National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

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By Nurse Diane

Being a nurse is a very tempting job when it comes to drug addiction.  Every few months I get a newsletter from the Board of Nursing and in the back it lists all the nurses who have had their licenses suspended or removed, and lists their violation.  Most of those listed are because of drug abuse.

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I went to school with a woman whose daughter also became a nurse.  She was a victim of drug abuse.  When she had reached the end of her rope, I helped my friend over the weekend sober up her child.  It was not a pretty sight.  We stayed locked in a room while her daughter screamed, cried, threatened and became violently ill.  In the end, she was able to remove the toxins from her body and with the help of her family has been able to stay off drugs.

I believe addiction to certain things are encoded in our DNA.  Some people are just immune to it, while others are not.  The same can be said for other addictions such as gambling, overeating, as well as drugs and alcohol.

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September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Below is part of the Presidential Proclamation:

Presidential Proclamation--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs takes strength, faith, and commitment. Men and women in recovery showcase the power each of us holds to transform ourselves, our families, and our communities. As people share their stories and celebrate the transformative power of recovery, they also help dispel myths and stigmas surrounding substance abuse and offer hope for lifestyles free from alcohol and other drugs. This month and throughout the year, we must promote recovery and support the growth of healthy, resilient individuals and families in the United States. Today, alcohol and other drugs threaten the future of millions of Americans. Abuse of prescription medication has reached epidemic levels, drunk and drugged driving pose significant threats to public safety, and individuals in recovery continue to confront barriers to full participation in our society. My Administration is committed to reducing substance abuse, and this year we released our 2011 National Drug Control Strategy, which supports successful, long term recoveries through research, education, increased access to treatment, and community-based recovery support. As a Nation, we must strive to promote second chances and recognize each individual's ability to overcome adversity. We laud and support the millions of Americans in recovery from substance abuse, their loved ones, and the communities that help them sustain recovery, while encouraging those in need to seek help. As we celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we pay tribute to the transforming power of recovery, which will continue to heal individuals and communities across our country.

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Recovery from any substance is a long and difficult process and requires assistance from many.  For more information in ways you can help, click this site: http://www.recoverymonth.gov/ and encourage anyone you know who suffers from an addiction to seek help before it’s too late.