Who Am I?

By Kim Bull

I could be your son or daughter, mom or dad. I could be old or young, I could be married or single, gay or straight. I could be gainfully employed or homeless. I could be any race or ethnicity. I could be pregnant. I could be your neighbor. I could be you.

Who am I? I am a representative of the number one health problem facing America today. I am an addict/alcoholic.

Addiction is known by different names: chemical dependency, substance abuse or alcoholism. People who are addicted are known by different names: addicts, alcoholics, junkies, meth-heads, hypes, cranksters, and the list goes on. This topic can generate more discussion, debate, and controversy than just about any other and affects millions of families in America.

Following are some of the primary risk factors which increase the likelihood of a person of any age (but especially at a young age) becoming addicted if they use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs (ATOD).

• Family history of addiction—if one or both parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents are addicted- the risk increases


• Early first use of substances—the earlier a person uses a chemical - the risk increases


• Friends who use—having friends who use substances—the risk increases


An individual cannot control their family history. All the more reason to exercise control over those things they can. They can control at what age they start smoking, drinking, and/or using drugs; or they can choose to abstain from those chemicals. If you don’t smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or do drugs, you can never get addicted to them. Also, they have a choice whether to spend time with friends who use cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs.

Simply stated: The younger a young person is when they start to use cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs, the faster a person transitions from social using to addiction. Many of the twenty and thirty year olds who enter treatment programs today for help with their addictions report starting using ATOD in Junior High School, at ages 12-14. According to 2007 Highlights for Treatment Episode Set (TEDS), the majority of adults who enter substance abuse treatment reported the age of first use as follows: 12 years or under --and 13 to 14 years—30%; 15-16 years –20.9%; 17-18 years—16.6%; 21 years and above—25%. –In other words, 50% of people are introduced to ATOD before age 17.

When one starts that young, addiction can happen in a matter of months, not the years that it takes someone who didn’t start doing anything until age twenty, especially if there is family history (a genetic predisposition).

Addiction is a true equal opportunity disease. It can affect all people in all walks of life. For most addicts it starts early in their lives. It isn’t what anyone aspires to do. When asked what they want to do when they grow you don’t hear: “ I want to be a meth addict and neglect my children.” Or “I want to be an alcoholic  who can’t stop drinking.” Or “I hope to be a junkie who will do anything for my next fix.”

There are 20 questions you can answer that will help you determine whether you have a problem with alcohol or drugs. These questions relate to common problems with using. Only you can decide if you have a "problem" and whether you want to do something about it.

1. Do you lose time from work due to your using?

2. Is using making your home life unhappy?

3. Do you use because you are shy with other people?

4. Is using affecting your reputation?

5. Have you ever felt remorse after using?

6. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of your using?

7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when using?

8. Does your using make you careless of your family's welfare?

9. Has your ambition decreased since using?

10. Do you crave a drink or fix at a definite time daily?

11. Do you want a drink or fix the next morning?

12. Does using cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

13. Has your efficiency decreased since using?

14. Is using jeopardizing your job or business?

15. Do you use to escape from worries or troubles?

16. Do you use alone?

17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of your using?

18. Has your physician ever treated you for using?

19. Do you use to build up your self-confidence?

20. Have you ever been in a hospital or institution on account of using?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions you may have a problem with alcohol and/or other drugs.



The following websites are excellent if you want more information regarding addiction and recovery.



SAMHSA.gov

NIDA.gov

Prevnet.gov

Stress and the Holidays

By Kim Hamby
Director of Non-Public Schools

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!   We hear and see this everywhere, but we don’t always feel that way.  Once again, the holiday season is upon us.  It is supposed to be the time of year filled with anticipation, excitement, and joy.  In reality, it can feel like the most stressful time of the year. 

Many of us look forward to the holiday season and experiencing the traditions, decorations, food, and spending time making memories with family, friends, and loved ones.  We are excited to have the opportunity to bring everyone together to share fellowship.  Along with these experiences, we have feelings of stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed.  We feel a sense of responsibility to ensure the holidays are pleasurable for everyone and that all needs are met.  It is sometimes difficult to know where to begin.  Here are some ideas that may be helpful to consider while getting through the holiday

season.

• Set a spending limit.  Make sure you establish a budget and stick to it.  Many of us are tempted to spend outside of our means and this creates stress and unrealistic expectations for everyone. Be honest with yourself and others of what is realistic and practical for you.  Lack of financial resources is one of the primary stressors during the holidays.

• Do not overextend yourself.   Not only financially, but in time and resources.  It is very easy to over-commit and become overwhelmed by having to be to many different places and provide support for others.  Choose the events and tasks that mean the most to you and fit in your schedule.  It is okay to say “no.”  
  
• Ask for help.  Most people are very willing to contribute time, assistance, food, facilities, and other resources needed to prepare for a holiday event. This can include a family, work, or community gathering.  We all could use a helping hand.

• Get organized.  Set a schedule and stay on track.  Spread out tasks and responsibilities so that you do not feel so pressured to do everything at once.

• Give a gift that is personal or homemade.  Gifts do not have to “break the bank.”  Baked goods, pictures, crafted items, or expressions of caring or gratitude are wonderful gifts.  These gifts are personalized and have sentimental value.  They will be treasured.

• Be realistic.  Don’t feel like you have to create the “perfect” holiday.  Family circumstances may change from year to year.  Some people experience great sadness during the holidays due to the loss of a loved one or the inability to be with the people they love most.  Find new or alternative ways to celebrate the holidays that are meaningful for you and your loved ones.

• Take care of yourself.  Eat healthy, get rest, and take breaks when needed.  Acknowledge difficult situations or unhealthy feelings that may be causing stress and take steps to make things right.
  

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of year.  We have to remember to take care of ourselves and others.  Create a holiday season that is unique and memorable to you and your family.  It will be a different and wonderful experience for each of us.  Happy Holidays!