading opinion might be garnered by the reader as the states news paper initially reports the vetoed bill would make it “more difficult to start addiction treatment programs” in South Carolina. Further reading of the newspaper article yields a differing opinion.
The bill, S. 232, “would allow the Department of Health and Environmental Control to regulate certain facilities that treat drug addiction. The bill would require such facilities to require a Certificate of Need, which can become a political process among competing health care providers” reports the governor’s office.
Governor Haley clarifies her position by stating, “I believe the Certificate of Need program creates unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market," Haley wrote. “The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed”.
In short it appears the governor favors South Carolina’s free market place to decide which treatment facilities fail or succeed which should favor the people in need, South Carolina’s addicted and ill.
The full State article can be found at: Haley vetoes insurance, addiction bills
Further detailed information regarding South Carolina’s treatment centers can be found at : South Carolina's Treatment Centers
And lastly, Columbia's specific treatment centers may be found at: Columbia South Carolina's Treatment Centers
Columbia SC specifically, has seven treatment centers which are as follows:
Starting Point LLC
1421 Bluff Road
Columbia, SC 29201
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center Earle E Morris Jr
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Richland Springs Psychiatric Hospital
11 Medical Park
Columbia, SC 29203
The Midlands LRADAC/The Behavioral Health Center of
1325 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
MCXL-PHS (ASAP) Moncrief Army Community Hospital
4500 Stuart Street
Columbia, SC 29207
Veterans Affairs Medical Center William Jennings Bryant Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
William Jennings Bryan Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
The bill, S. 232, “would allow the Department of Health and Environmental Control to regulate certain facilities that treat drug addiction. The bill would require such facilities to require a Certificate of Need, which can become a political process among competing health care providers” reports the governor’s office.
Governor Haley clarifies her position by stating, “I believe the Certificate of Need program creates unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market," Haley wrote. “The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed”.
In short it appears the governor favors South Carolina’s free market place to decide which treatment facilities fail or succeed which should favor the people in need, South Carolina’s addicted and ill.
The full State article can be found at: Haley vetoes insurance, addiction bills
Further detailed information regarding South Carolina’s treatment centers can be found at : South Carolina's Treatment Centers
And lastly, Columbia's specific treatment centers may be found at: Columbia South Carolina's Treatment Centers
Columbia SC specifically, has seven treatment centers which are as follows:
Starting Point LLC
1421 Bluff Road
Columbia, SC 29201
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center Earle E Morris Jr
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Richland Springs Psychiatric Hospital
11 Medical Park
Columbia, SC 29203
The Midlands LRADAC/The Behavioral Health Center of
1325 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
MCXL-PHS (ASAP) Moncrief Army Community Hospital
4500 Stuart Street
Columbia, SC 29207
Veterans Affairs Medical Center William Jennings Bryant Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
William Jennings Bryan Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
Monday, May 30, 2011
Rebuilding Trust
Quite often, the first consciously sober reality drug addicts and alcoholics realize is that of their closest associates, usually family, no longer seemingly to trust them. Believe it or not, to the affected, this often comes as a shocking surprise. The destruction of trust takes place at a time when the addict or alcoholic was not mentally conscious but was infact inebriated. We seem to “wake up” into a new world where trust is shattered in the opening moments of our fledgling sobriety. This new reality in and of itself can be an enormous hurdle for the newly sobered and presents its on challenge.
Six months after my on last drink, one rainy evening I was rear ended sitting still with my foot on the brake at a municipal red light. By the time I could shake the rattling shock from my head; a local municipal police officer had come upon the accident and was “working the wreck”. To a witness, the accident would have been easily obvious as to who the perpetrator was and who the victim was. The attending police officer, doing his standard sworn duty worked the accident in a text book fashion and first tended to the person at the rear of the wreck. Soon the police officer came to me and initially was polite and business like. It didn’t take long for the officer to process my driver’s license and pretty soon the entire demeanor of the wreck changed completely. All of a sudden I found myself being given a field sobriety test, questioned in regards to alcohol use, treated as if I were about to be a DUI client and the sole 100% cause of the accident!
Typically, we spend many years destroying the trust provided us as a respected birthright. In my on case, I had spent thirty one years destroying the trust the ones around me had placed in me. Just because I had finally had enough alcohol, did not in any way mean the world realized I had finally had enough alcohol. I had proven to the world that my personal best was yet another drink and that is what the world had come to expect from me. Just like I had come to the point of trustlessness one drink at a time, it would take one responsible act at a time to rebuild the trust I so desperately wanted. In time, that much needed trust did return… one drink-less day at a time.
Six months after my on last drink, one rainy evening I was rear ended sitting still with my foot on the brake at a municipal red light. By the time I could shake the rattling shock from my head; a local municipal police officer had come upon the accident and was “working the wreck”. To a witness, the accident would have been easily obvious as to who the perpetrator was and who the victim was. The attending police officer, doing his standard sworn duty worked the accident in a text book fashion and first tended to the person at the rear of the wreck. Soon the police officer came to me and initially was polite and business like. It didn’t take long for the officer to process my driver’s license and pretty soon the entire demeanor of the wreck changed completely. All of a sudden I found myself being given a field sobriety test, questioned in regards to alcohol use, treated as if I were about to be a DUI client and the sole 100% cause of the accident!
Typically, we spend many years destroying the trust provided us as a respected birthright. In my on case, I had spent thirty one years destroying the trust the ones around me had placed in me. Just because I had finally had enough alcohol, did not in any way mean the world realized I had finally had enough alcohol. I had proven to the world that my personal best was yet another drink and that is what the world had come to expect from me. Just like I had come to the point of trustlessness one drink at a time, it would take one responsible act at a time to rebuild the trust I so desperately wanted. In time, that much needed trust did return… one drink-less day at a time.
Why does AA seem to work?
Why does AA seem to produce more lifetime sobriety than all other forms of “help”? After all, tremendous amounts of money, research and time have been invested in all forms of drug and alcohol rehab. What makes the success of one stand out over another?
Make no mistake, it is note worthy to state that people do in fact get sober in a huge variety of ways. Some find relief in churches, others from doctors and hospitals. Perhaps some even get help from psychiatrist and/or psychologist, treatment facilities and detox centers. Jail has even produced sobriety at times. Some people have just simply decided to stop drinking all on their on. Be all that as it may, no other form of “help” has the percentage of life time success as the twelve step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Why is that?
When I was drinking, which was over half my life, everything occurring in my world was “I, I, I” or “Me, Me, Me”. I had no other moral compass by which to live. The spiraling pit of painful self obsession was truly my greatest addiction of them all! How much money can “I” make? How big of a house can “I” have? How powerful of a career can “I” get? On and on the progressive mental illness continued and with every thought would always come a drink.
The very first word of AA’s twelve steps is not “I” or “Me” but it is “WE” and in those simple two letters lay the mystical and miraculous spiritual healing qualities of AA’s entire program! The first half of AA’s first step reads “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol” and thusly a program of “WE” came into existence! The absolute power of “WE” has now saved the lives of millions of otherwise hopeless drug addicts and alcoholics. The concept that “I can’t do this by myself but somehow because YOU are sober, I gain the strength to live sober today also” is the “WE” power of AA.
A single sewing thread has no strength what-so-ever and will snap with the lightest tug. But weave a thousand threads together and suddenly you have the strength of a cable that can pull an aircraft carrier! Such is the miraculous qualities of AA, the strength of “WE” allows “ME” to live happy, joyous and free just for today.
Make no mistake, it is note worthy to state that people do in fact get sober in a huge variety of ways. Some find relief in churches, others from doctors and hospitals. Perhaps some even get help from psychiatrist and/or psychologist, treatment facilities and detox centers. Jail has even produced sobriety at times. Some people have just simply decided to stop drinking all on their on. Be all that as it may, no other form of “help” has the percentage of life time success as the twelve step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Why is that?
When I was drinking, which was over half my life, everything occurring in my world was “I, I, I” or “Me, Me, Me”. I had no other moral compass by which to live. The spiraling pit of painful self obsession was truly my greatest addiction of them all! How much money can “I” make? How big of a house can “I” have? How powerful of a career can “I” get? On and on the progressive mental illness continued and with every thought would always come a drink.
The very first word of AA’s twelve steps is not “I” or “Me” but it is “WE” and in those simple two letters lay the mystical and miraculous spiritual healing qualities of AA’s entire program! The first half of AA’s first step reads “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol” and thusly a program of “WE” came into existence! The absolute power of “WE” has now saved the lives of millions of otherwise hopeless drug addicts and alcoholics. The concept that “I can’t do this by myself but somehow because YOU are sober, I gain the strength to live sober today also” is the “WE” power of AA.
A single sewing thread has no strength what-so-ever and will snap with the lightest tug. But weave a thousand threads together and suddenly you have the strength of a cable that can pull an aircraft carrier! Such is the miraculous qualities of AA, the strength of “WE” allows “ME” to live happy, joyous and free just for today.
Are YOU an alcoholic?
The first and strongest reaction of everyone that has ever been confronted with the aspect of being labeled an “alcoholic” is always the same, “DENIAL”. Immediately, the individual begins to build a silent wall of defense erecting invisible barriers designed to keep this perceived albatross from being placed around his on neck. Every imaginable verbal defense is mentally prepared beginning with quick sound bytes designed to ward off the “alcoholic labeling” attack being brought on by well meaning family members. The question has always been the same, “are YOU an alcoholic”?
Countless arguments in the alcoholic debate for both sides have been built since grapes were first stomped. One of the better list of questions designed to identify an alcoholic is being presented in today’s Columbia addictions examiner column. This “list” is from The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and is intended to help a person determine whether he or she has symptoms of alcoholism. Also, this list has been used many times by many resources for many years and is considered quite reliable by many professionals. Here's the list:
1. Do you occasionally drink heavily after a disappointment, a quarrel or when the boss gives you a hard time?
2. When you have trouble or feel under pressure, do you drink more heavily than usual?
3. Have you noticed you are able to handle more liquor than you did when you first started drinking?
4. Did you ever wake up the “morning after” and discover you could not remember part of the evening before, even though friends say you didn’t pass out?
5. When drinking with other people, do you try to have a few extra drinks when others will not know it?
6. Are there times when you feel uncomfortable if alcohol is not available?
7. Have you recently noticed that when you begin drinking, you are in more of a hurry to get the first drink than you used to be?
8. Do you sometimes feel a little guilty about your drinking?
9. Are you secretly irritated when family or friends discuss your drinking?
10. Have you noticed an increase in the frequency of your memory blackouts?
11. Do you often find that you wish to continue drinking after your friends say they have had enough?
12. Do you usually have a reason for the occasion when you drink heavily?
13. When you are sober, do you often regret things you have done or said while drinking?
14. Have you tried switching brands or following different plans for controlling your drinking?
15. Have you often failed to keep promises you have made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your drinking?
16. Have you ever tried to control your drinking by changing jobs or moving to a new location?
17. Do you try to avoid family or close friends while you are drinking?
18. Are you having an increasing number of financial and work problems?
19. Do you sometimes have the shakes in the morning and find it helps to have a little drink?
20. Do you eat very little or irregularly when you are drinking?
21. Do you get terribly frightened after you have been drinking heavily?
22. After periods of drinking, do you ever see or hear things that aren’t there?
Those answering yes to several of the questions from 1 through 8 may be in the early stage of alcoholism. Additional yes answers to questions 9 through 22 may indicate the middle to final stages of alcoholism.
If you are concerned this column means “YOU”, please know that millions have preceded you on this path and it can lead to living a beautiful life of being happy, joyous and free!
Countless arguments in the alcoholic debate for both sides have been built since grapes were first stomped. One of the better list of questions designed to identify an alcoholic is being presented in today’s Columbia addictions examiner column. This “list” is from The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and is intended to help a person determine whether he or she has symptoms of alcoholism. Also, this list has been used many times by many resources for many years and is considered quite reliable by many professionals. Here's the list:
1. Do you occasionally drink heavily after a disappointment, a quarrel or when the boss gives you a hard time?
2. When you have trouble or feel under pressure, do you drink more heavily than usual?
3. Have you noticed you are able to handle more liquor than you did when you first started drinking?
4. Did you ever wake up the “morning after” and discover you could not remember part of the evening before, even though friends say you didn’t pass out?
5. When drinking with other people, do you try to have a few extra drinks when others will not know it?
6. Are there times when you feel uncomfortable if alcohol is not available?
7. Have you recently noticed that when you begin drinking, you are in more of a hurry to get the first drink than you used to be?
8. Do you sometimes feel a little guilty about your drinking?
9. Are you secretly irritated when family or friends discuss your drinking?
10. Have you noticed an increase in the frequency of your memory blackouts?
11. Do you often find that you wish to continue drinking after your friends say they have had enough?
12. Do you usually have a reason for the occasion when you drink heavily?
13. When you are sober, do you often regret things you have done or said while drinking?
14. Have you tried switching brands or following different plans for controlling your drinking?
15. Have you often failed to keep promises you have made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your drinking?
16. Have you ever tried to control your drinking by changing jobs or moving to a new location?
17. Do you try to avoid family or close friends while you are drinking?
18. Are you having an increasing number of financial and work problems?
19. Do you sometimes have the shakes in the morning and find it helps to have a little drink?
20. Do you eat very little or irregularly when you are drinking?
21. Do you get terribly frightened after you have been drinking heavily?
22. After periods of drinking, do you ever see or hear things that aren’t there?
Those answering yes to several of the questions from 1 through 8 may be in the early stage of alcoholism. Additional yes answers to questions 9 through 22 may indicate the middle to final stages of alcoholism.
If you are concerned this column means “YOU”, please know that millions have preceded you on this path and it can lead to living a beautiful life of being happy, joyous and free!
Local drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Columbia SC
Television and radio advertisements often lead us to familiar names in the drug and alcohol treatment industry that are really more national in scope and less localized. Sometimes when an issue as intimate and personal as drug or alcohol addiction can be, it may be helpful to seek services from someone that is more like family and a part of the local community. In Columbia SC, just such services are available from a well known institution called “Morris Village”. A more complete association name would be “Earle E. Morris Jr. Alcohol and Drug AddictionTreatment Center” but locally well known as just Morris Village.
Morris Village is located at:
610 Faison Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29203
Telephone: (803) 935-7100
www.state.sc.us/dmh/morris_village
Morris Village is a 160-bed inpatient addiction treatment facility and it’s purpose is to provide treatment for persons requiring inpatient level of care for alcohol and other drug addiction. The Morris Village mission statement is as follows:
“Morris Village is to provide effective treatment of chemical dependence through comprehensive evaluation, safe detoxification, and state-of-the-art treatment services. Our staff respects the dignity and rights of patients and promotes their return to normal, productive lives in their communities. We are committed to professionalism, quality and excellence”.
All this week this section of the Examiner has highlighted several selected treatment facilities in the Columbia SC area. The purpose has not been to focus attention on any specific institution over some other institution but rather simply to indicate the vast array and variety of services available in Columbia. Available treatment facilities are indeed numerous and varied from private to public institutions, inpatient to outpatient institutions and clinical environments to name a few. If there is a commonality with any of these, it is that they are all “initial”, short term (first 30 days) treatment regarding this deadly subject. All of these institutions should be viewed as a “start” on a new path in life that will lead to living happy, joyous and free.
Morris Village is located at:
610 Faison Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29203
Telephone: (803) 935-7100
www.state.sc.us/dmh/morris_village
Morris Village is a 160-bed inpatient addiction treatment facility and it’s purpose is to provide treatment for persons requiring inpatient level of care for alcohol and other drug addiction. The Morris Village mission statement is as follows:
“Morris Village is to provide effective treatment of chemical dependence through comprehensive evaluation, safe detoxification, and state-of-the-art treatment services. Our staff respects the dignity and rights of patients and promotes their return to normal, productive lives in their communities. We are committed to professionalism, quality and excellence”.
All this week this section of the Examiner has highlighted several selected treatment facilities in the Columbia SC area. The purpose has not been to focus attention on any specific institution over some other institution but rather simply to indicate the vast array and variety of services available in Columbia. Available treatment facilities are indeed numerous and varied from private to public institutions, inpatient to outpatient institutions and clinical environments to name a few. If there is a commonality with any of these, it is that they are all “initial”, short term (first 30 days) treatment regarding this deadly subject. All of these institutions should be viewed as a “start” on a new path in life that will lead to living happy, joyous and free.
Private or public help?
Today’s world is more complex than ever and consequently, victims from the ravages of drug and alcohol abuse are also vastly complex. In today’s world, people suffering addiction are ingesting a mixture of intoxicants. A lethal combination of alcohol, illegal drugs and even prescription medications are often combined into a new and deadly brew.
“Help” for addiction is likewise a complex tangle of resources that must be sorted through often at very difficult periods of time for affected families. Over time, our society has developed both public (government) and private resources in this ongoing battle of chemical dependence. Personal insurance also comes into play in the treatment of drug and alcohol dependence and plays a role in a patient’s treatment.
One of the many reputable and familiar private treatment facilities in Columbia SC is “Three Rivers Behavioral Health” located at:
2900 Sunset Boulevard
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 796-9911
www.threeriversbehavioral.org
Three Rivers publishes a public statement of “Creating New Beginnings” and offers free assessments for their services. Three Rivers also divides their services into distinct groupings with offerings for adolescents, adults and then seniors. In addition to the standard alcohol and drug inpatient and outpatient programs commonly offered throughout help facilities, Three Rivers offers assistance with the following issues:
Teen Depression
Panic
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Troubled Adolescent
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Phobia
Three Rivers offers free assessments for each of the above listed issues. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction issues, Three Rivers may be the place you can find your way back to a happy, joyous and free life.
“Help” for addiction is likewise a complex tangle of resources that must be sorted through often at very difficult periods of time for affected families. Over time, our society has developed both public (government) and private resources in this ongoing battle of chemical dependence. Personal insurance also comes into play in the treatment of drug and alcohol dependence and plays a role in a patient’s treatment.
One of the many reputable and familiar private treatment facilities in Columbia SC is “Three Rivers Behavioral Health” located at:
2900 Sunset Boulevard
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 796-9911
www.threeriversbehavioral.org
Three Rivers publishes a public statement of “Creating New Beginnings” and offers free assessments for their services. Three Rivers also divides their services into distinct groupings with offerings for adolescents, adults and then seniors. In addition to the standard alcohol and drug inpatient and outpatient programs commonly offered throughout help facilities, Three Rivers offers assistance with the following issues:
Teen Depression
Panic
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Troubled Adolescent
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Phobia
Three Rivers offers free assessments for each of the above listed issues. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction issues, Three Rivers may be the place you can find your way back to a happy, joyous and free life.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
What is the role of government?
What is the moral and compassionate role of government in the war on drugs and chemical dependence treatment and recovery? For most of us, when we fall we begin looking around for someone that can help us stand back up. This analogy is ever so accurate for those of us that have hit the ground due to alcoholism and/or drug dependence.
In Columbia South Carolina, public support and public dollars are channeled through the states “Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services” (DAODAS). DAODAS is South Carolina’s single authority channeling drug and alcohol related prevention and treatment resources for the entire state. The department is a state resource and is accountable to the governor’s office of the state of South Carolina.
Recognizing the need for public service pertaining to the general public welfare, DAODAS offers an array of prevention, intervention, treatment and rehabilitation services through a community based system of care. Since its inception some forty years ago, DAODAS has provided services for more than a million South Carolinians.
DAODAS is located in Columbia at:
101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 215
Columbia SC, 29210
(803) 896-5555
http://www.daodas.state.sc.us
DAODAS can probably best be thought of as a coordinating point of services attempting to bring together all available resources and then funneling those services out to the appropriate individuals throughout the state of South Carolina. It’s not so much that DAODAS can be thought of as a resource for specific help but rather DAODAS is a resource that can best align the best and most appropriate help for an individual. If you or a loved one is suffering from the ravages of alcohol or drug dependence, a phone call to DAODAS could be just the action that begins to lead to a path of a happy, joyous and free life once again.
In Columbia South Carolina, public support and public dollars are channeled through the states “Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services” (DAODAS). DAODAS is South Carolina’s single authority channeling drug and alcohol related prevention and treatment resources for the entire state. The department is a state resource and is accountable to the governor’s office of the state of South Carolina.
Recognizing the need for public service pertaining to the general public welfare, DAODAS offers an array of prevention, intervention, treatment and rehabilitation services through a community based system of care. Since its inception some forty years ago, DAODAS has provided services for more than a million South Carolinians.
DAODAS is located in Columbia at:
101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 215
Columbia SC, 29210
(803) 896-5555
http://www.daodas.state.sc.us
DAODAS can probably best be thought of as a coordinating point of services attempting to bring together all available resources and then funneling those services out to the appropriate individuals throughout the state of South Carolina. It’s not so much that DAODAS can be thought of as a resource for specific help but rather DAODAS is a resource that can best align the best and most appropriate help for an individual. If you or a loved one is suffering from the ravages of alcohol or drug dependence, a phone call to DAODAS could be just the action that begins to lead to a path of a happy, joyous and free life once again.
Where can hope be restored in Columbia SC?
The never ending battle with drugs and alcohol can truly be an overwhelming experience for any one individual in Columbia SC. The state, South Carolina, is a large tourist and coastal state lending itself more vulnerable to the world’s drug cartels and drug traffickers. The “war on drugs” can truly seem like a hopeless proposition to an affected individual.
Cocaine is abundant in South Carolina, college campus and club drugs such as MDMA, GHB, PCP and LSD (all hallucinogens) are at all time highs in popularity. The abuse of prescription drugs is also at all time highs with Oxycontin leading the way but also high on the Rx list are methadone, diazepam, lortab, valium and xanax.
All of the aforementioned chemicals are enormously addictive along with many other drugs. These highly addictive substances, more often than not, bring a human being to an overwhelmingly hopeless position where they have no answers and only death can seem like a remedy.
So where does a South Carolinian turn to find the necessary hope required to take the first step out of this nightmare?
Many highly qualified drug and alcohol treatment centers exist not only in South Carolina but all across the United States. Although the Examiner does not endorse any one institution above another, we are proud to point to the states successes.
One such treatment center carrying the word “hope” in its name and slogan is “The Treatment Center” where they state “We Restore Hope”. The Treatment Center can be found in Columbia at:
101 Executive Center Drive Suite 215
Columbia, South Carolina, 29210-9498
(803) 896-5555
http://www.thetreatmentcenter.com
The Treatment Centers mission statement is inspiring of itself and reads as follows:
“At The Treatment Center, our passion is, simply, you. Our mission is to restore you and your families hope. We exist because we feel strongly about helping people overcome their drug or alcohol addictions in a safe, medically supervised and supportive environment. Our primary job is to help you get sober – and stay sober – restoring your hope in yourself and your future”.
If you or a loved one finds yourself in a hopeless situation, The Treatment Center may just be your first step onto a path of living happy, joyous and free once again.
Cocaine is abundant in South Carolina, college campus and club drugs such as MDMA, GHB, PCP and LSD (all hallucinogens) are at all time highs in popularity. The abuse of prescription drugs is also at all time highs with Oxycontin leading the way but also high on the Rx list are methadone, diazepam, lortab, valium and xanax.
All of the aforementioned chemicals are enormously addictive along with many other drugs. These highly addictive substances, more often than not, bring a human being to an overwhelmingly hopeless position where they have no answers and only death can seem like a remedy.
So where does a South Carolinian turn to find the necessary hope required to take the first step out of this nightmare?
Many highly qualified drug and alcohol treatment centers exist not only in South Carolina but all across the United States. Although the Examiner does not endorse any one institution above another, we are proud to point to the states successes.
One such treatment center carrying the word “hope” in its name and slogan is “The Treatment Center” where they state “We Restore Hope”. The Treatment Center can be found in Columbia at:
101 Executive Center Drive Suite 215
Columbia, South Carolina, 29210-9498
(803) 896-5555
http://www.thetreatmentcenter.com
The Treatment Centers mission statement is inspiring of itself and reads as follows:
“At The Treatment Center, our passion is, simply, you. Our mission is to restore you and your families hope. We exist because we feel strongly about helping people overcome their drug or alcohol addictions in a safe, medically supervised and supportive environment. Our primary job is to help you get sober – and stay sober – restoring your hope in yourself and your future”.
If you or a loved one finds yourself in a hopeless situation, The Treatment Center may just be your first step onto a path of living happy, joyous and free once again.
Addiction rehab and recovery in Columbia SC
Each year approximately 50,000 South Carolinians seek some type of addiction assistance from a South Carolina authorized service center located throughout the states 46 counties. These state-wide services ripple through a broad range of addiction topics from the familiar drug and alcohol issues but also reach into more uncommon topics like gambling, inhalants, sexual issues and many other destructive behaviors.
Rehab, treatment, detox and recovery of these destructive behaviors typically “fork” into two categories. 1, Centers that deal with the immediate affects of an addiction which is typically a short term detox atmosphere usually occurring over a short period of time. These centers include state run and privately funded institutions, a few of which we are planning to focus on this week. 2, Institutions that focus on a long term “life-time” solution of these illnesses that are more permanent in nature. These institutions include such facilities as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) to name a few. These later institutions focus on sober people learning how to “Live Sober” on a daily and permanent basis.
Columbia SC has an abundance of institutions focusing on the short term detoxification of patients. These are typically state or private institutions offering a choice of inpatient or outpatient services. The examiner does not want to infer a preference of one institution over any other institution by focusing the discussion on a specific facility but does want to point out some of the states most notable, landmark names involved in the daily struggle of our states addiction challenges.
One highly respected addiction and recovery facility in the Richland and Lexington areas is LRADAC. Contacts and locations for LRADAC are as follows:
Richland County (803) 726-9300
2711 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC
Lexington County (803) 726-9400
1068 South Lake Drive
Lexington, SC
Administrative Office (803) 726-9301
2711 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC
Common web site and email is:
http://www.lradac.org/
info@lradac.org
LRADAC defines and publishes its purpose and services as follows:
“Establish a new image while striving for excellence and maximizing service delivery. LRADAC is the premier prevention, intervention and treatment provider in Lexingtonand Richlandcounties providing leadership throughout the state and achieving national recognition for excellence”.
If you or someone you love is suffering from the ravages and bondage of any addiction, LRADAC will make a great first step on the path to a “happy, joyous and free” life.
Rehab, treatment, detox and recovery of these destructive behaviors typically “fork” into two categories. 1, Centers that deal with the immediate affects of an addiction which is typically a short term detox atmosphere usually occurring over a short period of time. These centers include state run and privately funded institutions, a few of which we are planning to focus on this week. 2, Institutions that focus on a long term “life-time” solution of these illnesses that are more permanent in nature. These institutions include such facilities as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) to name a few. These later institutions focus on sober people learning how to “Live Sober” on a daily and permanent basis.
Columbia SC has an abundance of institutions focusing on the short term detoxification of patients. These are typically state or private institutions offering a choice of inpatient or outpatient services. The examiner does not want to infer a preference of one institution over any other institution by focusing the discussion on a specific facility but does want to point out some of the states most notable, landmark names involved in the daily struggle of our states addiction challenges.
One highly respected addiction and recovery facility in the Richland and Lexington areas is LRADAC. Contacts and locations for LRADAC are as follows:
Richland County (803) 726-9300
2711 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC
Lexington County (803) 726-9400
1068 South Lake Drive
Lexington, SC
Administrative Office (803) 726-9301
2711 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC
Common web site and email is:
http://www.lradac.org/
info@lradac.org
LRADAC defines and publishes its purpose and services as follows:
“Establish a new image while striving for excellence and maximizing service delivery. LRADAC is the premier prevention, intervention and treatment provider in Lexingtonand Richlandcounties providing leadership throughout the state and achieving national recognition for excellence”.
If you or someone you love is suffering from the ravages and bondage of any addiction, LRADAC will make a great first step on the path to a “happy, joyous and free” life.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Alcoholism – The role of resentment
It is often said “resentment is the number one offender of alcoholics”. What exactly does that mean? How does one live life without ever feeling resentful toward some person, place or thing at some point? How can one guard themselves against feeling resentful?
As if things were not tough enough, Columbia South Carolina is certainly a grand place to find a few resentments lying around. After all, South Carolina is often thought of as firing the first shots of the civil war. Catching a resentment during the day can sometimes be like going out and catching a cold.
So how does an addict or alcoholic deal with resentment vs. recovery? The first thing to realize is no human being has any power or control over any people, places or things. We (alcoholics and addicts) can not change or control the behavior of this world. This alone is an enormous step toward anyone’s sobriety and recovery.
When I began my personal drinking at a young age, I was resentful toward smarter people, richer people, funnier people… better looking people. As the years passed, my resentment list only grew.
At the very end, my resentment list morphed into Armageddon with hostile feelings toward the one person that was supposed to be my best friend, my spouse. I was told by caring people, that if I did not want to die drunk, I had better do something with my resentment.
Naturally I asked “what can I do”? I was told of a “tool” to use called the “Resentment Prayer”. I rebelled by saying “I did not believe in prayer”, “that I did not believe in God”, anything to continue my ways. I was told my choices were simple, to pray or die.
The resentment prayer states the affected person is to pray for the person one is resentful at, to have all the things in life that the resentful person wants for themselves”. Say what? How was I to do that? I was very hurt toward my spouse, her demise seemed more appropriate.
So I asked, “How can I do this”? I was told, “pray to be taught to pray”. Not liking my chances, I could think of no argument to keep from trying. That night I silently said, “God please help me do this” and that was as far as I got.
Each night the sentence grew a few more words. Within a few weeks, I began to focus on other life issues and my spouse began to have less importance. I never drank again.
As if things were not tough enough, Columbia South Carolina is certainly a grand place to find a few resentments lying around. After all, South Carolina is often thought of as firing the first shots of the civil war. Catching a resentment during the day can sometimes be like going out and catching a cold.
So how does an addict or alcoholic deal with resentment vs. recovery? The first thing to realize is no human being has any power or control over any people, places or things. We (alcoholics and addicts) can not change or control the behavior of this world. This alone is an enormous step toward anyone’s sobriety and recovery.
When I began my personal drinking at a young age, I was resentful toward smarter people, richer people, funnier people… better looking people. As the years passed, my resentment list only grew.
At the very end, my resentment list morphed into Armageddon with hostile feelings toward the one person that was supposed to be my best friend, my spouse. I was told by caring people, that if I did not want to die drunk, I had better do something with my resentment.
Naturally I asked “what can I do”? I was told of a “tool” to use called the “Resentment Prayer”. I rebelled by saying “I did not believe in prayer”, “that I did not believe in God”, anything to continue my ways. I was told my choices were simple, to pray or die.
The resentment prayer states the affected person is to pray for the person one is resentful at, to have all the things in life that the resentful person wants for themselves”. Say what? How was I to do that? I was very hurt toward my spouse, her demise seemed more appropriate.
So I asked, “How can I do this”? I was told, “pray to be taught to pray”. Not liking my chances, I could think of no argument to keep from trying. That night I silently said, “God please help me do this” and that was as far as I got.
Each night the sentence grew a few more words. Within a few weeks, I began to focus on other life issues and my spouse began to have less importance. I never drank again.
Alcoholism – What is failure?
Our modern culture seems riveted on success vs. failure in simple black and white terms. No matter the subject, we always seem to divide along two lines, one of winning and then that of suffering loss. Modern children are raised with this strong since of success vs. failure which is more often seen as winning vs. loosing. The sporting arena is probably our first guide stone for measuring success as we quickly grow accustomed to our favorite team “winning”. As we grow in life, the simplicity of picking winning sides becomes intuitive and without thought as we quickly learn disdain for loosing.
When it comes to addiction in Columbia SC, is this really the best attitude to approach recovery? For instance, if one finally makes a very difficult and hard choice of picking a day and time to begin living clean and sober, then is it really wise to view subsequent time periods of drinking or drugging as success or failure? If one does drink or drug again after becoming clean and sober, has that person truly “failed”?
It’s unimaginable that any person, let alone a very sick addict or alcoholic, could possibly have the strength and ability to permanently overcome the mental pressure that success or failure brings on. What enormous pressure to be under for all of the remaining hours of ones life! I will NEVER drink again? Ever? I will NEVER use again, ever? Do the hours not begin to tick by like weighty bricks with that thought?
The secret to successful recovery is to change our way of thinking on what successful recovery really means. Have we indeed failed if we drink again? After all, that is what alcoholics do, drink that is. We must first learn to accept and realize that for alcoholics and addicts to drink or use, is for alcoholics and addicts to die. These substances kill us. Once we replace our old fashioned notions of success vs. failure with this simple fact, we are then ready to make progress in our recovery. Gone will be the shame we feel if/when we do become intoxicated again. As long as we are alive, we are NOT failing! As long as we are alive, we have the power to choose to live sober that very day regardless of anything that may have happened on any preceding day. We must shed the stigma that to drink or drug makes us a looser. We must commit ourselves to a simple fact, that every day we are alive we have a choice of living sober that one day.
When it comes to addiction in Columbia SC, is this really the best attitude to approach recovery? For instance, if one finally makes a very difficult and hard choice of picking a day and time to begin living clean and sober, then is it really wise to view subsequent time periods of drinking or drugging as success or failure? If one does drink or drug again after becoming clean and sober, has that person truly “failed”?
It’s unimaginable that any person, let alone a very sick addict or alcoholic, could possibly have the strength and ability to permanently overcome the mental pressure that success or failure brings on. What enormous pressure to be under for all of the remaining hours of ones life! I will NEVER drink again? Ever? I will NEVER use again, ever? Do the hours not begin to tick by like weighty bricks with that thought?
The secret to successful recovery is to change our way of thinking on what successful recovery really means. Have we indeed failed if we drink again? After all, that is what alcoholics do, drink that is. We must first learn to accept and realize that for alcoholics and addicts to drink or use, is for alcoholics and addicts to die. These substances kill us. Once we replace our old fashioned notions of success vs. failure with this simple fact, we are then ready to make progress in our recovery. Gone will be the shame we feel if/when we do become intoxicated again. As long as we are alive, we are NOT failing! As long as we are alive, we have the power to choose to live sober that very day regardless of anything that may have happened on any preceding day. We must shed the stigma that to drink or drug makes us a looser. We must commit ourselves to a simple fact, that every day we are alive we have a choice of living sober that one day.
Alcoholism – Relapse or Recovery?
People get sober every day in a variety of ways. People get sober when they spend some time in a jail cell for instance. People get sober in many hospitals, treatment centers and detox units across the nation every day. People get sober because a spouse may be threatening them or even an employer. Sometimes a consultation with a physician will shake a person into a bit of short term sobriety. Good reasons abound for intoxicated people to spend a few days without any chemical ingestion and consequently, “sober up”.
So what is the difference between sobriety and recovery? What’s the difference between drunkenness and intoxication? Is it “relapse” or just plain old “drunk again”? What’s the difference between an alcoholic and a drunk? Can someone be a drunk without being an alcoholic or vice-versa?
For this alcoholic, the question was never “can I get sober”? The real question was, and still is, “What does it take for me to be able to LIVE each day sober”? Once I began to see and ask the question somewhat differently, amazing miracles began to happen.
When I was trying to “get sober”, it was ME doing the “trying”. I was trying to have POWER over alcohol. As long as I continued to try and gain power over alcohol, failure was as certain as the eventual next drink… which always, sooner or later, came my way. Once I began to learn how to LIVE sober, the bondage of alcohol seemed to vanish. It was then that I realized “learning how to live sober a day at a time”, is what I had spent a life time running from. The problem was me.
Daily people shout that if only “so and so” would happen, then they would not have to drink. If only a spouse or career would behave satisfactorily, then they would not “need” a drink. It is always something else that is “causing” the problem and this being so, then only brute strength and will power could possibly overcome drinking again. The problem with this is that no human being has that kind of power each and every day, each and every hour. Somewhere lurking in the dark corners of some quite time somewhere lays yet another drink of alcohol.
Sobriety and recovery is truly a situation where by giving up, we begin to win!
So what is the difference between sobriety and recovery? What’s the difference between drunkenness and intoxication? Is it “relapse” or just plain old “drunk again”? What’s the difference between an alcoholic and a drunk? Can someone be a drunk without being an alcoholic or vice-versa?
For this alcoholic, the question was never “can I get sober”? The real question was, and still is, “What does it take for me to be able to LIVE each day sober”? Once I began to see and ask the question somewhat differently, amazing miracles began to happen.
When I was trying to “get sober”, it was ME doing the “trying”. I was trying to have POWER over alcohol. As long as I continued to try and gain power over alcohol, failure was as certain as the eventual next drink… which always, sooner or later, came my way. Once I began to learn how to LIVE sober, the bondage of alcohol seemed to vanish. It was then that I realized “learning how to live sober a day at a time”, is what I had spent a life time running from. The problem was me.
Daily people shout that if only “so and so” would happen, then they would not have to drink. If only a spouse or career would behave satisfactorily, then they would not “need” a drink. It is always something else that is “causing” the problem and this being so, then only brute strength and will power could possibly overcome drinking again. The problem with this is that no human being has that kind of power each and every day, each and every hour. Somewhere lurking in the dark corners of some quite time somewhere lays yet another drink of alcohol.
Sobriety and recovery is truly a situation where by giving up, we begin to win!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Recovery – Freedom from Alcohol
Hollywood actor Anthony Hopkins has now been sober and a long term recovering alcoholic for decades. Many years ago, in an interview, Barbara Walters asked Mr. Hopkins what he considered to be the most important aspect of being sober. Mr. Hopkins replied to the interviewer, “freedom from alcohol”.
Addiction is truly a great deceiver to its victims. We alcoholics begin the journey of addiction by first being led into believing drugs and alcohol somehow mysteriously provide the relief we seek when what we actually suffer from are the effects of a low self esteem. As the journey continues, an arrogant wall of self righteousness is built around ourselves brick by brick, one day at a time. In the end, what we alcoholics and addicts have constructed around ourselves is an invisible glass prison where we have learned to lie to ourselves in order to keep the game going. We even learn to protect our way of existence, which is actually the “watering hole”, with every manufactured justification we can conjure together.
For thirty one years, this alcoholic proudly proclaimed to the world he had his life perfect in every way and exactly as he wanted. It was a tiny world that existed of a job in one place, a house only a few miles away and a store that sold alcohol in between. This alcoholic was truly a slave to this world and resisted fervently any attempts that pushed at him to step out of this narrow existence.
It is only after being “freed” from alcohol that one can truly see the jail addiction becomes. This alcoholic no longer has to fear the power of an unjust employer. This alcoholic no longer fears panic if the house runs low of alcohol. This alcoholic no longer fears being asked to perform in some way early in the mornings, which use to be a request that would strike absolute terror within this examiner. This alcoholic no longer fears someone asking him for his signature for fear someone would notice the shaking hands and the secret would be out. Today, this alcoholic is FREE from alcohol.
Anyone in Columbia SC seeking a similar path out of the bondage of alcohol and addiction can begin their personal journey by contacting:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
or on the net at:
www.area62.org
Addiction is truly a great deceiver to its victims. We alcoholics begin the journey of addiction by first being led into believing drugs and alcohol somehow mysteriously provide the relief we seek when what we actually suffer from are the effects of a low self esteem. As the journey continues, an arrogant wall of self righteousness is built around ourselves brick by brick, one day at a time. In the end, what we alcoholics and addicts have constructed around ourselves is an invisible glass prison where we have learned to lie to ourselves in order to keep the game going. We even learn to protect our way of existence, which is actually the “watering hole”, with every manufactured justification we can conjure together.
For thirty one years, this alcoholic proudly proclaimed to the world he had his life perfect in every way and exactly as he wanted. It was a tiny world that existed of a job in one place, a house only a few miles away and a store that sold alcohol in between. This alcoholic was truly a slave to this world and resisted fervently any attempts that pushed at him to step out of this narrow existence.
It is only after being “freed” from alcohol that one can truly see the jail addiction becomes. This alcoholic no longer has to fear the power of an unjust employer. This alcoholic no longer fears panic if the house runs low of alcohol. This alcoholic no longer fears being asked to perform in some way early in the mornings, which use to be a request that would strike absolute terror within this examiner. This alcoholic no longer fears someone asking him for his signature for fear someone would notice the shaking hands and the secret would be out. Today, this alcoholic is FREE from alcohol.
Anyone in Columbia SC seeking a similar path out of the bondage of alcohol and addiction can begin their personal journey by contacting:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
or on the net at:
www.area62.org
Alcoholism – What makes someone addicted…. to anything?
Why do people become addicted? On the surface this question may seem simplistic and rather meaningless. Obviously people become addicted to things in life by using or consuming them, right? If an alcoholic never drank, would they really become an alcoholic? If a drug addict never swallowed a pill, would they become a drug addict? If a gambler never entered a casino….. well, you get the point.
These issues are quite complicated and the further along the “ism” path one moves along, the more complicated the issues become. For instance, most of these issues become “multiplistic” addictions toward later stages. What is meant by that, for instance in the case of alcohol, the alcoholic will eventually become both psychologically addicted as well as physically addicted.
But is this “multiple” dilemma true in the beginning? What really occurs the very first time someone takes a drink, swallows a pill, places a bet? The answers this examiner knows today come from the experiences of his very on life combined with literally thousands of stories told throughout AA. Without exception, almost everyone that develops an addiction in life usually begin the journey around a common age of fourteen, fifteen or sixteen. The intense psychological emotions and needs of feeling “Secure and Loved” can almost always be found at the root of any addiction. The chemical that gets set free in our bodies seem to satisfy these needs in some perverse way.
It took many years of sobriety for this writer to realize that with his first drink, which was a can of beer at the age of fifteen, the alcohol produced the most wonderfully euphoric feelings of being accepted, “a part of” or “belonging to”, “good enough” and yes….. even loved. This “effect” was truly a remarkable Dr Jeckle and Mr. Hyde transformation. However, it was a transformation that happened ONLY in MY mind and was not real! The friends, who were so very important at that time, did not really see the miraculous change that occurred in my mind. However, the satisfaction that came from that transformation was a feeling that was very real to me and I desperately pursued the effect every day for the next thirty one years!
These issues are quite complicated and the further along the “ism” path one moves along, the more complicated the issues become. For instance, most of these issues become “multiplistic” addictions toward later stages. What is meant by that, for instance in the case of alcohol, the alcoholic will eventually become both psychologically addicted as well as physically addicted.
But is this “multiple” dilemma true in the beginning? What really occurs the very first time someone takes a drink, swallows a pill, places a bet? The answers this examiner knows today come from the experiences of his very on life combined with literally thousands of stories told throughout AA. Without exception, almost everyone that develops an addiction in life usually begin the journey around a common age of fourteen, fifteen or sixteen. The intense psychological emotions and needs of feeling “Secure and Loved” can almost always be found at the root of any addiction. The chemical that gets set free in our bodies seem to satisfy these needs in some perverse way.
It took many years of sobriety for this writer to realize that with his first drink, which was a can of beer at the age of fifteen, the alcohol produced the most wonderfully euphoric feelings of being accepted, “a part of” or “belonging to”, “good enough” and yes….. even loved. This “effect” was truly a remarkable Dr Jeckle and Mr. Hyde transformation. However, it was a transformation that happened ONLY in MY mind and was not real! The friends, who were so very important at that time, did not really see the miraculous change that occurred in my mind. However, the satisfaction that came from that transformation was a feeling that was very real to me and I desperately pursued the effect every day for the next thirty one years!
Alcoholics Anonymous – Why?
Everyone hearing the words, “Alcoholics Anonymous” will immediately have some preconceived connotation, on a scale of 0 – 10, of exactly what AA is (ranging from 0 – 10). So what, exactly, “IS” Alcoholics Anonymous, what does it do for anyone and “WHY” would a person go there?
The first imagine many people have of an AA meeting is that of a “gloomy and depressing” place where only “losers” go and nothing very positive happens. Some people even mistakenly believe it is a place where alcoholics go to learn “how to drink”. Others think it to be a place where certain questions can get answered like, “How did I get this”, “How do I get rid of it”, “How do I get my life back”, or “When can I stop coming here”?
The truth of the matter is that Alcoholics Anonymous is like so many other things in life, “it is simply whatever one wants to make of it”. In other words, an individual can put into AA very little or a great deal and in the end, that same person will probably realize either a very little, or a great deal.
Just like every church, school or hospital is not satisfactory to everybody, different AA groups seem to “fit” individuals differently. Sometimes a person simply needs to experiment with different groups before determining whether they actually “like” AA or not.
As for AA being a “gloomy” place? Well….. is it really the AA meeting or is it a time in ones life where the experiences are simply “depressing”? Wouldn’t this period of time be “gloomy” regardless of AA?
This examiner can never really “tell” anyone anything but can only relay their on personal experiences. Ten years ago, in 2001 when this examiner needed an AA group to attend, it just so happened he was living in a very rural place in Alabama where the nearest AA group was thirty minutes away by car. Events just happened to fall in such a way that a new AA group sprouted up in that location. Now, ten years later and moved on to a completely different life in ColumbiaSC, this small AA group has invited this examiner to be their guest speaker this coming Saturday evening celebrating their ten year anniversary. The absolute joy this honor brings is indescribable and could have never been anticipated. All I had to do was simply “Be There”.
The first imagine many people have of an AA meeting is that of a “gloomy and depressing” place where only “losers” go and nothing very positive happens. Some people even mistakenly believe it is a place where alcoholics go to learn “how to drink”. Others think it to be a place where certain questions can get answered like, “How did I get this”, “How do I get rid of it”, “How do I get my life back”, or “When can I stop coming here”?
The truth of the matter is that Alcoholics Anonymous is like so many other things in life, “it is simply whatever one wants to make of it”. In other words, an individual can put into AA very little or a great deal and in the end, that same person will probably realize either a very little, or a great deal.
Just like every church, school or hospital is not satisfactory to everybody, different AA groups seem to “fit” individuals differently. Sometimes a person simply needs to experiment with different groups before determining whether they actually “like” AA or not.
As for AA being a “gloomy” place? Well….. is it really the AA meeting or is it a time in ones life where the experiences are simply “depressing”? Wouldn’t this period of time be “gloomy” regardless of AA?
This examiner can never really “tell” anyone anything but can only relay their on personal experiences. Ten years ago, in 2001 when this examiner needed an AA group to attend, it just so happened he was living in a very rural place in Alabama where the nearest AA group was thirty minutes away by car. Events just happened to fall in such a way that a new AA group sprouted up in that location. Now, ten years later and moved on to a completely different life in ColumbiaSC, this small AA group has invited this examiner to be their guest speaker this coming Saturday evening celebrating their ten year anniversary. The absolute joy this honor brings is indescribable and could have never been anticipated. All I had to do was simply “Be There”.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Columbia drug and alcohol recovery groups
Columbia South Carolina has a variety of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery institutions. A suitable treatment facility can be found to satisfy the needs of any individual. Alcoholic’s Anonymous groups rank high on anyone’s success meter and Columbia also has no shortage of these institutions. In regards to Alcoholics Anonymous, Columbia is divided into fourteen areas of the city and these fourteen areas comprise eighty four different greater Columbia AA groups. These eighty four groups provide the Columbia area with a total of 248 AA meetings each and every week of the year. These fourteen areas and the numbers of AA groups within each area are listed below:
Balentine / Chapin / Irmo / Prosperity
9 Groups
Batesburg / Twin City
2 Groups
Cayce / West Columbia
13 Groups
Downtown Columbia
5 Groups
Dutch Square / Broad River Road
5 Groups
5 Points
5 Groups
Forrest Acres / East Columbia
12 Groups
Gaston / Swansea
1 Group
Lexington / Gilbert
8 Groups
North / Northeast Cola / Pontiac
10 Groups
Shandon
5 Groups
Newberry
2 Groups
Winnsboro / Ridgeway
2 Groups
Lugoff / Camden
5 Groups
Further details and schedules for each of these areas and individual groups can be found at the Columbia Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroups office located at: 3014 Devine Street, Room 103 Columbia SC 29205 (803) 254-5301 or on the internet at:
www.area62.org
Balentine / Chapin / Irmo / Prosperity
9 Groups
Batesburg / Twin City
2 Groups
Cayce / West Columbia
13 Groups
Downtown Columbia
5 Groups
Dutch Square / Broad River Road
5 Groups
5 Points
5 Groups
Forrest Acres / East Columbia
12 Groups
Gaston / Swansea
1 Group
Lexington / Gilbert
8 Groups
North / Northeast Cola / Pontiac
10 Groups
Shandon
5 Groups
Newberry
2 Groups
Winnsboro / Ridgeway
2 Groups
Lugoff / Camden
5 Groups
Further details and schedules for each of these areas and individual groups can be found at the Columbia Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroups office located at: 3014 Devine Street, Room 103 Columbia SC 29205 (803) 254-5301 or on the internet at:
www.area62.org
Alcoholism – What is an AA birthday?
Various treatment and recovery institutions will often have traditions or practices that in some way “mark time” during the recovery process of an addict or alcoholic. This is usually some visible emblem that can be carried and shown off by the recovering person and denotes some amount or block of time. The item is a visual of the “clean and sober” time accumulated by the affected person.
In Alcoholics Anonymous, this practice is a “chip system” that denotes periods of time. When the length of time reaches annual periods, the time slice becomes known as an AA birthday. Chips are provided for earlier and shorter periods of time as the early days of sobriety for all addicts and alcoholics passes quite slowly.
Different recovery groups will provide various colors of plastic or tin chips for short periods of time. For instance, most AA groups will have a chip for the first 24 hours and in South Carolina, this chip is a white plastic chip resembling a common poker chip. In other states, this same chip is sometimes a tin silver chip but the meaning is the same in all groups.
Within the first year of sobriety, several other colors of chips are used for different blocks of time such as; thirty days, sixty, ninety or six months, nine months and the colors may be red, green, yellow, blue or purple.
When an individual reaches one year of continuous sobriety, recovery groups will begin supplying “birthday chips”. These birthday chips have a very distinct meaning for recovering addicts and alcoholics far beyond the shorter term chips described above. In order for a person to have life time and permanent sobriety, alcoholics anonymous states they must undergo a “psychic” change. The annual birthday chip is denoting AA birthdays from the first day of sobriety or the “psychic” change for an individual. This AA birthday is in contrast to a person’s original birth birthday. As time passes in the recovering person’s life, associates often notice a completely different person in the sober person’s life and this transformation, at least within AA, is often thought of as a miracle!
AA Chips and literature can be purchased for cost at Columbia’s Intergroup office located at:
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
In Alcoholics Anonymous, this practice is a “chip system” that denotes periods of time. When the length of time reaches annual periods, the time slice becomes known as an AA birthday. Chips are provided for earlier and shorter periods of time as the early days of sobriety for all addicts and alcoholics passes quite slowly.
Different recovery groups will provide various colors of plastic or tin chips for short periods of time. For instance, most AA groups will have a chip for the first 24 hours and in South Carolina, this chip is a white plastic chip resembling a common poker chip. In other states, this same chip is sometimes a tin silver chip but the meaning is the same in all groups.
Within the first year of sobriety, several other colors of chips are used for different blocks of time such as; thirty days, sixty, ninety or six months, nine months and the colors may be red, green, yellow, blue or purple.
When an individual reaches one year of continuous sobriety, recovery groups will begin supplying “birthday chips”. These birthday chips have a very distinct meaning for recovering addicts and alcoholics far beyond the shorter term chips described above. In order for a person to have life time and permanent sobriety, alcoholics anonymous states they must undergo a “psychic” change. The annual birthday chip is denoting AA birthdays from the first day of sobriety or the “psychic” change for an individual. This AA birthday is in contrast to a person’s original birth birthday. As time passes in the recovering person’s life, associates often notice a completely different person in the sober person’s life and this transformation, at least within AA, is often thought of as a miracle!
AA Chips and literature can be purchased for cost at Columbia’s Intergroup office located at:
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
Alcoholism – Is there a SAFE drink?
How often have you heard, “Oh don’t worry, were only allowing beer and wine at this party”? In our modern society, many are mistakenly led to believe there are certain “safe drinks”. Our conditioning in this way of thinking has been thoroughly hammered home by the many years of intense marketing within our culture. Haven’t we all heard, “You only go around once in life”? Well who wouldn’t want to experience all the “gusto” we are entitled to, right?
Although subtle differences in bourbon, whiskey, vodka, beer, wine may have some moderate differences for the tempered drinker, there is no difference for the alcoholic in any of these drinks. Now isn’t that peculiar? Why do we not hear more about this? Why are our children not taught more? Why don’t we demand better for our families?
The addictive component of any “drink” is ethyl alcohol. It is the effects from ethyl alcohol that alcoholics unwittingly seek. It is ethyl alcohol that alcoholics are first romanced by and it is ethyl alcohol that alcoholics pursue with every drink thereafter. In time, it matters not what the container is ethyl alcohol comes in as ethyl alcohol truly becomes the seductive mistress for every alcoholic. When one becomes educated to these facts, one will soon realize ethyl alcohol is in a broad range of products in common use today. A sampling of these products would be items like mouth washes, cold and cough medications, and cleaning items just to name a few. Many people do not realize mouth wash is 26% ethyl alcohol, far more alcohol content than any beer or wine on the market today!
Although subtle differences in bourbon, whiskey, vodka, beer, wine may have some moderate differences for the tempered drinker, there is no difference for the alcoholic in any of these drinks. Now isn’t that peculiar? Why do we not hear more about this? Why are our children not taught more? Why don’t we demand better for our families?
The addictive component of any “drink” is ethyl alcohol. It is the effects from ethyl alcohol that alcoholics unwittingly seek. It is ethyl alcohol that alcoholics are first romanced by and it is ethyl alcohol that alcoholics pursue with every drink thereafter. In time, it matters not what the container is ethyl alcohol comes in as ethyl alcohol truly becomes the seductive mistress for every alcoholic. When one becomes educated to these facts, one will soon realize ethyl alcohol is in a broad range of products in common use today. A sampling of these products would be items like mouth washes, cold and cough medications, and cleaning items just to name a few. Many people do not realize mouth wash is 26% ethyl alcohol, far more alcohol content than any beer or wine on the market today!
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