Culpeper Overdose Awareness

Dee

Grief Support for Siblings

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There aren’t many grief resources for sibling who’ve lost a brother or sister to substance use, most resources are for the parents. But there are a few . . .

Virtual Sibling Grief Meetings

GRAPLErva is a grief support group for families who’ve lost a loved one to addiction.  They have both parents and siblings who attend.  They are currently holding grief group meetings every Tuesday and Friday night at 6:30pm.  For the Zoom meeting ID and password text/call 804-229-5024, or email GrapleRVA@gmail.com

Online Support Groups

There is a private Facebook support group for siblings who’ve lost a brother or sister to substance use called Team Sharing – SIBLINGS. They have hundreds of members from all over the country.

Another private Facebook group specifically for a substance use loss: Siblings Strong

Facebook page (not private group) for any type of sibling loss: Sibling Loss Awareness

Most hospice offices have grief support groups for children who have lost a loved one. These are free and open to members of the community.

Visit What’s Your Grief, they have a great support community for siblings.

FREE Workouts for those in Recovery

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Exercise is vital to our physical and mental health and can be a great outlet for the stress and anxiety we are experiencing during coronavirus, especially for those in recovery.

And the generous recovery community is taking care of its own by providing free workout options.

Workouts
FOR THOSE IN RECOVERY
BY THOSE IN RECOVERY

The Phoenix is a free sober active community gym that inspires people in recovery to rise from the ashes of addiction by fostering healing through fitness and community with the support of those who are walking that very same path. They have a huge variety of free classes available to anyone that can be found HERE.

ROCovery Fitness is a supportive community of physically active SOBER individuals that provides multiple free workouts every day. Videos are posted on their Facebook page or their website.

Ignite Recovery strives to engage those in recovery and their family/friends in a process of growth and balance in physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. All of our classes are FREE and open to anyone with lived experience – those in recovery along with their family and friends.

Yoga for Recovery is free and open to people in recovery, their family, and allies. For the Mon/Wed/Fri 11am class click HERE, Thur 4pm click HERE.  More details on Facebook

Yoga of 12 step Recovery (y12sr) combines  yoga, the practical tools of 12-step programs, and the latest research on trauma healing and neurobiology to address the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of addiction. The program serves people recovering from all addictions, and those who are impacted by a loved one’s addiction.  Here are some free zoom classes during Covid-19: Tues/Thur am,  Tues pm,and Sun pm

Workouts and mental health supports for everyone

Planet Fitness is offering free daily workout videos on their facebook page.
Daily Calm: 10 minute meditations
A little Nature Therapy
Learn to do a Body Scan Meditation to help with relaxation and sleep
10 minute Yoga flows to start or end your day
Faith Based Guided Prayers & Meditations
COVID-19 Anxiety Support Meetings – an on-going workshop, coping skills, connecting with others

Need more workout resources?  Check out THIS ARTICLE

 

Virginia Fatal Overdose Report

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The latest Virginia Fatal Drug Overdose Report was just published.

Some main takeaways are:
• Fentanyl caused or contributed to death in 59.3% of all fatal overdoses in 2019
• Preliminary final totals for 2019 indicate an 8.8% increase in fatal overdoses
• The number of fatal overdoses in 2019 (1617) is the largest ever seen in Virginia
• Fatal non-opioid drug overdoses are on the rise: cocaine overdoses increased 8.7% and methamphetamine overdoses increased 55.9%

The full report can be found at:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/18/2020/04/Quarterly-Drug-Death-Report-FINAL-Q4-2019.pdf

 

Safe Medication Disposal

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April’s Drug Take Back Day had to be cancelled but there are still ways we can still dispose of our unused medications so they don’t end up in the wrong hands potentially leading to addiction and overdose.

WHY DO WE KEEP UNUSED MEDS?
According to the 2018 Choices Matter Survey:
9 in 10 surgery patients with leftover opioid pills admit that they keep them for future use, giving them to family or friends for their pain, or improperly disposing of them.
Also, nearly 1 in 5 surgical patients report refilling an opioid prescription even though they no longer need it to manage their pain.

WHY ARE UNUSED MEDS A PROBLEM?
2 in 5 teens believe prescription drugs are “much” safer than street drugs and see no harm in sharing them with friends. More than half obtained prescription medicines from their own family medicine cabinet.  (drugfree.org) 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

  1. CLEAN OUT YOUR MEDICINE CABINET and remove all unused and expired medications
  2. MONITOR & SECURE your current medications so they don’t accidentally end up in the wrong hands
  3. PROPERLY DISPOSE OF what you’re no longer using.
    •  DRUG DROP BOX – Most police stations and many pharmacies have self serve disposal kiosks where you can place unused medications.
    • DRUG DISPOSAL PRODUCT – this is a packet or powder that renders your medications unusable and safe for household disposal. Some prescriptions come with these neutralizers or they can be obtained for free through your department of health or community services board.  Current Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club pharmacy patients can request a free DisposeRX packet at any time.
    • SELF DISPOSAL:
      • TRASH: remove medication from bottle and mix (not crush) into a ziploc bag of used coffee grinds or kitty litter which render them unpallatable and safe for household disposal.
      • FLUSH: flushing is not recommended for many medications as they can be harmful to the environment and our water supply, but there are some the FDA recommends we flush.  Find the list HERE 

Love Someone with an Addiction?

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FIND FAMILY SUPPORT AMID COVID-19

Face to face meetings have been cancelled because of coronavirus but support is still available

Al-Anon – support for those affected by someone else’s alcoholism, offers online and phone meetings 
Families Anonymous – online meetings for family and friends of those with drug, alcohol or related behavioral issues
Magnolia Family-Focused Addiction Support provides meetings Sunday’s and Thursday’s at 7 pm. Join the Zoom Meetings at https://zoom.us/j/369081516 (enter Meeting ID: 369 081 516 if prompted)
Nar-Anon – support for those affected by someone else’s addiction live chat and forum available
Parents Helping Parents is offering virtual meetings as well as recordings of past meetings
Partnership for Drug Free Kids – online support community for parents who may have children experimenting with, or dependent on, substances
SMART Recovery Friends and Family – secular, cognitive behavioral-based program offers online meetings for families and friends of someone recovering from substance abuse

Here are some VIDEOS/PODCASTS that you might find helpful during this time:
Center for Motivation and Change Podcast
Collateral Damage Podcast & Videos
Dr. Ruth Potee Videos
Hazelden/Betty Ford Podcast
My Child & Addiction Podcast

Visit our Family Support Page for a more complete list. 

Help for those in recovery can be found here SUPPORT DURING CORONAVIRUS

 

Alcohol Awareness Month

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April is Alcohol Awareness Month

A recent study showed that alcohol related deaths have doubled since 1999.
Stress is a common trigger for drinking, and the current coronavirus pandemic has led to an unprecedented increase in alcohol sales.

In the week ending March 21st, sales greatly increased:
hard liquor 75%
beer 66%
wine 42%
all compared to the same dates last year

Ready to take a look at your drinking patterns?  Click HERE for an alcohol screening.
And Rethinking Drinking is another great site which helps you take a realistic look at your drinking and provides tools to help you create a plan to quit or cut back.
Need help creating some healthier coping skills?  Check out this upcoming webinar.
Your future self will thank you!

MAT Virtual Recovery Meetings

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Are you utilizing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in your addiction recovery?  Not all self help and mutual support groups are designed to be supportive of this recovery tool.

MARA, Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous, is designed to be a non-judgemental place where all those using medication to assist their recovery are welcome.

“Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous is a support group of people who believe in the value of medication as a means to recovery. We understand that our individual needs may not be the same; our backgrounds may not be the same; our futures may not be the same. However, our desire to live a safe lifestyle joins us together. Non-judgement is our code.” – MARA Preamble

Find out more about them at their website: www.mara-international.org
Right now, because of COVID-19, they are hosting several virtual meetings a week.
Please share!
Medication Assisted Recovery Support Meetings

Online Recovery Meetings During Coronavirus

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LIST OF ONLINE RECOVERY MEETINGS & RESOURCES
Support is still available as we practice social distancing

Get a PDF printable list here: Recovery Can Happen at Home

Are you a friend or family member?  Find support HERE

Online Meetings & Support:
In The Rooms – For meetings, this is where I would start. With over 130 meetings each week, which include multiple pathways to recovery, there is something for everyone. Meetings for all 12 Step, Non-12 Step, Wellness and Mental Health, and more. They can even provide meeting confirmations if needed.
Alcoholics Anonymous – multiple types of AA meetings or AA Phone Meetings
Culpeper Recovery (Unaddictable) – local support, videos, worksheets, articles, recommended books
The Daily Pledge – several meetings a day. Can provide meeting confirmations.
The Herren Project provides recovery meetings every night at 7:30pm.
LGBTQ+ Online Recovery Meetings or check out AA’s LGBTQ meetings
Life Recovery – (uses the Life Recovery Bible) has online groups open to everyone
McShin Foundation – podcasts and video meetings from Richmond based McShin.
Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous – several meetings a week.
Narcotics Anonymous:  Virtual NA or NA Chatroom – Both have several meetings a day
RU Recovery Ministries – faith based virtual meetings
SMART Recovery – science-based, self-empowered meetings. Some meetings confirmed.
Unity Recovery – five meetings a day. Can provide meeting confirmations.
Women for Sobriety – non 12 step 24/7 message board, chat meetings

YouTube Channels:
AA Speakers
Celebrate Recovery
NA Speakers
SMART Recovery

Podcasts:
Joe & Charlie Big Book Comes Alive (AA)
McShin Foundation new podcasts from our friends at McShin
Mother Recovering momming sober
This Naked Mind alcohol primary focus
Recovery Elevator alcohol primary focus
Sobercast AA speaker meetings and workshops in podcast format
Sober Girl’s Guide sobriety, mental health, self development
That Sober Guy drug, alcohol & other addictions, mental health

Helpful APPS:
AA Big Book
The Calm App for stress, anxiety
Celebrate Recovery faith based
Connections clinical and peer support, resource library
NA Speakers
Recovery Devotionals faith based
Recovery Path
Sober Tool
7 Cups of Tea emotional support

Misc. Online Resources:
Listen to the Big Book (AA)
Read the Big Book (AA)
Listen to AA Speakers
Listen to the Basic Text (NA)
Read the Basic Text (NA)
Recovery Today Magazine – free online magazine offering stories of hope

Harm Reduction Resources:
Get Narcan (Naloxone) the opioid overdose reversal drug sent to you in the mail by The Chris Atwood Foundation. Watch a short instructional video then fill out the confidential request form. Can only be shipped to addresses in Virginia.
The Harm Reduction Coalition has provided COVID-19 Guidance for people who use drugs and harm reduction programs.
Never Use Alone 1-800-484-3731  Provides a life saving point of contact for people who use drugs and are there to help in the event of an overdose.

Don’t forget your Mental & Physical Health:
The Phoenix is a free sober active community gym that inspires people in recovery to rise from the ashes of addiction by fostering healing through fitness and community with the support of those who are walking that very same path. They have a huge variety of free classes available to anyone that can be found HERE.
Planet Fitness is offering free daily workout videos on their facebook page.
ROCovery Fitness is a supportive community of physically active SOBER individuals that provides multiple free workouts every day. Videos are posted on their Facebook page or their website.
Yoga of 12 Step Recovery (Y12SR) for people recovering from all manifestations of addiction, from behavioral addictions to substance abuse.
Yoga for Recovery is free and open to people in recovery, their family, and allies. Classes Mon/Wed/Fri 11am or Thur 4pm.
Daily Calm: 10 minute meditations
A little Nature Therapy
Learn to do a Body Scan Meditation to help with relaxation and sleep
10 minute Yoga flows to start or end your day
Faith Based Guided Prayers & Meditations
COVID-19 Anxiety Support Meetings – an on-going workshop, coping skills, connecting with others

HELPLINES & HOTLINES

RRCSB 24hr Crisis Hotline
1-540-825-5656
Peer2Peer 24hr Warmline
1-833-626-1490
First Responders HERO Peer Warmline
1-844-833-4376  (8am-Midnight)
Text 24hr Crisis Line
text hello to 741741
Substance Abuse Hotline
1-800-662-4357
National Youth Crisis Hotline
1-800-442-4673
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline
1-866-488-7386
Mental Health America of VA
1-866-400-6428
Disaster Distress Hotline (including public health emergencies)
1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
Live Chat services available through Lifeline Chat

Online Recovery Meetings and Support

Care Talk: Multiple Pathways to Recovery

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Come out Friday March 20th at 6pm for Care Talks and be encouraged! 
No one method of recovery works for everyone, and we can learn so much by hearing how others have been able to recover.   Care (Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Empowerment) Talks are typically held monthly with a different topic each month.

This month, special Guest Speaker PerCilla Zeno, Author of ‘I AM Healing’: The 7 Secrets to Wellness and Self-Care will be sharing as well as 7 others who are in recovery.
Details:
Friday March 20th 6-8pm
McShin Foundation 2300 Dumbarton Rd. Henrico
Find more information here: https://caretalks.net/events 
or see the Facebook event page

My friend Betty and myself both traveled to Richmond to give a Care Talk on the topic of grief and we left empowered and refreshed by the speakers.
See our Care Talks here: https://caretalks.net/coping-with-the-grief

Grab a friend and don’t miss it!

Helping Children of Addiction

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We are mid-way through Children of Addiction Awareness Week. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a quarter of children in the U.S. grow up in households where there is substance abuse, and studies suggest these children are eight times more likely to develop an addiction themselves.

So how can you help?

  • Be the one. Numerous studies have shown that one trusted, supportive, and stable adult can make a tremendous impact in the life of an at-risk child. See the study from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child
  • Educate yourself.  What are some early warning signs of risky behavior?  How do I recognize and respond to a cry for help?  What resources are available? We have several local training opportunities which can help equip you.
    • ACEs Training: This course totally changed the way I view addiction.  ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) trauma can lead to chronic health concerns like substance abuse and mental health challenges. Gain a better understanding of what trauma is and how it affects our biology. It is well worth your time and is brought to you FREE by the Rappahannock Area Community Services.  Training takes place in Fredericksburg and are typically held 4 times a year.  Dates and details are posted on our UPCOMING EVENTS page.
    • YOUTH Mental Health First Aid: This course teaches how to help youth who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem. You learn risk factors and warning signs, strategies for how to help, and where to turn for resources.  Upcoming training dates and details are posted on our UPCOMING EVENTS page.
  • Look for mentoring opportunities:  There are lots of opportunities to mentor children in our community.  Many of these organizations are not necessarily addressing addiction, but are providing positive experiences for our youth. Here are just a few:
    • Girls On The Run: teaches life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others, and making intentional decisions. They are always in need of coaches and you don’t need to be runner! Contact 540-296-4687 or kathy.butler@girlsontherun.org
    • CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates: volunteers advocate for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. They represent their best interests in courtrooms and other settings and help change their lives.  There is an upcoming information session Feb 25, 2020 at 70 Main St, Warrenton, VA. RSVP required, call 703-330-8145 or email jpolen@casacis.org
    • GEMS Girls Empowerment Mentoring Services: Provides a safe, creative & motivating space that allows female adolescents to thrive toward personal successes. By increasing self-esteem, it assists adolescents with making better choices, reducing risky behaviors.  Meets every 2nd Wednesday 4-6 at Culpeper Baptist Church Contact: gemsinva@gmial.com
  • Get inspired: Ministries Help Children Affected by Addiction

Other Resources

Helping a child whose parent is struggling with addiction
Children of Addiction Website
Sesame Street has created a new character, 6-year-old Karli, whose mom struggles with drug addiction.  Watch Karli’s videos, access resources like coloring pages, music, and articles with topics like how to explain addiction to a child.
Camp Mariposa is a national addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth ages 9-12 who have been affected by the substance use disorder of a family member. Camp Mariposa is offered free of charge to all families. It is offered multiple times throughout the year, and the closest location is in West Virginia near the Southwest Virginia border.

Find more resources on our FAMILY SUPPORT page.