Recovery is not something easily done alone. We all need support, and support comes in different shapes, colors and sizes. Each relationship is special and offers something unique. Listen to this recovery support group talk about the people who have been important to their lives.

Discussion Guide:

Who are the significant people in your life? Name the people who fit these descriptions:

The one who has been there and knows your experience

The one who tells it like it is and tells you the truth, even if it hurts

The one who loves unconditionally without judgment

The one who pushes you

The one who knew you in your addiction and in your recovery

The one who hasn't been there, but supports you nonetheless

 

Supplemental Reading:

Beth Leipholtz, The 6 Types of People You Need in Sobriety, http://www.thefix.com/6-types-people-you-need-sobriety

Every parent hopes their child will have a healthy and satisfying life. And their greatest fear is that their child will become a drug addict. Is it possible to predict this? Listen to this group talk about their experiences of their own addiction and their opinions on whether it can be predicted. And if it can be predicted, what are some protective factors?

Discussion Guide:

Is your family tree marked by addictions?

Do you believe your addiction is partly attributable to your family genetics?

Was your addiction partly caused by trauma?

Were you heavily influenced by your peer group and environment?

How would you protect your children from developing an addiction?

Supplemental Reading:

Can You Predict If Your Children Will Be Addicts? Addiction Unscripted, http://addictionunscripted.com/can-you-predict-if-your-children-will-be-addicts/

Sadie Ball, Is It Possible to Tell if Your Child Will Become an Addict?, http://www.parent.co/factors-that-can-contribute-to-future-addiction-in-children/

Many of us are familiar with the benefits of marijuana. Proponents of cannabis sometimes close their eyes to the risks of marijuana. So let's explore the research surrounding its potential negatives. Listen in to the group discuss some new research findings.

Discussion Guide:

What are the benefits of marijuana?

What are the risks of marijuana to overall health?

What are the risks of marijuana to mental health?

What are the risks of marijuana to driving safety?

What are the risks of marijuana during pregnancy?

Have you known anyone who suffered a negative consequence from marijuana use?

Supplemental Reading:

Dorri Olds, Cannabis Eases Pain But May Increase Risk of Mental Illness, Report Says, http://www.thefix.com/cannabis-eases-pain-may-increase-risk-mental-illness-report-says

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF CANNABIS AND CANNABINOIDS, http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2017/Cannabis-Health-Effects/Cannabis-chapter-highlights.pdf

Substance abusers are ashamed of their behavior and strive to keep it secret. Once you come out of the addiction closet you may be surprised at the benefits. Listen in to a group of people in recovery discuss the benefits of coming out.

Discussion Guide:

Have you told your close friends and family about your addiction and recovery, or did you try to keep it secret?

When you told, was it well received?

Who should you tell? When should you tell? How much should you tell?

What are the benefits of coming out of the addiction closet?

Did you feel a sense of relief after confessing your addiction to someone?

When you told your friends and family about your addiction, did they hold you accountable and help you maintain sobriety?

Have you found that you are helpful to others because of your honesty?

Do you feel a sense of community now that you've come out of hiding?

Supplemental Reading:

Beth Leipholtz, 5 Benefits To Coming Out of the Sobriety Closet, http://www.thefix.com/5-benefits-coming-out-sobriety-closet

The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has declared war on drugs and drug users. "Please feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you have the gun — you have my support," President Rodrigo Duterte said. "Shoot [them] and I'll give you a medal." There have been 6,775 deaths since July 1, 2016. Bodies show up on the streets daily with cardboard signs describing their drug crimes. Listen in to this group of former substance abusers talk about this horrendous situation.

Discussion Guide:

Have you, as a substance abuser, been the subject of hatred?

Shabu (crystal meth) is the drug of choice in Asian countries since the 1970's. Have you smoked crystal meth? Why do people continue to use Shabu in light of the threat of death?

Do you believe that eradicating drug users and dealers will stop the influx of substances into the country?

Informants identify which individuals are targeted. Have you, or do you know someone, who gave up names of drug dealers to the police? What are your thoughts about doing so?

In the Philippines there is a surrender list in which a drug user may be given a second chance. Would you risk placing yourself on a surrender list?

Supplemental Reading:

Up Close and Personal with the Philippine Drug War, http://read:https://www.thefix.com/front-lines-philippines-drug-war

Opiate dependent people tend to have unwanted children. 90% of pregnancies among opioid-using women are unintended. And they are five times more likely to have an abortion than the general population. Listen to this podcast to hear our experts, Vicki and Matt from Family Services provide education on contraception.

Discussion Guide:

Which birth control is the most effective?

What is the difference between hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives?

Which forms of birth control are most effective in protecting against HIV and STDs?

Which type of birth control is right for you?

Supplemental Reading:

Which Birth Control Method is Right for Me, The Iowa Initiative

Birth Control Methods, Bedsider, http://www.bedsider.org/methods

 

In this week's podcast, I asked the members two questions: What has surprised you about treatment and recovery? and What do you wish everyone knew about treatment and recovery? Listen in to the group as they answer these questions.

 

Discussion Guide:

What has surprised you about treatment and recovery?

What do you wish everyone knew about treatment and recovery?

 

 

Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a life saver for someone who has overdosed on opioids. The number of deaths has skyrocketed, but so has the cost of Narcan. What's up with that? Listen in to a group of people who are in recovery from opiate addiction discuss this issue.

Discussion Guide:

Have you overdosed? What were the costs associated with it?

Do you have a Narcan kit for emergency purposes?

Can you purchase Narcan from your local pharmacy? How much is it, do you need a prescription and does your insurance cover it?

What is the most expensive Narcan kit available on the market right now?

Why do you think the price of Narcan has increased over the years?

How does the manufacturer justify this cost increase?

Supplemental Reading:

Meg Tirrell, As Opioid Epidemic Worsens, the Cost of Waking Up From an Overdose Soars, http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/04/as-opioid-epidemic-worsens-the-cost-of-waking-up-from-an-overdose-soars.html

Needle exchange programs provide a valuable service to IV drug users. They provide sterile needles and syringes which reduces the risk of infectious diseases (HIV, Hep B, Hep C),  and they refer drug users to prevention and treatment programs. There are more of these exchange programs in operation now, but few in rural areas. Listen to an opiate recovery group talk about their experiences with needles.  

Discussion Guide:

Did you inject drugs? Which substances?

Did you share needles? Did you think you were safe in doing so?

What are the risks involved in sharing needles?

If you used needles, did you feel psychologically addicted to the process of preparing the needle?

Have you taken advantage of a needle exchange program?

How did you dispose of your needles?

Where is a safe place to dispose your needles?

Supplemental Reading:

Use of Needle Exchange Programs Up Dramatically in 10 Years, Medical Press, http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-11-needle-exchange-years-cdc.html

 

Methadone and Suboxone have sexual side effects. Some men experience impotence, loss of desire and delayed ejaculation depending on age, dose and a combination of other medications. A small percentage of women experience a loss of menstruation and loss of desire. And, opiate dependent people tend to have unwanted children. 90% of pregnancies among opioid-using women are unintended. And they are five times more likely to have an abortion than the general population. Listen in to a group of people who are in recovery from opiate dependence talk about this issue.

Discussion Guide:

What do you know about the sexual side effects of opiate use?

Have you experienced these side effects with Methadone and Suboxone?

Have you been surprised by a pregnancy?

When you were in substance abuse treatment, did a counselor talk to you about family planning and the sexual side effects of Methadone or Suboxone?

Where did you learn about contraception?

When you were abusing opiates, did you use birth control responsibly?

Supplemental Reading:

Integrating Family Planning and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services: Is It a Good Idea? Robinowitz, N., Muqueeth, S., Scheibler, J., Salisbury-Afshar, E., Terplan, M. (2016). http://www.recoveryanswers.org/pressrelease/family-planning-and-substance-use-disorder-treatment-services/

CRC Health, http://www.crchealth.com/addiction/heroin-addiction-treatment/heroin-detox/methadone-effects/