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

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

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