|
Report Card - March 2005 -
Addictions
(Tobacco, alcohol & drug) |
||||||||||
|
The Problem
Drug, alcohol, and other substance abuse
continues to plague all of mankind. Its effects can devastate individuals,
families, communities, and nations. Prevention, recognition, and treatment
are essential elements in dealing with substance abuse problems. Let’s
take marijuana for example. Based on Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment Episode Data Set, admission
rates for marijuana substance abuse users increased nationally by 162% from
1992 to 2002. Overall, the primary
marijuana treatment admission rates increased in 41 States and decreased in
3 States between 1992 and 2002. (The
DASIS Report: Trends in Marijuana Treatment Admissions by State: 1992-2002)
A more recent
SAMHSA survey found that of
the 19.4 million adults (age 18 and over) characterized with abuse
of or dependence on alcohol
|
Foundation Website
There are literally dozens and dozens of resources on the Foundation's Website regarding drug, alcohol, and other substance abuse. LDS Family Services Recovery Programs and Heart t’ Heart are two such resources. One great resource that is on our website is a personal recovery story of drug and alcohol addiction by Sam Childers called, "The Door to True Sobriety". Some other articles and stories by LDS Authors that can be found on our website include: Understanding and Dealing with Addiction, Rise from the Ashes, and Within These Walls.
LDS Family Services Recovery Program
LDS Family Services sponsors recovery meetings to assist individuals and families who desire to overcome addictive behavior and find a better life through gospel fellowship. In these meetings, participants learn to draw on the power of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost to help them achieve freedom from addiction and to help them enjoy the blessings of church participation and temple covenants. Meetings also teach participants that the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ enables them to repent and overcome addictive behavior. Experienced group leaders create an environment where participants encourage one another by sharing experiences of faith and hope. Participants implement gospel principles in their efforts to recover and heal. Meetings become a safe place where participants find support in overcoming the devastation of addiction. Recovery meetings are confidential, free, ongoing and no |
referrals are necessary to attend. A listing of the groups can be located at their Website or call toll free 1.800.453.3860, ext. 2-3646. Heart t' Heart Recovery Program Heart t’ Heart is a twelve step support group. They are a fellowship of Latter-day Saint women and men who have come to recognize that they have behaviors in their lives, or the lives of loved ones, that fall under this definition of addiction: "A behavior can be considered as an addiction or compulsion when the person doing the behavior desires desperately to stop but has found no permanent way to do so." Latter-day Saints who struggle with compulsions such as overeating, anorexia and bulimia, workaholism, perfectionism, sexual addiction, and codependency needed a place to address these issues in an LDS setting. Heart t’ Heart has provided the answer. The original Twelve Step program as established by Alcoholics Anonymous was and still is a very God-centered program. Though it is "generic" and not affiliated with any religion, it does encourage reliance on God and deep personal examination and honesty in order to overcome addictive behaviors. Heart t’ Heart continues those same values and principles, translating them into LDS terminology and concepts, basing each step squarely on the scriptures. Heart t’ Heart is strictly a volunteer effort. There are no dues or fees in official twelve step programs. The groups are available in many states and some foreign countries. Additional information can be obtained from their Website. |
||||||||
|
The
World's Finest Mental Health Resource for
Latter-day Saints |
or
drugs (19.4 million)
in 2003, 14.9
million (77 percent) were employed
either full or part time. Employers
who think alcohol and drug abuse will never be a
problem in their workplace need to consider that more than 75% of adults who
have serious drug and or
alcohol problems are employed. There were
10.9 million drinkers under legal age
(ages 12-20) in the month prior to the survey interview in 2003. This is
29 percent of this age group. Of these, nearly 7.2 million (19.2
percent) were binge drinkers and 2.3 million (6.1 percent) were heavy
drinkers. (September 9, 2004 SAMHSA
Press Office)