September  2011
Changing Lives Foundation
Greetings!

We hope this finds you and your family well. Although times are uncertain and often stressful lately, we have been making a point to enjoy some of the things that money cannot buy.

Also, in response to some of your requests during these difficult economic times, we're offering phone counseling at a very reduced price. It's becoming obvious that many families who need help with a loved one's chemical dependency are also in a tight place financially.

If your loved one is firmly on the road to recovery, then bravo. If things haven't changed or perhaps have even become worse--this may be a great time to re-evaluate what should be done next.

Joe and Judy Herzanek at Black Lake, Rocky Mtn. Nat. ParkThis month's newsletter is packed with new links. Of note is an updated Resources Page, two new radio shows on intervention (Joe walks the listener through an actual intervention), a blog post by one of our readers called "Letting Go of My Daughter" --a new "Ask Joe: Chronic Pain Management and Pain Pill Addiction. What to do?" --a new "Ask The Addict's Mom: I Felt as Though I was Reborn" and a heartwarming photo sent to us recently by "Gramma Carole" as she supports her grandson in his struggle for sobriety and life itself.

Please share this newsletter with anyone you know who can use some support and encouragement.

Never give up hope.

-Joe & Judy Herzanek

 

LISTEN TO JOE'S RADIO INTERVIEW FOR RECOVERY NOW! 

THE BENEFITS OF DRUG ADDICTION PHONE COUNSELING

 

ALSO READ:
4 MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF TELEPHONE COUNSELING WITH AN ADDICTION PROFESSIONAL

 
 

 

Angel on his shoulder
"You are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie"

~ Angel (Sarah McLachlan)

 

 

Changing Lives friend and loving grandmother "Gramma Carole" sent us this picture as she recently walked the hospital corridor
with her beloved grandson as he struggles
with the tremendous grip of addiction.
She discovered that this photo seems to show the glow
of a guardian angel on his shoulder.
The words of this song now take on a whole new meaning. 

Angel

 

Spend all your time waiting

 For that second chance

 For a break that would make it okay

 There's always one reason

 To feel not good enough

 And it's hard at the end of the day

 I need some distraction

 Oh beautiful release

 Memory seeps from my veins

 Let me be empty

 And weightless and maybe

 I'll find some peace tonight

 

 In the arms of an angel

 Fly away from here

 From this dark cold hotel room

 And the endlessness that you fear . . .  

 

Click here for entire lyrics, the music video and to leave a message of encouragement (on our blog) for Gramma Carole and her grandson--who is literally "fighting for his life."

 

Many thanks

 


 
Joe Herzanek white bkgd

In order to be sensitive to your need for family addiction counseling--and our challenging economy, we are now offering very reduced pricing for  phone counseling.


Call for details

303.775.6493

 
The Addict's Mom Logo Changing Lives is proud to partner with a very special group--The Addict's Mom to bring our readers even more support, hope and friendship.

 

 

"The Addict's Mom."

 The Addict's Mom: Reborn

 

#3
Ask The Addict's Mom/living with an addict
 

This question was given to a member of the Addict's Mom-Elaine Altman-Eller. We hope it brings insight to the many transitions and difficulties that appear in the life of an Addict's Mom. Here is a glimpse into the life of one courageous mom.

 

Question: 

When living with an addict, help us understand the process of how things unfolded from the beginning when addiction first entered your life as to how things are in the present moment?

 

Answer: 

I remember thinking when all this began to unfold in my life, how did I get from where I was to where I am now??? I didn't like my life that way but how was I to change these dark ways of thinking all of the time? They haunted my very existence and every moment was devoted to negative ways of looking at what was occurring before me. I had no tools to navigate a better way and the tools I was using were hopelessness and despair.  


I walked and carried myself as a mother who had been defeated.
It was obvious to everyone I was in pain . . . READ MORE 

 

Please visit:
"The Addict's Mom" website for much more wisdom and support.

 

Find us on Facebook Also The Addict's Mom Facebook Open Group is a "must visit"  

 

 

 

 
Find us on Facebook

Changing Lives Foundation Logo w/�  

In Case You Missed
Changing Lives on Facebook Lately
 

 Some recent postings. . .      

 

 Microphone

Recovery Now! Radio Interviews on Intervention
Listen Now

 

 

 

 

Letting Go of my Daughter Letting Go of My Daughter 
~by Jennifer B. 

   

 

  

Addiction Recovery Resources Addiction Recovery Resources

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

William D. Silkworth, MD  

Relapse explained: "Slips and Human Nature"

 ~This is the best description of the cause of relapse we have ever read.

 

 Find us on Facebook Please visit our Facebook Community Page and "like" us to have access to multiple daily updates of "hand-picked" addiction recovery news and information. (click here)  

 

 

 

 

Ask Joe:

Joe, Lewis and Clark on white

Certified Addiction Counselor and Interventionist Joe Herzanek with Lewis and Clark


Chronic Pain Management
& Pain Pill Addiction:
What to do?

What do you do with someone who is addicted to pain pills but can't come completely off because of continual pain?

 
Q: Dear Joe,

I have read your book Why Don't They Just Quit? and also gave it to my sister to read.  She has a daughter who has a pain pill addiction.  The problem is-she can't just quit because the reason she was put on pain pills in the first place was because she has an incurable back problem.

 

I don't remember your addressing this in your book, but what do you do with someone who has a pain pill addiction but can't come completely off because of continual pain?

~ Betty F. (Tampa, FL)

 

 

A: Dear Betty ,

This is a difficult dilemma. If your sister's daughter has genuine, documentable chronic pain (by that I mean a physician has done a thorough exam and can point right to the problem, then this can be a huge challenge.   

 

There is a lot I don't know from your short email such as her age, type of injury, how long it has persisted and so on.   

 

If she were my daughter I would want to personally go with her to a Dr. appointment and hear the prognosis first-hand. And I am not talking about going to a pain management clinic-but to the physician who is medically treating her injury.   

 

The downside to using opiate pain meds (pain pills) for pain is that the person can/will build a high tolerance to them (if used over many months or years) and even if the original issue that caused the pain were to heal, the patient won't be able to tell-because their central nervous system now expects opiates to come in on a regular basis. If this doesn't happen, the body will "revolt"-go into withdrawal.   

 

Your email stated "she has an incurable back problem." I don't know what that may mean, how severe the pain is, what has or has not been tried. I'm not a medical doctor. I do know trying lots of other options with the hope of finding a better solution than opiates is worth the effort.   

 

There are often other options for chronic pain management. Neuromuscular stimulators, stretching, exercise, chiropractic adjustments, over the counter medications, acupuncture, as well as surgery are some treatments for chronic pain. Some physicians use placebos, which in some cases have resulted in a lessening or elimination of pain. Psychotherapy, relaxation and medication therapies, biofeedback, and behavior modification may also be employed to treat chronic pain.   

 

These options require work and a willingness on the daughter's part to maybe go through a little more pain to find an alternative.

Keep in mind that all the while-she knows in the back of her head, that she can just take another pill or two and get instant relief. This can be a real mental tug-of-war.   

 

Perhaps the best advice is to take the time to find a doctor that truly understands addiction, chronic pain management, pain med abuse along with the psychological mind game that a patient will struggle with.   

 

I can advise you of several resources for advice or suggestions that you may find helpful--depending on your location.  

Best regards,

~Joe

 

RELATED:
-Pain Meds Cause More Pain! The new silent epidemic.
-Read more about this topic--chapter 27, Why Don't They Just Quit? 

 

 MORE "ASK JOE" 

-When an adult child recognizes a problem with alcohol.  

-Son needs $75 for drug dealer or he'll be "killed for sure." 

-I'm not able to deal with my live-in fiance's need to get drunk every night. 

-What if they just CAN'T quit?  

 

 

 
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Issue 17  
In This Issue

Addiction Phone

Counseling for Family Members


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Joe Herzanek/Certified Addiction Counselor

Call for info:

(303) 775.6493

Your first call is free

  

 

or Email:

jherzanek@gmail.com 


I specialize in tough, "seemingly impossible" situations.

 

Phone consultations 

are a simple, anonymous way

to get 

 expert help now . . . 

from the comfort

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Over 30 years of real-life, hands-on experience and success, saving you money, time and unnecessary heartache.

 

Serving clients across the USA

 

READ MORE 

 

 

Call for info:

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or Email:

jherzanek@gmail.com   

 

 

_______________

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We've recently created a Changing Lives Foundation Community Page on Facebook.

 

This is a place where you can visit to find very current updates

as to what we are "up to" and interesting info and important news items.

 

Please help us spread the word by clicking on the Facebook icon (above) to go to our page and "like" us.

 

Many thanks

 

_______________

Explore our
Changing Lives
eNewsletter Archive


Archive

Click on each title
to find:


  IS AN ADDICT EVER CURED?   

 

 TIME TO WAKE UP TO THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION EPIDEMIC 

 

  HELP WITH HAVING "THAT MOST DIFFICULT CONVERSATION"    

 

  IS IT OKAY TO TAKE OPIATE PAIN MEDICATION IN RECOVERY?   

  

12-STEP RECOVERY AND "THINGS OF GOD" --A PERFECT MATCH 

 

DAN'S STORY: A MOTHER'S PAINFUL LESSONS LEARNED 

DETACHMENT. HOW CAN I? 


WE CAN'T AFFORD TREATMENT. WHAT NOW?

WILLPOWER: ISN'T ADDICTION JUST A WILLPOWER PROBLEM?

SIBLINGS: THE FORGOTTEN ONES

POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL

"YES, YOUR KID IS SMOKING POT" (What every parent needs to know now.)

INSIDER TIPS ON ADDICTION RECOVERY DURING A RECESSION

PAIN MEDS CAUSE MORE PAIN

METH: "THE DEVIL'S DRUG" (Can Meth addicts really recover?)

THE ACCIDENTAL ADDICT

"MEANEST MOM"

INTERVENTIONS
(Believe it or not, you do them all the time!)

WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH STRESS?

HOLIDAY PROBLEMS?

RELAPSE. IT HAPPENS 

 
 

Why Don't They
Just Quit?


What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery

  LR WDTJQ Book on Black    
To Purchase

 

Book and 10 Toughest Questions DVD together for one low price

 

(click here

 
Reviews with Integrity, BooksPlease read our review

 

Reviews

with   

Integrity   

 

". . . I am a person of high integrity and will not lead you to purchase a book from an author or publishing house that is not worth the money you pay for it."  


________________  


Banquet of Consequences

Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences

 

~Robert Louis Stevenson 


________________  

  Changing Lives Resource Page
Visit our blog for:
GENERAL INFO AND TREATMENT

TWELVE-STEP

 INTERVENTION

ALCOHOL/DRUGS

ONLINE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT

FAMILY SUPPORT

  RECOVERY RADIO

SOBER LIVING 

 

CODEPENDENCE  

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________________    



There is a special bond between those who have "been there."

  

~Joe Herzanek  


________________  

  

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Professional Intervention

 

Joe Herzanek white bkgd
Joe Herzanek CAP

(Certified Addiction Professional)

 


The Solution for Families Held Hostage by Alcohol and Substance Abuse

 


> Intervention is speaking the truth in love

> Intervention is the most effective means to help a loved one begin recovery

  

> Intervention is the solution that ends strife and brings peace

 
  
"Joe simplifies the process of getting your friend or loved one into recovery and will work with you every step of the way."

Read More: 

Intervention's Critical Role for Recovery

More about intervention with Joe Herzanek 

 

 
Call anytime:
(303) 775.6493

or Email: jherzanek@gmail.com
 
 

________________    

 


The worst choice is . . . to do nothing. 

  

~Joe Herzanek  


________________   

  

 
*Disclaimer: The information provided in this email is for educational purposes only. The views expressed herein are those of the author only. Knowing that each person's situation is different it is very important that you meet with/consult a professional in this field before acting on any perceived advice given.
Joe Herzanek, (Certified Addiction Professional, CAC ll)
President: Changing Lives Foundation
Providing families in crisis with over 30 years of real-life, hands-on experience and success.

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for additional info or to purchase products over the phone