thepurposeofrecovery.org
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Blog
    • News
  • Recovery Support
    • Peer Support
    • Family Support
    • Peer Testimonials
  • Donate
  • Contact Us!
  • 2023 Rally Registration

ANY MONTH IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

5/10/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
On February 27, I celebrated my 90th year on the planet.  In all the years, alcohol was my only drug of choice.  It served me well until it didn’t. Active in the recovery movement for many years in Colorado, I returned to California in 2019 and helped to start a new non-profit called The Purpose of Recovery (TPOR).   At The Purpose of Recovery we value positive recovery language through our peer support services and community advocacy.   

Recently I noted that 
Alcohol Awareness was being diminished by all else going on and I determined to edit my recovery language to feature alcohol and its effects.

What I noticed is that my language works in any month, whether it is Alcohol Awareness Month (April) or not. 
Ok, so who do we help (individuals, families and those in recovery) and what do we tell them about alcohol? Particularly, how do we guide their research on talking to kids?

Each April since 1987, the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) has sponsored Alcohol Awareness Month to increase public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. 
Most adults in the United States who drink alcohol drink moderately and without complications. At the same time, alcohol-related problems are among the most significant public health issues in the country. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects about 15 million adults in the United States, and an estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the nation. Read more here.
A young person’s brain is not fully developed until they reach their mid to late 20s, and any drinking while the brain is still developing can be problematic.
​
Regardless of age, alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment and coordination. It can also increase the incidence of aggressive or violent acts. Consuming large quantities in a short period of time — or binge drinking— which is defined as having 4-5 drinks on one occasion and is common among young people — can cause alcohol poisoning and even death. More than 16 million Americans misuse or are addicted to alcohol, which is a legal substance that is widely available and normalized in our society. Prolonged, heavy use of alcohol can lead to addiction as alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism. There is liver and heart disease, and other health consequences such as a weakened immune system and increased risk of developing certain cancers.  
Accidents related to alcohol use are among the leading causes of death for teens. 

Every April the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month to increase awareness and understanding of the causes and treatment of the nation’s #1 public health problem: alcoholism. As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, the NCADD says local, state, and national events will be “aimed at educating people about the treatment and prevention of alcoholism, particularly among our youth, and the important role that parents can play in giving kids a better understanding of the impact that alcohol can have on their lives.

Alcohol Awareness Month Resources —NCADD has several helpful resources on its website. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) underage drinking prevention campaign, ‘Talk. They Hear You,’  has talking points and tools for coalitions, parents, and caregivers so they can start talking to their children early—as early as 9 years old—about the dangers of alcohol. 
The Alcohol Action Network (AAN) is a project of the American Public Health Association and is a nationwide network of alcohol prevention practitioners and researchers engaging in alcohol policy issues in their states or local communities. AAN was initially established to address the shifting alcohol policy landscape at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to bring prevention specialists together to address policy issues as they arise. ​
I grew up in South Dakota with the awareness that Sioux Native-Americans were a seen and unseen part of life. A friend, Don Coyhis, is a recognized leader and mentor of the Sioux Nation. He posted the following: 
Thinking positive thoughts will flush out negative thoughts. There is not enough room for both. When we do have both, there is an internal argument with ourselves until we decide which one should go. There is only room for one. We change ourselves by being convinced, which means “to be persuaded by argument or evidence.  – Don Coyhis
Look forward to becoming a positive thinker and using language that supports others in recovery whether from alcohol or other substances.

​ You may be surprised when your friends become a “flusher” of negative thoughts too.  
​

 Merlyn Karst, Recovery Ambassador
0 Comments

THE WONDER OF WORDS

5/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Factoid: The old children’s proverb “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was used as early as 1862 to refrain people from engaging in verbal bullying. Over time and with experience, we gained a new perspective. I found a poem that perhaps is an indication of reality,
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can also hurt me and sticks break only skin, while words are ghosts that haunt me.  Slant and curved the word-swords fall, it pierces and sticks inside me. Bats and bricks may ache through bones, but words can mortify me. Pain from words has left its scar, on mind and heart that’s tender. Cuts and bruises have not healed, it’s words that I remember.
​– 
Ruby Redfort
Now, bullying depends on it. A multitude in the population depends on it. Some words have worn out their worthiness and are worthless.

William White wrote,
For more than two centuries, Addicted and recovering people in America have been the object of language created by others. People experiencing severe and persistent alcohol and other drug problems inherited a language not of their own making that has been ill suited to accurately portray their experience to others or to serve as a personal catalyst for personal change. The wrong words stigmatize and dis-empower.  In 2001, in St Paul, Minnesota, the group assembled learned that by our silence we let others define us. We gave birth to Faces and Voices of Recovery.  Understanding the sound of silence led us to the making of our language and it’s resounding and growing joyful noise about the reality of recovery.
Orange County California’s The Purpose of Recovery organization, TPOR, is offering a series of informative learning experiences through virtual presentations. We have done The Science of Addiction and Recovery and a most recent one was on Recovery Messaging. William White wrote, ​
Many of us have carried a message of hope on a one-to-one basis. This new recovery movement calls upon us to carry that message of hope to whole communities and the whole culture. It is time we stepped forward. Shape this history with our stories, our time and our talents. ​
Across the board all the moms and dads mention one golden rule of Inuit parenting. Never yell at a child.
Our movement can’t be successful when led solely by those impacted by addiction and accompanying injustice.  We need to share our message and inspire allies and others to come join us in the new recovery movement.  The learning opportunities in the Recovery Messaging are the result of years of study, revision, feedback, and evaluation of retention and useful purpose. Among the slides is the information that choosing the language of recovery is key. It is followed by examples titled “Say this, not that.” Examples of current language, alternatives, and reasons. I have focused on a few words. The latest is relapse. I prefer and promote set-back. It leads to a mindful slogan. Get back, on track, and don’t look back. Labels have a sticky side for a reason. stigmatizing labels like “addict” and “alcoholic” stick when identity as a “person in recovery” is positive and appropriate when recognizing substance use disorder. 

With others from TPOR, I completed a 10-week CRAFT course, Community Reinforcement and Family Training. It teaches family and friends effective strategies for helping their loved ones to change and seeking to better themselves.  Of course, words were involved—words and the nature of response. What to say and when might promote a change of behavior remembering, it’s a process not an event. Use reflection with positive reinforcement and patience and take pride in small changes. I learned of a counselor who suggested 80% listening with reflective and positive attention and 20% “I” centered response, I feel, I see, I hear, to promote understanding and trust. I do not have family issues but as a peer recovery coach, it adds greatly to TPOR and my tool kit.  
​ 

I read an article about a book titled Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaelean Doucleff. She visited and wrote about visiting and embedding with families in small villages in Mexico, Alaska, and Tanzania She observed parenting by the moms and dads in the villages. What caught my attention is her statement, ​
The children’s conduct and behavior was very good. Say what? Doesn’t yelling put more power in words no matter whether addressing a child or adult? In the context of this writing, the words we use to encourage behavioral change should not need volume to communicate. Too many decibels are numbing and dumbing. I like the expression, “He drives words with a velvet hammer.” The voice I hear and the words I hear are mine. I pay attention. 

Don Coyhis is President and co-founder of 
White Bison, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Don is the founder of the Wellbriety movement The book Red Road to Wellbriety is a book of healing that is culture-specific to Native Americans, but it may be used by all people. He and William White have written many words together about addiction and recovery in Native Americans with cultural considerations and challenging the “firewater myth” among them.  I love the words I read.
​

Native purification and healing practices (sacred dances, the sweat lodge, and talking circles). Such elements as teaching metaphors (e.g., the medicine wheel), symbols (e.g., the sacred pipe, eagle feathers), rituals (e.g., sweat lodge, smudging ceremonies. These words say healing to me. Don Coyhis wrote,
Words are important. If you want to care for something, you call it a flower. If you want to kill something you call it a weed. A word to the wise, use words wisely.
Merlyn Karst — Recovery Ambassador
0 Comments

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020

    Categories

    All
    2001 Recovery Summit
    AA
    Abstinence
    Addiction Recovery
    Addictions
    Advocacy
    Advocacy Leadership
    Advocates For Recovery Colorado
    Advocates For Recovery - Colorado
    Alcohol
    Alcohol Action Network
    Alcohol Awareness Month
    Alcohol Use Disorder
    Alliance Project
    America Honors Recovery Awards
    A New PATH - California RCO
    ARCO
    Association Of Recovery Community Organizations
    Author
    Berry Ford Children's Program - Denver
    Betty Ford
    Betty Ford Center
    Biden-Harris Administration
    Bill Stauffer
    Bill White
    Bill White - FAVOR
    Bill Wilson
    Billy O'Connell
    Building Communities Of Recovery Program
    Bullying
    Buprenorphine
    CA
    California Peace Coalition
    California's First Recovery Community Organization
    California's Gold
    Calrecovery
    Carol McDaid - FAVOR
    CCAPP
    Center For Substance Abuse Treatment
    Center Of Hope
    Colorado
    Consequences
    Costa Mesa
    COVID
    COVID-19
    CRAFT - Community Reinforcement & Family Training
    (CSAT)
    Denver
    Denver Drug Strategy Commissioner
    Depression
    Director Of NIDA
    Discovery Month
    Dis-empower
    Domestic Abuse
    Don Coyhis
    Dr. Stephen Delisi
    Drug Addiction
    DUI's
    Dust Bowl
    Education
    Election & Politics
    Embark/Peer Coach Academy - Colorado
    Faces And Voices Of Recovery
    Families And Communities
    Family Peer Support
    Family Recovering Journey
    Family Support
    FAVOR
    Fentanyl
    Flo Hillard - FAVOR
    Flo Hillard - FAVOR
    Forgiveness
    Franklin Roosevelt
    Gather
    Give Thanks
    G.P.S. - Guided Peer Support
    Great Depression
    Harm Reduction
    Hazelden
    Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
    HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy
    Homelessness
    Hope
    Hope & Healing
    Hope & Solutions
    Huell Howser
    Hunt
    Jason Robards
    Jay Davidson
    Jean Kilpatrick
    Jeff Blodgett
    Jimmy Kinnon
    Johnny Allem - The Society Of Americans In Recovery
    John Steinbeck
    Language
    LA Times
    LGBT Community
    Liliian Roth
    Lisa Mojer-Torres
    Lived Experience
    Long-Term Recovery
    Many Paths To Recovery
    Marty Mann
    M.D. - NIDA
    Medical Director Of Professional Education Solutions
    Medically Assisted Recovery
    Medically Assisted Treatment
    Medication Assisted Recovery
    Mental Illness
    Methadone
    Mindfulness
    Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention
    Mind Over Matter
    Minnesota
    Mitch Cherness
    Naloxone (Narcan)
    Naltrexone
    Nancy Clark's Alternative Sentencing Program
    National Recovery Month
    National Recovery Movement
    Natural Recovery
    NCADD
    Nicotine
    NIDA - National Institute Of Drug Abuse
    Nora Volkow
    Nora-volkow-md-nida
    (NRAM)
    Orange County
    Orange County Collaboration
    Oxford House
    Oxford House Model
    Pandemic & Politics
    Parent By Michaelean Doucleff
    Parenting
    Patients & Communities Act
    Paul Malloy
    Paul Samuels - Legal Action Center
    Peer Coach
    Peer Coach Academy - Colorado
    Peer Coaching Overview
    Peer Coach Training
    Peer Recovery
    Peer Recovery Coach
    Peer Support
    Peer Supported Services & Training
    Person First Language Reduces Stigma
    Pete Neilson
    Peter Hart & Associates - Face Of Recovery
    Phil Rutherford
    RCO Recovery Community Organization
    RCO - Recovery Community Organization
    Reality Of Recovery
    Recovery
    Recovery Advocacy
    Recovery Advocacy Movement
    Recovery Advocate Of The Year
    Recovery Bolder Express
    Recovery Capital
    Recovery Centers
    Recovery Community Organization
    Recovery Connection Rally
    Recovery From Addiction
    Recovery From Mental And Substance Use Disorders
    Recovery Happens
    Recovery Is For Everyone
    Recovery Journey
    Recovery Messaging
    Recovery Month
    Recovery Movement
    Recovery-Oriented Methadone Maintenance
    Recovery Rally
    Recovery Residences
    Recovery Road
    Recovery Summit
    Recovery Support
    Recovery Support Services
    Rick Steves
    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    RWJF
    Salvation Army Complex
    SAMHSA
    Science Of Addiction
    Self-Guided Change
    Senator Harold Hughes
    Senator Paul Wellstone
    (SOAR)
    Sober Living
    Sobriety
    Soledad Ursula
    Stigmatize
    St. Paul
    Substance Use Disorder
    Suicide
    Susan Rook
    Sustained Recovery
    The Children's Program
    The Faces And Voices Recovery Summit
    The Healing Place
    The New Recovery Advocacy Movement
    The Phoenix
    The Phoenix Multi Sports
    The Phoenix - Orange County
    The Phoenix - San Diego County
    The Purpose Of Recovery
    The Science Of Addiction & Recovery
    The Shoulders Of Giants
    Three Wise Men
    Times OC
    Travels In Europe
    Unity Of Action And Purpose
    Walter Ginter
    Well-Being
    Wellbriety Movement - Don Coyhis
    White Bison
    White Bison's Don Coyhis
    William Cope Moyers
    William White
    William White Papers
    Willpower
    Wonder Of Words
    Young People In Recovery

    RSS Feed

Picture
131 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday

​714.485.3772
info@tpor.org
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Blog
    • News
  • Recovery Support
    • Peer Support
    • Family Support
    • Peer Testimonials
  • Donate
  • Contact Us!
  • 2023 Rally Registration