New estimates show that binge drinking is a bigger problem than previously thought. More than 38 million U.S. adults binge drink, about 4 times a month, and on average the largest number of drinks consumed is eight. Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men over a short period of time.

As reported in this month’s Vital Signs, the CDC found that those who were thought less likely to binge drink actually engage in this behavior more often and consume more drinks when they do. While binge drinking is more common among young adults aged 18–34 years, binge drinkers aged 65 years and older report binge drinking more often—an average of five to six times a month. Similarly, while binge drinking is more common among those with household incomes of $75,000 or more, the largest number of drinks consumed on an occasion is significantly higher among binge drinkers with household incomes less than $25,000—an average of eight to nine drinks per occasion, far beyond the amount thought to induce intoxication.

Adult binge drinking is most common in the Midwest, New England, the District of Columbia, Alaska, and Hawaii. On average, however, the number of drinks consumed when binge drinking is highest in the Midwest and southern Mountain states (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah), and in some states— such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina—where binge drinking was less common.

Binge drinking is a dangerous and costly public health problem.

• It is important to consider the amount people drink when they binge and how often they do so.
• Most alcohol-impaired drivers binge drink.
• Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics.
• More than half of the alcohol adults drink is while binge drinking.
• More than 90% of the alcohol youth drink is while binge drinking.

Binge drinking costs everyone.

• Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes more than 80,000 deaths in the United States each year.
• Drinking too much, including binge drinking, cost the United States $223.5 billion in 2006, or $1.90 a drink, from losses in productivity, health care, crime, and other expenses.
• Binge drinking cost federal, state, and local governments about 62 cents per drink in 2006, while federal and state income from taxes on alcohol totaled only about 12 cents per drink.
• Drinking too much contributes to more than 54 different injuries and diseases, including car crashes, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases. Over time, binge drinking also can lead to liver disease, certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, and many other chronic health problems.
• The chance of getting sick and dying from alcohol problems increases significantly for those who binge drink more often and drink more when they do.

What you can do.

• Choose not to binge drink and help others not do it.
• Follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines on alcohol consumption; if you choose to drink, do so in moderation— no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Pregnant women and underage youth should not drink alcohol.
• Support effective community strategies to prevent binge drinking, such as those recommended by the CDC Community Guide.
• Support local control over the marketing and sale of alcoholic beverages.
• Support the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years.

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are typically thought to be diseases of young women and men. But researchers are finding that the personal demons that drive a young person to an eating disorder may linger into adulthood.

More and more middle-aged and older people are coming forward to receive treatment for eating problems that began in their youth and have been reignited by adult stress or personal crises.

That was the case with Alison Smela, 49, of Glen Ellyn. When she was 12, she was given a weight plan to follow over the summer because she was considered overweight. Smela said she went back to school thinner, and people noticed approvingly.

“I got all kinds of attention, and I liked that,” she said. “I equated losing weight with gaining attention.”

Controlling her eating also helped Smela feel better when things seemed too much to handle. “When life got tough, I always knew I could control the scale,” she said.

But as she grew more successful and climbed the corporate ladder, her anorexia spiraled out of control. So did her problem with heavy drinking.

“The more pressure I was under, the more titles I had, I wasn’t dealing with the pressures of the job and of life in a healthy manner,” she said.

When Smela turned 40, she said, she decided to receive treatment for her alcoholism. She’s now nearly a decade sober. But her eating disorder remained untreated, even though she knew she had a problem.

“I presumed alcoholism was more acceptable to society at my age,” she said. “Having an eating disorder wasn’t.”

She turned to the Renfrew Center, which operates a number of eating disorder clinics in the United States.

The center has seen a 42 percent increase in middle-aged female clients since 2001.

Unhealthy eating patterns adopted in adolescence or teen years often continue into adulthood, according to a University of Minnesota study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The study, which followed 2,287 kids as they grew into young adults, found that more than half of the girls had unhealthy eating patterns that continued into their mid- to late 20s.

Eating disorders can be very devastating to the bodies at middle age, when osteoporosis, chemical imbalances and other health issues crop up more easily and have an even more lasting impact on health, experts say. “Older bodies do not have the plasticity that younger bodies do,” he explained. “They can’t tolerate the stresses and risks.”

The specific problems faced by middle-aged people with eating disorders prompted the Renfrew Center to create a separate treatment program specifically tailored to their needs, said Holly Grishkat, a senior director of clinical operations.

What drives someone in midlife to seek help for an eating disorder varies. For Smela, who was 46 at the time she first went to the Renfrew Center, it was her reflection, she said.

“The summer before I went for treatment, I started catching glimpses of myself in a mirror or reflection, and I was scared,” she said. “I saw my body as a whole, and it scared me.”

For Smela, a clear message for anyone suffering in secret is the fact that there’s hope.

“As a ‘seasoned’ woman living an addiction-filled life, I thought there was no way out,” she said. “I now know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there is.”

It is important for mothers to get help, said Dr. Ed Tyson, an eating disorders specialist in Austin, Texas.

“Having an eating disorder makes their children have a 12- to 15-fold greater risk of having an eating disorder,” he said. “They need to do the work and get better, or their children could be at risk.”

Gannett News Service

The new working definition of Recovery from Mental Disorders and Substance Use Disorders is as follows:

A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Through the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA has also delineated four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

• Health : overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) as well as living in a physically and emotionally healthy way;
• Home:  a stable and safe place to live;
• Purpose:  meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income and resources to participate in society; and
• Community : relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

Guiding Principles of Recovery

Recovery emerges from hope:  The belief that recovery is real provides the essential and motivating message of a better future – that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them.

Recovery is person-driven:  Self-determination and self-direction are the foundations for recovery as individuals define their own life goals and design their unique path(s).

Recovery occurs via many pathways:  Individuals are unique with distinct needs, strengths, preferences, goals, culture, and backgrounds ? including trauma experiences ? that affect and determine their pathway(s) to recovery. Abstinence is the safest approach for those with substance use disorders.

Recovery is holistic:  Recovery encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body, spirit, and community. The array of services and supports available should be integrated and coordinated.

Recovery is supported by peers and allies: Mutual support and mutual aid groups, including the sharing of experiential knowledge and skills, as well as social learning, play an invaluable role in recovery

Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks:  An important factor in the recovery process is the presence and involvement of people who believe in the person’s ability to recover; who offer hope, support, and encouragement; and who also suggest strategies and resources for change.

Recovery is culturally-based and influenced : Culture and cultural background in all of its diverse representations ? including values, traditions, and beliefs ? are keys in determining a person’s journey and unique pathway to recovery.

Recovery is supported by addressing trauma : Services and supports should be trauma-informed to foster safety (physical and emotional) and trust, as well as promote choice, empowerment, and collaboration.

Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibility:  Individuals, families, and communities have strengths and resources that serve as a foundation for recovery.

Recovery is based on respect :  Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation for people affected by mental health and substance use problems – including protecting their rights and eliminating discrimination – are crucial in achieving recovery.

For further detailed information about the new working recovery definition or the guiding principles of recovery please visit:  http://www.samhsa.gov/recovery/

Addiction can be a terminal disorder.  The statistics for success typically focus on or involve abstinence.  I have known many many people over the years who have struggled with recovery from various addictions (some statistics show abstinence rates under 15%).  So, for a person who suffers from addiction to be abstinent (after following most of the well-known paths of recovery), is truly remarkable.  But, is abstinence all that matters?  Not if you are a Sober Zombie like I was a little over ten years ago.

I am open about my experience of being abstinent, but miserable.  I actually got worse when I stopped drinking and using drugs.  I was abstinent for over nine months, and precisely following the suggestions of a mentor in a well-known lay program, regularly meeting with my psychologist and psychiatrist, taking the medications exactly as prescribed, exercising 5-6 days/week, and living a moral life.  The result?  I was abstinent (which was miraculous), but to say I was miserable is a drastic understatement.  I was in so much emotional pain that I began to pray for the willingness to take my own life.  Thankfully I was not suicidal, but I was absolutely miserable with no hope of better days on the horizon.  I was, what I recently heard described as a Sober Zombie.

That was in 2000-2001 and I would have paid any amount of money, traveled anywhere in the world, and done anything someone told me, if they claimed to have a potential solution for me.  I was dead inside and desperate for help.  I spoke with my Psychiatrists and Psychologist, asked around, called physicians, tried to research, but I could not find an approach that seemed to offer me hope or a solution.  Eventually, I was even told by my Psychologist and Psychiatrist in joint meeting that they did not know what else to do for me…they had tried everything.  What the hell was I supposed to do after that session?!

Well, my story is one filled with grace and the intuition that a team of professionals, assembled in a holistic manner, might be able to help me.  As many know, this pain and desperation actually led to the birth of LifeSkills Authorities and our comprehensive approach to Recovery Coaching (although I sure didn’t know it at the time).

Through a series of events, I began personally assembling a team of qualified professionals (personal trainer, nutrition consultant, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Internist, and a mentor), and stumbled onto a different path offering a different way to live in recovery.  I made it and live an amazing life now.  But, most who are like me 10+ years ago (fortunate and blessed to be abstinent, but utterly lost and hopeless), are likely in trouble.  Many who experience even close to what I went through in my first year without alcohol, return to their addiction of choice out of self-preservation or, tragically, have a much worse fate.

I was an extreme example of a Sober Zombie (this descriptor is so eerily spot-on).  Over the years I have known and still regularly see many miserable recovering people.  Some fly under the radar, accumulating year after year of abstinence and go about their lives with a sad quiet desperation.  While others are so miserable that they seem to have a mission to make everyone they encounter miserable too.  Do you know anyone life this?

If you are living with or know a Zombie who is trying to convert others to the ‘walking dead,’ please contact us now.  Most of these people have bravely fought addiction (and are among the small percentage who are still abstinent) and now accumulate months and years of ‘clean time.’  To their family, many physicians, and other observers (even those in the helping fields), they notice the obvious, the person no longer drinks, uses drugs, or has abstained from their previous addiction(s) of choice.  Since abstinence is such an influential barometer for success, Zombies may get a pass for dysfunctional behavior because they have not yet fallen back into their addictive patterns of old.  But, without help, Zombies will hone the skill of pushing away those who love them the most, sabotage careers, and alienate the friends or professionals who may be their only life-lines to a better life.  But, most importantly, Zombies can get to a point where they will argue that they know what is better for them…even more-so than the world’s experts.

So, what’s the future for a Sober Zombie?  Not good!!  Honestly, my guess would be that most return to a life of active addiction our of mere self-preservation to make the pain leave (even for a moment).  So, if you know someone you think may be miserable in recovery, please get them in touch with me personally.  The LSA Recovery Coaching advantage has been called, “A guardian angel for anyone suffering from addiction or related issues,” for a reason…we have the antidote for the Sober Zombie.  LSA’s Recovery Crisis and Recovery Care programs can turn Sober Zombies into vibrant, healthy, peaceful, and joy-filled examples of recovery…a life that should not be missed.  Contact us now to help yourself,  a loved one, or someone you know before it is too late.

This may be the most important article on alcohol or substance abuse (or addiction) you will ever read.  This may finally be the formula for solving the addiction issue in your family?  Strangely enough, the answer is straightforward and simple in theory.  However, why does it seem that many afflicted with addiction and/or mental illness, who want to recover, continue to suffer, even after professional treatment?  Are you aware that some success rates are less than 10%?  Don’t those low efficacy rates seem absurd?

If you want to solve the addiction issue in your family, once and for all, here is the formula I’d recommend:

• Hire a qualified objective professional to be your family’s personal advocate throughout the entire process and to help you select the appropriate level of treatment to offer to your addicted loved-one
• Have this same qualified objective professional recommend potential solutions for you and other family members such as Family Intensives (treating the entire family system is often overlooked)
• Have the hired professional liaise with potential treatment facilities that can execute appropriate treatment programs to meet the needs of your addicted loved-one (have your advocate help you narrow the options to 2-3 qualified facilities)
• Have a professional execute a compassionate and dignified form of Intervention/Family Meeting to present the treatment options in a loving manner
• Contract with the same professional to accompany your addicted loved-one to the selected facility and prepare him or her for an optimal beginning to treatment (this is much more than just getting them there safely…Contact LSA to learn how we do this and why it is so essential)
• Follow a continuum of care recommended by the professionals and needed by your afflicted family member (Primary treatment, Extended Care, Outpatient, or Customized Aftercare specific to the individual’s needs) as recommended by the treatment facility and professional advocate initially hired by the family
• Have the family commit to Family Intensives, individual, group, and/or 12-Step help for a minimum of six-months
• Engage with a customized multi-disciplinary program (that incorporates a 12-Step program) such as LSA’s Recovery Coaching to help your afflicted loved-one to re-acclimate to the ‘Real World’ and continue to grow, change, and stay supported throughout his or her first year of Recovery

If you, and your family take all of these suggestions, then your family and afflicted loved-one will change more than you will ever believe right now.  I’m serious!  I hear a ton of excuses as to why an individual or family cannot commit to certain actions.  And, guess what?  Those people continue to suffer.  True, it is their choice, but it does not have to be their destiny.

Sadly, but understandably, most families affected by a family member’s addiction and behavior don’t believe their loved-one will really ever embrace help and change.  However, if you follow the aforementioned actions leading up to and through the entrance into an appropriate treatment facility, you will be absolutely amazed.  If you follow all of the aforementioned recommendations, it is very possible that I will be reading an inspirational book you write about the process because of the dramatic change you and your family gratefully experience.

But, that means, no short cuts! If anyone deviates from the plan (especially the addicted family member), don’t be surprised if there is a relapse, your family goes back to status quo, falls apart, or worse.  I know this sounds rigid and dramatic, but this is a terminal disease that will also rip apart the fabric of the family.  This is one of the many reasons that qualified professional help is so essential.

I am hired to provide solutions for individuals, families, and businesses…many times for individuals who are especially defiant and difficult.   Contact LSA to allow me to stop the pattern of misery and destruction addiction has caused in your life or in the life of someone you know through The LSA Pre-Treatment Solution and LSA Recovery Coaching.

This is not a simple question to answer.  There are several variables that affect the answer.  What level of treatment, Outpatient or Residential?  Does the alcoholic or addict have a Co-Occurring diagnosis (additional disorder or mental illness).  Did the addict enter treatment willingly or were they coerced to enter the program?  Was the treatment program an appropriate fit to address the salient presenting issues?  What kind of Extended Care or Aftercare program was followed?  Get the idea?  This is a complex issue, so if you want a successful outcome, work with an objective professional available at LifeSkills Authorities.

As I discussed recently, there are several levels of addiction treatment or ‘Rehab’ (read further about this in: How to Select an Appropriate Level of Addiction Treatment). For this article, let’s use the example of Inpatient Residential Treatment.  I read studies that reference abstinence rates from as low as 5% to 60%.  That is a huge disparity and the success rates seem pretty poor, don’t they?  Where is the 90+% that I’m guessing you want to know about if you have a loved-one suffering from addiction?

This question led me to develop LSA’s Pre-Treatment Solution and LSA Recovery Coaching (a 52-week Aftercare program).  These programs combined with appropriate levels of addiction treatment will lead to what I hope will be success rates that top 90% and become the new Gold Standard to treating these chronic disorders.

Back to the simple and original question, ‘Does Rehab Work?’  Last Friday evening, actor Rob Lowe was asked that same question on  Piers Morgan Tonight.  Mr. Lowe confidently answered the question by stating, “Rehab gets a bad name…it can be an amazing experience.” He went on to say “Charlie (Sheen) is wrong (for saying that Addiction Treatment does not work),…it does work.” Lowe also suggested that it (Professional Addiction Treatment) does work if you take the actions suggested by the counselors and staff, NOT if you follow your own rules.

I agree with Lowe’s position that ‘Rehab’ or Addiction Treatment does work, despite the poor numbers discussed in the beginning of this entry. It breaks the addictive cycle, begins healing underlying issues, and objective professionals formulate a plan for you to continue changing and staying abstinent.  Admittedly, without competent treatment facilities such as Caron, Promises, Casa Palmera, The Canyon, Rosecrance, and the several available through Treatment Solutions Network, it may be difficult to even establish a beginning.  But ‘Rehab’ is a beginning, not a cure.

I am confident that the key to finding long-term recovery from addiction is to have a comprehensive plan with competent professional help for no less than six months, and preferably one year post-discharge from treatment.  Believe me, it will save you a lot of heartache, pain, money, and maybe your life if you follow this suggestion.  Contact LSA to find out how we can help you or your loved one today.

‘Tough Love’ has been recommended for families affected by addiction and untreated mental illness for years.  It has been the catalyst for greatly improving the lives of people I know very well.  I have also seen this backfire and become the impetus for further misery and even tragedy.

I see this topic divide, fragment, and many times disintegrate families.  What is the best approach for you and your family?  Only you (and your family) can make those decisions.  You have to live with the decisions and the repercussions of your actions.

For sake of example, let’s use the case of Paul, a 24 year-old male who has suffered from what Mom calls Depression (but he has never been diagnosed by an appropriate professional) and abused alcohol & drugs since he was 16 years-old.  He has been to two local Outpatient Addiction Treatment programs (for alcohol, cocaine, and opiate abuse) in the past five years.  However, after completion of each program, he relapsed each time within weeks of discharge.  Paul, currently unemployed, lives with his mother, father and younger sister (Angela 17 years-old).  Paul is verbally abusive to his entire family at times, and is currently using opiates (Vicodin, Oxycontin, and heroin), cocaine, and alcohol.

Dad, loves his son, but is frustrated and wants Paul out of the house unless he is sober and holds a full-time job.  Mom is upset with her son’s behavior, but concerned for Paul’s safety if she does not help him.  She cannot bear to see her baby boy “in the streets.” Paul manipulatively threatens, “if you throw me out, I’ll likely get killed in the streets.”  Angela loves her brother, but they rarely speak anymore.  Mom and Dad have warred for years over Paul and what to do for him and with him.  First Dad was supportive, but now he is intolerant and has begun to detach from the family.  There is a constant state of tension, but silence in the home and the parents’ relationship has suffered significantly.  Mom and Dad do not interact much, but if they do it is typically a verbal battle about Paul.

What should this family do?  I know individuals who were asked (in a ‘Tough Love’ approach) to either accept help and enter a reputable treatment facility (such as Promises,  Caron, or Treatment Solutions Network approved programs), or leave the family home immediately.  That was just the beginning, but many are now happy and living amazing drug-free lives for several years.  They credit their parents’ refusal to allow them to live in the family home unless they were sober (and some gainfully employed) as the key event that lead to their long-term recovery.  Some were even required to take random drug screens as a condition to stay under their parents’ roof.  These individuals would tell Mom and Dad to “Kick Paul out if he is not willing to enter an appropriate treatment facility OR immediately stop using, attend 12-Step Meetings, and have a full-time job in a week.”

But, is that really the appropriate solution for this scenario with Paul and his family?  Will it work?  It’s not that simple.  Addiction and mental illness are much more complex issues than they may appear.  Honestly, if Paul could stop on his own, he likely would have long ago (there is very little fleeting pleasure at that stage of addiction).  True, there are success stories with a rigid consequential approach, but this can also be a very dangerous approach for some individuals.  Richard Rawson, associate director of UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs claimed in a piece by ABC-News that coercive or confrontational approaches actually push the afflicted away from treatment.

Trust me, this could be an extremely complicated situation.  What works for one individual or their family may not have the same result for Paul’s family (or yours for that matter).  Let’s say that Paul was physically abused by his uncle (when Paul was 8-9 years-old).  What if he had a physical handicap during adolescence and as a result he was ridiculed and teased by his peers?  Either of these issues could change this situation significantly and may make Paul much more fragile than the family realizes.

These examples of underlying trauma are also likely to affect his ability to find long-term recovery.  If they are not addressed, it is likely that Paul will struggle and repeat dysfunctional patterns.  There is significant research that shows an extremely high percentage of addicted persons have also experienced some level of trauma  (which may be an underlying issue propelling the addiction).  At The Meadows, a facility that specializes in treating underlying causes of addiction such as trauma, they understand this reality.  Sadly, many people, minimize the significance of how trauma can negatively affect treatment outcomes and long-term recovery efforts.

If you were Paul’s Mom, I would recommend that you engage a qualified objective professional who can assist in determining an appropriate treatment facility and executing a compassionate loving process to intervene on your son. A competent professional would suggest solutions for the entire family’s treatment, not just Paul.  Granted, I’m biased, but LSA’s Pre-Treatment Solution is an ideal fit for this family’s situation.

There may be good reason to protect yourself and others in your home by asking an afflicted family member, who is acting dangerously, to leave.  But, as mentioned, this is more complicated than many well-meaning lay-people realize.  If you are going to embrace a ‘Tough Love’ stance, then please make sure you have professional guidance, that the family agrees as a group not to cave under manipulation, and become willing to accept the potential consequences of your ‘Tough Love’ approach.

“This is a family problem and should be dealt with in private” –A concerned person referring to a family member who is struggling with active addiction or untreated mental illness.

This can be a sentiment that I encounter when speaking with families who are struggling with addiction and/or untreated mental illness.  Some families are more protective of their privacy than others.  For some, allowing anyone into the family’s issues, even confidential professionals, can be a challenge.  So, when addiction and mental illness reach a crisis point, without the right counsel, a family can choose to ignore the issue or take other unfortunate paths (such as confronting the afflicted member without objective professional guidance) to protect their privacy.  This is why LSA’s extremely confidential, single point of contact Pre-Treatment Solution can be so appealing to families who are concerned with privacy.

I know recovering individuals who are comfortable telling anyone and everyone about their recovery (and previous addiction).  I have watched celebrities speak about how they have personally recovered or someone in their family has successfully overcome addiction.  Recently, I watched a very grateful Carol Burnett on Piers Morgan Tonight speak about her daughter’s recovery from addiction.  I have listened to highly educated lecturers in the’ helping professions’ outline the importance of eliminating secrets within the family as a necessity to creating a healthy family system.  I know colleagues who have a strong belief that if family secrets are not eliminated, there is virtually no chance of lasting recovery (the addict will suffer or die, and the family will disintegrate).

Personally, I think that stories of recovery are needed and give the suffering some much needed hope.  I agree that secrecy (over the long-term and used as a defense mechanism) can be a huge impediment to positive change.  However, I appreciate and understand the very real need many families have, to be reassured that they are working with competent professionals who respect the confidentiality and privacy of their clients.  More directly put, these people do not want their family business ending up as public fodder.

Many times, what a concerned caller is trying to articulate is that they do not know where to begin or how many of these ‘confidential professionals’ (some of whom belong to the same social clubs and can be seen at the same community activities) may be involved in helping the family member in trouble .  What about the family that has celebrity status, a very prominent name, or a professional who does not want his or her career destroyed by ‘loose-lips.’  In cases like these, if the concerned family member(s) knew of a single point of contact who could be the family’s confidential advocate, with their best interest in mind, to navigate the entire process, they very well may seek help.  I have personally experienced very cautious and private individuals gratefully embrace LSA’s Pre-Treatment Solution as they were told how it worked.

The LSA Pre-Treatment Solution guides and assists families and businesses through the entire process of helping an afflicted family member or colleague.  It truly is a total solution…especially for the family or business concerned about privacy.  This program enables a family or business to have a single source of contact (the LSA Specialist), guide and assist the concerned family member, in a calm confident manner.

Immediately following formal engagement, the LSA Specialist follows a systematic process to help formulate a comprehensive picture and answer the questions needed to properly assist the family.  As discussed in a previous two-part LSA Blog feature, determining the appropriate level of treatment and potential facilities to execute the necessary treatment and therapies is a major undertaking (not recommended for a family member to tackle without objective professional help).  This responsibility would not fall directly on the shoulders of the concerned family member (a point where many individuals find themselves giving up), as the LSA Specialist is now their personal objective advocate who will assist and guide them to find realistic solutions to the numerous questions surrounding this topic.

This same LSA Specialist organizes and facilitates an open compassionate approach to intervening on the afflicted person and has all the logistical questions answered before the Family Meeting/Intervention takes place.  Amazingly, even the most defiant addicted/afflicted person willingly says yes and accepts help (mainly because the systematic process used was open, dignified, and offered options to the afflicted person, not coercion or demands).  The LSA Specialist moves into action again (ie., liaising with the treatment facility selected by the afflicted person and making sure they are expecting us, contacting the travel agent to let them know which flight we need booked, confirming the destination with the driver of a car already waiting outside, and then the very same LSA representative accompanying your loved-one on the entire journey).

"You Are Not Alone"

Your loved-one won’t be heading out to the treatment facility alone or asked to go with you or another family member.  LSA’s personalized accompaniment has proven to be such a significant part of our process that we insist on accompanying the afflicted person.  The trip to the treatment facility can be a frightening experience for most, as well as a time to build barriers to change and healing (usually without realizing it).  This is a key reason why LSA travels with them, from the Family Meeting/Intervention until they reach the intake room at the treatment facility.

If I am the LSA Specialist, this is one of the most profound aspects of the process for me.  It is real.  There are tears and laughter as I am bonding with them, breaking down walls, building up hope, telling them what it was like for me when I was in their position, and what they may encounter in the next few days and weeks.  This process instills hope, builds trust, and prepares them for a positive beginning to treatment.

Let’s say our destination is a Residential Treatment facility out of state, such as Promises, Casa Palmera, or Caron Renaissance.  Then, we will typically have plenty of travel time together (if the Family Meeting/Intervention is in Ohio or Minnesota).  However, even if the treatment facility selected is in-state and does not require a flight (ie., Rosecrance for someone residing in the Northern suburbs of Chicago), LSA hires a car service, allowing our focus to be on the client.  Remember, we are not just making sure your afflicted loved-one arrives, instead we are using techniques in a very casual manner to assist in making their entrance to treatment as positive an experience as possible.

The LSA representative will be present at the treatment facility’s intake meeting (with the patient’s permission) and even stays in town an additional day to check in with your loved-one the following day, to make sure things are still going well.  So, for those of you reading this who have unfortunately had a family member enter treatment multiple times, you already know how different this approach is than what you and your family have experienced.  This is truly a comprehensive solution…and the beginning of long-term recovery.

For the family who is concerned about privacy and confidentiality, I sincerely get it.  I hope you can clearly see that the LSA philosophy of helping our clients and their family members/colleagues have been filtered through this lens.  Realistically, there are still stigmas and judgment surrounding addiction and mental health issues.  And, for families that travel in certain circles, or may be in the spotlight, confidentiality and privacy is a legitimate concern.  Each family, like the individual, must find a path that works for them.  Different families will embrace recovery at different levels.  This is why it can be crucial to have a trusted adviser and personal advocate such as LifeSkills Authorities, who is adept at confidentially working with you and your family.  Don’t delay any longer, contact us now.

In Part I of this article, I wrote about 12-Step programs, individual and group counseling, and different levels of Outpatient Treatment.  The highest level of care and support is available at an in-patient ‘Residential’ program.  These programs are designed to encompass 30-90 days of primary treatment (but length of stay depends on the patient’s condition and progress as well as family resources).  There are some amazing residential treatment facilities that can help your loved one.

I am a big proponent of facilities that offer comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessments (e.g. Caron Treatment Centers) to determine the correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan.   It just makes sense, doesn’t it?  Facilities that I personally like offer an entire continuum of care, as is the case at Promises, which allows the patient to continue to progress while maintaining the continuity of the same surroundings and treatment team.  Facilities such as The Canyon and Casa Palmera treat addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders (also called ‘Dual-Diagnosis’) for individuals struggling with mental illness along with addiction.  Some residential facilities, such as The Meadows, specialize in treating addiction and trauma.  For licensed professionals, there are facilities that offer specialized tracks catering to their specific concerns and needs (available at Hazelden’s Center City location).  I have also found companies such as Treatment Solutions Network to be very helpful as they represent a variety of facilities.

Although programs may share a similar classification (IOP, PHP, or Residential) there are tremendous differences in one facility’s program versus another.  This is one of the big reasons why a knowledgeable objective professional can help with this decision (you may be comparing apples and bowling balls without realizing it).  To further complicate the situation, if you are counting on your health insurance plan to cover the treatment, think again.  It is essential to ascertain the level of coverage you have in your particular plan.  Many residential programs do not accept any insurance coverage (it can be a self-pay facility), but some do and I hate to keep making you read this, but without an objective professional, you may never find the facilities that may be appropriate for your loved-one AND accept your loved-one’s insurance.

The goal, as I see it, is simple, you want to make sure that if your loved one is going (that is a big if without a professional to facilitate an objective and compassionate Intervention) to an addiction and/or mental health treatment facility, that they get APPROPRIATE TREATMENT to meet their needs.  If not, it is very likely they are going to get discouraged, struggle, possibly drop-out of the program, and or relapse (or worse).

It can play out like this: the afflicted person who was pushed into treatment by their significant other and without professional guidance required a different or higher level of care, they were approached with this by the treatment clinicians and staff, the patient became agitated and refused to change levels of the program, let alone facilities, and leaves the program.  Another sad, but common situation is:  the afflicted person agrees to enter treatment but only if they can go to a program that they approve.  Being an over-achieving people pleaser, who is certainly not telling the staff how they feel or divulging all of the secrets they are ‘taking to their grave,’ does everything necessary to quietly and successfully complete an outpatient treatment program.  They say they plan on attending AA as a maintenance program, but are hiding bottles and pills in a matter of weeks.  Many times, in either of those cases, those same individuals are even branded with “they just weren’t ready to change or stop using,” by family or friends.

Addiction (let alone adding mental illness if present) is a progressive and potentially fatal disease that rips apart families and takes lives prematurely.  A comparison to another potentially terminal disease, Stage IV Lung Cancer, is on point.  So, if a professional recommends professional treatment, I would not suggest that you navigate the different levels and facilities on your own (no matter how adept you are at Google searches), look for a convenient program that is “In-Network” for the insurance plan, or ignore it because “your loved-one would never agree to it” (you might be surprised if you have a professional facilitate an Intervention/Family Meeting).  Get the best and most appropriate help! In my experience (clinically and experientially), to do so will likely require an objective professional.  Contact LSA to work with an objective professional who will help with every aspect of this process in the LSA Pre-Treatment Solution.

This can be a simple question to answer in some cases.  But, in others it can be a bit more complex.  One thing is certain, I do not recommend that you tackle this issue without the guidance of an objective addictions professional.  That means, I do not recommend that you seek counsel on this decision from: your family doctor, a physician friend (who is a well-known surgeon and you’ve know since high school), your Psychologist (who you have seen for ‘years’) who does not specialize in addictions and Co-Occurring Disorders, or your brother who has been in AA for twenty-five years (God Bless him).  SEEK OBJECTIVE GUIDANCE FROM AN ADDICTIONS PROFESSIONAL to help you make the decision (and not necessarily the nice person from the insurance company; remember that your insurance company is trying to keep their costs down).

This is such a large topic, that I will have to break it into two entries.  My hope is that you will get a cursory understanding of some of the primary treatment available and the jargon used to describe it.  I will write soon about Aftercare, Extended Care, Recovery Coaching, and other subsequent solutions that are extremely important to a long-term solution.

There are a variety of options that could be considered a positive action for an addicted person to take to address their addiction (and possibly related issues).  However, there are some important things to consider.  First, if your loved-one is addicted to alcohol, then they are at risk for a serious and potentially deadly side effect during detoxification (called delirium tremens) that must be monitored by medical professionals.  Similarly, if they have been taking a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, they are also at risk for seizures.  Additionally, your loved-one may have other issues (trauma, Depressive Disorders, or other mental illness) that must be taken seriously, need to be screened for or addressed, and as a result, this makes professional treatment the prudent choice.

A 12-Step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous could be a first-entry point to help the addicted person, but only after the aforementioned issues have been screened for and addressed.  AA is a non-professional spiritual solution that has saved and changed millions of lives (it is not group therapy).  12-Step programs are a crucial component of a proven path of long-term recovery (that are usually introduced during primary treatment) and will likely be recommended by professionals for your loved-one after they successfully complete a professional treatment program.

Now to tackle the different types of professional treatment.  First, there is individual or group counseling—it is a minimal amount of care (roughly one hour per week) and usually better served as a means of support and help after an individual has been to a professional treatment facility.  However, if you were seeking such a solution, I would recommend looking for a professional with a minimum of a Masters Degree (Social Work, Counseling, or Clinical Psychology) along with a certification called a CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

Typically, most professionals consider ‘treatment’ to begin with outpatient programs at a professional addiction treatment facility.  The lower level of this type of treatment is called an Intensive Outpatient Program or “IOP,” which typically may meet for three (3) hours (usually in the evenings) for four days a week for roughly six weeks.  The next level of care is called a Partial Hospitalization Program or “PHP”.  This is usually 6-9 hours/day Monday-Friday and a few hours on Saturday for about 25+ days (many times determined by insurance coverage and the progress of the patient).  In most cases, unless otherwise noted, there is not housing for the patients; they typically stay at home and commute to these programs.  The advantage with semi-supervised housing (available at a program like The Professionals Program at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago, IL) is in developing peer support and keeping the focus on treatment (it also allows the family a break and time to begin healing).

As this article is getting lengthy, I will stop here and continue in Part II.  In the second part of this piece, I will continue to write about the types of treatment, beginning with Residential Treatment, and what to look for in a program if your loved-one needs help.  Please remember that my succinct solution for this topic is to engage an objective addictions professional (available through LSA’s Pre-Treatment Solution) to guide you through this process as your advocate.

Following is a flat-out myth that I have encountered with multiple clients and prospective clients in the past few weeks; it is a commonly accepted view held by many (even some in recovery, who are unaware of proven clinical methods) about the addicted or persons suffering from certain mental illness.

“I know they (addicted person) must “hit bottom” before they can get help. I know there is really nothing anyone can do until this happens and they become willing to change.”

Yes, an addicted person is likely unable to change without help.  One of the main reasons is that addiction affects the mind and prevents some of the brightest and even high-functioning individuals from seeing the same reality as seen by an outsider.  Addiction and/or untreated mental illness can create extreme levels of denial and self-deception.  For this reason, as you may have read in my previous postings, I attempt to keep logic out of the process when helping and afflicted person.  Why?  Because when it comes to discussing his or her own addiction or illness, I am not dealing with a rational or logical person.  So, I have found keeping logic out of the process to be very effective.

LSA’s Pre-Treatment Solution includes what is essentially an Intervention.  Yet, it is actually only about 20% of the entire LSA solution.  There are many other essential components to help a person embrace help willingly, as well as help the family as a whole.  LSA’s Family Meeting/Intervention is not the entire process; it is a piece of the solution.

The reason I refer to intervening on an individual, as a Family Meeting is to dispel fear caused by some coercive “sneak-attack” versions that may have been seen on TV.  At LSA, we use a transparent model with a compassionate loving approach for facilitating our Family Meetings / Interventions. Yes, we tell the addicted or afflicted person that we are going to have a meeting on a certain date…it actually establishes respect and eliminates secrets.  And, guess what?  The process is extraordinarily effective and the addicted person tends to be present at that first meeting.

Let’s get back to this question about “hitting bottom” as it is an important myth that must be dispelled (and, truthfully, its also the title of my post).  If you wait for your loved-one’s bottom, there is a high likelihood that this person will encounter tragedy and possibly die waiting for this bottom.  Addiction is a disease with endless bottoms.   If a highly trained, objective professional coordinates a compassionate approach (without negative emotion, or logic) there is a good chance the result can be different.  With this loving and compassionate approach, along with extremely detailed planning, it is absolutely possible to “Raise the afflicted person’s bottom so they can reach out and accept help.”

So, if someone you care about is in the throws of addiction and/or untreated mental illness, you can alter their path of destruction and misery.  However, I caution you as I have written before, that I still have not met anyone who has successfully facilitated this process (without objective professional help) for someone they love.  I strongly encourage you to hire a competent professional trained in a variety of Intervention formats (I recommend a compassionate and transparent format).  Contact LSA now to learn how we can help you and someone who may be in trouble.

This is such a difficult, gut-wrenching, and almost impossible situation for family members to handle without objective professional guidance.  I encounter individuals and families in crisis almost daily.  Sadly, even the brightest and most psychologically minded of these people (whether the addicted themselves or someone who cares for the afflicted person) can sometimes deny that a crisis even exists.  Especially in wealthy families or with the accomplished high functioning member suffering from addiction, the word crisis may sound extreme.

Families get used to dysfunction as a perceived necessary means of keeping the family alive.  Moms, dads, children, siblings, and grandparents cover for loved-ones who are in the throws of addiction.  Its simple really, the fear of saying “no” to someone you love and risking hurting them can be too difficult.  Worse yet, with addiction, there may come a time when the addicted person may vocalize the worst fear, “if you don’t give me money or a place to stay, I may be forced to take actions that will lead to my death.”  Without professional guidance, it’s pretty difficult to deal with that type of manipulation.

So, back to the initial question.  What do you do to help your addicted loved one?  Ask them in a loving manner, and ONLY a loving manner, “to please accept help today.”  Throw out the logic, yes that’s correct.  And, PAY ATTENTION, if you engage in anything that could even be construed as a negative comment or non-verbal communication, you’re in store for a pretty brutal unsuccessful effort.  I’m serious, no matter what the addicted/afflicted person says, its imperative not to engage.  That is why I rarely, if ever, hear of a family that succeeds in having their addicted loved one accept help for their addiction unless they have a pretty savvy objective professional, guide the process.

The other key piece to helping an addicted person get appropriate help is the successful execution of the details.  You better have every arrangement already made, and double-checked.  I’m talking about knowing ahead of time what is an appropriate level of treatment and where to find that treatment (not all addiction treatment is the same, believe me!), financial arrangements made with two appropriate treatment facilities (no more than two—keep it simple), pre-admission at both treatment facilities, ground transportation, plane flights, and then who is going to accompany this terrified addicted loved one to treatment?  Honestly, the logistics are just as important as the process of asking with love (and ONLY love) to “please accept help today.”

Contact LifeSkills Authorities and learn about The LSA Pre-treatment Solution that allows us to guide you and your family through the entire process.

A new SAMHSA study shows these changes and the regional variations in admission rates for specific drugs.  For example, the rate of admissions for alcohol as the primary drug has declined by 15 percent nationally. In contrast, admission rates for alcohol in West North Central states (IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, and SD) remained the same.

 The only region with an increase in alcohol admission rates (9 percent) in 2008 compared to 1998 was the west north central region.  This region includes: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

The highest cocaine treatment admission rates were in the Mid-Atlantic Region, which includes: New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Highest heroin treatment admission rates were highest in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.  This includes: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Highest treatment admission rates for opiates other than heroin (1998 to 2008) were in the East South Central and New England regions of the U.S.  States included are: Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. 

The highest methamphetamine/amphetamine treatment admission rates were found in the Pacific Region, which includes: Washington state, Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Alaska.

For the complete study, visit SAMHSA’s website.

Photo source: SAMHSA

Estimates show that one in four children in the United States (about 27.8 million) are affected by or exposed to a family alcohol problem.  The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) founded the upcoming Children of Alcoholics (COA) Week to celebrate the strength, resilience and recovery of the several thousands of children (young and old) who have been close to the disease of alcoholism and addiction.   Children of Alcoholics week provides hope to those who are still suffering from the adverse impact of parental alcohol and drug addiction.

This annual celebration of hope and healing, is meant to raise awareness and spread the word on how frequently innocent children are victims of a parent’s alcohol and drug addictions.  Thousands have received help necessary to recover from the pain and losses they suffered in their childhood due to their parent’s affliction.  You can help make a difference during COA Week 2011 too.

Get the conversation started in your homes and communities; remind people that alcoholism and drug addiction is a disease and the children imacted by their parent’s disease is not their fault.   These children are suffering enough already with the loss of a parent to their alcohol or drugs; to add the shame, loneliness and embarrassment of their parent’s behavior on top of it puts immense pressure on already vulnerable individuals.  If you know a child of an alcoholic, help them.  Remind them that it’s not their fault, that they can take steps to make things better for themselves, and that there are people and programs to help.

Helping the parent get the treatment they need so that they can become a better parent is a key solution to helping these children too.   If you know someone that needs help, encourage them to seek treatment, or if necessary, work with a professional to stage an intervention.  LifeSkills Authorities can help you with one step or the whole process.  Remember, you are not only helping the parent, but you are helping their children and future generations as well.

You can also make a pledge or donation to National Children of Alcoholics by calling toll free at 1-888-55-4COAS

Read the full story  here:  according to the Chicago Sun-Times, 62% of new college kids are teetotalers.

The rates amongst young adults aged 18 to 25 also increased from 19.6 in 2008 to 21.2% in 2009, driven largely by an increase in marijuana use (from 16.5 to 18.1%).

Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically.

• Marijuana use among youths aged 12 to 17 increased to 7.3% in 2009 from 6.7% in 2007 and 2008.
• Prescription Drugs for nonmedical use among youths aged 12 to 17 had declined from 4% in 2002 to 2.9% in 2008, then held steady at 3.1% in 2009.   Increases also occurred among young adults aged 18 to 25 from 5.5 to 6.3%, driven primarily by an increase in pain reliever misuse (from 4.1 to 4.8%).
• Ecstasy use among youths aged 12 to 17 declined from 0.5% in 2002 to 0.3% in 2004, remained at that level through 2007, then increased to 0.5% in 2009.
• There were decreases in the use of cocaine (from 2.0 to 1.4 percent) and methamphetamine (from 0.6 to 0.2 percent).

Where do the prescription drugs come from?

Among persons aged 12 or older in 2008-2009 who used pain relievers nonmedically in the past 12 months, 55.3% got the drug they most recently used from a friend or relative for free. Another 17.6% reported they got the drug from one doctor. Only 4.8% got pain relievers from a drug dealer or other stranger, and 0.4% bought them on the Internet. Among those who reported getting the pain reliever from a friend or relative for free, 80% reported in a follow-up question that the friend or relative had obtained the drugs from just one doctor.

The NSDUH is an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The survey is the primary source of information on the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States aged 12 years old or older.

Illicit drugs include: marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically.

The following Illicit Drug Use Statistics are from the recently published 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

• Marijuana use increased and is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2009, there were 16.7 million past month users, 6.6% of the 12+ population, which was an increase from 6.1% in 2008.
• Cocaine use increased to 1.6 million current cocaine users aged 12 or older, comprising 0.7% of the population in 2009. These estimates were similar to the number and rate in 2008 (1.9 million or 0.7%) but decreased since 2006 (2.4 million or 1%).
• Hallucinogens were used in the past month by 1.3 million persons (0.5%) aged 12 or older in 2009, including 760,000 (0.3%) who had used Ecstasy. The number and percentage of Ecstasy users increased between 2008 (555,000 or 0.2%) and 2009.
• Prescription Drugs increased to 7.0 million (2.8%) persons aged 12 or older who used prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs nonmedically in the past month in 2009. This is an increase from 2008 (6.2 million or 2.5%).
• Methamphetamine use increased in 2009 from 314,000 (0.1%) in 2008, and 502,000 (0.2%) in 2009.

Most illicit drug users were employed. Of the 19.3 million current illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2009, 12.9 million (66.6%) were employed either full or part time.

Among those aged 50 to 59, the rate of past month illicit drug use increased from 2.7% in 2002 to a whopping 6.2% in 2009. This trend partially reflects the aging into this age group of the baby boom cohort, whose lifetime rate of illicit drug use is higher than those of older cohorts.

4.2% of the population aged 12 or older (10.5 million persons) reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the past year, which is similar to the rate in 2008 (4%).

Recently, I was asked by the founder of a phenomenal website, developed specifically to benefit attorneys, to briefly explain my personal experience with overcoming mental illness and addiction.  I explained how my seemingly hopeless battle led to the birth of LifeSkills Authorities and the approach I believe is necessary to find long-term relief from addiction and Depressive Disorders.  As a result, my story and the LSA philosophy of change is a featured resource on the Lawyers With Depression homepage for the month of January.

Not long ago, my anger and cynicism would build over an article linking gratitude and depression, if I were not in too much pain and despair to actually care. I may even prepare a nasty response. Then I found what I believe is the solution to lasting change and relief from such issues as depressive disorders.

For well over a decade, chronic major depressive disorder, as I was labeled, eliminated my ability to experience joy in what appeared an idyllic life … on the outside.  On my darkest days I hoped a bus would veer off course to end my misery.  I suffered from severe bouts of depression that increased in frequency and duration.

Then, something happened that stopped the suffering. I experienced a profound change and insatiable quest for a solution to permanently prevent the pain.  I researched, explored, and implemented a variety of life improvement strategies.  My life has since focused on helping others, who share the same struggles that tormented me for decades, to find long-term relief, joy, peace, and a sense of purpose for their lives.

Click here to read the entire post.

This can be a very anxiety-provoking time of year.  How often do you think about your breath?  Most likely, only when you are out of breath, or when it’s sharp, shallow and stressed. Breathing is automatic; it takes place without you even thinking about it and we rarely give it much attention.  However, if we tune into our breath, it can tell us a great deal about how we are feeling physically, mentally and emotionally.  Much of our distress is caused by anticipation of the future (anxiety) or by dwelling on the past (depression).  Often times, it is very difficult to free ourselves from such emotional distress on our own.  However, the simple rhythm of your breathing can bring you back to the here and now.  By controlling your breath, you can learn how to master your thoughts and, in doing so, have more control over your body’s responses to stress, physical strain and emotional stimuli.

Biofeedback Therapy is a training process that teaches you how to do this.  It is a form of “applied psychophysiology” that increases your awareness and is designed to teach you how to have more control over your mind and body.  With the assistance of a variety of monitoring devices, including those that measure respiration, heart rate, skin temperature and muscle activity, you can learn how to control certain involuntary body responses that result when your autonomic nervous system is compromised under physical or mental stress.

Through in-office training and self-practice, you can learn how to let go of limiting habitual patterns (poor breathing, obsessive thoughts, worry, fear, anxiety, poor posture) and develop self-regulation tools for better management of stress. Treatment is short-term with the ultimate goal of learning how to produce positive physical and cognitive changes outside of the biofeedback office and without the help of a therapist or technology.  By learning how to “just breathe” and become more aware in your daily life, you will learn how to stay present and in control…and the holidays may be more enjoyable?

Dr. Eugénie Pabst is a clinical Psychologist who specializes in Biofeedback therapy.  By utilizing Biofeedback, Dr. Pabst teaches her clients a self-regulation skill that inspires growth and healing through self-awareness.  As a LifeSkills Authorities Recovery Team member, Dr. Pabst can be an integral part of the healing process. She is a sought after Biofeedback specialist in Chicagoland and has a private practice Lincoln Park.

Depression is a label that many give to “the blues” or prolonged sadness.  While sadness is a natural feeling and predictable response to certain situations, a prolonged “low mood” or sadness is serious and warrants further investigation by trained professionals.

A true clinical diagnosis of a mental illness, or in particular, a Depressive Disorder (which is commonly referred to as “Depression”) is something that should be made by a properly trained professional.  In my opinion, the best and most obvious diagnostic approach for anyone who is struggling with a potential mental illness is a multidisciplinary assessment over a period of time.  Unfortunately, in my experience, many individuals who are suffering from mental illness do not seek any help.  Even more disheartening are the cases of those who do seek help, but lose hope because their condition deteriorates due to a variety of factors.

Depression is a very serious condition that can destroy and even take lives.  I personally understand the hell that a Depressive Disorder can produce.  About ten years ago, I was thriving in a career in my late twenties, and by many accounts, had a dream life.  However, anyone making that assessment was only looking at the external: my car, home, career, and girlfriend.

Those who thought I had an ideal life did not know what it felt like to be me.  They didn’t know that despite success in my career, I doubted myself.  They didn’t know that I felt as if everything was about to fall apart at any moment.  They didn’t know that I worked 80-100 hour workweeks because I didn’t want to be alone.  They didn’t know that when I called in “sick” it was because of how I felt emotionally, not physically.  They didn’t know that I was seeing a psychiatrist who had me on sometimes five or more medications simultaneously and meeting a psychologist for psychotherapeutic sessions 1-2 times each week.  They didn’t know that I had researched and then begged my psychiatrist to give me ECT, commonly known as “shock therapy,” and he eventually complied with my wishes (I endured eleven sessions).  All those who envied my ideal life didn’t know my secret; that I was beginning to lose all hope that I would ever feel better and that I was praying for my life to end without me having to take it.  I felt helpless.

I was blessed for some reason to be free from suicidal ideation (thoughts and plans of killing myself).  And, I eventually found a solution that led me to a complete and total recovery on all levels.  A solution so powerful that it was the impetus for me to change careers and begin to help others.  A solution that also led me to believe that to truly change and recover from the type of hell that I lived, requires a multidisciplinary approach to assessment and treatment over an extended period of time.

Luckily, I was able to turn my life around and found freedom from depression and feelings of helplessness.  My salvation led me to create and advocate for an extremely comprehensive long-term solution for others suffering from certain types of mental illness and/or addiction. LifeSkills Authorities is a company that uses this multi-faceted solution and is dedicated to effectuating long-term change through a cutting-edge and unique program.  I believe today that I lived through that hell to be able to help others who are struggling or losing hope, to find a solution that works.

Michael Plahn is the Founder and Program Director of LifeSkills Authorities, a business dedicated to empowering people to change their lives. He is responsible for program development, clinical areas of the practice, and overall business operations. Michael is a certified Interventionist, holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, completed post-graduate work in Personal and Executive Coaching, and holds several fitness, wellness, and nutrition certifications. To read more about Michael’s personal recovery journey click here.

The study assessed harms caused many substances, including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and marijuana, and ranked them based on how destructive they are to the individual who takes them and to others in society.  Measures of analysis included how addictive a drug is, the harm it causes to the human body, environmental damage caused by the drug, such as its role in breaking up families and its economic costs, such as health care, social services, and prison.

In the overall rankings, alcohol outranked all other substances, followed by heroin and crack cocaine.  Alcohol was the most destructive overall for several reasons such as when drunk in excess, alcohol damages nearly all organ systems.  Alcohol is also connected to higher death rates and is involved in a greater percentage of crime than most other drugs, including heroin.  Heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, or crystal meth, ranked as the most lethal to individuals. Lower on the list were marijuana, ecstasy and LSD. 

The study was paid for by Britain’s Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and can be viewed online here at the Lancet Medical Journal.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, LifeSkills Authorities can help.   Call 312.265.0909 or click here to contact us now and learn more about our addiction consultation, intervention and recovery coaching services.

We have been busy at LifeSkills Authorities and our team continues to grow.  As Founder and Program Director of LifeSkills Authorities, I am very proud to introduce our newest Recovery Team members in the Chicagoland area.

As part of LSA Transformative Care and Executive Care programs, we utilize fitness experts to help our clients in the obvious manner, but also to afford them additional levels of support and accountability.  LSA clientele collectively may have vastly differing needs, but addiction is certainly a common issue. Thus, it is imperative that all of the personal trainers who become members of the LSA Recovery Team have a passion for helping others truly effectuate change in their lives, and on a very meaningful level. 

LSA’s cutting edge philosophy of working in a completely open and secret-free relationship with our clients enables us to help our clients at a deeper and more effective level.  To implement this level of transparency, we ask our clients to sign a release of confidentiality that allows all LSA Recovery Team members (personal trainer, recovery coach, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, physician, wealth/finance coach, nutrition consultant, and other qualified professionals) to communicate openly as a team in an unprecedented approach to long-term addiction treatment.

Our newest members in the fitness division of the LifeSkills Authorities Recovery Team Chicago are: Kim Bishop, Robb Bishop, Forrest Folsum, Kristin Hoddy, and Jamie Minucciani.  To view our entire fitness Recovery Team please visit here. 

Welcome to LifeSkills Authorities!

You pick up your child and a friend from a party and notice something is off.   Not with your child but with the friend who is sleeping over.  What do you do?   Shrug it off to teenage behavior?   Let them sleep it off and pray your son/daughter finds new friends?   You may think … “it’s not my child, who am I to say anything?”    Well, one thing is certain:  not being their parent may mean you have a bigger impact on this child than you estimated.   You have the power to be a positive influence in this child’s life, as well as the obligation as a parent to protect your own child.

Research shows that kids start using drugs because they think it will help them feel better – especially from stress or depression, fit in, or they just want to take risks.  Spending time with a friend who is using will increase the likelihood that your child will use too.  Statistics show that every day approximately 4,500 Americans under 18 try marijuana for the first time.   Treatment for marijuana is the primary reason children are admitted into treatment programs – more than for all other illicit drugs combined.

Scientific research tells us that addiction is not a matter of will and is actually a disease of the brain.  While not all teenage drug or alcohol use will lead to addiction, there is no certainty over when use may turn to abuse or dependence.   Regardless of full-blown addiction, many negative consequences may develop such as poor grades, loss of interest in athletics or extra-curriculars, problems at home or in relationships, even trouble with the law.

You can make a difference in the life of a child who is using.  Sometimes kids aren’t aware of the harmful and lasting effects that can occur with drug use and need an understanding person to talk to.   Many kids have parents with alcohol or drug problems of their own and alerting the parent isn’t going to help the matter.   As an adult and parent there are resources available to you that will help you learn more about how to help children of substance abusers.  The National Clearinghouse  for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) can help – call 1-800-788-2800 or visit www.health.org.

If you have an open ear with the understanding parent of the child in question, talk with them.   Explain everything you have used to educate yourself on the topic and explain what you know about the harms and consequences of even “recreational” use.   Stay involved and it could be a matter of changing the course of both that child’s life and your own.

Read the entire article here at Hitched.

Michael Plahn, Founder and Program Director of LifeSkills Authorities recently sat down with Jason Seiden, author of Fail Spectacularly! Both Michael and Jason work with others to show how people can truly thrive after experiencing failure.  However, when alcoholism or addiction is holding people back from their true potential it often requires intensive treatment for the addict or alcoholic to thrive from the lows to which their disease brought them.   Sometimes even when that help is available and accessible, objections or obstacles may still exist which prevent the person in need from grabbing that life line and pulling oneself to safety.  LifeSkills Authorities works every day to change the dire realities we’ve come to accept for addiction sufferers.  From intervention to proper placement for care to long-term recovery coaching, Michael talks with Jason about how the LifeSkills Authorities program works to save lives.

Read the entire post here at JasonSeiden.com.