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WELCOME TO
THE Recovery Radio FLASH! |
Week of February 9 2006 |
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Welcome...to the
FLASH! This weekly e-newsletter will keep you informed of what's
new at Recovery
Radio Show...and
at Recovery Media, Inc., our affiliated service corporation. We
are dedicated to taking the hope of RECOVERY to you, your
family, and to all persons afflicted with- or affected by - THE
DISEASE OF ADDICTION. There IS a better way....
1.
THIS WEEK'S SHOW: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY11TH
Part II of our Special February Series: Sex
Addiction- Understanding, Accepting, Healing
Internet Pornography: Crack Cocaine of
Sex Addiction
 Accelerator
of the Sex Addiction Surge in Modern Times
Special Guest: Rob Weiss, LCSW, CAS, Clinical Director,
The Sexual Recovery Institute- Los Angeles
http://www.sexualrecovery.com/
The explosion of Internet Pornography in recent years has been
the accelerant propelling Sex Addiction into position as the
#1 "behavioral addiction" in America- and probably the world.
It is a scourge that is as damaging to lives and relationships
as methamphetamine and crack cocaine have been so as drug
addictions.
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Rob Weiss, LCSW, CAS
Special Guest |
An estimated 5% of our population suffers from Sex Addiction,
and this number is likely no different than at any time since
the inception of mankind. Yet, Sex Addiction in the 21st
Century has become a HUGE problem for millions of people,
seemingly all of a sudden. Is this because it is more
prevalent than before, or, simply because we are more aware of
it?
This week, we will focus on the modern phenomenon of Internet
Pornography, and how this mesmerizing and electrifying
delivery agent of instant sexual gratification has contributed
to the surge in Sex Addiction. Since visual pornography is
more "visual" in nature, it may well presumed by many that
Internet Porn is the largely the province of male Sex Addicts.
We will find out!!
 We will
be joined in the booth by special guest Rob Weiss, LCSW,
CAS, Clinical Director of The Sexual Recovery Institute- Los
Angeles. Rob is a well-known Sex Addiction therapist,
author, and TV personality. Recently he has appeared on the
Oprah Winfrey Show on Pornography Addiction (Nov. 30, 2005),
plus in the current and ongoing Discovery Health Channel/The
Learning Channel series "Sex Mania- Sexual Addiction". He has
written several books on the subject of Sex Addiction,
including "Cruise
Control" and "Cybersex
Exposed".
By gender breakdown, it is often assumed incorrectly that Sex
Addiction is primarily a MEN's problem. In fact, women DO
suffer from Sex Addiction, and the ratio of men to women Sex
Addicts is likely much closer to parity than one might think.
Women often cite "romance" and "love" as being the central
issue, but this is all a matter of perspective and
interpretation, plus consideration of historical
gender-specific nuances as to how each gender views their
sexuality. Indeed, many women are Sex Addicts.
Sex Addiction is profoundly shame-based, and this alone
explains why, as a form of addiction, it is 20-30 years behind
alcoholism and drug addiction in terms of public understanding
and acceptance. No one wants to admit that they are a Sex
Addict!! To do so would seem like admitting to being a
"pervert"; it is no wonder that too many people suffering from
Sex Addiction have not sought the help they need to heal
theirs and their loved ones' lives.
Rob will help us understand the meaning and significance of
the Internet Pornography as it contributes to Sex Addiction.
We will explore Cybersex addiction, men's issues, as well as a
host of other issues regarding Sex Addiction. And as always,
we will take your calls, and your questions.
The Sexual Recovery Institute- Los Angeles (www.sexualrecovery.com)
is located in West LA, and offers comprehensive evaluation and
treatment services to men, women, couples, and family/spouses.
Don’t miss this exciting and highly informative show!
Live!! This Saturday night, February 11th 6 – 8P Pacific Time
on 99.5 FM KKLA Los Angeles and 10 other cities…and…streaming
on the web. Our show call-in number is 888/995-5552 for your
questions and comments. Remember….. RECOVERY WORKS!!!
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2.
ALL OF FEBRUARY 2006:
SEX ADDICTION!!
SEX ADDICTION: WE WILL "OUT" IT!!
 Five
Part Special Series
Understanding ~
Accepting ~ Healing
This month we will feature Sex Addiction as our
focus. Human sexuality is a normal and essential aspect of life;
it can and should be meaningful, enjoyable, endearing, bonding,
and of course, procreating. Finding a balance between normal and
addictive sex can be problematic for those individuals who have
the genetic make-up of predisposition to Addiction.
 Dr.
Patrick Carnes, author of the groundbreaking book, “Out
of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction” will join
us on March 4th for the conclusion of our 5-Part Series on Sex
Addiction. As one of the earliest pioneers in this field, he
is widely acknowledged to be the “father of sex addiction
treatment”. Also joining us this month will be Sharon
O’Hara, LCSW, in private practice and formerly Director,
Sexual Dependency Unit at Del Amo Hospital in Torrance,
CA, Rob Weiss, LCSW, Clinical Director of the Sexual
Recovery Institute, Los Angeles, and Maureen Canning,
MA, Clinical Consultant with the Sexual Disorder Service
at The Meadows in Wickenburg, AZ. Rounding out our
stellar guest line-up for the series will be “Frank L”,
one of the founders of the first 12-Step recovery group for
sex addiction,
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous.
As a form of compulsive behavior or addiction, Sex Addiction is
in position of public awareness, understanding, and acceptance
that alcoholism and drug addiction were 20-30 years ago. We as a
nation can and must come to grips with this widespread form of
addictive behavior. Recovery Radio will do so during the month
of February with this 5-Part Series.
Robb Weiss has written two excellent books on the subject
as well:
Cybersex Exposed (2001) and
Cruise Control (2005). Both are good sources of
information about Internet Sex Addiction and gay issues and Sex
Addiction, respectively.
Special Thanks go to Kay Poggi, MA, private practice sex
addiction therapist based in Orange County, who served as our
content technical consultant for this series. She has worked
extensively with Dr. Carnes, and welcomes new patients to her
practice: 949.498.5018 or 949.230.3515
Don’t miss this exciting and informative series!!
Join us "LIVE!!" every Saturday night, 6 - 8P Pacific Time 99.5
KKLA Los Angeles, or, in 10 other cities, or, Streaming on the
Web. On-Air Call-in Number: 888/995-5552
RECOVERY WORKS!!
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3.
STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE
DOC by Dr Steve
Drugs and Sex- Alcohol
 Drugs
and sex don’t mix very well. Regardless the combination of
specific drug and sex, the outcome generally is not a good
one.
Drugs and alcohol affect the brain in many ways, and they
impact the entire body in a manner that profoundly impacts our
sexual well-being. The end result of drugs on the brain and
body almost invariably make our sexual experiences distorted
and less healthy.
Let’s talk about that most-popular drug of all: Alcohol!!
Alcohol is the great social - and sexual - lubricant.
Marketing efforts by alcoholic beverage manufacturers most
commonly use sex appeal as the most compelling reason to buy.
Think about all those beer commercials, and the ads for just
about any distilled liquor. Sex or or a pretty woman is almost
invariably present.
Alcohol breaks down our inhibitions, but often such that we
often don't make good decisions regarding just about
anything….including sex. We all know the end effects that can
occur when drugs and sex and combined; unintended pregnancy,
sexually transmitted diseases, infidelity, embarrassing and
uneasy morning awakenings with strange people, and on and on.
Alcohol often either makes our sexual choices and experiences
irresponsible, or, it trashes them them - and us - at the
cellular level. Alcohol is toxic to nearly all organs and
tissues of the body.
In the long haul, alcohol is extremely hard on the body. For
men, it is among other things toxic to the
testicles…suppressing testosterone production and causing
lower sperm counts. Ultimately, this great sexual lubricant
leads to decreased libido and male infertility. Liver disease
also contributes to sexual dysfunction in men (and women of
course!). In late stages of liver organ failure, substances
are produced by those failing livers which have estrogenic ,
or female hormone, qualities, ultimately leading to
feminization of the body. Now this cannot be good!!!!
Women alcoholics bodies seem particularly susceptible to the
damaging toxic effects of alcohol, and they tend to age much
more rapidly than non-drinking women. The ravages of time are
much more accentuated on their bodies; they look- and act-
much older than they really are. Along with aging, their
interest in sex diminishes, as is the case with just about any
drug.
In sum, chronic alcohol consumption leads to anything BUT
healthy sexual functioning.
My opinion? If you want good, healthy sex….don’t mix it with
alcohol.
This is Dr Steve, giving it to you straight!!
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4. THOUGHT FOR RECOVERY- by BOB MUNCK
 Each
week on our show this past year, Bob has shares his "Thought
for Recovery", a unique personal reflection meant to inspire
those of us in Recovery. This is from a man with 15 years of
personal sobriety, and with many years of recovery leadership.
He has seen and heard it all. He has sponsored hundreds of men
during that time. Bob's "Thoughts" will focus on pearls of
wisdom that all alcoholics and addicts in Recovery can use to
enhance their own Recovery. We reprint this week's Thought for
Recovery here:
Healthy Sexuality
 In
recovery, many areas of our life need healing.
Sexuality is a very important part of our lives. Our feelings
and beliefs about our sexuality; our ability to nurture,
cherish, and enjoy our sexuality; our ability to respect
ourselves sexually; and our ability to let go of sexual shame
and confusion- all may be impaired or confused by our
codependency and addictive thinking.
Our sexual energy may be blocked because of our codependency;
Or for some of us, sex may be the only way that we learned to
connect with people. Our sexuality may not be connected to the
rest of our being; sex may not be connected to love - either
for others or for ourselves.
Some of us were sexually abused as children. Some of us may
have gotten involved in sexuality addictive behaviors earlier
in our lives, and we continue with our compulsive sexual
behaviors that got out of control and which produced much
guilt and shame.
Some of us may have gotten involved in sexual codependency:
not paying attention to what we did or didn't want sexually;
allowing ourselves to get involved sexually because it was
what the other person wanted; shutting off our sexuality along
with all our other feelings; denying ourselves healthy
enjoyment of ourselves as sexual beings.
It is healthy and good to allow our sexual energy to open up
and become healed. But we do not have to allow our sexual
energy to control our relationships or us. We can establish
and maintain healthy, appropriate boundaries around our
sexuality.
We can enjoy the gift from God of being human beings who have
been given the gift of sexual energy, without abusing or
discounting that gift.
Dear God I pray that I will begin to integrate my sexuality
into the rest of my personality. Please God, help me let go of
my fears and shame around my sexuality. Show me the issues I
need to face about my sexuality. Help me open myself to your
healing and wisdom in that area of my life. Amen
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5.
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
WITH RECOVERY RADIO
Recovery Radio Seeks
Show Sponsors
 The
Recovery Radio Show is more that just a radio show.
We are a comprehensive set of resources for addicts and their
families. Our uniqueness is that each week we reach hundreds of
thousands of addicts and their families who are still
suffering…over 500,000 people each week. We do this in many
ways, the most obvious of which is over the airwaves every
Saturday night in Los Angeles and 10 other cities,
coast-to-coast.
In addition, we will soon be publishing “California Together”,
a monthly newspaper targeted at the recovery community
throughout Southern California. We will be publishing this in
partnership with Bill and Barbara Brown, publishers of “Arizona
Together”, which periodical has been meeting the needs of
the Arizona recovery community for over 15 years. The two will
be sister publications.
We maintain one of the most popular “recovery radio” websites in
the world! Both Google and Yahoo have rated ours to be #4, and
this after only 6 months of existence! That is phenomenal, and
testimony to the fact that we are “doing something right!” Our
weekly e-newsletter, the FLASH! reaches many people each week as
well, with timely updates on what is happening with Recovery
Radio and the recovery world in general.
Future projects include an “800 HELPLINE”, the HOW Program USA
“recovery scholarships”, Fourth Step Workshops with Bob and Dr
Steve, and “The Art of Recovery- Southern California” recovery
community annual convention.
What does this all mean? It means that those organizations whose
business is related to recovery and/or recovery products have a
unique opportunity to engage- at the ground-floor level- in an
extremely effective marketing alliance with The Recovery Radio
Show.
Ours is a highly-targeted audience. We reach over 500,000 people
each week (conservative estimate). Approximately 60% of our
callers are family members or loved ones of an alcoholic or
addict who NEEDS RECOVERY. They are looking for solutions to get
their loved on into recovery. About 30% of our callers are from
addicts or alcoholics who are IN RECOVERY, and want and need
recovery-oriented products.
More so, ALL of our listeners are learning more about a
societal problem that in reality affects essentially every
single person in this nation. Addiction is by far the #1 public
health problem in the nation today, costing our society over $4
Billion/year. It is long overdue that our nation accepts
addiction for the medical disease that it is. We are doing our
part to effect that change.
If you are with a business or organization that might benefit
from a marketing relationship with Recovery Radio, please
contact us. We will be happy to discuss the many ways that you
can benefit from joining our team…and at the same time help AND
benefit from our growing fan and listener base.
CONTACT US
if you would like to explore sponsorship or marketing
opportunities with Recovery Radio Show. Toll-Free:
866.334.0471., ext. 102 (Bob), or ext. 111 (Dr Steve).
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HYTHIAM, Inc. joins us as our corporate sponsor!!!
We at the Recovery
Radio Show are pleased to announce that beginning Saturday,
October 8, 2005
HYTHIAM, Inc. joins us
as our corporate sponsor!!! A health services
management company that licenses an
exciting methamphetamine treatment protocol called "PROMETA"
(TM), Hythiam was founded in 2002 in Los Angeles.
The PROMETA (TM) protocols are currently being evaluated in a
placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical study. This radical approach
to the once dismal treatment of "speed" addiction- which likely
will revolutionize the world of addiction treatment- is
available to addicts NOW!! Hythiam also has PROMETA (TM)
protocols for cocaine and alcohol, too!! For more information,
call
(800) 700-SOBER, or visit
www.overcomeaddiction.com |
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A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
The
Recovery Radio Show is organized as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit
public benefit corporation under the IRS tax code: Our Mission
is to provide education about addiction to our fellow human
beings, and to do what we can to allow those still suffering to
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tax-deductible donation to the RRS, you may do so with our
profound thanks and appreciation by clicking on the link above,
or by going to the "DONATE" button on our website on the
HOME page. Or, you may call our very own Melissa Stewart at
866.334.0471 M-F between the hours of 8A - 5P.
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That's it for
this week....Join us this Saturday Night, won't you?????.....6-8
Pacific Time...on-air, or on the web.
Yours very truly, and in sobriety,
Dr Steve, Bob, and the Recovery Radio Crew |
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