...Narcotics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is the most well-known and widely available self-help group for drug addicts in treatment and recovery. Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, which is limited to alcohol problems, Narcotics Anonymous is open to substance abuse problems of all kinds. NA uses fellowship and a set of guided principles—the 12 steps—to help members achieve and maintain sobriety. The twelve recovery steps include admitting powerlessness over the addiction and surrendering to a “higher power,” which you can interpret according to your own beliefs. A key part of a 12-step program is choosing a sponsor. A sponsor is a former addict who has time and experience remaining sober and can provide support when you’re dealing with the urge to use. NA members attend group meetings facilitated by other members—all recovering drug addicts. Meetings take place on a regular basis, at various times, and in many different locations around the world. Members are free to attend any of the many meetings held each week. The 12 steps The twelve-step process involves: •admitting that you are powerless to control your addiction or compulsion •recognizing a higher power “as you understand it” that can give strength •reviewing the mistakes you’ve made in the past, with the help of your sponsor •making amends for past mistakes and wrongs •learning how to live a new life, free from old unhealthy habits and ways of behaving •helping fellow drug addicts Other self-help...
Words: 577 - Pages: 3
...of addiction through working a twelve-step program by attending group meetings. “Jimmy K.” saw that substance abuse was only a symptom of a deeper issue in which, the substance is used to gain a temporary relief from. One of the keys to NA’s success is the therapeutic value of addicts working with other addicts. Participants disclose their achievements and challenges in overcoming active addiction and staying drug-free, as well as, have a productive life through the application of the principles contained within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of...
Words: 779 - Pages: 4
...Substance 1 Final: Substance Abuse Frank T. DiBona HCA250 May 12, 2012 2 Substance abuse is a disease that does not discriminate, no matter what race or gender, it can affect anyone, anywhere, at any given time, and children as well as adults can fall prey to this type of addiction. According to Robinson, Saisan, and Smith (2012), “Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever experiencing negative consequences or addiction.” (para. 1). I have known people that were addicted to drugs, whether street drugs or prescribed, and I have seen the what they were like when they were clean, as well as when they were high, and I have heard the horror stories that were associated with their addiction. Being addicted can tear apart a family, make a person do things that they would not normally do, and sometimes their addiction would cause problems even when they were clean; people looking for money that was borrowed or stolen, as well as drugs. Families have gone broke, college savings gone, jewelry from a family member taken to get their next fix, household items pawned for a few dollars to buy a bag of heroine that would only last one day, if that, cars repossessed because the money that should have gone to making the payment was used to buy cocaine, and marriages broken...
Words: 1827 - Pages: 8
...Problem Solving: Drug Addiction Virginia Stelwagen PHL/458 June 25, 2012 Trisha McAloon Creative Process The following stages of the creative process have been defined by Ruggiero (2009) as follows: The first stage of the creative process represents the habit of searching for challenges, not at one specific time, but constantly. Its importance is reflected in the fact that can be creative only in response to challenges that you perceive. The second stage: expressing the problem or issue, the objective in this stage is to find the best expression of the problem or issue, the one that will yield the most helpful ideas. The third stage: investigating the problem or issue, the objective of this stage is to obtain the information necessary to deal effectively with the problem or issue. In some cases, this will mean merely searching your past experience and observation for appropriate material and bringing it to bear on the current problem. In others, it will mean obtaining new information through fresh experience and observation, interviews with knowledgeable people, or your own research. The fourth stage: producing ideas, the objective in this stage is to generate enough ideas to decide what action to take or what belief to embrace. Two obstacles are common in this stage. The first is the often unconscious tendency to limit your ideas to common, familiar,...
Words: 1441 - Pages: 6
... * Adult Child of Alcoholics 5/10/2015 Sunday 1:15 PM ACA SOS meeting Hall "Daily Affirmation Book Meeting" - Meeting Based on Our Daily Meditation Book * Alcoholics Anonymous 5/11/2015 Monday 8:00 PM AA Young People North Hollywood Hall 6/8/2015 Tuesday 7:30 PM AA New Start Beginners Meeting 20440 Lassen St (Church) 6/15/2015 Monday Noon Old Timers Mtg at Valley Club * Narcotics Anonymous 5/31/2015 Sunday 3:00 PM NA meeting Radford Hall * Codependents Anonymous 6/16/2015 Tues 7:30 pm CODA Women’s Meeting Granada Hills 6/18/2015 Thurs. 7:30 pm CODA Tarzana Group Thursday Alcoholics Anonymous came into being in June 1935.The fundamentals of the 12 step programs has remained the same since 1935, however today the twelve steps are helping people with more than alcohol. Today many 12 step program have form and also alternative 12 step programs with more God or God being removed but at the basis level it is the twelve steps. I also believe the twelve steps are just basic tools that all people need or most people have received the basis tools when growing up in a healthy family system. The 12 steps teach humility, respect, honest, caring, and to be of service, these are the essential for all people. I always share with people who want to DO the twelve steps but don’t know which program they qualify for, I just say pick one. Find a group that works for you find your tribe like the big book says. I remember meeting someone that gave a message from Mother Theresa...
Words: 1334 - Pages: 6
...Drugs & The Effects It Has On Others Almost everyone has experienced drugs in his or her life, be it a friend, a family member, or the individual. Drugs can be damaging to a person’s character and cause many problems. For me, I experienced drugs through my parents; they started at a young age and experienced the disease of addiction. The consequences of their disease hindered themselves as well as their family members. For my father, it was death and luckily for my mom, things turned out better being that she is now 23 years clean and is able to be a great parent/ role model for me. Some effects caused by drug use are physical consequences, the effect on others, and the withdrawing process. Drug abuse can be detrimental to not only the user, but also the people around them; drug abuse is a disease and it can lead to serious consequences in a person’s life. The physical consequences of drug are destructive! The use of drugs messes up our body as a whole and causes negative effects such as body odor, tooth decay, weight loss, weight gain, and even high blood pressure. An analysis of data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse between 1979-2002 (now the National Survey on Drug Use and Health) estimated that 590,000 young adults aged 18–29 had ever injected drugs. (Aids.gov, 2013) Because addicts are not mindful of the risks being that they are in their disease, they are careless of the precautions that should be taken when sharing / passing around their...
Words: 1395 - Pages: 6
... Drug Abuse and Social Work There are many reasons why people use drugs. Drugs have been use throughout the nations in the 1960. In 2003 roughly about 9% of the total U.S. population ages 12 and higher deal with substance abuse. Advancement in technology, changes within a society, money; low income are some reasons why people use drugs. Drugs were known for the cure to all life problems. Marijuana and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) are known drugs used by young Americans worldwide. Peer pressure and advertising are known facts why people use drugs. Today, drugs are being used because individuals do not want to feel left out by their friends or from people their age groups. In addition, there has been an increase of divorces which has been known for another reason why people use drugs to cope from real life problems. Cocaine and steroids have been used by many musicians and athletes. Steroids and Cocaine have been used by many teens, actors and athletes. Athletes and musicians used these drugs to better them at what they do. Many youths look up to athletes and musicians as role model; youth’s continue to use drugs because athletes do. Former Lady Nancy Reagan, Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush created programs preventing youths to use drugs. These programs did end up preventing some students.44% decreased in 1990: 23 million people who used drugs drop down to 12.9 million. However 5 years later, there was an increase use of ecstasy, marijuana, steroids...
Words: 1953 - Pages: 8
...My Personal Model of Helping Hattie B Pierce (Healy) BSHS/312 March 12, 2012 Dr. Princess Clarke, Instructor As we think about helping those who may need help we need to realize that there are many ideas on helping the people who need help. It is suggested that a counselor’s knowledge, theory and ability are only as good as the counselor’s personal qualities (Jevne, 1082). What this means is that therapeutic techniques will help people who are looking for counseling when the counselor’s personality is genuinely helpful (Truax & Mitchell, 1971). In this paper I will try to explain my own personal model of helping. I will use my real life experiences, suggest some useable applications, and cover some of the problems my model may cover. I will also try to address and overcome multicultural issues. Hopefully I will be able to address any limitations as well as the strengths my model may have. I will also identify some types of people my model will be able to help. Not until lately did I even dream my interest in helping others would make me want to be a counselor. I want to help people the way I was helped when I went into rehab for drug addiction. The counselors there were some of the most understanding people I had ever met and they did not judge me. They made sure I realized they were there to help me. I am also a 5 year chip toter of NA (Narcotics Anonymous). My sponsor said I had so much empathy for other members and was such a good listener I should choose...
Words: 2857 - Pages: 12
...The hospital and treatment unit offers treatment services which include medical detoxification and rehabilitation. This facility has an intensive inpatient program delivered in a hospital-based setting. The program also incorporates a dual diagnostic component if needed. The staff includes licensed medical, psychiatric, nursing and counseling personnel. Treatment is supervised 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The average length of stay is typically 21 days unless otherwise determined. New Mexico Rehabilitation Center Chemical Dependency Unit 72 Gail Harris Avenue Roswell, NM 88203 Main Tel: 575-347-3400 Intake Tel 1: 575-347-3400 The New Mexico Rehabilitation Center is in the city of Roswell, 182 miles from Santa Fe. Spanish-speaking services are available. This is a SAMSHA referred hospital inpatient treatment facility for adolescents and adults. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and individual and group counseling sessions are supervised by professional staff members. Medical detox and managed withdrawal is available. 12-step meetings are encouraged. Parkview Adult Chemical Dependecy Unit 58 Club Manor Drive Pueblo, CO 81008 Main Tel: 719-584-4890 Intake Tel 1:...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
...DRUG ADDICTION ERIN GETZ LYNN FUTRAL PSYCHOLOGY 1101 28 NOVEMBER 2014 Drug Addiction Most of us know of someone who has struggled with addiction. About 15 percent of the American population is addicted to alcohol or drugs or a combination of the two (Chapter 1: What is Addiction?). Drug addiction can tear families apart by changing the people we know into someone who lies, cheats, and steals to get their next fix. Drug addiction is a serious psychological and physical illness that has many factors such as social environment, home life/family history, physical and mental problems, and withdrawals; there are also a few ways to recover from drug addiction including Narcotics Anonymous, medical treatments, and therapy. But first, what is drug addiction? The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website defines drug abuse as “a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her.” The most common drugs hardest to give up are cocaine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol, amphetamines (Interlandi and Kelley). Almost 22 million Americans are hooked on at least one of these drugs. Drug addictions don’t normally happen overnight, it is a process that happens over time. Usually a drug is taken for the first time in a social situation, with the person not realizing the consequences that could follow. The person enjoys that temporary high and begins to...
Words: 1502 - Pages: 7
...quality to impact the disease of addiction” ("Www.anuvia.org", 2012). Anuvia’s mission statement is “Anuvia envisions a community where the impact of addiction is significantly reduced because its members recognize addiction as a disease affecting the entire community, know where to turn for help, and have access to the highest quality of care. Anuvia strives for a continuum of care that is barrier-free and culturally competent. Anuvia is committed to collaborating and partnering with substance abuse service recipients, providers of services, public and private organizations and funding sources to provide prevention, education, advocacy, intervention, assessment and treatment services”. ("Www.anuvia.org", 2012). Many human service programs are available, from inpatient 90 day hospitalizations, to extensive outpatient 90 hour, eight week counseling and lecture form classes, holding random drug tests for accountability. Serving the Charlotte metro and surrounding areas for more than a half century, it has been known by other names such as the “Chemical Dependency Center”, The Randolph Clinic and the Charlotte Council on Alcoholism” ("Www.anuvia.org", 2012). Tens of thousands of addicts are directly...
Words: 1074 - Pages: 5
...whether the phenomenon represents an actual addiction or even a psychological/psychiatric condition at all. Components of the sexual addiction model draw an analogy between hyper sexuality and substance addiction or behavioral problems like gambling addiction, recommending 12-step and other addiction-based methods of treatment. Other explanatory models of hyper sexuality include sexual compulsivity and sexual impulsivity. Sexologists have not reached any consensus regarding whether sexual addiction exists or, if it does, how to describe the phenomenon. Some experts believe that sexual addiction is literally an addiction, directly analogous to alcohol and drug addictions. Other experts believe that sexual addiction is actually a form of obsessive compulsive disorder and refer to it as sexual compulsivity. Still other experts believe that sex addiction is itself a myth, a by-product of cultural and other influences. Some who have expressed doubts about the existence of sex addiction argue that the condition is instead a way of projecting social stigma onto patients. ORIGIN Sex addiction as a term first emerged in the mid-1970s when various members of Alcoholics Anonymous sought to apply the principles of 12-Steps toward sexual recovery from serial infidelity and other unmanageable compulsive sex behaviors that were similar to the powerlessness and un-manageability they experienced with alcoholism. This resulted in the creation of...
Words: 2315 - Pages: 10
...Melissa Currie February 11, 2014 Recovery from Active Addiction: Is It a Personal Choice? Addicts are more likely to achieve long-term recovery from active addiction when the choice to abstain is made by them not for them. Recovery is a choice that only the addict can make, but some may need persuading. More often than not, complete abstinence is not achieved until after many failed attempts. “Treatment does not have to be voluntary to be effective,” as stated on the website www.drugabuse.gov. Successful long-term recovery results once self-will and self-control have been completely surrendered, the desire for recovery overbears the desire to use and by the addict’s daily choice to never use substances again. Fourteen years of active addiction and multiple drug offenses later, I have personally experienced the success of recovery as a choice. The above theory has been confirmed by a first-hand experience. Daily I make the decision to abstain from using my substance of choice and any other mind-altering substances. In the past, I attempted to go to treatment and actively participated in my recovery. Successful abstinence was short-term due to my lack of commitment. Eventually, the option to choose was stripped of me by the legal system; abstinence was no longer my choice. Being court ordered to a residential rehabilitation center, I actively participated and realized recovery was possible. Abstinence had been my choice and I surrendered. Many other addicts I have encountered...
Words: 1266 - Pages: 6
...Madison Jones PSYC 2301 Alcoholism in the U.K., U.S.A., & Canada I chose these three countries because one of them has a drinking age of 18, one has a drinking age of 19, and the other one has a drinking age that is 21. I thought it would be interesting to compare these three countries in regards to how the legal drinking age corresponds to its alcoholism rates. To begin, the average population for each country is as follows: U.K.64.4 million, U.S.-323.4 million, and Canada-35.4 million (Graph A). Compared to the UK and Canada, the US has 223.6 million more people than the other two countries combined. As far as what percentage of each individual’s population that qualifies as alcoholic, about 14% of the UK drinks more than the legal limit regularly, about 4% of the US has an issue with the drug, and about 9% of the population of Canada is considered to be alcoholic (Graph B). The reason why the UK’s percentage is so high might be due to its drinking age. Since alcohol is more readily available to the youth of the United Kingdom, it would make sense that the rate of alcoholism would be much higher than in countries like the United States. This is also a problem in Canada, where alcohol is considered to be “the most abused drug in Canada” (1). This is most likely due to the drinking age as well. While the UK and Canada sit about five percent, the US has a surprisingly low score of 4%. One would think that the United States would have had a higher percentage because...
Words: 448 - Pages: 2
...Narcotics Anonymous This paper is written as a personal experience. Someone very close to me was a drug addict. No matter how I begged, pleaded, or threatened, drugs remained the primary driving force in this person life. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and I desperately wanted off. I had come to realize that until that person wanted help nothing could be done. I finally got the strength to leave. I felt guilty because I left without telling the person I was gone. Everyone worries about the addict, but what about the other people involved in the addict’s life. After agonizing for several months, I finally asked for help. I found and joined the local Nar-anon group and it changed my life. Many people are familiar with Al-Anon, but few people even know or have heard about Nar-Anon. According to Nar- Anon, “the program is designed for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation due to the addiction problem of someone close to them” (2011). I become interested in the meeting and decided to attend. It was very hard at first to find out any information about the group, since I came from a small town. I found churches and different organizations that offered AA, NA, and Al-Anon meetings. I finally contacted the local newspaper and they pointed me in the right direction. I was surprised that finding the group would be so difficult, because there were many known drug addicts in my area. I had to travel across town to attend a meeting. I was nervous when...
Words: 757 - Pages: 4
