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EXCLUSIVE
ARTICLE NICD Part VII "Recovery- What is it, and What Does it Look Like?" [See Section "E" Below] (ADASK-Alcohol and Drug Addiction Survival Kit) Help
for Parents/Others By Rev.
Stephen J. Murray, CONTENTS: Part VII of ADASK "Recovery" ADASK: Is a series of articles geared towards parents/others to help them cope and deal with the emotional task of being supportive to those going through the devastations of addiction, and just as importantly, to tap into the information and resources they need to care for themselves- Sign up for our on-line news magazine and make sure you don't miss the next installment: NICD Part VII "Understanding Prisons and Jails" Click Here To Sign Up
Part I An Introduction to ADASK and Resources for Help
C)
Communication (Parts 1 & 2) E) Recovery- What is it, and What Does it Look Like?
G)
Signs, Symptoms, and Behavior
s of H) Youth and Family Support Resources/Other Resources
I)
Substance Abuse Treatment Opt J) Toll Free Hotlines / Web Support Resources
A) INTRODUCTION
Parents and families face one of the most difficult battles in today’s society- that of raising drug free kids. Of great comfort and benefit is the large data base to draw upon for education and support. The goal of this article is to not only support families in accomplishing that goal, but to also provides some valuable resources to aid them in their journey. I use the word journey for a reason. This will have to be an ongoing process if our youth are going to succeed. I encourage our readers to bookmark our site, and to also sign up for our monthly NICD News Magazine, as it is chock full of prevention resources. Together we can make a difference. Together we can change the face of alcohol consumption and drug addiction in this country. Please see our link below for how to sign up for our monthly tips, reports, articles, videos, and resources. NICD knows
that anti-drug efforts alone are not ADASK is
designed for learning what works in preventing alcohol,
tobacco and other drug use. It also will help you to know
what to look for in detection of use. We oppose catch and
punish. We advocate identify and help. We are listing
numerous helpful resources for you to explore. This
article, and its resources are just one of many publications
that NICD has, and will produce for you to gain awareness,
education, and resources to tackle the problem of substance
abuse. B)
NICD
NEWS MAGAZINE Our
comprehensive News Magazine covering the issues of
addiction, addictions, getting help, interventions, teenage
alcoholism and drug addiction, recovery, prevention, the
politics of addiction, housing, funding, treatment, family
resources, mental health, medical, spirituality, health and
wellness, articles and video presentations, and so much
more. Link
to the current edition: NICD
News Magazine C)
COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION
- The Anti-Drug Part I Communication
is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal in
fighting drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products. Yet it is the
most feared and seldom used. Some
may think that just mentioning drugs to a child or teen,
will make them want to explore usage even more. Despite
research, and information abounds that cites differently
from this myth, it continues to be a struggle to enlist the
support and encouragement of parents to use this vital
anti-drug tool. We urge, and plead for you to check out our
prevention resources. Within the following pages you will
find important facts, tips, and advice on how to not only
begin a dialogue with your children and teens, but also how
to maintain communication. In addition to this, our
resources will show you how to put a plan of action into
effect to sustain a drug free home. We have already lost a
generation to the, "You do your thing, and I'll do
mine, and as long as we don't interfere with each other,
it's alright." I'm sorry, it's not alright!!! We, as
parents, educators, and supportive organizations, must set
the tone, set the standards, and set the societal norm. If
we do not do this, we will all suffer the consequences.
Right now we are paying for our lack of interest in fighting
substance abuse through higher taxes. And who do you think
pays for those jails, prisons, correctional institutions,
more police, higher accident rates, misdemeanors, and
felonies, all as a result of drugs. We are either part of
the problem, or part of the solution. What is your position
going to be? What I mean by this, is the here and now. The
past is just that, the past, but we need you to be actively
involved in raising your children to be drug free today-
right now. These may be harsh words to some of you, but we
need more hard talk about what roles each of us have taken
towards the responsibility of the current state of affairs
in this country, and what changes each of us are willing to
take on this issue for the future. Right now, somewhere in
this great land of ours are kids, 10, 11, 12 years old doing
drugs. In the time it takes for you to read this article,
someone has died from alcohol and/or drugs, or has killed
someone else because of alcohol and/or drugs. I urge you, no
I challenge you to visit our prevention pages, and make a
difference just for today, and then get up and do it again
each day from this day forward. COMMUNICATION
- The Anti-Drug Part II One
of our best tools in combating substance abuse, is the one
thing we have the most difficulty in using. I am
talking about "Communication." The
good news, is that there are enough resources to tap
into for help in this area. On the internet alone, there is
a wealth of information to be had that will assist
parents, educators, and professionals in this area. NICD has
developed, and implemented a program for just such
purposes. We call it our "Prevention/Anti-Drug"
pages, and within these pages you will find useful
guides for talking to children and teenagers about drugs,
alcohol, and tobacco products. There are items such as, 21
tips for keeping your children drug free, methods for
putting together a plan of action for a drug free home, and
interactive, fun and informative pages that address these
issues towards kids and teenagers as the audience. Please
visit our Prevention pages for more information. If you do
not find what your looking for, please feel free to contact
any of our professionals listed on our Staff Directory- We
Love to help... D)
PARENT TIPS 1. Choose
times for discussion when everyone is relaxed. (Do not to
use scare tactics for kids.) 2. Watch
for opportunities that are naturally occurring. 3. Foster
opportunities by watching an appropriate 4. Parents
can also sit a child down to talk. 5. Listen
to children and their feelings. Reflect back what a child
says, as this will let them know you understand and that you
care. (Example: Are you saying the show made you feel
__________? What part made you feel _________?) 6. Discuss
feelings, but know the facts and reality. 7. Parents
need to be educated about chemical dependency. 8. Never
waver from family expectations about alcohol and drug use. 9. Always
provide honest reasons not to use alcohol and drugs. (If you
lie or tell half truths they will find out and may never
trust you again concerning the topic, and will turn to the
streets for the truth). 10. Let
children know that you come from a base of love, concern and 11. Let
them know that you will trust their judgments, as long as
they come to you to discuss situations as they arise. 12. Don’t
be afraid to ask tough questions. 13. Never
be afraid to discuss problems. 14. Try to
steer conversations towards solutions. 15.
The more time you take to communicate with your child about
drugs and other sensitive subjects, the more at ease your
child will be coming
to you with
questions or problems. 16.
Be a better listener- ask questions and be willing to listen
to what your child has to say. Paraphrase what your child
says to you to
make sure
you understood what they meant. 17.
Don't react- in a way that will cut off further discussion.
If your child makes statements that shock you or are counter
to your beliefs, try to turn them into
a calm
discussion of why your child thinks the way he/she does. A
negative reaction to one subject, may make your child
apprehensive to start future
discussions
about other difficult subjects. 18.
The most important thing for you to remember is to tell your
children that you love them- and tell them often. E) Recovery- What is it, and What Does it Look Like?
Q What does it mean when someone says they are in recovery?
A Being in a state of recovery means more, much, much more, than simply being alcohol and drug free. It means a total and complete change in how a person responds, rather than reacts, to life on life's terms. After all, drinking and/or drug use was the way alcoholics and/or drug addicts typically responded to stressors- it became their entire way of dealing with their feelings, albeit an immature way. Substance abuse is a coping mechanism, so recovery must involve accepting and using new coping skills. Some of the important gifts of treatment, and more so 12-Step involvement, is the teaching and practicing of new coping skills and also of growing up emotionally- this is the cornerstone of sobriety. Skills like recognizing negative self-talk, (called stinkin thinkin in 12-Step verbiage), discussing emotions, understanding and communicating with God, (usually called a Higher Power in 12-Step language), regular meeting attendance, to name a few, are a result of being in a 12-Step state of recovery. The opposite of these responses to dealing with life is to react to life stressors- although they may not be drinking and/or doing drugs, they are miserable and full of anger- either displaying anger or stuffing it; either is unhealthy and incongruent with recovery. It is also an indicator of whether a person is truly in recovery or just white knuckling it.
Q What are the requirements for running a good 12-Step program of recovery?
A I call the following the minimums of recovery- you are either doing all of them; hence, you are running a good program of recovery, or you are missing one, two, or all of them; hence, you are not running a good program of recovery, and you are also headed for your next relapse. 1. Regular "Meeting Attendance" 2. Have a "Home Group" 3. Have a "Sponsor" (calling and utilizing a sponsor) 4. "Working the Steps" (with a sponsor) 5. Reading "Recovery Literature" (this could include the Bible) 6. Doing "Service Work" 7. Doing "Unity Work" 8. Working with "Others" (new comers) 9. "Praying" (everyday) 10. "Meditating" (everyday) You are either heading towards a deeper contact with your Higher Power, or you are inching ever closer to a relapse- it's all in your behavior, not in what you are saying you will do, but doing what you said you will do. Remember- Where there is doubt there can be no trust. The recovering alcoholic/addict cannot play the victim any longer. If you play the victim, you will remain sick, and you will relapse. The loved ones in your life need to never ever made to feel that they must walk on eggshells around you, for fear they will make you upset and go drink and/or use. Open and honest communications are needed. If a loved one confronts you, because you are not going to meetings, do not play the victim and get defensive. If you do get on the defensive, then you know you are in need of a meeting. And if you get upset enough to get drunk or high, then that is your decision and not the fault of anyone else but you.
Q What would the dangers of relapse look like?
A Relapse Test: http://www.ni-cor.com/relapsetest.html Many come to the program because they are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They don't want to live the way they had been living. There is much sadness and remorse. They want to leave that lifestyle behind, BUT, they don't necessarily want to do what it takes to stay sober. This is what separates the men from the boys, so to speak. Included on this page are some common symptoms of relapse, what to look for, and solutions. I suggest reading the following, (The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous), pgs. 89 -103, for they contain the essence of the program- sobriety and helping others. I especially like the guide given on pgs. 100 - 103. These pages actually tell you when, where, and how when it comes to your journeys. There are many ways to work a program of recovery, but as long as we stick to the principles we will do alright. Sit back and observe, and you'll find 50 ways on how not to work the program. Those who don't/won't work a program become your SCOUTS!! It is through the many SCOUTS, that many have avoided some of the pitfalls in recovery. The SCOUTS have ventured into the areas of: Got a job, got a car, got a girl, gotta go!!! Doing Half Measures!!! Becoming COMPLACENT!!! Working Steps 1-2-3 and Back Out!!! (known as the three step shuffle) The most common reason I see for relapse is the one where we stop doing what kept us sober. We cutback or stopped going to as many meetings, cutback or stopped praying everyday, cutback or stopped calling our sponsors regularly, stopped reading the Big Book, never started or stopped doing service work, stopped applying the 12-Steps into our everyday and everything lives. "It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe," pg. 85. Relapse starts way before you drink. We are either headed for a closer conscious contact with our Higher Power, or we are headed for our next drink- there are no gray areas. If you have 36 problems and you drink... You got 37!!! The most common signs of relapse are: 1. Increased Stress: Loss of sobriety being as important as it was, and all the little stresses that we just ignore or stuff- not working a program the way we used to. 2. Thinking: The acronym for S.L.I.P. is Sobriety Losing Its Priority. Old ways of thinking slip in, and we ignore these, and don't talk about them with someone in the program. 3. Feelings: A change in the way we perceive ourselves. Everything is great, when it really isn't. We are depressed, and do nothing about it. 4. Behavior: We start to act differently. Like covering up for what's really going on inside, I look good on the outside, because that's the behavior I want others to see, but I know something's wrong. 5. Denial: The thoughts go something like this, I feel different, everything about me is different, my thoughts, feelings, behaviors, but these pass in short order, and besides I don't want to think about this. This will progressively get worse over time, and we will usually deal with this by saying and acting differently. We will lie to yourself and others, will minimize it by saying, "It really isn't that bad." Please stop, and identify not how your feeling, but what your feeling. If any of this applies, then get with your sponsor, or another alcoholic and discuss it immediately- you may not have the luxury of time here. Other problems: I'll never relapse, projecting, blaming, defensiveness, compulsivity, poor impulse control, isolation, loneliness, depression, negative self-image, a sense of failing, grandiosity, hopelessness, lack of spirituality, lack of clear thinking, confusion, poor sleep habits, diet, and the list goes on. If relapse has not happened yet, it will unless you make a change. Get up and go to a meeting- FAST!!! Call someone on the phone- NOW!!! Pray- NOW!!! Write it out- NOW!!! Of all the possible dangers signs, the most drastic thing to do, is to do nothing... Once again, the minimums, in detail, for maintaining a program of recovery is as follows: Recovery / Service / Unity- This means: 1. Meetings- get a "Home Group" and go on a regular basis. Knowing the alcoholic/addict, this means asking your sponsor for advice on what a "regular basis" is for you. 2. Sponsor- this means going beyond getting a sponsor, and actually calling them every day. 3. Steps- working them with a sponsor, and applying the principles contained within them in your life. 4. Reading- it means nothing to say you have a Big Book, if you don't read it. Including other positive literature is also important, as long as you check with your sponsor first. 5. Higher Power- on Step Twelve it says "Having had a spiritual awakening" it doesn't say if you have one, or when you have one. It says, "As a result of these steps." 6. Service Work- the success rate for staying sober goes way up when you do service work. Check with your sponsor on what you can do. 7. Unity- ask your home group about their business meeting as a way to ensure the program is still there down the road for others. 8. Prayer and Meditation- Pray on a daily basis. Prayer is talking with your HP, and meditation is listening to Him. If these are the minimums, ask yourself if you are working all the areas listed. If you are, you are working a program. If you are missing an area, you are not. If there are areas missing in your program, then get into action and fill in the missing spaces.
Q Is it alright to cut back on the program of recovery if sober for over 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.?
A No. I could stop there; however, for those new to recovery, or the loved ones of those in recovery I will elaborate. The disease is a powerful one. It is said that it is also progressive. This means that if a person stayed sober for ten years and then relapsed, they would soon be back to doing the amounts they did when they first stopped. It's like turning on a stereo as loud as it can go, then unplugging it, and coming back 10 years later to that same room and plugging it back in again- guess what? The volume is right where they left it when it was unplugged. The disease is just like that.
Q Does a person have to have a sponsor to work the steps?
A No. It is suggested that a person work the steps with someone who already has. It's like heading into a jungle. A person would fare better with an experienced guide. There is no other step where the sponsor issue comes to the surface than in the 5th Step. The guide to Step 5 states that this step must be done before God and another human being. It does not say with God and a sponsor. In fact, the Big Book of A.A. states that Step Five can be done with anyone, or even multiple persons, (See page 74). This includes husbands/wives, parents, a member of the clergy, etc., as long as in doing so does not hurt the other person. A word of caution here. It is said that the first 164 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous contains the crux of working the steps, and that if it's not in the first 164 pages, then steer away from it. If you were to ask any member of A.A. what the most important tradition is, they will more than likely tell you it's the tradition of anonymity. Heck even the organizations name states it- Alcoholics "Anonymous." Along with that is the tradition of not breaking ones anonymity. But I ask you to find where it states in the first 164 pages that a member must not break their anonymity, or anyone else's for that mater. It is not in there. So, just because it's not there does not mean it's not important or needed. I suggest that the program be worked with an experienced person- one who is sober, has worked all 12 Steps, and that you call this person your sponsor.
Q Is it really a disease?
A Yes. For more on this please click on the following link for information and images on the disease concept and brain chemistry. http://www.nicd.us/thediseaseconceptandbrainchemistry.html
Q Am I to blame for my son/daughter/husband/wife/friend turning out to be an alcoholic and/or drug addict?
A No. For an article written by NICD please go to the following link. http://www.ni-cor.com/mysonisusingdrugs.html
Q How can a person get help?
A NICD has treatment and housing locators, along with other resources to help. Please visit the links below.
Recovery Resources http://www.nicd.us/priorityresources.html (Resources of interest to you) http://www.nicd.us/benefitsandentitlements.html (DPLANE: Discharge Planning, Learning and Negotiating Benefits and Entitlements) http://www.nicd.us/hwhrules.html (NICD wrote these halfway house rules as a guide to what should be in place for a well run house of recovery) http://www.ni-cor.com/findahigherpower.html (Find a Higher Power exercise) http://www.nicd.us/stepworkandrelapseprevention.html (The Steps- what pages they are on and the action taking pages for each) http://www.nicd.us/stepone.html (Step One Guide) http://www.nicd.us/steptwo.html (Step Two Guide) http://www.nicd.us/stepthree.html Step Three Guide) http://www.nicd.us/stepfour.html (Step Four Guide) http://www.nicd.us/stepfive.html (Step Five Guide) http://www.nicd.us/recoveryentrypoint.html (Recovery Webs, Meetings, Intergroups, Speakers Online, Songs, and so much more...) http://www.nicd.us/halfwayhousesrecoveryoxfordhomes.html (This will take you to our Recovery Homes/Halfway Houses/Oxford Homes/Transitional Living Center Locators) http://www.nicd.us/keywordstthruz.html (Just scroll down on this page until you see the map of the USA, and then click on the state, enter the required information, to locate the nearest treatment center) http://www.addict-help.com/statelistings.html (This link will assist in locating state-to-state indigent treatment centers)
NICD will be adding more to these information resources as they are made known to us, and will add these to this page. If you know of any sites worth mentioning please email us at contact@nicd.us with the URL/Address of the site(s).
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Statistics & Resources http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Stats.html Trends and Statistics NICD Slang Terms / Street Language http://www.nicd.us/drugstreetandslangterms.html DOT Stats on Road Deaths http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/pressdisplay.cfm?year=2004&filename=FFARSrls404.html Stats for our highway system http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/licenses/licenses.cfm Theories on Drug Abuse - Selected Contemporary Perspectives, 30Biological Vulnerability to Drug Abuse, 89 The Epidemiology of Heroin and Other Narcotics, 16 Testing for Abuse Liability of Drugs in Humans, 92Improving Drug Abuse Treatment, 106 Relapse and Recovery in Drug Abuse, 72 PSYCHODYNAMICS OF DRUG DEPENDENCE, 12 The International Challenge of Drug Abuse, 19 Compulsory Treatment of Drug Abuse: Research and Clinical Practice, 86 http://www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/72.pdf Long Term Statistics on Opiate Users http://www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/72.pdf Other Relapse Statistics http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/juveniles/index.html Juveniles & Drugs http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/index.html Drug Facts and Figures
More Resources: NICD Drug Pictures, Paraphernalia, Pill Identification- http://www.nicd.us/drugandrxmedicationspictures.html Brain Chemistry / The Disease Concept- http://www.nicd.us/thediseaseconceptandbrainchemistry.html NICD Toll Free Numbers - http://www.nicd.us/tollfreehotlines.html Al-Ateen
– www.alateen.org
Alcoholics
Anonymous – www.alcoholics-anonymous.com
Families
Anonymous – www.familiesanonymous.org
Narcotics
Anonymous – www.na.org
Cocaine
Anonymous – www.ca.org
Al-Anon – www.Alanon.org Kid and Drug Expert Shelly Marshall Demand Treatment: October 2002 Institute - Conferences and Institutes http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/links/index.html Related Links http://www.addictionstudies.org/journalists-only.html Drug Studies for Journalists http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/stats.html More Statistics |
Federal Drug Data Sources
| In an effort to allocate resources and formulate drug policy, a variety of information sources are utilized to quantify America's drug problem. This section identifies Federal sources of drug data, while highlighting the frequency of data sets, the sponsoring agencies, target populations and areas of coverage. |
|
General Information |
Coverage |
Dates |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Title |
Agency |
Description |
Population |
Geographic Area |
Frequency |
|
Drug Use |
|||||
|
National
Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) |
The primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse. |
General U.S. civilian non- institutionalized population, age 12 and older. |
National Regional State |
Annually Started 1976 Most Recent 2002 |
|
|
An ongoing study of the drug-related behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. |
8th, 10th, 12th, College Students, and Young Adults |
National |
Annually Started 1972 Most Recent 2003 |
||
|
Provides a comprehensive worldwide assessment of the prevalence of substance use and other health-related behaviors among military personnel. |
Active-duty military personnel in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. |
U.S. military bases worldwide. |
Every 2 to 4 years. Started 1980 Most Recent 2002 |
||
|
National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Self-Reported Delinquency by 12-Year-Olds, 1997 (PDF) |
Collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time; also includes data on criminal behavior and drug use. |
Youths who were 12 to 16 years old as of December 31, 1996. |
National |
Annually Started 1979 Most Recent |
|
|
Provides ongoing community-level surveillance of drug abuse through analysis of quantitative and qualitative research data. |
Data gathered from public health agencies, medical and treatment facilities, criminal justice and correctional offices, law enforcement agencies, and other sources unique to local areas |
Local, Multi-jurisdictional |
Semi-Annually Started 1976 Most Recent |
||
|
Traces trends in the prevalence and types of drug use among booked arrestees in urban areas. Formerly Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) |
Adult arrestees and juvenile detainees. |
Local, Multi-jurisdictional |
Annually Started 1997 Most Recent 2003 (DUF 1986 to 1996) |
||
|
|||||
|
General Information |
Coverage |
Dates |
|||
|
Title |
Agency |
Description |
Population |
Geographic Area |
Frequency |
|
Consequences of Use |
|||||
|
Details the economic damage illegal drugs inflict on the American economy. |
N/A |
National |
Initial Study |
||
|
Monitors priority health-risk behaviors which contribute to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among youths and adults |
School Aged Youth grades 9 through 12 |
Multi-jurisdictional |
Every two years Started 1998 Most Recent |
||
|
Provides data on drug-induced deaths based on information from all death certificates filed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. |
General population |
National |
Annual Started Most Recent |
||
|
Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) |
Monitors drug abuse patterns and trends and assesses the health hazards associated with drug abuse by involvement of drugs in deaths and emergency department episodes |
Drug-related deaths and emergency department episodes. |
Multi-jurisdictional |
Annually Started 1972 Most Recent ED - 2002 ME - 2001 |
|
|
|||||
|
General Information |
Coverage |
Dates |
|||
|
Title |
Agency |
Description |
Population |
Geographic Area |
Frequency |
|
Treatment |
|||||
|
ADSS is a nationally representative survey of substance abuse treatment facilities and clients. The data were collected to estimate the client length of stay and the costs of treatment as well as to describe the post-treatment status of clients. |
Substance abuse treatment facilities and their clients. |
National |
Three phases that began in October 1996 |
||
|
National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS)
|
Collects information on location, characteristics, and services offered by treatment facilities. Formerly Uniform Facility Data Set (UFDS). A component of Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS) |
Treatment facilities listed in the Inventory of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (I-SATS). |
National State |
Annually UFDS Started 1980 N-SSATS Started 2000 Most Recent |
|
|
Provides data on the demographic and substance abuse characteristics of admissions to substance abuse treatment. A component of Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS) |
Admissions to substance abuse treatment, primarily at facilities receiving public funds. Excludes Federally owned facilities. |
National State |
Continuous Started Most Recent |
||
|
Provides information on facilities, inmates, programs and staff of State and Federal correctional facilities throughout the Nation including information on drug and alcohol treatment programs. |
Federal and State inmates and correctional employees. |
National |
Every five years. Started 1974 Most Recent 1995 |
||
|
|||||
|
General Information |
Coverage |
Dates |
|||
|
Title |
Agency |
Description |
Population |
Geographic Area |
Frequency |
|
Source and Volume of Illegal Drugs |
|||||
|
Provides a report on illicit drug-control and money laundering activities in more than 140 countries. |
N/A |
International |
Annually Started 1996 |
||
|
Provides information about drug seizures made by and with the participation of DEA, FBI, Customs Service, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard. |
N/A |
National |
Annually Started 1998 Most Recent |
||
|
Synthesizes all federal, state, and local counterdrug reporting into a single source of information regarding national-level drug trafficking and abuse trends. |
N/A |
National |
Annually Started 2001 Most Recent 2003 |
||
|
Describes current trends in illicit drug use and drug markets based on nationwide interviews conducted with ethnographers and epidemiologists, law enforcement officials, and drug treatment providers. |
Ethnographers, epidemiologists, law enforcement officials, and drug treatment providers. |
Multi-jurisdictional |
Biannually Started 1992 Most Recent |
||
|
|||||
|
General Information |
Coverage |
Dates |
|||
|
Title |
Agency |
Description |
Population |
Geographic Area |
Frequency |
|
Enforcement |
|||||
|
Presents data on the number of offenses, including drug related offenses known to the police, arrests, and clearances. |
City, county, and State law enforcement agencies that represent 94 percent of the general U.S. population. |
National Regional State Local |
Annually Started 1930 Most Recent |
||
|
System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence (STRIDE) Not available online. |
Analyzes drugs bought or seized by DEA and several states and local agencies. This is the primary source for the Price of Illicit Drugs (PDF) report |
N/A |
National |
Ongoing Started 1971 |
|
|
Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) |
Provides national data on the management and administration of law enforcement agencies including the existence of laboratory testing facilities, drug enforcement units, and drug education units. |
Law enforcement agencies |
National |
Periodically Started 1987 Most Recent 1999 |
|
|
|||||
|
General Information |
Coverage |
Dates |
|||
|
Title |
Agency |
Description |
Population |
Geographic Area |
Frequency |
|
Drug Offenders |
|||||
|
Tracks prisoners entering and leaving custody or supervision, including drug offenders. |
Prison and parole admissions and releases. |
Multi-jurisdictional Federal State |
Annually Started 1983 Most Recent |
||
|
Describes cases and juveniles processed for drug related delinquency by the juvenile courts in the United States. |
Juveniles in U.S. courts. |
National |
Annually Started 1927 Most Recent 2000 |
||
|
Describes the characteristics of inmates in local jails by drug and alcohol use, criminal history, current offense, health care, and socioeconomic status. |
Jail Inmates |
National |
Periodically Started 1978 Most Recent 1996 |
||
|
Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities |
Describes the characteristics of inmates in Federal and state correctional facilities by drug and alcohol use, criminal history, current offense, health care, and socioeconomic status. |
Federal and State prison inmates. |
National |
Every 5 years Started 1974 for State and 1991 for Federal Most Recent 1997 |
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Monitors juvenile custody facilities and residents with drug related offenses. Replaced Children in Custody (CIC) census. |
Private and public juvenile custody facilities. |
National |
Biennially Started 1997 Most Recent 1999 |
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| Please
contact NICD if you have any questions pertaining to
statistical information at contact@nicd.us
.
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Other Resources
 |
Drug
Data Summary |
|
Drug-Related
Statistics Resources |
|
Federal
Drug-Related Data Systems Inventory: Report of the Drug
Control Research Data, and Evaluation Committee
(PDF) |
|
National
Drug Control Strategy, 2003 Data Supplement
(PDF) |
|
Substance
Abuse & Mental Health Data Archive (SAMHDA) |
|
Sourcebook
of Criminal Justice Statistics |
|
Do whatever you can to get between your kid and drugs/alcohol!!! F)
INTERVENTION / PREVENTION Brought
to you by Intervention
Center Anytime
someone needs help but refuses to accept it, a family
intervention is appropriate. A
family intervention can be used for people engaged in any
self-destructive behavior: ·
a person drinking too much ·
an anorexic ·
a gambler ·
a computer addict · a senior needing assisted living Intervention
is the most loving, powerful and successful method yet for
helping people accept help. A
family intervention can be done with love and respect in a
non-confrontational, non-judgmental manner. A
family intervention is often the answer, the only answer. It
can be done. It can be done now. (Top)
Family
Intervention works.
A
common scenario is as follows:
The
Preparation
Family
and friends may initially be apprehensive and confused. They
may be ambivalent about whether or not to do the
intervention. Some may be afraid of the person, others may
be angry. The
goal is to move from this disorganized and chaotic state to
a cohesive, focused group. To
do this, the participants meet with the leader beforehand to
educate themselves about the dysfunction, to determine how
to best help themselves, and to prepare for
Intervention
Day. This includes identifying others who should be involved
, exploring appropriate treatment options, and preparing
what they are going to say. This preparation often involves several meetings, telephone calls, and culminates in a practice session immediately prior to the Intervention Day. The
time varies, but the process is usually contained within one
to two weeks. Sometimes it can be shortened to a weekend. Family
Intervention Day
Imagine
family, friends, work colleagues and an intervention leader
entering a man's home or office. As
the leader ensures the process is orderly and safe, the man
hears how much he means to everyone there, how he affects
them with his behavior, and what they want their
relationship with him to be in the future. Then
the man is asked to accept help now; appropriate
arrangements are already in place. The tone is loving,
respectful and supportive, but firm; there is no debate. Seeing
his many loved ones, friends and colleagues together, the
man hears what they say and knows he can no longer hide his
problem. Nor does he want to. In
a short time he is receiving help.
Following
Family Intervention Day
Much
remains to be done. The education process continues.
Participants follow through on their plans for helping
themselves.
It
is never business as usual again.
Family
Interventions Vary
Because
each family situation is different, the scope and approach
to each intervention must vary accordingly. What may be
practical and
appropriate
for one family may not be for another. For
example, some family interventions require several weeks of
preparation, others can be done in a few hours or days. Some
family interventions have a professional leader present,
others not. Often a family intervention occurs in the
person's home, others in the leader's office. Some are a
surprise, others are not. Sometimes a great deal of family
education takes place before the intervention, in others it
takes place afterward.
A
Word of Caution:
Family
interventions are difficult and delicate matters and it is
important that they be done properly. No
family intervention should be undertaken without advice and
counsel of a professional experienced in the intervention
process. Furthermore, since people embarking on an intervention often feel ambivalent and apprehensive, it is important that they trust the interventionist. Should you ever feel uneasy with your interventionist, that you are being asked to do something you do not understand or agree with, you would be wise to stop the process and go elsewhere. Additional Resources:
G) SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND BEHAVIORS OF USE NICD Prevention, (Anti-Drug pages 1-7) www.ni-cor.com/prevention NICD Drug Pictures, Paraphernalia, Pill Identification www.ni-cor.com/drugpictures NICD Slang Terms / Street Language www.ni-cor.com/drugslang.html Brain Chemistry / The Disease Concept www.ni-cor.com/thediseaseconceptandbrainchemistry
Specific:
General: Abrupt
changes in work or school attendance, quality of work, work
output, grades, discipline. Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks
of temper. Withdrawal from responsibility. General changes
in overall attitude. Deterioration of physical appearance
and grooming. Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times.
Continual wearing of long-sleeved garments particularly in
hot weather or reluctance to wear short sleeved attire when
appropriate. Association with known substance abusers.
Unusual borrowing of money from friends, co-workers or
parents. Stealing small items from employer, home or school.
Secretive behavior regarding actions and possessions; poorly
concealed attempts to avoid attention and suspicion such as
frequent trips to storage rooms, restroom, basement, etc. Specific:
DSM-IV Definition of Addiction-
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to
clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested
by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time
in the same 12-month period: (1) Tolerance, as defined by
either of the following: a. A need for markedly increased
amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired
effect. b. Markedly diminished effect with continued use of
the same amount of the substance. (2) Withdrawal, as
manifested by either of the following: a. The characteristic
withdrawal syndrome for the substance b. The same (or a
closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid
withdrawal symptoms. (3) The substance is often taken in
larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
(loss of control).(4) There is a persistent desire or
unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
(loss of control). (5) A great deal of time is spent in
activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the
substance, or recover from its effects (preoccupation). (6)
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities
are given up or reduced because of substance use
(continuation despite adverse consequences). (7) The
substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a
persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem
that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the
substance (adverse consequences). Specific:
Pupil Dilation
Before you do anything, consider this. There are two trains
of thought prior to detection and intervention. One thought
is to catch and punish, and the other is to identify and
help- remember why you are doing this, and the intervention
will turn out much better. Note: The following images are actual charts used by Neurologists, M.D.'s, R.N.'s, Drug Counselors, etc. to diagnose conditions related to brain injuries, medications effects, and intoxication / drug use indicators.
Blown
out wide pupils are indicative of crack, methamphetamine,
cocaine, stimulant use. Pinpoint pupils are indicative of
heroin, opiate, depressant use. Other causes of pupil dilation
H) YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES/OTHER RESOURCES NICD Prevention, (Anti-Drug pages 1-7) www.ni-cor.com/prevention NICD Drug Pictures, Paraphernalia, Pill Identification www.ni-cor.com/drugpictures NICD Slang Terms / Street Language http://www.ni-cor.com/drugslang.html Michigan
Resource Center (MRC)… www.wearemrc.org
Prevention
Network… www.preventionnetwork.org
The
Search Institute … www.search-institute.org
Talking
with Kids about Tough Issues… www.talkingwithkids.org A
national initiative sponsored by Children NOW,
1-800-CHILD-44 Association
& MTV. http://helping.apa.org
1-800-268-0078 Parenting
is Prevention Site – www.parentingisprevention.org
PRIDE
USA – www.prideusa.org
Parents
Resource Institute for Drug Education I) SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT OPTIONS The
following link will take you to our keywords page. Once
there, scroll down till you see the map of the USA. Click on
the State you are looking for, and then complete the data
required to find the center. Other Resources: Faith Based Treatment Information J) TOLL FREE HOTLINES / WEB SUPPORT RESOURCES NICD Toll Free Numbers - http://www.ni-cor.com/tollfreehotlines.html Al-Ateen
– www.alateen.org
Alcoholics
Anonymous – www.alcoholics-anonymous.com
Families
Anonymous – www.familiesanonymous.org
Narcotics
Anonymous – www.na.org
Cocaine
Anonymous – www.ca.org
Al-Anon
– www.Alanon.org
Caron
Foundation – www.caron.org
Johnson
Institute – www.johnsoninstitute.com
Hazelden
Foundation- www.hazelden.org
Phoenix
House – www.phoenixhouse.org
More
treatment programs can be found at www.samhsa.gov
Teens
Using Drugs – What to know & what to do. http://www.hvcn.org/info/teensusingdrugs
Links
to important substance abuse websites. Washtenaw
& Livingston Counties Resources & Referrals provided
by Drug
Testing as a Tool for Parents… FDA cleared hair tests 1-800-628-8073 Latest
street drugs information – www.ni-cor.com/drugslang
Chemical
makeup of drugs – www.erowid.org
National
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)… www.health.org
Brochures,
videos, posters, street drug info. etc. Substance
Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov
Latest
research, prevention and treatment resources, catalogues,
etc. K) NOW WHAT?The question is bound to come up- Now that we have identified the problem, the help is in place, or the person in our life has come home- what do we, what can we do now?As the parent, significant other, family member you must educate yourself to the disease known as alcoholism/drug addiction. Below you will find some resources to tap into to help you along the way. As a common saying in the recovery rooms states, "First Things First." This means you!!! You must also get some help, or as I like to say, "HEALING." The disease of alcoholism/drug addiction is a family disease, because the alcoholic/addict is obsessed with getting and doing their drug of choice, and the family member is obsessed with the problem. Spend any amount of time with an alcoholic and/or addict and you are bound to be a little neurotic- it's enough to drive anybody crazy. I receive numerous calls and receive many emails that attest to the fact that much collateral damage is done in the wake that the alcoholic/addict creates. Now what?I suggest you check into some of the resources that are free. Although free, they can provide enormous enlightenment, help, and advice from the pro's, (those who have been and are in the trenches). Also check into picking up a book or two on recovery. Please see the resources below this section for listings. Counseling, whether from a therapist or clergy can be of extreme help. Please realize that you are not alone in this. Please accept that this disease has afflicted many from all walks of life, and that you need to let down any pride or prejudice you have from blocking you in getting the help you need. I know of one senators wife who created a non-profit organization to supply medications to third world countries, and she used her connections to get the pain medication she was addicted to through the organization- this is how cunning and powerful the disease is, and no one is exempt, no matter who they are, or what kind of position of prestige they hold, no matter how much money they make, or no matter how intelligent and educated they are. The disease does not discriminate.RESOURCES:NICD Toll Free Numbers - http://www.ni-cor.com/tollfreehotlines.html Al-Ateen – www.alateen.org Alcoholics
Anonymous – www.alcoholics-anonymous.com
Families
Anonymous – www.familiesanonymous.org
Narcotics
Anonymous – www.na.org
Cocaine
Anonymous – www.ca.org
Al-Anon – www.Alanon.org http://www.ni-cor.com/thediseaseconceptandbrainchemistry.html L) SYNOPSISThis
disease we call addiction is far reaching. The collateral
damage is extensive- it is like a tornado, ripping its way
through the lives of others. Sometimes it is hard to see
that things can change and get better, but it is true that
many are getting help and living without chemicals. It is
possible. It is happening. We can get overwhelmed amidst the
journey from detection to intervention, treatment, and
recovery. The worst is that person who just refuses to get
well. Well, even in this situation there is hope. Hope that
they will hit their personal bottom and seek help. It is
true, that numerous interventions, detoxes, and treatment
stays have an accumulation effect- eventually they get it
and stay clean and sober. The tough part is the wait. It is
in this whole process that prayer, counseling, and support
is needed for the parent/others. Please feel free to call
us, even if you just need someone to listen- we are here for
you and we love to help. If you have gotten this far down in
this article, you have done much to begin to solve the
problem of substance abuse. I commend you for getting and
staying involved. Sincerely, Rev. Stephen J. Murray, NICD Director Please feel free to email us with your comments and/or questions regarding this article or any other issue- We love to help... nicd@ni-cor.com #### END #### |
