Shatter the Shame of Addiction
It’s time. We must band together to Shatter the Shame of Addiction, and here’s why…
It is estimated that over 21 million Americans struggle with addiction, yet fewer than 10 percent are getting treatment. By comparison, cancer prevalence for all types of cancers [which is the term used by the American Cancer Society to define the number of living people who have ever had a cancer diagnosis] totals nearly 14.5 million – compared to 21 million struggling with addiction. Another disease comparison is HIV. The CDC estimates more than one million people are living with HIV in the U.S.
How many of us are even aware of these numbers?
Addiction = 21+ million
Cancer = 14.5 million*
HIV = 1.1 million
Diabetes = 29.1 million*
*Figures revised 9.5.14
How many of us are aware that addiction is now understood to be a brain disease and that treating it requires the same treatment model used to treat other diseases, such as cancer, HIV and diabetes (let alone what is the disease treatment model)?
Rehab – What More Could You Want?
This is not to say that any one disease is more important than another but rather to draw attention to what secrecy and shame can do to effectively treating | preventing a disease. In my opinion, the estimated 90% of those who struggle with addiction do not seek help because recovery is, for the most part, done in anonymity and that continues the secrecy and shame. And it is that secrecy and shame that oozes in and envelopes the family, pulling them into the collusion around the notion, “Addiction isn’t a problem here.”
Recovering in Anonymity – Does it Continue the Secrecy and Shame
Behind Every Alcoholic or Drug Addict is a Family Member or Two or Three…
Shatter the Shame of Addiction | Spread the Word
Shatter the Shame of Addiction: Tweet these messages or add them to your FB or Pinterest or Google+ or simply drop one into an email to a friend. Together – we can do this!
If we are going to stop this train-wreck, we must start talking about addiction for what it is – a disease – a chronic, often relapsing brain disease. “The Addiction Project,” created by NIAAA, NIDA, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and HBO, hosts a great deal of the new research on the brain disease of addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s site,”Drugs, Brains and Behaviors: The Science of Addiction,” shares similar information.
As family members – as recovering addicts and alcoholics – as a society as a whole – we can do this. It’s time. Please – let’s change the conversations. Let’s share the facts.
To help you join in this effort, I’ve created a number of “Tweet-size” Shatter the Shame of #Addiction facts. Please browse through these and check back, as I will add several weekly. Then, if you find them helpful, please Tweet or share them through your Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+ or simply drop them into an email to a friend. Together – we can do this. It’s time.
New Shatter the Shame of Addiction Messages Added March 22, 2018
About the Terms Alcoholism | Alcohol Abuse | Alcohol Use Disorder https://tinyurl.com/y9rxjtpa
Pediatricians Screening for ACEs Can Change Lives #ACEs #SubstanceMisusePrevention #Addiction #Recovery #SecondhandDrinking https://tinyurl.com/y77t38gh
Children of Addiction Awareness Week | February 11-17, 2018 #COAAwarenessWeek #ACEs #ToxicStress #Trauma #NACoA https://tinyurl.com/yb769679
Healing Trauma Takes Time #ACEs #ACEStudy #BrainHealth #ToxicStress https://tinyurl.com/y8h4bjee
Just Say No Didn’t Work the First Time | Commentary on President Trump’s Opioid Crisis National Emergency Declaration https://tinyurl.com/y9datgjn
Working the 12 Steps with a Little Help of Brain Science #Recovery #AA #Al-Anon #NA #Nar-Anon https://tinyurl.com/yckdrfq6
We Can’t Treat Cancer in 30 Days. Why Do We Think Treating Addiction is Any Different? #AddictionTreatment #LongTermRecovery https://tinyurl.com/y8g6q3tv
Untreated ACEs Can Make Addiction Recovery Difficult #ACEs #ACEStudy #AddictionTreatment https://tinyurl.com/y7ajxg3x
I Hate You and I Love You – Daughter of an Alcoholic #ACoA #NACoA https://tinyurl.com/yaqyn7kw
Facing Addiction – U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Addiction – a Treatable Brain Disease https://tinyurl.com/y73fjkk3
Adolescent Cannabis Abuse – Guest Author Dr. Jennifer Golick #Teens #MarijuanaMisuse https://tinyurl.com/y7rjqzpt
When Mommy or Daddy is the Problem – Alcohol Misuse | Secondhand Drinking #COA #SecondhandDrinking-RelatedACEs https://tinyurl.com/create.php
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added May 19, 2016
#ChildhoodTrauma | #AdverseChildhoodExperiences | #ACEs and the #SUD | #Addiction connection http://tinyurl.com/jkwjjqs
#ChronicPain Maps in the Brain and the implications for #PainMedication #Addiction #SUD http://tinyurl.com/gu34rd6
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added April 11, 2016
#AlcoholAwarenessMonth – Info & Help for the 90M Americans Affected by a Loved One’s Alcohol Misuse http://tinyurl.com/zn8gayh
#SecondhandDrinking IS #ChildhoodTrauma – find out more – #ShatterTheShame #ACEs http://tinyurl.com/jpkd6hp
“I’m the other child. The OK one.” Know what it’s like for the sober child with an #addicted sibling http://tinyurl.com/jehbeb7
Helping those in long-term #recovery fighting for custody http://tinyurl.com/j2qgwff
Underage Alcohol and Other Drug Use #Prevention – Where to Start http://tinyurl.com/ju2246u
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added May 31, 2015
Problem drinking and the harm reduction debate http://tinyurl.com/ortrqtv
Focus on early eduction to raise awareness about alcohol misuse – http://tinyurl.com/okr6fv6
After years of sobriety, s/he still won’t forgive and forget – why? http://tinyurl.com/ns8k26v
Sick and tired of the drinker’s lies and broken promices? Find out what you can do – http://tinyurl.com/qgnnt84
Understand the family side of addiction – help break the cycles – #ShatterTheShame http://tinyurl.com/qjvr3ym
Even dogs experience #Secondhand Drinking – understand why – help #ShatterTheShame http://tinyurl.com/nwr58q8
Understand Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – a contributing risk factor for developing #Addiction – http://tinyurl.com/ncrbyqt
2008-2015 – How Far Has #Addiction #Recovery come? http://tinyurl.com/goehlmb
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added February 12, 2015
Say it loud and say it proud – #Addiction is a Treatable Brain Disease – Really! http://tinyurl.com/lq6ef9r
Grandparents raising grandchildren of addicted parents (their children) need resources and help http://tinyurl.com/p6pxq22
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added January 15, 2015
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction – learn more at “Setting Boundaries With Addicted Family Members” http://tinyurl.com/o9pfdvh
It’s one thing to know you “should” set boundaries but quite another to know how to set boundaries YOU can live with! http://bit.ly/1AOgGi6
Find out why being the designated driver doesn’t necessarily mean you’re safe. http://tinyurl.com/ma3anq8
Addiction is NOT a choice – one Mom and Dad Share Their Story to help #Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/lkxprx9
#SecondhandDrinking Impacts on Children – Devastating. Scary. Shame-filled. Life-robbing. http://tinyurl.com/mgtzy97
Blackouts – Are They Real or Just an Excuse? Learn the science, help #Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/ld2ceau
Addiction Recovery: What Helps, What Doesn’t – Lisa Frederiksen’s Quick Guide explains http://tinyurl.com/ollw8zu
Can only imagine what this is like–Resources 4 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of their Addicted Adult Children http://bit.ly/1JoWFhK
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added June 26, 2014
Give children the brain science to break the cycles and Shatter the Shame of #addiction http://bit.ly/TxkiBG
Shatter the shame of #addiction – prevent #Secondhand Drinking http://bit.ly/VZ5IU6
Step Away from the Fear – Just for Today. Shatter the shame of #addiction | help heal #secondhand drinking impacts http://bit.ly/TxAwLD
Shatter the shame of #addiction-reduce business costs of employee off-hours drinking|secondhand drinking w education http://bit.ly/1pUiDB9
Shatter the shame of #addiction and #mental illness – treat co-occurring disorders with co-occurring treatments http://bit.ly/1kI2MVE
Help #shatter the shame of addiction – join the #Addiction #Recovery movement! http://bit.ly/1hVprcw
Reduce recidivism through rehabilitation and help shatter the shame of #addiction http://bit.ly/1juHGcL
Understand the fight-or-flight stress response & #secondhand drinking connection; shatter the shame OF #addiction http://bit.ly/1hIObnd
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added April 7, 2014
So why should we use the term #Secondhand Drinking? and what does science have to do with it? Share & #Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/m2vcloc
Understand both sides of the drinking equation. More than 90 million Americans are directly affected by #Secondhand Drinking. Share and #Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/kyvgtut
Cancer & diabetes? Doctor doesn’t stop treating one to treat the other. So why w/ co-occurring brain disorders? http://tinyurl.com/mapgetx
Are you looking for hidden half-empty bottles of alcohol? Should you throw it out if you find any? http://tinyurl.com/mhm2r4u
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added February 4, 2014
7 Soundbites to update, change & in some cases simply start 2014 conversations around #addiction -share & help Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/m6fsgot
21st century #brain research-empowering, exciting, some hard to believe! Share & Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tinyurl.com/q5bsw9t
#Relapse after years of #sobriety – but why? how could they? Understand and help #Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://dld.bz/dgZsx
Prevent #addiction-assess ur risk factors-if you have it, knowing urs can help u identify the treatmt options u need http://tinyurl.com/k7tgtkj
Detach. Detach with love? But how!? http://tinyurl.com/mvpeqgq #addiction #alcoholism #secondhand drinking
Teen drug | alcohol abuse & experimentation – just a phase or is it? And if it’s not, what should parents do? http://dld.bz/dhHnQ
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added December 10, 2013
Do you or your loved one have reservations about being powerless over alcohol? Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tinyurl.com/kps2fxq
The one key fact about #addiction you’ll most want to know – understand and Help Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/m6noark
Help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction – spread the word on the importance of continuing care after rehab http://tinyurl.com/m7swpo6
The real problem when you drink or use is the behaviors, not the quantity. If your behaviors change, why continue to use until treatment is necessary? http://tinyurl.com/mj72kn7
If you were in your 4th week of cancer treatment and given a 95% chance of remission if you completed all treatments, would you stop? Addiction is a brain disease. Don’t stop treatment because you think you can do it on your own. That’s when you need it more than ever. Learn more and help #Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/iwms4w
Here’s to mastering new reactions to old triggers & knowing it’s just old brain maps when we’re caught off guard http://tinyurl.com/l93o7me
Understand “powerless over alcohol” does not mean “weak-willed.” Help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tinyurl.com/kps2fxq
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction – download the free app Now We Know for easy access to information and recovery tools http://tiny.cc/0mbe4w
Understand the difference between #parenting and #codependency – changing the conversations to break the cycles http://tiny.cc/x7gk5w
#Fetal #Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are a RANGE of disorders-learn more about the spectrum of disorders-you may be able 2 help a child http://tiny.cc/62li5w
When #addiction recovery feels overwhelmingly difficult – remember – First Things First http://tinyurl.com/l2mf5y2
Do you have a loved one in #addiction treatment? Wonder what happens after rehab? Worried about relapse? Ck out http://tiny.cc/qk454w
Online screen for #depression #PTSD #anxiety #bipolar – learn more, Shatter the Shame of #Addiction #Mental Illness http://tiny.cc/ymew4w
Opposed 2 using medications to treat #alcoholism & #opioid #addictions? Understand the science -Shatter the Shame http://tinyurl.com/mqo4ncl
Why is it that with all the best of intentions and perhaps years of sobriety an #addict | #alcoholic will relapse? http://tiny.cc/shdm5w
What does it mean to be powerless over #alcohol (or #drugs)? Check out these two articles: http://tiny.cc/rq5n5w and http://tiny.cc/mk5n5w
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added October 13, 2013
Addiction a brain disease, but how? Learn more and help #Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/iwms4w
#Dual diagnosis–having a #mental illness & an #addiction – understand EFFECTIVE treatment – help Shatter the Shame http://tiny.cc/cplf2w
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: if another stint in rehab is necessary – learn how to feel better about it http://tiny.cc/9fbe4w
Changing the conversations-–Reframing addiction | codependency treatment & recovery – Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/eqj63w
Understand the #Secondhand Drinking | Drugging – Codependency Connection & help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/2l8g3w
Understanding embedded brain maps can help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/obya3w
Detach with love – really? But how and why’s it important? Learn more and help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/ptiq3w
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added September 10, 2013
You don’t have to call yourself an alcoholic to get sober. Help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/fga72w
You can’t treat one without treating the other – Shatter the Shame of #Addiction-share effective dual diagnosis trmt. http://tiny.cc/cplf2w
You call it a brain disease – but how is that true? Understand and help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/ggut1w
Wonder how a child of an alcoholic would “choose” to drink? Understand why & Help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/y2nf2w
Courage to Change vs Acceptance – Shatter the Shame–help for the family in #addiction | #secondhand drinking recovery http://tiny.cc/p88s1w
Sorting fact from fiction when it comes to methadone treatment – Help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tiny.cc/iwsh2w
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added August 3, 2013
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn some of the facts about Addiction Treatment Medications http://tiny.cc/iol70w
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn why #drug abuse and #mental disorders frequently co-occur http://tiny.cc/kdk70w IMPT to treat both!
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: Join #RecoveryMonth | Voices of Recovery–Together–on Pathways to Wellness http://www.recoverymonth.gov/
Experiencing discrimination as an addict | alcoholic in a difficult divorce? Info that can help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction http://tinyurl.com/kwlx3ry
New Shatter the Shame Messages Added July 12, 2013
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction – learn what it takes to trust and addict | alcoholic http://tinyurl.com/meh628b
Worried you’ll somehow cause your loved one to relapse? Learn what family can do http://tinyurl.com/kw6lexj Shatter the Shame of #Addiction
Yes, but WHY doesn’t Just Say No work? Understand what does and help Shatter the Shame of #Addiction, http://tiny.cc/j5nyzw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: worried about your or someone else’s drinking | drug use? Ck out First Things First http://tiny.cc/ms8dzw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: early recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism? Keep It Simple: First Things First http://tiny.cc/ms8dzw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: change the prevention message – learn why Just Say No typically doesn’t work http://tiny.cc/m3vnzw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn what NIAAA recommends clinicians use to help patients who drink too much http://tiny.cc/ncuwzw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: understand what makes addiction a disease. Ck out The Addiction Project http://www.hbo.com/addiction/
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: Know the Risk Factors for developing the disease. Ck out http://tiny.cc/s950ww
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: understand & get help for #mental illness | key risk factor for addiction. Ck NAMI http://tiny.cc/s4exww
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: understand “The Dance” | impacts on family members & what they need to recover http://tiny.cc/gagxww
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: 23.2 million struggle with addiction, only 10% seek help. Your thoughts on anonymity? http://tiny.cc/eefxww
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: Alcohol Abuse is NOT Alcoholism, but it CAN contribute to developing the disease http://tiny.cc/7kocxw
NEW Shatter the Shame Messages Added May 28, 2013
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: understand the connection between #mental illness and drug use disorders. Ck NIDA http://tiny.cc/g1wjxw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn why treatment is different for #teens vs adults. Ck The Addiction Project http://tiny.cc/y4jlxw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: know what to avoid in addiction treatment. Ck The Addiction Project http://tiny.cc/u92pxw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: it is NOT a matter of willpower. Learn why and the falseness of other myths at http://tiny.cc/r7rsxw
NEW Shatter the Shame Messages Added June 7, 2013
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: tackle addiction at its entry points, support #Secondhand Drinking Prevention http://tiny.cc/oqo7xw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn how drugs work in the brain, which in turn changes how the brain works. NIDA http://tiny.cc/9aqwxw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn how growing up w an alcoholic can make a person susceptible to becoming 1. http://tinyurl.com/mmoszjr
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: understand physcl depend vs addiction http://tiny.cc/hqe2xw & how brain gets addicted http://tiny.cc/pbe2xw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: talk to a child about a parent’s drinking | #secondhand drinking. Free PDF to help http://tiny.cc/6dbbyw
NEW Shatter the Shame Messages Added June 22, 2013
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: assess your (or a loved one’s) drinking w/ the World Health Organization’s AUDIT http://tinyurl.com/2b9ksga
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: if someone has an addiction and a mental illness, BOTH need treatment 4 recovery http://tinyurl.com/kax62yp
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn why addicts | alcoholics will lie, cheat & steal to and from those they love http://tiny.cc/el1gyw
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn why it’s okay to forgive an alcoholic – they are not their disease http://tinyurl.com/kpkaemh
Shatter the Shame of #Addiction: learn what else happens during Puberty – it can influence early drug | alcohol use http://tiny.cc/z8xqyw