1. THE WAR ON ADDICTION:    IN THE COMMUNITY AND OUR    NEIGHBORHOOD 2. DRUG TESTING IN THE    WORKPLACE: FLUSHING IT    OUT AND INTO THE OPEN 3. DRUG TESTING IN THE HOME:     HELP WITH DENIAL BUSTING 4.  WESTERN CONFERENCE ON      ADDICTIONS- LA, NOV. 11-13 5. RECOVERY RADIO A NOT-FOR-     PROFIT ORGANIZATION 6. HYTHIAM IS OUR NEW     CORPORATE SPONSOR 7. CONTACT US ANYTIME- 24/7 8. SIGN UP FOR THE FLASH!

1. War on Addiction: In the Community and Neighborhoods

One Person. One Family. One Community, One State. OUR NATION....one battle...and one day at a time!!!

This is our rallying cry for the month of November as the Recovery Radio continues to wage War on Addiction....From the "foxhole" and individual addict....to the "war rooms" in Washington, DC, where social policy and accompanying laws for our nation's addiction agenda are created.

This past Saturday we discussed how the addiction war is fought at the most personal level..."in the foxhole". Addiction is a deadly disease...fooling the sufferer into thinking he/she is well, all the time while driving the addict further and continuously towards death. Sometimes quickly, usually slowly, DEATH IS THE END-RESULT of Addiction. The greatest problem for most all addicts is overcoming the denial that keeps them active in their addiction. Once denial is vanquished, recovery can begin. The addict's battle tools are the tools of recovery. Recovery does work!!

This week we will jump forward and discuss addiction in our community and neighborhoods. How does addiction affect the local environment in which we live and work? Chaos can ensue if unchecked. Would you like your airline pilot to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol? How about your doctor?? How about the guy whose driving erratically toward you?? I don't think so!!! Drugs and alcohol in the community are dangerous not only to the affected addict, but also to all those around him. This week on our show we will be examining the War on Addiction as it applies to our workplaces, schools, streets, and public places.

So please join us LIVE!! this Saturday night...6 - 8P Pacific Time. 99.5 FM KKLA in Los Angeles, or in 10 other cities. Also, streaming LIVE on the Web!! RECOVERY WORKS!!!!

 

2.  Drug Testing in the Workplace
     Keeping it Honest in the Workplace ...by Dr Steve

Drug testing is now commonplace in the workplace. Today most large and many small employers require them before a new hire can start. Many employers also have policies that allow them to demand a random drug test “with cause” (such as when accidents occur), and some even require employees to agree to “spot testing’, i.e., random testing to enforce existing drug-free workplace policies.

Is this a good thing??

Most people would agree that it’s reasonable to do drug testing prior to employment, and even when work-related accidents occur. But they draw the line when it comes to random spot testing. They claim that such polices are “demeaning”, that they “erode trust” between employer and employee”, and that they are an infringement on “privacy”. By “privacy”, they claim that “what I do on my own time is my right, as long as it does NOT affect the workplace.

Let’s examine this last statement more carefully. “What I do on my own time, is my right, and does NOT affect the workplace”. Is it TRULY OK that a person is safe to do drugs on his “own time”, that doing so when away from work is a clear separation of leisure time and work time??

I strongly disagree!!!! First, I must make it clear here that I am talking ONLY about illicit drugs, not alcohol, which is a legal drug. Alcohol is a more complex issue.

Illicit drug use in any shape, manner, or form, is potentially dangerous at all times; not just during the time a person is “USING”.  FIRST: Once impaired by drugs, impairment can last for hours to days. For instance, a person who used speed last night may still be high, for up to 24 hours or more. SECOND: An addicted individual who is DEPENDENT upon a drug, such as heroin or even alcohol, is at risk of WITHDRAWAL when they are NOT using, and can be as severely impaired during withdrawal as during the time they are intoxicated. Lastly, there is NO WAY to discern whether a person is using or abusing drugs. Chances are that someone who tests positive in the workplace, likely has a work-related problem, and employers KNOW THAT.

Fortunately, most employers who have drug testing policies ALSO HAVE EAP’s: “Employee Assistance Programs”. Such programs provide company-assisted help with chemical dependency treatment in the event that new drug use is discovered after an employee has been hired and is working. EAP’s are a SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE companion to mandatory drug-testing in the workplace. Companies who provide EAP’s ARE TO BE APPLAUDED, as addicts who are IN RECOVERY are as GOOD A WORKER as they come!!! IF NOT BETTER!!!

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Drug usage can be suspected by observing the actions and appearance of others. But how can you be sure? The answer is....drug test them. This is the ONLY way to know with absolute certainty whether anyone is truly using. Many medical and psychiatric conditions can mimic drug intoxication- and withdrawal, too. So, to confirm suspected drug use, the presence of a drug must be confirmed. There are many options for drug testing, both professionally (i.e., by your doctor or clinic) as well as in the home (home kits are available).

Why should you drug test a loved one?

Because Denial is the breeding ground for addictions. That means an addict will lie rather than be caught, because their shame and embarrassment will cause them to do or say anything not to be discovered. They will do ANYTHING to maintain their drug supply and usage. Lie, cheat, steal. Anything. That is how powerful the disease of addiction is. (The brain's pleasure center is "re-set" to DEMAND that the addict continue to pour more euphoria-inducing drugs into their brain. The addict will then do anything it takes to get more drugs.)

If you suspect that a loved one is drinking or using drugs and your relationship with him or her is losing it's honesty, then you Need to know the absolute truth.

Would you fly on an airplane if you thought the pilot was drinking or taking drugs---Certainly Not!!

Would you let a surgeon do open heart surgery on you if you thought for 1 minute they were drunk or drugged up. Certainly Not!!

Then why would you trust that person whom you love when their actions are the opposite of their conversation? Do not risk the future of your relationship with him or her just because they said “believe me.” The truth of accountability is on the person who is acting out of character and exhibiting behavioral change and it is up to them to let you know what is really happening and not on you to just accept what they may say or do.

The Battle Ground of Alcohol and Drugs is not always fought out in the Open, but rather there are only Covert Behaviors and Symptoms that Hide in the Darkness of Denials and Lies. The fact is that when you love someone, you want to believe them with all your Heart and the addict knows this about you. The addict will test your trust in them to the limit no matter what.

If you love that person, the only way to help them to the Truth about their Addiction, is to help them expose the truth and not hide it. Don’t let your relationship with your loved one stand in the darkness of Denial, but rather in the light of Love and truth. So Test them for Drugs and alcohol and you may save their life, you may save your relationship, but for sure you will Know the Truth. And if the person being tested truly loves you and has nothing to Hide, they should want to show you the Truth about Them.

The technical and related considerations are not discussed here, but good references are freely available by "Googling" "home drug tests". An example can be found HERE.

Also remember: Home drug tests are not just for the kids...they apply to Mommy and Daddy, too!!

Note if you need information about home test kits, please e-mail:
bobm@recoveryradioshow.com 

IMPROVING TREATMENT WITH SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
Western Conference on Addictions to take place Nov. 11-13
The 2nd Annual Western Conference on Addictions (WCA) will be held this coming November 11-13, 2005 in Los Angeles at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Hotel. It is hosted by the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), the Pacific Technology Transfer Center, Matrix Institute on Addictions, and the Pacific Region Node of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network. Now that's a mouthful!!!

This conference features world-renowned substance abuse researchers and clinicians in a learning format that allows for individual interests to be fulfilled. Among other topics will be cutting edge information on methamphetamine, medications for opiate and alcohol abuse, cognitive-behavioral treatments for substance abuse and depression, sex addiction, and domestic violence.

The conference is designed for psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, nurses, and other health professionals who wish to gain the knowledge and skill needed to treat substance abuse disorders. 18 hours of continuing education credits are available for several disciplines. Registration fee is $295 in advance, and $325 on-site. Additional information and registration materials may be obtained by visiting www.uclaisap.org,  or contact Shaquita Tillman via e-mail at shaquita@ucla.edu or by phone at 310.445.0874, ext. 321
 

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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