Did you know that September is National Recovery Month? In honor of the 19th celebration of recovery awareness, I thought I’d do a post on The Recovery Project sponsored by A&E television networks, since it just might be the largest initiative ever to reach out to addicts and families in need of specialized guidance and support. 

The press release on September 17th highlights findings from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to drive home the importance of the project: “More than 22 million Americans struggle with addiction to alcohol and other drugs, yet fewer than ten percent receive the treatment they need because of stigma, lack of awareness or cost.” 

So how does one lead an addict from the depths of despair to the shores of hope and recovery, you ask? 

Build a Bridge toward Recovery

September 27 is the day that thousands of individuals, families, friends, treatment partners, advocates, celebrities, and community leaders will link arm in arm across the Brooklyn Bridge showing solidarity in the fight against the stigma of drug addiction. As a symbolic vow to support those on their quest through recovery, the human bridge will progress towards Lower Manhattan and rally on the grounds of City Hall Park.

“Inspired by the incredible response from viewers, individuals and families in recovery to the Emmy-nominated documentary series Intervention… The Recovery Project strives to shed light on the scope of the addiction crisis, and its impact on society,” the release said.

Partner With Organizations Committed to Successful Recovery

A&E is joining forces with nationwide non-profit groups and federal agencies to spread the word about this multi-year campaign through education, personal stories, recovery and treatment options, plus resources to help parents connect with their kids in an effort to prevent drug abuse:

• NCADD – National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
• SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• PDFA – Partnership for a Drug Free America

Participate in Awareness Rallies or Organize One in Your Hometown

To become a part of this historic nationwide event, just visit The Recovery Project to sign up.  If you can’t make it to New York, you can rally your own town to join forces against the stigma of addiction by hosting your own march for solidarity.  Spread the word through your town’s newspaper and local radio station, then visit Recovery Month to add your event to the history books.

Have you guys seen this show? What do you think about it?

Kids don’t learn everything they need to know about life in school. It’s up to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, pastors and other adults involved in a child’s life to spread the word about important lessons kids need know in order to understand how to function in the world.

Teachable moments – those brief, spontaneous periods of time when individuals are most open to collecting wisdom. They really are all around us, at almost any given time, in any imaginable place; you just have to keep your eyes and ears open to what your child is paying attention to at the moment.

Silence is Acceptance When It Comes to Drug and Alcohol Use

When your kids learn that their favorite actress, sports star, or musician has been arrested for drunk driving or is in rehab trying to kick their drug habit again, saying nothing sends a strong signal that these behaviors are alright with you.

Speaking up and voicing your concern about using drugs and alcohol, citing the risks and the inherent dangers of intoxication may be the only voice of reason your kids hear about these things.

If You’re Not Talking about Drugs and Alcohol, Celebrity Conduct Speaks for You

Sensationalism sells when it comes to the tabloids. It turns a deadly habit into a glamorous pastime – is that the message you want your kids to get out of reading about it?

Talk with them about what they’re seeing in the magazines or hearing on the news, just like you would talk to your spouse or adult friends. Kids need to know that what they see or hear from the media isn’t the only way to live their life.

Ask Your Kids What Their Views of Drugs and Alcohol Are Before You Bash Them

Idolizing a particular celebrity that has a drug or alcohol problem may not mean much to your child – then again, it might. Overbearing criticism of his choices in role models or outlook on drug use won’t get you anywhere, though.

Take the time to ask what he thinks about a movie character with an alcohol addiction or rap star who promotes drug use. If he seems unconcerned or laidback about it, don’t attack his viewpoint. Teachable moments take advantage of educational opportunities to impart little known truths. Stick with the facts.

If you’re not sure about specific facts or comfortable enough to take the conversation to the next level, visit your local library and check out books about drugs and alcohol use, biographies and documentaries about addicts, rehab, treatment centers, and the like. Start a family book club and discuss what you read about. Allowing children to form and express their own opinions while being open to hearing yours brings a sense of mutual respect to a family – and gives you something interesting to talk about at the dinner table.

Does waiting to discuss drugs and alcohol until kids start asking questions make more sense or less sense to you than being proactive about the subject? How did you learn about drugs and make the decision to use or not?

We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about chronic pain because so many come to painkiller addiction and the need for Suboxone treatment because of the problem. Like prescription drug addiction, there are a number of misconceptions around chronic pain. Here are three of them.

Misconception #1: Chronic Pain is a Psychological Problem

Nope. Chronic pain is a very real, very painful physical problem even if the doctor can’t pinpoint the medical cause. Unfortunately, not every doctor has specialized training in pain management and yours may be ill-equipped to help you. If your doctor tells you that you’re imagining the pain or treats you as if you are malingering, ditch him or her and get a second opinion. Just because your condition is unusual or not readily apparent doesn’t mean it’s not real. Or that you’re weak. Or weak-willed. Or just depressed.

Misconception #2: Everyone On Painkillers is a Drug Addict

There’s such a negative stereotype about drug addicts that even a legal prescription for an opiate painkiller (just one, not multiple and even for a short period of time) can cast doubt on your nature. Are you suddenly going to start lying about your drug use and selling your family members’ belongings to get more pills? Are you going to blow your savings and end up on the street due to drug seeking? Are you going to turn into a zombie at risk of overdose every time you take your prescription? Um, most likely no. But this is yet another misconception that those who are taking painkillers have to deal with.

Misconception #3: Treating Chronic Pain is Impossible

Difficult in some cases, yes. Nightmarish even, possibly. But few things are impossible and chronic pain treatment isn’t one of them. You may have to make some sacrifices. You may have to spend some time trying different medications in different combinations on different schedules until you figure out what works for you (under a doctor’s supervision, of course). But treatment of chronic pain with a patient pain specialist is never an impossibility.

Any other misconceptions about pain management that have particularly plagued you guys?