Thursday, September 24, 2009

Support, Recovery & Lessons from Nature

As September is National Recovery month, I wanted to take this excerpt from ``Lessons from Geese`` (based on the work of Milton Olson) as it applies to the community of support and recovery.

FACT 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in V formation, the whole flock adds 72% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

FACT 2:
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

FACT 3:
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: it pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other`s skills and resources.

FACT 4:
The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our `honking` is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. Their power of encouragement (to stand by one`s heart or core values and encourage the heat and core of others)is the quality of honking we seek.

FACT 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of the formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch-up with the flock.
Lesson: If we had as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

From the smallest of creatures to the greatest of human achievements, we can learn and grow from the experience of others and the examples of life around us

Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski

info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://liferecoveryprogram.com/

As September is National Recovery Month new members who sign up for the Foundation Program will automatically upgrade to the Advanced program and get one full year of ongoing support.

Friday, September 18, 2009

September is Your National Recovery Month

The Recovery Month Web site http://www.recoverymonth.gov/ aims to promote the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, laud the contributions of treatment providers, and promote the message that recovery from alcohol and drug disorders in all its forms is possible.

Most of us have a recovery story. Recovering from an accident, illness, trauma, loss, relationship, addiction etc.

Is this true for you?

In honour of your recovery, the first 15 new members to sign up for the Foundation Program will automatically be upgraded to the Advanced program. You get one full year of cutting edge resources and ongoing support for the small investment of signing up for the Foundation Program.

Did you know that the Life Recovery Program has helped countless individuals just like you to recover from a place of feeling stressed, beat up and out of control... to a place of health, wellness a better sense of self esteem and better relationship with self and others?

This automatic upgrade only applies to the first 15 people who take advantage of this offer so don’t delay and act now.

When would be the best time to regain control and reclaim your life?

http://liferecoveryprogram.com/


Recover to a place of optimal health and regain control over ANY stress, addiction, self-destructive habit or behaviour with clinically proven health recovery techniques in the privacy of your home. Saving and transforming lives and families 24/7. This program will change your life!


http://liferecoveryprogram.com/


Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski

Friday, September 11, 2009

Signs of Suicide Risk & What You Can Do

I recently sent some info. over Twitter about some of the risks to look for regarding suicide. As soon as I sent the information, I got a number of responses from people who were not aware of some of these risk factors, but who see the signs in hindsight as they knew of someone who did suicide.

This list is not conclusive but a good start.

SUICIDE
Signs to Watch For:

-A Previous Suicide Attempt
-General Talk Of Death Or Suicide
-Talking About A Specific Suicide Plan, Including The Method, Date,Location
-Making A Plan (E.G. Drawing Up A Will, Talking About Final Wishes)
-Signs Of Depression Or Other Mental Illness
-Writing Or Drawing About Suicide
-Giving Away Valued Possessions
-Sudden Change In Behaviour (For Better Or Worse)
-Withdrawal From Friends And Activities
-Increased Use Of Alcohol Or Other Drugs
-Recent Loss (Such As Death, Loss Of A Job, Or Loss Of A Relationship)
-Feelings Of Hopelessness Or Helplessness

Remember, there is no sure fire list of warning signs. Any one of these signs by itself does not necessarily mean a person is suicidal, but the more of these signs that are present, the greater the risk. Also, suicidal person may not display the signs on this list. It may be right to be concerned simply because someone's behaviour is out of character. Sudden shifts in actions or attitude may alert loved one’s to potential problems.

How You Can Help …
1. Ask directly if the person is thinking about suicide. Talking openly about suicide does not increase the risk. In fact, it can bring relief to someone who has been afraid to confide their suicidal thoughts.
2. Talk to the person in a non-judgmental way, and listen to them without becoming upset. Let the person know you care and want to help.
3. Believe what the person says, and take all threats seriously.
4. Look into community resources, such as crisis lines and counselling services that you can suggest to the person.
5. Never keep someone's suicidal feelings a secret. Tell someone who can help.
6. Take action if you feel someone is at immediate risk. If necessary, make contact with the police, emergency services or a hospital to ensure the person's safety.


NOTE: Sometimes the greatest risk for someone committing suicide is when they are actually feeling better and have more energy after a severe depressive episode. When someone is in the depths of severe depression they may think or make plans of suicide, yet they often don’t have the actual energy required to take their life. When they are coming out of a severe depression, there is an accompaniment of more energy and often times someone will resolve at this point to take the action of taking their life for fear of slipping back into their depression.

What if you feel like killing yourself?
-Tell someone right away
-Develop a safety plan with family and friends to make sure that you’re not alone
-Don’t use alcohol and/or drugs
-Have regularly scheduled health care appointments and keep them
-Keep involved in things you like to do, if you can’t get together with family and friends even if you are only hanging out watching TV, reading or going to a movie with them
-Talk about how you’re feeling

Feel free to share this info. as it can save a life!

Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski

-Saving and transforming lives and families 24/7

info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Your Teen and Drug Use

As a parent, it is important to know what are some of the destructive influences that might be impacting your child.

For example-
Marijuana, Availability Up Sharply
Between 2007 and 2009 there was a 37 percent increase in the percentage of 12- to 17-year olds who say marijuana is easier to buy than cigarettes, beer or prescription drugs (19 percent to 26 percent).

Forty percent of teens (10 million) can get marijuana within a day; nearly one-quarter of teens (5.7 million) can get it in an hour.

Teens who say that the decision to use marijuana by someone their age is not a big deal are four times more likely to use it compared to teens who say this decision is a big deal.

Teens whose parents believe the decision to use marijuana is not a big deal are almost twice as likely to use the drug, compared to teens whose parents say this decision is a big deal.

Most teens who smoke cigarettes (56 percent) say the decision to use marijuana is not a big deal.

Other Notable Findings
• Two-thirds of high school students say that drugs are used, kept or sold at their school.
• Sixty percent of parents say that their child’s school is not drug free.
• Of parents who say their teen’s school is not drug free, almost half think there is nothing they can do about it, and only a quarter have even tried.

These stats are taken from the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents, the 14th annual back-to-school survey conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

As a parent or loved one, how does this information effect your view on who your child spends time with or some of the activities they are engaging in? Talk with your child, let them know you care about them and perhaps are concerned over some of the choices they are making. Change often begins with communication.

Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski


-Saving and transforming lives and families 24/7

info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Drinking, Drugging and Sex

As a parent, it is important to know what are some of the destructive influences that might be impacting your child. Here are some sobering figures taken from the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents, the 14th annual back-to-school survey conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

This year the CASA survey took a close look at teen drinking and discovered that 65 percent of 12- to 17-year olds who drink monthly report that they get drunk at least once in a typical month. Eighty-five percent of 17-year old drinkers get drunk at least once in a typical month.

The survey found that one third of teen drinkers usually drink with the intention to get drunk. Eighty-five percent of teen drinkers who say that when they drink they usually drink to get drunk do so at least once a month. Of those teens who do NOT set out to get drunk, 33 percent find themselves drunk at least once a month.

Compared to teens who have never tried alcohol, teens who get drunk monthly are:
• 18 times likelier to have tried marijuana;
• Four times likelier to be able to get marijuana in an hour;
• Almost four times likelier to know someone their age who abuses prescription drugs;
• More than three times likelier to have friends who use marijuana; and
• More than twice as likely to know someone their age who uses meth, ecstasy, or other drugs such as cocaine, heroin or LSD.

Compared to teens who have never tried alcohol, those who get drunk at least once a month are:
• Twice as likely to know a girl who was forced to do something sexual she didn’t want to do; and
• Nearly four times likelier to know a guy who uses drugs or alcohol to hook up.

“The message for parents is loud and clear. If your teen is drinking, the odds are your teen is getting drunk. And teens who get drunk are much likelier to try marijuana and hang out with friends who are abusing prescription drugs and illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin,” said Elizabeth Planet, CASA’s Vice President and Director of Special Projects. “Parents who think their kids are just having an occasional drink each month need to wake up and smell the beer and pot.”

As a parent or loved one, how does this information effect your view on who your child spends time with or some of the activities they are engaging in? Talk with your child, let them know you care about them and perhaps are concerned over some of the choices they are making. Change often begins with communication.

Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski


-Saving and transforming lives and families 24/7

info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/