Category: Addiction/Substance Misuse

Our culture is sick

We are seeing unprecedented numbers of youth suicides, overdoses are at epidemic levels. There is more depression and anxiety than ever before especially among adolescents and so many school shootings that we haven’t even finished grieving the last when the next one happens.

More than anything we need to understand that the increase in mental illness and addiction is not the result of a generation being “weak” or “lazy.” There is a root cause and that’s where we need to focus.

There is more polarization, less tolerance, and more loneliness

We are all so busy we don’t even take time … Read more...

How I survive my son’s Substance Use Disorder

by Brooke D.

As the mother of an addict who is has been in and out of recovery for the past three years who has also struggled with depression for most of his life, I have had to learn to focus on my life.

In Al anon I learned that I can be “happy whether the alcoholic is drinking or not.” I have chosen to apply that to all aspects of my son’s mental and physical health.

Specifically, here are some of the things I do to take care of myself on a daily and weekly basis. The more he … Read more...

How do I support a friend whose child is struggling?

When Charles was alive and not doing well, people didn’t mention him when I needed to talk the most. There were a few friends who would listen but for the most part, no one wanted to know. No one asked.

A friend of mine had a child struggling from a medical condition. Everyone asked her for updates, had fundraisers, sent cards, brought food, and kept in touch.

Parents with children struggling from mental illness or addiction don’t usually get that kind of support. Not that everyone is forthcoming about what’s happening in their families. Can you blame them?

Nothing makes … Read more...

Familiar and new faces in Huntsville, AL at Wellstone Fundraiser!

Denise K and Anne Moss Rogers

I have known Denise since the days I did digital marketing for Diamonds by Lauren of NY. Denise handled customer service. I posted I would be in Huntsville, AL and Denise lives near there and came to meet me and hear me speak. It was so exciting meeting her in person. And I had noticed an uptick of Alabama visitors and I’m sure it has to do with Denise!

So she called the marketing director, Kallie, about tickets and the fact that Denise has an English accent threw her off as it does a … Read more...

I don’t want anyone to know our son is addicted to drugs

By any mom with an addicted child

We have a son who is addicted to heroin. I wonder where I failed. I torture myself with those thoughts.

Watching my child self destruct is agonizing. I can’t understand what happened. We talked about drugs and alcohol with our children. We have taken away the keys. Threatened and punished, drug tested, put our foot down and taken him to treatment. Nothing has worked.

Was it because I went back to work part time? Was it because my husband travels? He was little league coach. I was on the PTA.

My husband has … Read more...

Godwin High School No Eagle Left Behind Club

This group raises awareness of mental illness and substance use disorder. The students have come up with the ideas and once a week in home room are presenting or doing an activity related to mental health. Last week it was Kevin Hines Golden Gate Bridge video.

I went in today to show them this exercise. I call it the Resilience Game. It’s very simple and easy to execute and teachers themselves don’t run it. The students do.  I figured why not let them lead this one? Since do something every week, they are looking for ideas.

The atmosphere at … Read more...

Virginia Recovery Foundation Fundraiser at Lunch and Supper

The lovely Jenny Derr, a contributing writer here on Emotionally Naked and fellow warrior in the fight to eradicate stigma as it relates to Substance Use Disorder, attended the Virginia Recovery Foundation (VRF) fundraiser. My friend Stephanie came with me but we forgot to take a photo!

VRF is a partner in the Preventure pilot implementation.  Good turnout and thank you to the sponsors and the donors who gave silent auction items. And for the attendees supporting prevention and recovery from addiction.

Link to the album of pictures

Billy Derr’s Story
… Read more...

The tree before and after

There is a tree near the Nickel Bridge and Byrd Park in Richmond. After a storm in June of 2016, it looked ragged, and broken. All the trees around it had leaves and branches.

This one looked singed by lightning– alone and naked. Among it’s grove mates, it had been devastated. It had a few branches but they were stripped of foliage and it had a curious formation at the top. A heart. I could not even imagine how lightning could carve a sculpture like that out of the top of a tree.

It looked dead. In fact, I thought … Read more...

I did not do everything right. Or everything wrong

When I start to torture myself about everything I missed or did wrong as it relates to Charles’ addiction, mental illness, and ultimate suicide, I have to think about all the things we did right.

After a suicide, it’s hard to have that perspective because you are looking for reasons for someone taking the drastic step of ending their life. You default to self blame.  No, that’s wrong. You torture yourself with self blame.

We forget about the times we read to our children, carted them to and from activities and sports, the bonfires and s’mores, the parties, trips to … Read more...

Had to pinch myself on the first day of Preventure training

In September 2016, I read this article in the New York Times and had a eureka. The program I had thought about for years had actually been developed. Not that I had worked it out to the detail it is or had any of the research behind it that this program does! But I thought if only we had some life skills to offer those with personality traits that potentially could get kids into trouble. Good kids who were probably very talented and had a lot of promise.

It took a couple of days research to find the Preventure program… Read more...

Harm Reduction Approach to Safe Use of Heroin

Video with Chad Sambora

A harm reduction strategy is one that has worked in other countries such as Portugal. Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.

Another way to look at it is how can you keep your loved one with addiction alive until they are ready to accept or pursue recovery. It’s a way to show you love the person who is addicted … Read more...

I wish Charles had been arrested

When we got the call from the police, I was hopeful Charles had been arrested. Elated really. It wanted it ever since he had walked out of that drug detox facility. If he was arrested, it would mean he was safe.

Those with substance use disorder often have behaviors that land them in jail—for crimes they committed to feed their addictions and keep unbearable withdrawal at bay.

After that call from the police, I had that moment of elation for a few seconds before my thinking brain kicked and and introduced logic.

I realized the police wouldn’t drop in and … Read more...

Charles thought drugs were the solution to his pain

Richard on the left. Charles on the right.

The first time Charles did a drug, the thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, and worthlessness of his depression were replaced by pure elation. He was instantly transformed into a magnificent, handsome, smart, and amazing person. He was all of those things without the drugs but his mental illness didn’t let him see that.

I am sure he thought, “Why is this not the answer? I feel so good.”

I see most of this in his music lyrics that he left. I personally saw this side of him only twice. One day he burst onto … Read more...

10 reasons why so many kids are abusing drugs

We have the perfect storm for a drug epidemic to thrive. Here are just a few reasons why I can cite why our youth is reaching for drugs to numb life’s painful moments instead of growing from the experience.

1. They are prescribed addictive drugs

Teens go in for an ACL injury or wisdom tooth removal, they are given a bottle of pills. They can become addicted so much quicker than an adult having almost as much as a 20% chance of addiction versus adults who are at 10% risk.

Prescribing guidelines are in place and good God we talk … Read more...

Interview Part 2: Dr. Peter Coleman on Addiction MAT and Recovery

Video: By Ted Salin, 10 minutes

Part 2: Anne Moss Rogers of Emotionally Naked interviews Dr. Peter Coleman, National Medical Director of The Coleman Institute and a person in long-term recovery. Although he obviously runs a business, I trust Dr. Coleman and his knowledge of addiction detox and recovery which he has been doing since 1984. He has true compassion for those with Substance Use Disorder.

He strives to find the best way to make the process as effective as possible to achieve a higher percentage of those who … Read more...