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PAY ATTENTION TO THIS:

Browsing around on the media, looking at medical studies and other resources to see what is of help to teenagers what truly annoys me is that there is a lot of brouhaha about teenagers drinking. Yes, teenage drinking is bad. It can among other things damage your brain which is not fully developed until you are well into your 20s. 

But what about teenagers who live in a home where there is parental drinking issues? How about talking about the available resources for them!  

But you all can take action. You have heard me before praise Alateen. 

This is how they describe themselves: “Alateen meetings in the Mobile App are for young people aged 13 to 18who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. We are invited to share experience, strength, and hope with other teens.” 

Everything is anonymous. So go for it. Also check out if there is a group in your area. If not check out if any of the kids on the Mobile App are from your area. Get in touch with your local Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon to see if they can help you organize a local Alateen. In the meantime do the Mobile App.    

If you want to join your ethnic group google to see if there is one available. If you are an American Native put in your tribe’s name and put Alateen with it. Latino? Asian? Go for it. 

The book For Teenagers Living With A Parent Who Abuses Alcohol/Drugs  has a chapter titled “Internet and Helpful 800 Numbers” which will direct you to more resources. As a library card member you have the right to ask your library to buy the book so that you can take it out or read it in the library. You may want to google the resources mentioned because as I am writing this some may change their phone numbers or website address.  

Be good to yourself. Check out what is there for you.  

HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

Be protective of yourselves. 

  1. If things are truly bad at your house know to where you can escape. An Aunt? A good friend? Someone at Alateen? Be sure to leave a note where your parents can find it telling them where you are. Haven’t joined Alateen – now may be the time. If you don’t have an Alateen in your town then join Alanon or make contact with Alcoholics Anonymous. Remember all these organizations practice strict anonymity so no one will reveal what goes on in your home.
  2.  If things are unsafe at home and you can’t get out phone 911
  3. Do you drink or take drugs? Addiction runs in families. You may want to get in touch with https://www.intelligent.com/substance-abuse-recovery-support-guide-for-college-students/  

Be good to yourself. Take good care of yourself.

SOME IMPORTANT INFO

Whether you are in high school, community college, tech school, you will want to know about  Association of Recovery in Higher Education. As you all know addiction is hereditary and those of you who have conquered the problem and want some support ARHE is a stroke of luck for both boys and girls. 

     Girls be sure to scroll to the bottom of this message to read your exclusive news.

     Go for it. Be good to yourself.

 ARHE Membership offers more opportunities for involvement in the greater recovery field!

Please feel free to comment, call, or email if you have any questions!  
 
Phone: (540) 315-0205 | Email: iqrr@vtc.vt.edu

ARHE Membership Offers Exclusive Scholarship Opportunities for Students!
Students in Recovery Scholarship: The Nickolas-Truszkowska Scholarship is for students, current or new to college, who are recovering from addiction. Applications are due by March 1st. Click here for more information or contact Kathryn Martinez at kmartinez@etcf.org  

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https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/278500989  FOR WOMEN

New Reports and Grant Program Address Health Needs of Pregnant Women and Children Affected by Substance Use

A new series of reports from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on substance-exposed pregnancies highlights how pregnant and postpartum women who use substances and their children can benefit from evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies. The reports are being released as SAMHSA begins accepting applications for the Services Grant Program for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. This $10 million grant program will provide pregnant and postpartum women and their children with comprehensive substance use treatment and recovery support services across residential and outpatient settings. In addition, for the first time this year, the program will extend services to fathers, partners, and other family members. The application due date for the grant program is April 4, 2022. Read the new reports below:

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PREGNANCY

We have discussed pregnancy before especially what a responsibility it is. However since that blog was posted the recent supreme court decision to overturn Roe versus Wade, no matter what your thoughts are about abortion, there is much to consider. I invite you all to visit http://thedrinkingwomanrevisited.com/blog/

While the information in that particular blog takes into account women who are alcoholics there is also much information there for those who do not drink but are trying to make a decision about an unwanted pregnancy. You may want to keep the information given there at your fingertips not only for you but also for friends who may ask for your help.

SOMETHING TO HELP

The news lately about all the school shootings have been tough. If you feel isolated, uncomfortable you may want to know that SAMHSA cares. 

This is their message:  “Please know that SAMHSA stands with you during these troubling times and offers support to help you and your loved ones cope with this trauma, including our Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.”

Do it your are not alone.

IMPORTANT NEWS

On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) will transition to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit number (988). This represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.

In advance of the 988 transition in July, the Lifeline Suicide & Crisis Network is looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees to answer calls, chats, and texts from people in crisis. All employees and volunteers receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today.

Find YOUR opportunity: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/jobs

Read more about 988 at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

The Statistics are out. The pandemic has made life harder.

The pandemic has made some parents lose jobs, not be able to pay bills, or feel locked up, miss going out, all resulting in more drinking, more drugs, shouting, unkindness and in some cases hitting. What can you do about this? Number one is do not go through this alone. Get in touch with Ala-teen and share your problems. Remember all is anonymous and on line so what you say will stay in the group. Remember all are in the same boat as you. Do you have a favorite counselor or teacher in school? A good friend in school? Are you vaccinated? In that case you might find a place to stay with a relative, a good neighbor, anyone with whom you have stayed previously. Take a Covid test before you ask to be taken in to make sure that you do not have the virus and will keep the family safe. If you decide to move in with appropriate friends remember to leave a note on your pillow telling your family where you are. If they phone demanding that you come home tell them, “I am safe where I am. I don’t feel safe at home. I will stay in touch with you.” Only go if you have a safe place to stay. If you do stay home and your parents are not kind to you remember that life it too hard for them. You might say, ” I am your son/daughter and I love you.” 

Making Prevention a Priority

Making Prevention a Priority During National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administation): tells us
“Recent research tells us that how youth and young adults perceive harm from drugs and alcohol is often wrong. SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2020 shows that 57 percent of youth ages 12 to 17did not think there was great harm in having five or more drinks once or twice a week. Even more concerning is that as many as 62.6 percent of those in that age group did not think it was very harmful to smoke marijuana once or twice a week.”
Really?

You all see what has been going on in your home and how it has kept you from having a good and healthy life.

So if no one is talking to you about the facts of life about drugs take matters in your own hands. Go to this site  https://store.samhsa.gov/?f%5B0%5D=series:5567   or  https://store.samhsa.gov/     (in the search put in Tips for Teenagers or just Teenagers)    and ask that the info be sent to you. Share it with your siblings and friends. If you are in Ala -teen bring these brochures with you
Take good care of  yourselves. Just do it.

Lets talk movies

Sure, you can find info about the latest movies on the internet. But here is one I think will be of interest to those of you who are living with an alcoholic parent or parents or other loved ones. When Love Is Not Enough is based on the true story of  Bill Wilson and Robert Smith co-founders of Alcoholic Anonymous. Once Bill was sober he devoted himself to helping other alcoholics. Lois, Bill’s wife, felt neglected and when she learned that other wives living with recovered alcoholics felt the same way she started Al-anon. Today we have Al-Anon also for husbands who live with that problem. And lets not forget Ala-teen. The movie truly shows what it was like living with an alcoholic before he stopped drinking. You can see the movie on YouTube for free. The more info you have about alcoholism the better you can cope. Remember you are not alone.