FALL 2006

September is National Recovery Month Recovery is a Reality

By: Patricia Z. Munson, CASAC Executive Director

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eptember is National Recovery month devoted to encouraging people to fight the stigma and discrimination that surround alcoholism and other substance abuse disorders. It is also an opportunity to emphasize that treatment is effective and recovery is possible. As many as 74% of Americans say that addiction to alcohol and other substances has had some impact on them at some point in their lives, whether it was their own personal addiction, or that of a friend or family member. This is an increase from 2004 when 63 percent of Americans said that addiction to either drugs or alcohol had impact on them. However, many people in treatment and recovery face stigma and discrimination, which can be a barrier to receiving treatment. According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:

National Findings, 21.6 percent of the 1.2 million people who felt they needed treatment but did not receive it indicated it was because of reasons related to stigma.19 percent of people were afraid of being fired or discriminated against if they entered treatment. Many people who suffer from substance abuse disorders are unable to receive the same employment and health care options as someone with other chronic disorders, such as diabetes. We owe it to our family members and friends to support treatment and recovery as effective ways to confront substance abuse disorders, which can be treated just as effectively as any other chronic illness. Learn more about the treatment and recovery from substance abuse disorders by contacting CASAC through our website, www.casacweb.org, or other informational programs.

2006 CASAC Board of Directors President – Rev. Ken Soderquist Vice President – Gary Greenwood Secretary/Treasurer - William Osmer C. Berkeley Adams Frann Auld Mary Carney Hans P. B. Christensen Rebecca Haines Beth Oakes Anthony J. Raffa Sr. Paul Stage Arnold Zdrojewski

CASAC Staff Patricia Z. Munson - Executive Director Billie Jean Hubert - Associate Director Ardeth Alessi - Director DDP Tony Bellanca - Gambling Prevention Specialist John Blackman - Community Educator Jillian Bloomquist - Jamestown Office Manager Kathy Colby-Leonard - Training Services Coordinator Julie Franco - Director of Program Services Jeff Grodecki - Fiscal Assistant Jeff Thomas - Community Educator Rose Prinzi - Public Relations William Rivera - Assistant DDP Instructor Laurie Scapelitte - Community Educator Afroula Snell - Dunkirk Office Manager Kathy Stornes - DDP Instructor Melanie Witkowski - Community Educator Newsletter Co-Editors - Billie Jean Hubert & Jillian Bloomquist

RECOVERY IS A REALITY

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tacia Murphy - former Executive Director of NCAD, New York, NY

I began drinking as a teenager, when I developed a liking for alcohol. My drinking began to progress in college, where I probably had many of the classic symptoms of a problem, but it was fun and I was a kid, and I was functioning really well. I held responsible jobs all along, but I didn’t know that I couldn’t stop drinking. At one point, I took what I call “a geographic,” and moved to a country in West Africa, but I took me with me. In sobriety, I’ve learned that I was the problem, and that moving wouldn’t solve it. When I returned, I again took a responsible job, but I was binge drinking regularly. I was beginning to look terrible, and I was showing up for work only about three days a week. After talking to my family, my best friend

came to me and told me, “I think you have a drinking problem.” Over New Year’s in 1974, I checked into a five-day de-tox. I did go to a self-help group over the next couple of years, but I continued drinking. I made contacts with people in the group, who just told me to keep coming. One morning in 1976, I woke up and said, “I can’t do this anymore.” The journey of recovery has been extraordinary. I will never make as important a decision as I did 28 years ago. I don’t use it as the basis of my professional work, but I use it as a reference. Recovery has given me a wonderful life. I was always open about it, but the stigma aspect did not become clear to me until I started working on the national level. I now talk about being in recovery from a medical problem, a brain disease. I believe that my coming out means hope for others. I don’t have to be ashamed, and neither does anyone else. I was once despairing and hopeless. I take responsibility for my addiction and for my recovery. I know people’s lives can change, and I am proof of it

Thank You to the following individuals & businesses that donated to CASAC’s Online Auctions: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Adams, Berkeley Adam’s Mark Hotel, BuffaloNiagara, NY Aldrich’s Beef and Ice Cream Parlor Alessi, Ardeth Applebee’s Restaurant Ashville General Store Barmore and Sellstrom Basket Company, The Bellanca, Tony Belleview East, The Best Western in Jamestown Best Western in Dunkirk Bob Evan’s Restaurant Body & Beyond Massage Therapy Bush Bed & Breakfast CASAC Canine Design - Mary Gary Care Center, The Carlson’s Jewelry Carney, Mary Chautauqua Institution Cherry Lounge, The Cockaigne Ski Area Colby-Leonard, Kathleen Comfort Suites Downtown, Buffalo, NY Community Bank, NA Country House Bed & Breakfast Craft World & Action Hobbies D&K Furniture Darwin’s

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Dean’s Restaurant Demitri’s Family Dining Dunn Tire Early, Dr. Amy Ecklof Bakery & Deli Erikson’s Family Restaurant Every Day True Value Facial Expressions- Peggy Kleparek Food is Good Inc. Foxe Farmhouse Bed & Barn Francesca’s Flower Shop Franco, John Franco, Julie Fredonia Opera House Friendly’s Restaurant Geer Dunn Co., Inc. Girton’s Flowers & Gifts Gorsha, Barbara Grazer’s Restaurant Greenwood, Gary Hallmark Rontina of NY Holiday Valley Holmlund’s Home Depot Honest John’s Restaurant & Pizzeria Hot Bodies Family Tanning Center Hot Papa’s Hubert, Billie Jean Invention Room, The Italian Fisherman, The JCC Total Fitness Center

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Jake’s Uptown Grille Jamestown Jammers Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena Jim Nichols’ Hometown Service, Inc. Kirk’s Jewelers Koessler, Ellen Krist Hansen Nursery & Landscape Service Kwik Kopy Lake Erie Speedway Lakewood Golf Center Lana’s Little House Lantz Productions, Sherry Lantz Little Caesars Pizza Lords & Ladies Hair Fashion Luci-Desi Museum Masterpiece D’Signs Matteson Kempo Karate Metzger, Judy Midway Park Miley’s Old Inn Monro Muffler Montagna’s Furniture Munson, Patricia Musicalfare Theatre Patton Electric Company Pittsburg Steelers Post-Journal Pulse Salon Red Lobster Regoli, Randy & Holly

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Renaldo’s Pizzeria Richard’s Hair Salon & Jenn Lisciandro Robo Car Wash Root, Debbie Ruby Tuesday Salon 1 Six Flags Darien Lake South County Motors Sowa, Karen Stanton’s Garage Summer Wind Cruises Tiger Lily Floral Design Tilley Endurables Corp Timothy’s Tops Valu Home Center - Fredonia Valu Home Center - Lakewood Viking Trader Visions of Elegance Vullo’s Restaurant & Veal House WCA - Patty Eckwahl WDOE Watch Shoppe, The Webb’s The Captain’s Table White Inn, The Witkowski, Melanie YMCA Camp Onyashsa Zahm & Matson Ziebart Speedy Auto & Glass

Note: If we missed your name, please let us know—664-3608. We apologize.

David’s Story of Recovery

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grew up in a small town called Brant, NY, the youngest of three, the only son. My parents were divorced before I was three. Growing up wasn’t always easy.

and drinking, too. In February, 2003, our son Nicholas was born, a beautiful baby boy. Unfortunately, this was not enough for me to realize what God had given me. I continued to drink and work long hours in my painting business, leaving little time for my family. Six months later, my marriage ended.

I was very young when I picked up my first drink. From that point on it was a 27 year run. In and out of private schools, experimenting with drugs and doing a lot of binge The 6th DWI came in 2004. The drinking. I got my first DUI when I morning after my arrest, I woke up in was just 17 years old. I never gave the county jail and was sent to a 28 much thought to that first DUI, after day rehab program. My mother bailed all, I was just a teenager. Since then, five more DUI’s followed. “From this moment forward, I will accept In the early 80’s, we moved to responsibility for my past. I understand Jamestown and I managed to that the beginning of wisdom is to accept find the right people and places responsibility for my own problems.” to party. My drinking began to escalate. I landed a job in a bar me out. She truly believed that I must as a disc jockey. The drinks were free be ready to surrender to my and the music loud. This spree lasted problems. 14 years! Drinking and driving didn’t mean anything- especially when I Two days out of rehab, I was drinking couldn’t remember where I’d been. I again. The guilt, shame, remorse and only lost control of my car twice. fear began to eat me alive. I was Thank God no one was hurt. During given a chance at another rehab, this this period, I was married and time a 90 day program. I only stayed divorced by the time I was 25. 29 days. Fearful of disappointing my mom, I called a friend to pick me up. Deciding I needed a change in Forty-five minutes into the trip home I geography, I moved to Ellicottville. was drinking. I wasn’t ready to give While here, I started using other in. I spent time in a half-way house. I drugs, especially cocaine. I lived from passed my GED exam. My wife was paycheck to paycheck supporting my willing to reconcile. habit- coke, booze and zanax- what a mix. Another relapse and I was off and running again. This time, running In 1999 I was married again. I left my from a warrant for my last DWI DJ job and started my own painting charges. No where to go, I turned to company. I managed to dry out for six my mother where I stayed for a months during the marriage but in period. I attended AA meetings, had th 2001 I got my 5 DWI. I lost my a sponsor, and tried to get some license for a year and was put on straight thinking. I received my probation for 5 years. However, I divorce papers. I could not see my continued to drive without a licenseson.

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My final surrender came on August 27th, 2005. I asked my mother to drive me to the police station where there was held a warrant for my arrest. I gave Mom a kiss, turned and walked into that police station. I surrendered. I was sentenced up to 7 years in state prison. That is where I am now. My favorite book is The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. He says,” I understand that God did not put in me the ability to always make right decisions. He did, however, put in me the ability to make a decision and then make it right.” Since here in prison, I have had much time alone. A highlight has been when I was allowed to attend Kairos 46. Kairos is a four day spiritual experience. I thank God for all the volunteers involved in this lifechanging program. From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept responsibility for my own problems. I still am struggling but the struggles are much easier. I feel a sense of freedom that I have never felt before, one day at a time.

Stigma has made addictions a moral issue when it is a public health issue. Stigma has allowed discrimination to thrive. ~ William White

CASAC PREVENTION ~ PROBLEM GAMBLING

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n the area of problem gambling, it is important for people to understand that gambling is not a risk-free activity. CASAC focuses on bringing awareness of the problem to the forefront, identify the dangers and warning signs, and provide help for those who may be concerned about their own gambling problem or the gambling problem of a loved one. In addition to educating the general public about gambling, it is also important to target healthcare professionals, youth workers, school personnel, community organizations and even church leaders A comprehensive prevention approach includes issues such as legislation for funding for education, treatment and prevention of problem gambling, public policy, school policy and enforcement. Prevention strategies include information and community awareness, education and skill development, community involvement, alternative activities, social policy and early intervention. In efforts to achieve these strategies, CASAC sponsored a conference September 25 at Chautauqua Institution. The conference featured Arnie Wexler, one of the preeminent speakers on compulsive gamblers. Arnie has been on TV shows

Act As If

such as Oprah, Niteline and ESPN. He has testified before Senate and Congressional hearings in Washington D.C. He has spoken to the NCAA on college sports betting. Arnie focused on youth gambling and the Internet. He also told his personal story about his own gambling addiction.

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Rick Benson, Director of Algamus, an inpatient treatment facility in Anna Maria, Florida, discussed “When Treatment becomes a Priority.” Rick also has spoken all over the U.S. on problem gambling.

Act as if life has a purpose. Act as if you are patient and tolerant. Act as if you are not fearful. Act as if you are worthy. Act as if you are not angry or resentful Act as if you believe inn a Higher Power. Act as if you are happy. Act as if you are loving and kind. Act as if you are strong and healthy. Act as if you can do the challenging task at hand. Act as if you were grateful.

Dr. Renee Wert, from Jewish Family Services in Buffalo, NY spoke about “Women Problem Gamblers” and Brad McClennan, former Executive Director for the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling and now an outpatient chemical dependency counselor at WCA Hospital, joined with Rick Benson to discuss “Similarities and Differences Between Chemical Dependency and Gambling Treatment Options.” CASAC is a non-profit agency supported by the United Way of Chautauqua County. Gambling Prevention

Specialist Tony Bellanca can be reached at 664-3608 or [email protected] . All inquires are confidential.

he magic power of acting “as if” can cultivate good habits. As we live the “as if “ philosophy everyday, we can find ourselves actually becoming the persons we want to be. Acting “as if” to a person trying to get sober can become a strong factor in making the ideal become a reality.

The value of acting as if, is that it goes beyond mere positive thinking and into the action. It is based on striving to do the thing, acting to make the goal or dream come true. In the process we draw resources we didn’t know we possessed and we reach goals beyond our wildest dreams. So often, just thinking that we can’t do the thing stops us from even trying. On the other hand, if we simply dive in and begin acting as if we can do even the most difficult things, we may surprise ourselves. So much of getting sober is simply acting as if and practicing new behaviors until it becomes our very core and we realize we are no longer acting “as if”!

2006 FALL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Beginning Awareness & Basic Educational Studies

Addictive Thinking

(BABES)

Tony Bellanca, Gambling Prevention Specialist

Adult Children from Dysfunctional Homes Struggle for Intimacy

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The Basics

Suzanne Joyce, CASAC

Julie Franco, OASAS Faculty

Kathleen Colby-Leonard, Certified BABES Trainer

$100.00 October 13 & 20 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 1st Presbyterian Church Fredonia, NY

$25.00 October 17 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm Park U.M.Church Sinclairville, NY

$250.00 October 25 & 26 8:30 - 4:00 & Friday, October 27 8:30 —12:30 Jamestown, NY

Presenter Certification Training

$25.00 November 17 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 1st Presbyterian Church Fredonia, NY

Contact Kathy Colby-Leonard for more information on CASAC’s training opportunities. [email protected] , check out our website www.casacweb.org , or call 664-3608

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Methamphetamine: A Closer Look at Today’s “Speed” John Blackman, CPP $25.00 December 6 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 1st Presbyterian Church Fredonia, NY

Financial Aid for All Students

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Services Administration and the Institute of Medicine have estimated that only 20% of the individuals who need drug and alcohol treatment in any given year receive care.

n an important victory for recovery advocates, eligibility for financial aid is What kind of assistance can be denied? All federal student financial aid being restored to all students with prior drug convictions. The Budget Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 includes a provision that will help people with including loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. prior drug convictions regain eligibility for federal student financial aid. How many students have not applied for federal student assistance because Repeal of the ban on federal financial aid to students with drug convictions is they must answer a question about their drug convictions? Thousands of one element of Faces & Voices of Recovery’s Right to Addiction Recovery students have left the question blank or failed to return their worksheets. The Platform. The victory comes after years of work question on the application is especially harmful by recovery advocates and their allies since the because it suggests that any prior drug conviction How many students have not ban was passed in 1998. Since then over can doom one’s chances of ever getting aid. 100,000 students have been denied aid, many applied for federal student The US Department of Education which oversees of them in recovery. assistance because they must the new law will be deciding how it will be HOW THE NEW LAW WILL WORK:The new implemented over the next few months. In the answer a question about their drug law went into effect on July 1, 2006. People will meantime, if you have a prior drug conviction or be able to receive aid unless they are convicted convictions? Thousands ... know of someone who has one and is thinking of a drug felony or misdemeanor while in school. about going back to school, talk with a financial Students convicted while receiving federal aid will aid counselor at the school you would like to attend about filling out the remain ineligible – for one year for a first possession offense, two years for a FAFSA financial aid form. second and indefinitely for a third, with harsher penalties for sales. Faces & Voices will continue to work for full repeal and will also continue to Students can participate in treatment programs in order to qualify for their aid to be restored. However, accessing treatment services can be extremely work to remove the drug conviction question from the financial aid form. difficult. The Federal Government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health

If you have kids– don’t keep your beer in the refrigerator!

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hat price tag of $62-billion is the total when you tally up the costs of fatalities, accidents, crime, absenteeism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders & alcoholism treatment, according to a new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol.* Dividing that sum by the number of underage drinkers shows that every drinker under 21 costs society $4,680 per year! *New York State’s share of the cost: $3.6-billion, according to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) New research indicates that alcohol and other drugs act differently on developing adolescent brains than on fully mature brains. For some, early use may actually change brain development in longlasting and detrimental ways. The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report to Congress, Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility, proposes solid, research-based policy solutions to the problem. Among the IOM Recommendations : • Designing scientifically based, multipronged community initiatives tailored for the specific problems in the community; • Increasing alcohol prices through taxes, particularly on beer; • Stepping up support for local and national efforts to reduce underage drinking by state and federal governments, • Limiting alcohol advertising and marketing targeted at young people, • Implementing a national adult-focused media campaign that counters alcohol industry messages and uses social marketing to affect attitudes and behavior; • Adopting and enforcing laws to prevent alcoholrelated deaths and injuries among young people, such as keg registration, “happy hour” bans, social host laws, and graduated driver’s licensing;

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Limiting youth access to alcohol by effectively enforcing minimum drinking-age laws.

One strategy not mentioned by the IOM: parents need to become more responsible by not furnishing alcohol to their kids– by simply NOT storing it in their refrigerators. Big beer companies pretend not to target youth, while their slick, teen-friendly marketing saturates TV, the internet, sporting events, magazines - everywhere. And beer executives use their lobbying muscle to block proven strategies that reduce underage drinking. Why? Because up to 20% of their profits come from underage consumption. • Youth saw more beer and ale advertising in 2001 than they saw advertising for gum, cookies, crackers, or sneakers. • In ‘04 youth saw 30% more alcohol ads on T.V than they did in ‘01.

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Chautauqua Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council 2-6 East Second St., Suite 405 Jamestown, NY 14701

NCADD NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 325 JAMESTOWN, NY 14701

Awareness Theatre Looking for New Actors

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Awareness Theatre has two troupes operating.

and Girls Club . The south county troupe practices on Thursdays at

Awareness Theatre (AT) program

Mondays at 4:00 the north county troupe meets in Dunkirk at the Boys

tudents are needed! CASAC’s

is recruiting for this year’s troupe.

4:00 at the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club. All students entering No experience is necessary, only a willingness to participate and a

that uses high school volunteers and various theatrical presentations to

grades 9-12 are welcome to participate, as are local college students.

Begun in 1985, Awareness Theatre is a home grown CASAC program

Awareness Theatre, please

unite to tell a story about problem solving.

or would like more information about

troupe performers and audience members

of a young person who may be interested,

an interactive storytelling session where

If you are interested in participating, know

in a family with a drug problem is like, or

or guardian.

of a classroom which illustrate what living

have a signed permission slip from a parent

take the form of improvised scenes in front

will attend weekly rehearsals and must

faced by today’s youth. Performances may

commitment to the program. Participants

educate the audience to the problems

Music and mime, puppets and poetry, role-plays and discussion are all part of AT’s repertoire.

contact

the group’s director, John Blackman at 664-3608, or [email protected].