--HELP and SUPPORTs--

The celebrated physician and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, once stated: "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flames by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." Indeed, no man is an island, and human beings are by nature interdependent on one another for their emotional survival. Oftentimes, individuals feel helpless and hopeless when confronted by a crisis. Support groups are a reminder that they are not alone, and that help is just a meeting away. Research corroborates the belief that the peer support mechanism furthers the recovery process. According to two studies conducted in the cancer research field, patients who attended support groups and followed their medical treatments, had a higher longevity and experienced depression and anxiety to a lesser degree than those who did not participate. Many experts maintain that receiving emotional encouragement from others in a support group environment decreases one's mental distress and anxiety, as well as enhances one's mood. This in turn boosts the peer group member's immune system and emotional well-being.
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~http://www.treatment4addiction.com/recovery/support-groups.aspx

--Socialism--

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school, and other ordinary activities. While many people with social phobia recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome it. They often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation.
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Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation — such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating, drinking, or writing in front of others — or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people. Social phobia can be very debilitating — it may even keep people from going to work or school on some days. Many people with this illness have a hard time making and keeping friends.
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Physical symptoms often accompany the intense anxiety of social phobia and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking. If you suffer from social phobia, you may be painfully embarrassed by these symptoms and feel as though all eyes are focused on you. You may be afraid of being with people other than your family.
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People with social phobia are aware that their feelings are irrational. Even if they manage to confront what they fear, they usually feel very anxious beforehand and are intensely uncomfortable throughout. Afterward, the unpleasant feelings may linger, as they worry about how they may have been judged or what others may have thought or observed about them.
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Social phobia affects about 5.3 million adult Americans. Women and men are equally likely to develop social phobia. The disorder usually begins in childhood or early adolescence, and there is some evidence that genetic factors are involved. Social phobia often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders or depression. Substance abuse or dependence may develop in individuals who attempt to "self-medicate" their social phobia by drinking or using drugs. Social phobia can be treated successfully with carefully targeted psychotherapy or medications.
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Social phobia can severely disrupt normal life, interfering with school, work, or social relationships. The dread of a feared event can begin weeks in advance and be quite debilitating.
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~http://health.discovery.com/centers/mental/anxiety/socialphobia.html

--PREVENTION better than CURE--

Facts
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• For one in 13 American adults, alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence (alcoholism) causes substantial harm to their health and disruption in their lives.
• There are more deaths and disabilities each year in the U.S. from substance abuse than from any other cause.
• About 18 million Americans have alcohol problems; about 5 to 6 million Americans have drug problems.
• More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
• More than nine million children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs.
• One-quarter of all emergency room admissions, one-third of all suicides, and more than half of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are alcohol-related.
• Heavy drinking contributes to illness in each of the top three causes of death: heart disease, cancer and stroke.
• Almost half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.• Between 48% and 64% of people who die in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation.
• Alcohol and drug abuse costs the American economy an estimated $276 billion per year in lost productivity, health care expenditures, crime, motor vehicle crashes and other conditions.
• Untreated addiction is more expensive than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined.
• Every American adult pays nearly $1,000 per year for the damages of addiction.
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~source: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/
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~http://health.discovery.com/centers/addiction/drugs_alcohol/facts.html

--Schindler's List (1993)--

Schindlerjuden, literally translated as "Schindler's Jews," were roughly 1,000 to 1,200 Jews who were saved by Oskar Schindler during the Holocaust. Their story has been depicted in the book Schindler's Ark, and Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of the novel, Schindler's List.
The end of the film shows actual, color footage of the Schindlerjuden depicted each putting a stone on Schindler's grave. They (or their surviving relative/s) are each accompanied by the actor who portrayed them as they do so. Other mourners in the scene include Schindler's widow, Emilie Schindler, and the actor who portrays Schindler himself in the film, Liam Neeson. Neeson is the last one to approach the grave, and instead of a stone he places two red roses in the center. Appropriately, he is accompanied by no one.
In 2006, there were estimated to be over 7,000 descendants of Schindler's Jews living in the US, Europe, and Israel.

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The Movie

Oskar Schindler is a vain, glorious and greedy German businessman who becomes unlikely humanitarian amid the barbaric Nazi reign when he feels compelled to turn his factory into a refuge for Jews. Based on the true story of Oskar Schindler who managed to save about 1100 Jews from being gassed at the Auschwitz concentration camp. A testament for the good in all of us.

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Cast
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Liam Neeson -- Oskar Schindler
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Ben Kingsley -- Itzhak Stern
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Caroline Goodall -- Emilie Schindler
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~http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/
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~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schindlerjuden

--Total Stranger--

I stand in front of the monitor

And wipe the fog away

My vision is still hazy

From ridding myself this way

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If I can endure for this moment,

whatever is happening to me.

No matter how heavy my heart,

or how dark the moment may be.

If I can but keep on believing,

what I know in my heart to be true.

Then darkness will fade into morning,

and with this dawn a new day, too.

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Thanks Again my Friend...

--The HOPE - RECOVERY--

Recovery
Addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, nicotine, sex or other substances and behaviors is a form of bondage holding its prisoner's mind and body hostage. Recovery is the addict's answer to a personal cry for help and a manifestation of his or her will to break the chains of addiction. After losing their sense of direction and finding themselves psychologically-shipwrecked somewhere along life's shores, substance abusers must learn to ask for help. They must then be ready and willing to follow a structured, progressive plan for addiction recovery. By exercising willpower and demonstrating the courage to confront the truth as well as the discipline to complete a methodical recovery program, addicts improve their prospects for a healthy, balanced, and meaningful life. While the road to recovery may be long and winding for some chemically-dependent individuals, the destination of sobriety and clean living is within reach for all addicts. Through self-healing, sober-minded individuals can also heal their relationship to society and loved ones. Regardless of which substance abuse or drug recovery program the addict chooses to initiate a long-term cure, the cornerstone of success is his or her admission of a problem.
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Any genuine recovery process consists of a number of critical steps including the following:
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1. Overcoming denial
The first step in addiction recovery involves the surrender of denial and the honest admission by which addicts admit, either to themselves and/or to others, that they have a substance abuse problem. It is imperative that individuals who seek to be sober realize and accept the necessity to change addictive patterns of behavior.
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2. Seeking help
There are numerous avenues for obtaining support and guidance, such as a 12 step program, a drug & alcohol rehabilitation program (including our Treatment4Addiction Center), and individual counseling.
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3. Completing a detoxification program
The next step involves checking into a detox rehabilitation center for the purpose of ensuring a safe and thorough withdrawal from the substance in question.
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4. Entering and engaging in addiction recovery program
The addict may need to continue treatment in a residential, outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation center, depending on his or her overall temperament and age, as well as the duration and severity of his or her addiction.
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5. Maintaining sobriety
For many recovering substance abusers, staying sober is a lifelong process. To help them cope with personal issues and keep them on the right track, they may choose to avail themselves of the following types of aid: (1) a 12 step program or alternative 12-step program, (2) psychological support and transportation from friends and family, (3) employee assistance, (4) individual or group therapy; (5) legal assistance, and/or (6) medical and psychological services. Some addicts choose to help others through advocacy and activism, as well as through non-profit organizations.
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Many studies have shown that permanent abstinence is achieved by nearly one-third of addicts from their initial recovery-geared efforts. Another one-third achieves lasting abstinence after a few short-lived relapse episodes. The last third undergoes chronic relapses that ultimately lead to death as a result of chemical dependency. Since relapse is a probability for some and a certainty for others, prevention strategies are primordial in that they serve a useful purpose. The key is to recognize and manage the warning signs before they degenerate into a using incident. Through relapse prevention therapy, addicts learn to become cognizant of the symptoms and triggers that tempt them back to their substance of choice. Common triggers include associating with other substance abusers, entering a bar, looking at a particular photograph, or smelling a certain odor.
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To ensure progress along the path to sobriety, addicts should (1) choose healthy and positive substitutes for their problematic substance, (2) form a wholesome support group, and (3) avoid or reduce contact with enablers and toxic individuals. The substitutes chosen to replace the object of craving will vary from one addict to the next. Addicts are also encouraged to take stock of the consequences of relapse and may receive training in thought-stopping. Some effective strategies for preventing or derailing relapse and refocusing energy on a constructive activity include the following:
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• Channeling self-destructive energy into yoga, meditation, and exercise
• Consuming products containing sugar or caffeine
• Engaging in religious activities and prayer
• Working in the yard
• Speaking to a friend, therapist or sponsor when 'permission thoughts' emerge
  Strengthening communication and interpersonal skills with the help of a therapist
• Seeking individual or group counseling
• Joining support groups or a 12 step recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous
  

A wide range of addiction recovery programs is available for individuals coping with substance abuse problems or compulsive or dysfunctional behaviors. Some of the most beneficial programs are as follows:

1. 12 step program
The vast majority of drug and alcohol rehab centers throughout the U.S. integrate portions of the 12 step program into their therapeutic modules. Initially intended for alcoholics in recovery (Alcoholics Anonymous), this program has since become the foundation for other 12 step recovery groups such as (1) Narcotics Anonymous, (2) Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, (3) Pills Anonymous (for prescription pill addicts), (4) Marijuana Anonymous, (5) Gamblers Anonymous, (6) Cocaine Anonymous, (7) Methadone Anonymous, and 6) Nicotine Addiction Anonymous. The 12-step program centers on spiritual awakening principles that involve replacing egocentrism with moral awareness, selfless constructive behavior, and altruism. Some of the precepts incorporated into the 12 steps are as follows:

• Recognizing the presence of a Higher power;
• Reaching out to other addicts;
• Living a new life by adopting a new behavioral code;
• Making amends for past behavior; and
• Analyzing substance abuse transgressions with a sponsor's help.

2. Alternative 12-step program
Addicts may instead opt for an alternative treatment program, whether religious-based, secular and rational, or online. Some of these programs adhere to the belief that drug and alcohol addiction is not a disease, and that addicts are not powerless over substance abuse. Individuals may choose from an extensive array of 12 step alternative programs, such as:

• Meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga training
• Holistic therapy
• Alternative medicine
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Psychological counseling
• Biofeedback
• Life skills training
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Self-esteem boosting skills
• Motivation therapy

3. Wellness coaching
Addicts may consult a wellness coach for guidance and recommendations concerning (1) management of health risks, (2) stress reduction, (3) fitness, (4) weight management, and (5) nutrition.

4. Self help
Self help measures are also available to sobriety-minded individuals, and these include:

• Self help support groups;
• Online resources such as recovery events, meeting locators, articles, online blogs and journals, internet discussion groups, and message boards;
• Sobriety videos; and
• Books on recovery.

Help Link;
12 step programs -- Alcoholics Anonymous -- Cocaine Anonymous -- Codependents Anonymous -- Crystal Meth Anonymous -- Gamblers Anonymous --
Marijuana Anonymous -- Narconon -- Narcotics AnonymousNicotine Anonymous -- Overeaters Anonymous -- Sex Addicts Anonymous

Support groups

Wellness Coaching

Self Help

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~http://www.treatment4addiction.com/recovery

--Meet in 2012 LONDON--

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, are due to be celebrated in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012.
London will become the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and in 1948.

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Host city
London, United Kingdom

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Events
300 in 26 sports
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Stadium
Olympic Stadium