Women Helping Women in Addictions
Archive for May, 2010
The 12 Steps
May 21st
Since 1935, when AA was founded, there has been numerous groups formed in helping individuals with addictions, alcoholism, and various issues. The 12 steps are the stepping stones for individuals seeking recovery. Groups following the 12 step program give guidance in addressing and completing the 12 step process through meetings, step studies, and sponsors.
In 1935 Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, known as “Bill W” and “Dr. Bob”, founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in Akron, Ohio. A group of men came together and formed the group of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and started the anonymous tradition by using first names only. As the group grew, co-founder Bill Wilson came to the conclusion they needed something more. He was in the mist of writing the Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) - telling the stories of one hundred men on how alcohol affected their lives and how they addressed their alcoholism.
Bill Wilson along with AA members and the Oxford Group established the 12 steps and the 12 traditions. Bill Wilson and AA acknowledges the Oxford Group, a Christian Organization, as playing a part in their influencing the founders of AA in developing the 12 steps and 12 tradition. Bill Wilson attended the Oxford Group in New York in 1932 and 1933 but fell away due to their ideologies and thoughts of AA and the 12 steps.
Since the founding of AA in 1935 the 12 steps have been adopted in numerous organizations for addictions and support groups. It was not until 1953 AA gave permission for Narcotics Anonymous to use its 12 steps and 12 traditions. Groups were increasingly developing for individuals seeking help for recovery in a wide range of addictions. As groups developed and grew family members, friends, and children recognized how their loved ones addictions had affected them and were seeking help. The groups have been found to help individuals support each other through their own processes of recovery.
The Twelve Steps
Below are the 12 steps in their entirety, as originally published by AA.
- Step 1 – We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-That our lives had become unmanageable.
- Step 2 – Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Step 3 – Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Step 4 – Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Step 5 – Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Step 6 – Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Step 7 – Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Step 8 – Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Step 9 – Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Step 10 – Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Step 11 – Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Step 12 – Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
References
Alcoholics Anonymous (February 2002) Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradition. Hazelden Wikipedia (May 2010) Wikimedia Foundation Inc.
Treating Depression – Alternative Medicine and It’s Benefits Compared to Prescription Drugs
May 17th
Treating depression? Alternative medicine can help without all the problems associated with taking antidepressants. In this article, you’ll learn how taking the natural path to health can lift your mood and help you reclaim your life for good.
Before we talk about natural remedies, let’s take a closer look at prescription drugs. Although these medications do work for a certain segment of the population and some people seem to do well on them, others just can’t tolerate the side effects. Worse yet, they add a sense of anxiety to the mix because no one really knows the long term effects of these drugs on the brain. For these reasons and others, many people are looking for a treating depression alternative to drugs.
An excellent alternative is natural remedies. These remedies are made from medicinal herbs that have been used for centuries to relieve depression. In addition to being time-tested, these herbs have also proven effective in clinical trials. Further study of the restorative qualities of these herbs has shown that certain herbs work better together.
For instance, you may have heard of St. John’s Wort. While this herb works to elevate mood and produce feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain, it is much more effective when combined with another herb called. Passion Flower. Taking these herbs together in a proven formula that delivers the same dose every time is an effective treating depression alternative to prescription drugs.
While using alternative medicine can help you turn your life around, it is important to take other measures once the supplement has you feeling more energetic and motivated to make small changes in your life. First, take a close look at your diet. Make sure that you are eating lean protein, lots of fresh vegetables (especially leafy greens), fresh fruit, whole grains and nuts. Since the chemicals in processed foods can adversely affect your moods and leave your body starving for nutrition, slowly substitute healthier foods over time if you have been eating a diet that is mostly made up of junk food.
Finally, find an exercise that you enjoy. Finding pleasure in movement is the only goal besides keeping your body moving for at least 30 minutes at a time. Allow yourself to experience the joy of motion and you will continue to exercise for life. Since exercise releases endorphins in the brain, it will work together with a natural remedy and a healthy diet as an effective treating depression alternative to prescription drugs or other methods.
Laura Ramirez helps others achieve health and wellness through her research. Learn more about her findings by going to www.cure-depression-naturally.com.
By Laura Ramirez
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Ramirez
Love Is Not Control
May 17th
I had gone jogging through the park earlier then usual on that faithful spring morning. He was there sitting on a bench by the bike path. He had been reading the paper as I jogged by. I had never seen him before, but I usually jogged later in the morning, so I wasn’t surprised at seeing some one new. I finished my jog and went about my day as usual. The next day I started my day off in the usual way. Except I did go jogging earlier then my regular time once again for some reason, I could not name, I wanted to know if the man would be there in the park again.
He was and this time I stopped at the bench to tie my shoe, giving us a chance to say hello. We did and introduced ourselves, is name was Cal and we hit it off, we like the same movies, the same music, and the same kind of food. So he asked me out that Friday night. For months we enjoyed each other’s company. Maybe that is why I never saw the control issue start. His control over me happened so gradually at first, it was just the tiniest things.
One night we were going out to dinner, he was there to pick me up. I was dressed in my midnight blue dress with my gold loop earrings finishing off, my assemble. I opened the door to his waiting arms. After a wonderful long hug and kiss he followed me on into the house we still had a few minutes before or dinner reservation.
“Sweetheart you look so beautiful, tonight.” He said with a smile, “there’s only one thing that looks off. How fond are you of those earrings, because I think these would go with that dress so much better.” He had reached in his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box, inside were crystal blue diamond stud earrings.
He was right, and oh, how sweet it was for him to buy me a gift. That was when it all begun, in the following months came more jewelry that he liked, or would look better with some outfit or another. After the jewelry came friends, clothes, nail polish, shoes, all with the explanation of it looking better or I bought this for you, my pants went tighter, my dresses slinkier. My shirts were lower cut.
I was eye candy exhibited for others, to state I have what you all want, but will never have. At parties I had to be at his side at all times, other then going to the ladies room. I had to be back within a certain amount of time. If I took too long we would leave the party, and I would be questioned. What was I doing? Who I was with? After six months after the first gift the accusations started.
If I was late coming home from work, I was with someone, if I didn’t answer the phone when he called I was talking to another man, the list went on and on. I could no longer wear my old clothes, after all he wanted me to be seen in that clothes he bought me, that was why he bought them was for me to wear, then he would turn around and accuse me of wearing the clothes for some other guy, I was parading myself around for other men.
He kept me hurt and confused, and worried about everything I said and did. If I smiled at some man that entered a restaurant he took me took, I wanted to sleep with him. Within the year my friends were gone, my family was put at a distance, my world revolved around him and only him. I didn’t smile anymore, I didn’t joke around with anyone, I was totally different with everyone.
Now it was time for the physical abuse as well, but in a way I’m glad it started. The first time he hit me across the face I woke up. I realized what was truly happening to me and what he truly was all about.
I don’t know how I lost my self-esteem, I was old enough I should have seen the signs. I’d been in bad relationships before and had always seen the signs right off, and ended them. Why was this one so different? I still ask myself those same questions.
This is the only answer I came up with; I thought he was exactly what I had wanted in a man. I was in love and I was blind to everything, I had to get hit literally for me to wake up.
Thank God most men don’t have the finesse and the patience to go so slow. I now look at every guy I date, through wiser eyes. If I even see one sign of them wanting control of me they are history. I pay attention to what the man says and how he says it. I’ve ran into to a lot more men like Cal, but the minute they want to tell me how fast I can drive, I leave them in the dust. I no longer take out my earrings to replace them with their gift, I thank them for the gift and let them know I will wear them the next time we go out, then put it to the side and keep wearing what I have already chose to wear that night. Then I watch and see what his reaction to me not wearing it right away is.
Small signs and a man’s attitude can tell you a lot. Learn to look for the signs and his temper if you pull the unexpected.
By Janeal Mulaney
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janeal_Mulaney
Yolanda Marquez-Broughton
May 12th
I am a mother of four adult children who live in Northern and Southern California. I married in 2001 and moved to New Zealand for ten years, and recently moved back to the United States with my husband to make our home in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
I graduated from John F. Kennedy University-California with a BA in Psychology and a degree from Heritage University-Washington in Social Science. Following my undergraduate studies I became a certified Master Hypnotherapist from Alchemy Institute of Hypnotherapy-California.
Since that time I have worked as a therapist in various settings ranging from Ujima Family Services in California to Christchurch Men’s Prison in New Zealand. After gathering experiences as a Alcohol/Drug Counselor, Family Counselor, Hypnotherapist, and Alcohol/Drug Program Director I have decided to continue my passion by helping others through this website.
My website “Women’s Strength Within” will address addictions, parenting, relationships, support, and other various women’s issues. The website is at it’s earlier stages of development, but eventually will expand to helping family members, friends, and the community.
Children Night Terrors!
May 7th
I have a soft spot in my heart for parents who are trying to find the answers for their children and their “Night Terrors”. I too was a parent of a nine year old child suffering from night terrors from the age of nine to twelve years of age. The night terrors started slowly from 5-10 minutes long then increased to 15-30 minutes each episode, sometimes two night terrors a night. The night terrors persist one to three times a week, the minutes per episode also increased to 20-30 minutes.
It started with nightmare symptoms, waking up screaming, saying a monster was chasing him, My routine would be to lie in bed with him talking and cuddling him back to sleep. The nightmares started to change to night terrors, he could not be comforted any longer. He would be wide eyed, jump out of bed and walk around the room mumbling on “get away, stop, go away”. Then there would be nights he would not speak, just cry and cry. He would have no recollection of his night terrors. During the earlier stages of his night terrors he had no recollections but the last stages of his night terrors he was beginning to have some memory with a sense of fear.
It was the last year of his night terrors which became more frightening to me because of his symptoms and the duration of his night terrors. His terrors would last 30 minutes, he was extremely agitated and verbal during the episodes. Many of his episodes had a look of fear and panic, and he let out a ‘blood curdling scream’, “YOU CAN’T HAVE ME”. His screams never changed “Someone is after me- I have to get away from him- you don’t understand- he can’t have me”. He would be screaming this over and over, and when asked who was after him, his reply would be “You don’t understand – I don’t want to die”. By then he was walking faster and faster from one end of the hallway to the other back and forth, as though he was running from someone. He would run throughout the house yelling, screaming “I am not ready to die”.
I would try to comfort him by holding him, his heart rate was rapid it seemed as thought his heart could jump out. He would be sweating profusely, fidgeting trying to get free from me, and yelling “he is after me, I have to get away”. He panic with fear, screaming, sweating, and walking throughout the house a full 20-30 minutes. I would be helpless, crying and just trying to comfort my son in helping him out of these night terrors.
My worst night terror experience was seeing my little boy tucked into the corner crying and screaming “I can’t take this any longer, I can’t take this any longer”. I had tried numerous times to get him to a doctor, and counselling. He would lock himself into the bathroom, and refuse therapy of any sort. He would say over and over “I am not crazy”.
It was soon after my becoming a hypnotherapist, that I had my son have a session with my instructor. It was not until after his two hour session that my son was completely rid of his Night Terrors. My son is a healthy young man today with only one side affect from his years of Night Terrors. He has difficulty sleeping in his bedroom, he usually sleeps in the front room with the television on. He is now living on his own working and going to school for his degree in computer drafting design -Night Terror Free.
Night Terrors in Adults and Children
May 6th
Night terrors in adults and children are interrupted sleep cycle of fear and panic. Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are not nightmares. The difference between nightmares and night terrors is that the nightmare occurs mainly during REM sleep and the night terror happens during non-REM sleep, usually after the first hour going to sleep. Most nightmares and dreams happen during the latter part of the sleep cycle.
Night terror symptoms in adults and children are similar, the person wakes up in a state of fear and agitation. Night terrors also known as sleep terrors can last 15 to 30 minutes. Usually the person has no knowledge of the night terror episode, however, others have reported from memory their night terrors.
Night Terrors are sleep disorders which affect adults, children and adolescents in different ways. Some adolescents grow out of night terrors as others will endure them most of their lives. Research studies stress that adult night terrors are less common than in children night terrors. There seems to be a large community of adults, suffering from night terrors, who would differ with the studies. Many adults are using the websites for support and help for finding answers in stopping their night terrors. Many of them have not sought professional help due to their embarrassment and not wanting to be labeled as crazy.
Adults and their family members report mild to extreme symptoms during night terror episodes. Besides symptoms of sweating, rapid heart rate, scared, confused, panicky, screaming, and crying some have night terror accidents. Night terror accidents range from bruises and cuts to jumping out of windows, breaking limbs, and other injuries while experiencing a night terror.
Night terror sufferers are looking at the triggers that may bring on their episodes. Triggers are bedtime schedules, over-tiredness, sleeping patterns, meals, drinking, stress, and other lifestyle changes. Some adults have sought psychotherapy, and other professional help and found the night terror episodes at a decline. Others have looked into homeopathy and other alternative therapies for the answers. I myself have found hypnotherapy as the answer in stopping my son’s night terrors.