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Greetings!
It seems some of you have been having trouble with a few of our links (especially the one in the top right-hand column on "Wise Counsel"). We have repaired it and have sent this new newsletter file. We apologize for the hassle!
Just a quick update before you read this new issue. Judy and I continue to seek God's will and direction as we move forward. I'm currently taking a short sabbatical from my duties as Chaplain at the Boulder County Jail, but my work helping families with alcohol and drug dependent loved-ones has not slowed down a bit (read about our recent workshop in San Antonio).
Unfortunately, the uncertain state of our economy, high unemployment, combined with an abundance of prescription drugs, marijuana dispensaries popping up everywhere (Colorado now has 800), along with the multitude of "pain management" clinics is a perfect recipe for increased substance-related issues. This problem won't be going away soon.
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to help families find answers and ways to navigate these dangerous issues. Oh . . . and don't miss the Joe Walsh clip toward the end of this newsletter.
Keeping hope alive,
Please keep this email in your inbox to forward to someone you care about. It's an easy way to help a friend or
loved-one who may be feeling very alone. Also, don't miss the 10% off coupon at the bottom for purchasing our products. |
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Feature Article:
Detachment. How Can I?
When life becomes one crisis after another; when emotional pain and endless drama become "the norm" what am I supposed to do? Over the past few decades I've received this question a lot. Recently
it has become the #1 question. Why is that? What do I suggest to
families who have arrived at this place? How about this: My suggestion
is to do NOTHING! Stop "doing." Quit "doing." No longer "DO" anything.
Let's talk about letting go and what that looks like (sometimes
referred to as detachment). So there--I've said it . . . The "D" word, The
Ultimatum, The "Nuclear Option."  |
Changing Lives News:
A Packed House
at our "Handling the Crisis" Workshop-San Antonio! The two-hour workshop was very well attended (standing room only, with
over 140 attendees). Joe and a volunteer did some role playing, there
was plenty of good food, interaction, laughter, applause . . . and an emotional ending.
 Your Local Mission Dollars
at Work:
(First Pres. Boulder, CO Sept. 2010 Feature Article "The Flame" Newsletter)
First Pres'
relationship with Joe Herzanek started in 1999 when Local Missions
began supporting him as the Chaplain at the Boulder County Jail. In that
role, Joe leads Bible studies, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics
Anonymous (NA) meetings in the jail, provides Bibles, conducts
one-on-one Christian Studies and substance abuse counseling--along with
coordinating all religious volunteer activities.
Book Excerpt of the Month:
The Importance of Empathy:
This short article explains one of the most important (and one of
our favorite) concepts.
Dr. James Fay (Parenting Teens with Love and Logic) illustrates the
simple approach-of showing empathy while remaining strong.
EMPATHY!
Consequences delivered with empathy create responsibility.
Consequences delivered without empathy create resentment.
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DVD Excerpt of the month:
Click here to watch
Learn the truth to the often misunderstood notion that some people
"just can't quit."
Question #8 excerpted from:
"The 10 Toughest Questions Families and Friends Ask About Addiction and Recovery."
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Featured resource:
Sober Living in Colorado
A Message
from Jocelyn
A lot of people do not understand how serious addiction is. One thing to
remember that you are dealing with something that is cunning baffling and
powerful. Do not turn your back for one second, and think that you can have
some handle on it. Cuz it will always come back and bite you in the ass!
Think about all the time that you spent getting loaded, and all the time that
you thought about getting the next drink, or hit. What you would do to get what
you needed. Then try to apply all that energy into you staying clean and sober.
If you are interested in staying at a sober living home in Loveland, CO, you can get more
information here.
Serenity Houses website
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Recent Radio Interviews:
Recovery Now Radio
(Madison, Wisconsin)
Over
the past couple years I have taped various radio interviews. Among
these were several with a wonderful weekly show called "Recovery Now!" Host Ned Wicker and I engage in easygoing discussions covering a multitude of topics.
Jail is Not the End of the World!
Chaplain Joe Herzanek has much experience with this topic as he has spent the last 17 years working at the Boulder
County Jail helping those struggling with addiction to overcome it.
30 min. Listen Now
Detachment:
Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone you love is to detach from them.
30 min. Listen Now
"Is There A Conflict Between Christianity and the Twelve Steps?"
Joe Herzanek discusses the relationship between Christianity and the 12-step program of recovery and how they are related.
30 min. Listen Now
(Click here to read all twelve steps).
Ned Wicker/Host: Recovery Now!
Addictions Chaplain
Waukesha Memorial Hospital Lawrence Center
Waukesha, WI
Read Ned Wicker's article "Recovering Addiction: Wrestling With Spiritual Issues"(click here)
For a complete listing of all Joe's radio interviews click here
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To get A FREE AUDIO CD:
(Sept. 15 & 22 Recovery Now! shows, plus Joe's 60 minute interview with Berk Lewis "Next Step Radio")
Email us at:
[email protected]
Ask for the FREE AUDIO CD, include your name and mailing address.
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Feedback from you:
 (All feedback is posted with permission from the sender. We have changed a few details to protect their anonymity)You
don't know me, but I recently became inspired to seek positive change
in my life by completely taking some advice from you that I found on a
short video clip on YouTube. My husband is a drug addict, addicted to
crack cocaine and marijuana. He desperately tried to keep it from me,
despite even being caught using multiple times. He made me believe I
was going insane. In the heartache of dealing with my loved one's
addiction, I Googled "why won't he just quit" as I threw up my hands in
complete surrender. Up popped your book and DVD and a short video
segment. I was awestruck in how much the similarities of dealing with
addiction were prevalent in my own life.
Needless to say, I took
your advice of complete detachment and it made my husband recognize his
addiction in his life. He admitted to it and is now seeking intensive
rehab to eliminate this evil addiction that robbed me of a husband and a
father to my son.
I thank God for the "serendipity" experience
that I had in finding a solution when I was unsure of what to do next. I
feel an anointing on your words and I am looking into getting your
books to continue to help my family overcome this. Thanks. In His Hands,
~Tessa R. (Little Rock, AK)
Joe! I was just thinking
of you and your wife today!!! I cannot thank you both enough. Your
phone call to help me work things through with my son about 6 weeks back was
truly above and beyond and I remain touched and blessed.
I will be seeing him for the first time in 8 weeks on Friday. You
gave me sound advice and I am putting it to use. But mostly--knowing you
care, and knowing you're out there doing what you do--means everything! God Bless you!!! ~Marilyn O. (Pascoag, RI)
I wish I would have looked at this sight many months ago
maybe it could have saved my family and the ones that I loved for the pain and
the hurt that we now must go though all over again.
~Michele M. (Orlando, FL)
I've just received my "10 Questions DVD." This tape is awesome . . . I am
managing 3 recovery houses as 12-step work. In other words I am like the
house dad for 3 different houses. I like this tape soooo much I am going to have our house meeting
around this tape. I don't know Joe but boy can I relate to him so
far . . . I can't explain the gratitude I have for you guys. Love ya both,
~Charlie V. (Independence, MO)
"The Ten Toughest
Questions?" Anyone who is "looking," "seeking"
answers, or "willing" will benefit. This DVD is
extremely helpful because it cuts thru the junk & spells things out
short, sweet & with no-nonsense, to-the-point input that is positively right-on and freely encouraging. You have no doubt you can get the help you so
desperately need. I thank God for your good and faithful work!! Feel free to use my name. Love and blessings to you this amazing new year. ~Patsy M.(Loveland, CO)
I ordered your book because
a dear friend of mine relapsed after more than 20 years of sobriety. I was
at a loss as to how to deal with her issues. She's now one month
sober again, and doing well, but she did hit bottom before she was able to
reach out for the help that had always been there. Thanks for the very
helpful insights. We are all praying for her . . . one day at a
time. ~Sheri M. (Newberry, MI)
I
wanted to share with you that my youngest son just graduated from DEN Drug
Court after 5 long yrs in the system. He said it was
extremely emotional for him because he's acutely aware of the pain and
destruction he caused his family and himself. He's now totally free of
all legal issues that he faced. I have seen a marked difference (for
the positive), in his attitude and way of thinking this past year. As
far as I'm concerned, "It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as
you do not stop". I'm so proud of him, I could burst wide open. I'm
the happiest I've been in at least 15 yrs, knowing that my two sons are
drug free and continue their recovery. I have so much to be thankful
for and continue to pray for their well-being everyday.
I'm still
very grateful to you for writing the book, "Why Don't They Just Quit",
as your words were instrumental in restoring my mental health and guided
me through the most difficult time I've ever experienced in my life. With gratitude and love, ~Janet P. (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
I recently started reading your book,"Why Don't They Just Quit?" There are
things in this book that I had wondered about, but did not know how to begin
to find the answers. Thank you Joe for your help, and thank God for
using you and your wife, Judy to become part of my life and family. ~Charlene R. (Portland, OR)
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Have You
"Tried Everything?"
Wise
Counsel for Your Situation
Joe Herzanek CAP
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Did You Miss an Issue?
Click on each title
to find:
- Q&A "ASK JOE" - |
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Al-Anon Group Finder
(Finding a group you like is similar to finding a church you like--you may have to try a few different meetings.)
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AA Grapevine
The international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous,
with thousands of stories and letters from those finding a solution to alcoholism.
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