|
 |
|
WELCOME TO
THE Recovery Radio FLASH! |
Week of May 19, 2006 |
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....
|
Our newsletter is a free, weekly update on what's
going on here at
Recovery Radio Show and includes valuable resources and tools for any
 one affected
by the disease of addiction.
SUBSCRIBE
HERE >>> |
1.
WOMEN NEEDED TO SHARE THEIR STORY ON
CABLE TV PROGRAM “SECRET LIVES OF WOMEN”
TV Show seeks “functioning” female addicts for on-air
documentary series
(alcohol, meth, sex)
 Women’s
Entertainment Network (WE) is a cable television channel
whose focus is on women: their lives, their interests, their
jobs, their hobbies, their joys, their sorrows, their
problems- EVERYTHING and anything that appeals to the female
gender.
I recently received a phone call from one of the producers of
the WE show “Secret
Lives of Women”, which is in its second season and airs on
Tuesday evenings at 10:30P in those cable system areas that
carry WE. They are looking for 3 women who might be willing to
be interviewed for an episode of this “real-life” documentary
series (NOT “reality TV”!!). The show chronicles the actual
lives of women in various situations and who are facing
various significant or unusual challenges, “demons”, or other
special issues of concern.
They would like to find three women who would be interested in
sharing their lives as being:
The letter I received from “The
Secret Lives of Women” producer follows:
Dear Dr. Groth,
Per our conversation, I am currently working on the
second season of a WE - Women's Entertainment Cable
Television Network program, called "Secret Lives of
Women." This one-hour, multi-part series takes an
up-close and very personal look at the important
issues facing women today.
“The Secret Lives of Women” is presented in a
documentary-style, letting women tell their stories in
their own words as they share an intimate look at a
week in their lives. Each episode tackles a different
topic – from women still breaking career barriers – to
women dealing with life threatening addictions - to
women battling discrimination. The program will also
encourage women to reach beyond their limits –
providing important insight into how women are
managing careers and family as well battling personal
demons while at the same time, working to fulfill
their own hopes and dreams.
At this time, we are researching for two episodes
focusing on women living with addictions, including
drugs, alcohol, and sex. One episode in particular
will be dedicated to women living with Meth
addictions.
I was hoping that you may be able to help. We are
currently searching for women with Meth addiction,
functioning alcoholics, and sex addictions to
interview for the program. Our program strives to
break stereotypes and searches for relatable women to
share their stories. Ideally, we would like to
highlight how widespread these problems are and we are
hoping to include women of varying backgrounds. Should
you have any recommendations for potential
interviewees or have any suggestions on the best way
to reach out to these women, we would be grateful.
"Secret
Lives of Women" is produced by Kaos Entertainment
in association with WE Cable Television Network. By
way of background,
Kaos Entertainment has
been producing award-winning television for over a
decade. The company's credits include some of the
highest rated specials and series for U.S. Networks
including FOX, SCI-FI Channel, Discovery, Travel
Channel, TLC and Animal Planet.
|
Interested women may contact me , Dr Steve at
drsteve@recoveryradioshow.com or call my office at
949.334.0471, ext. 111. I will be happy to further discuss
these WE opportunities for “Secret Lives of Women” with you
and put you in touch with the WE producer.
|
|
|
2.
THIS WEEK'S SHOW:
SATURDAY, MAY 20TH, 2006
Spring Pot Pourri
MEDICAL APPROACHES TO
ADDICTION TREATMENT
.....Can they be trusted to keep us sober???
 Recent advances
in the medical treatment of addiction have raised puzzling
questions about where they fit into the overall treatment
strategy for the disease of addiction.
Neurotransmission
Restoration ("NTR™") and PROMETA™ are two examples of
revolutionary new ways to treat the molecular abnormalities
that characterize addiction at the brain cellular level.
Both are thought to create an environment in the brain
cells where the drug-altered neurotransmitter receptors can
repair themselves much more quickly than under "normal"
circumstances (ie, "naturally" and with time alone).
Deterrent" medications like Antabuse and other addiction
medications such as Revia and Campral also have value in the
medical treatment
 of
addiction but must be considered primarily as adjunctive tools
for certain subpopulations of addicts, and are not the subject
of discussion here.
Critics of
NTR™ and PROMETA™
argue that relying solely on "medications and pills" for
staying sober will doom the addict to failure in the longer
term. Such "quick fixes", they contend, will lead the
addict to believe that they are "cured". After all,
addiction is a unique disease in the sense that it is not
solely a medical issue, but rather is tri-partite in nature:
Medical, Emotional, and Spiritual. What about the latter two
aspects?
12-Step Groups such as
Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) and
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are
two of numerous examples of "psychosocial" behavioral
approaches to addiction treatment, and focus on the emotional
and spiritual maladies that characterize addiction disease.
Before their arrival in the 1930's, treatment of alcoholism
and addiction was thought to be hopeless and futile. In
devising the empiric approach of AA, founders Bill Wilson and
Dr. Bob Smith happened upon a miraculous discovery whereby
alcoholics could now realistically hope to find durable
recovery. However, they correctly realized that for the
disease of addiction there was no cure; only remission, "one
day at at time".
Maintaining sobriety, then, requires ongoing and daily work by
the alcoholic or addict, in order to maintain their emotional
and spiritual wellbeing. This is done by getting a sponsor,
attending 12-Step group meetings frequently and regularly, and
paying close attention to creating a spiritual connection with
a "Higher Power". The central premise is that the
alcoholic or addict is entirely powerless over his or her
addiction, and must rely upon a power greater than himself to
obtain the needed help to stay sober. Unfortunately, in spite
of their proven value in treating alcoholism and addiction,
long-term sobriety rates with 12-Step approaches alone remain
disappointingly low, in the order of 20% or so for greater
than one year of continuous sobriety
NTR™ and PROMETA™ have
3 important medical effects and benefits:
- Decreased or eliminated drug cravings.
- Less severe detoxification phase after drug use
cessation
- More rapid return of brain function (cognition) in the
post-drug use period.
 Brain
function is extremely altered in a negative way during the detox
and early recovery phase, and can be markedly sub-normal for
weeks to months after drug use cessation.
All of these advantages are HUGE, and cannot be underestimated.
Of the three, decrease or elimination of drug cravings must be
considered the biggest benefit of these medical treatments, as
"euphoric recall" of drug highs are the main reason that addicts
relapse. Losing "the obsession to drink or use" is without
question THE gift for which ALL addicts seeking recovery wish
and pray. Easing detox and withdrawal likewise is very
important, since the main reason for resumption of drug use
after deciding to "quit" is that taking a drink or having a fix
immediately makes the unpleasant or frankly painful withdrawal
symptoms go away.
In the long run, early return of brain function is probably the
most helpful medical treatment outcome when one considers that
by allowing a recovering addict to participate meaningfully
right away in 12-step or other group therapy, they will begin
their emotional and spiritual healing much more quickly than is
the case without medical treatment, and when the desire to
become sober is still present.
So how, then, do we square such promising medical approaches as
NTR™ and PROMETA™ with
time-proven approaches like AA and NA??
The answer is that they should be viewed not as a cure or an
"end-all", but rather, as a "kick-start" into recovery. If
viewed in this manner, that they represent only the beginning of
a long and comprehensive approach to our addiction, we have
finally addressed ALL THREE elements of the disease of
addiction: Medical, Emotional, and Spiritual.
This week we will more carefully examine
NTR™ and PROMETA™;
what they are, how they work, where you can get them. We will
take your questions, and we will discuss your opinions about the
role of medical treatment of addiction in the overall treatment
of alcoholism and addiction.
Don’t miss this exciting and highly informative show!
Live!! This Saturday night, May 20th, 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!!!
|
3.
STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE
DOC by Dr Steve
NEUROTRANSMISSION
RESTORATION (NTR(TM))- How does it work??
 This is
the third in a series where I've introduced the subject of
medical approaches to the disease of addiction.
Specifically, I've introduced both
NTR™ and PROMETA™: two
promising recent developments that appear to help addicts and
their drug-altered brain and neurotransmitter receptors to
return to their normal pre-drug health state. And much more
quickly than normal. The end result is markedly decreased or
eliminated drug cravings, smoothing out of the detox phase after
drug use cessation, and speeding up of the return of normal
brain function, or cognition.
The best way to look at these two treatments is that:
1) They represent a truly major breakthrough in the
approach to drug addiction treatment, and
2) They are best viewed NOT as a complete, end-all solution to
drug treatment, but rather, as a “jump start” into recovery.
Upon completion of
NTR™ or PROMETA™, the
newly-cleared brain is now ready to engage meaningfully in
cognitive group processes MUCH earlier than is the case with
customary detox procedures.
Addiction is unique in being a three-part disease: Medical,
Emotional, and Spiritual. Early initiation of psychosocial
group processes such as the 12- Steps of AA or NA is vitally
important for maintaining sobriety and avoiding dreaded relapse.
The 12-Step groups address in an ongoing fashion the emotional
and spiritual malady aspects of the disease of addiction, and
are critical for maintaining sobriety.
In summary, if we link
NTR™ or PROMETA™ with
early psychosocial group participation in a rapid and smoothly
transitioned order, this combination appears to be a much more
logical and effective approach to overall and comprehensive
addiction treatment.
 How does
NTR work? The
answer is, we don’t really know for sure. But there is clear
evidence that it does. I have seen it myself firsthand, and have
witnessed the truly remarkable mental clarity and decreased
cravings that result in those who have just completed these
treatments.
Dr. William Hitt, the man who developed it nearly 20 years ago
in Mexico City, treated over 10, 000 chronic alcoholics
beginning in the early 1980’s and obtained an astonishing 70%
long-term sobriety rate.
It is thought that when the brain cells are bathed in certain
nutrient solutions, that this chemical effect on the cells
causes them to shift from their normal “functional’ state into a
new and rarely-experienced phase; the so-called “repair phase”.
The repair phase usually occurs only in certain times in the
cell’s lifespan: first, during it’s embryonic development phase
from a fertilized egg, and later in life, only in those rare
situations where it becomes damaged and must repair itself.
Chronic drug use causes the cell’s surface neuroreceptors to
become altered over time; so-called “tolerance phenomenon”. In
essence, these cells are now "damaged"; markedly altered from
their normal, healthy state. When long-term drug use is ended,
and especially when done so relatively abruptly, the altered
neuroreceptors go “haywire” and the cell does not function
normally for days, weeks, or even months…as the cell gradually
reverts to its normal pre-drug state. However, if the brain
cells can be caused to intentionally shift into their ‘repair
phase”, they can then more rapidly repair the drug-altered brain
receptors.
NTR uses specific
formulations of intravenously-administered amino acids to create
the right brain mileu for shifting the brain cells into the
‘repair phase”. Dr. Hitt noticed this happening when he was
doing his cell culture experiments many years ago. The
NTR process in its
current formulation takes 10 days, and may be repeated
periodically (ie, every 6 to 12 months or so) to maintain
optimal receptor status, cellular health, and ultimately, mental
clarity.
My opinion?
NTR™ is MOST
exciting!!...and worth a look if YOU are a chronic, relapsing
addict or alcoholic. It appears to work for essentially all
drugs of abuse and addiction.
This is Dr Steve, giving it to you straight!!
|
4.
THOUGHT FOR RECOVERY- by BOB MUNCK
 Missing
Bob's Thought for Recovery? Bob has been out of town but
will continue his thoughts for recovery next week.
|
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).
|
|
LISTEN TO
PAST SHOWS!
 Miss
one of our shows? No problem!! All shows are
archived for easy listening in the comfort and
convenience of you home or office. All you need is your computer
and a browser; that's all there's to it. Also, you may download
any or all of our shows to your iPod or other mp3 device for
even more flexible listening. We at Recovery Radio want to make
it E-Z for you to get the tools, tips and solutions that YOU
need. 24/7. Our shows may also be heard "LIVE" every Saturday
night by going to our website HOME page and clicking the "LISTEN
HERE" button.
Audio
Archive Here
RECOVERY RADIO
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
get into recovery. If you, or your company, would like to make a
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.
|
|
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 |
|
|
