issue four special a case for not making new year...

Healthy worship [ Issue #4 ]

New Year Resolutions:Don't Make Them?

I do not understand whatI do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. Romans 7:15

Issue Four Special Edition In This Issue

A Case For Not Making New Year ResolutionsBy Anneliese Garrison, RN BSN

Another year older and deeper in debt, right? New Years Resolutions are based on what we think we should do not what we really want to do. Then, the moment we fail, we usually stop and say, “I'll do it next year”. New Years Resolutions don't work for the same reason rehab does not work for the addict orthe enabler if it is forced upon us. It is because the court ordered us to do it and not because the desire to start or stop something is within our own hearts. This iswhy rehab only has a 1% success rate over a person's life span. There is hope for all of us and we can do anything we put our hearts and mind to if we want to andthe time is correct.

Christ has a 100% success rate. He will help us stop/start and succeed at anything we want to do to keep our minds and bodies in good working order. Butit is all in the timing. When the clock strikes twelve o'clock midnight this year, we will all raise our glass or prayers and say to ourselves, “HAPPY NEW YEARTHIS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO DIFFERENTLY THIS YEAR!” But we forget that Christ Jesus our Lord has no clock. We all succeed with our lives on His time and, we are the one's who are looking at a clock. We all succeed in our endeavors – IN GOD's TIME NOT OUR OWN. And God wants only good for us.

So, let me keep this short and say, “Cheers to a New Year and another chance to get it right”. The end is only the beginning. It is the beginning of our journey to become even closer to God.

Be kind to yourself. If you are struggling to start something – if your are struggling to quit something – if you are struggling to succeed at something, don't make a resolution, draw nearer to God. He has been waiting for you since you first had this idea on your mind. He has been waiting for you for years.

It is time. Put down your resolutions and lift your hands to God. It's that time of the year. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He wants to help you.

Why We Crave

Russell's Story

How Pets Can Help Can HelpThe Addict


Are You An Enabler?By Anneliese Garrison, RN BSNAn enabler is defined as “A person or thing that makes something possible”. There is noresearch I can point to here and there are no statistics I can show, but I have been around myfair share of “friends” who use or have no car, no job or need to borrow money. Up untilrecently, I had to admit to myself that I was the reason they could live their life the way theywere living. I found it out because I was in trouble and no one could help me. I also had lostsome good friends along the way. I HAD TO CHANGE my ways and so I did. Slowly but surely, “real friends” aresurrounding me again.

There are societal responsibilities we all have to endure. Dependent people often spent money on play first and then the responsibilities of rent, car insurance, cable, electric and or cell phone etc. The dependent person often hasexcuses for everything. Why they don't have a car, why they don't have a job, why they don't have an education, why they over-eat, smoke cigarettes, do drugs, why the rent couldn't get paid, why they are in trouble with the law etc. But we are not focusing on the dependent person. My question is – are we enablers?

The Bible tells us to help the homeless and those in need but if all of your help is one-sided …. you may be an enabler.

If you think your loved one or friend may have an addiction to anything because you just gave them money yesterday and it is gone, …. you may be an enabler.

If you are the reason your loved one or friend is able to live their lifestyle …. you may be an enabler.

I used to get upset with these kinds of people until I realized it was my fault. I had to change. No longer would I give people rides. No longer did I let people borrow money. They got upset and told me off andexplained to me how

“unchristian-like” I was. I told them to figure out another way I was “alltapped out”. They are all gone. Some of them won't even take my callswhen I call and to check on them. Now, I only have “true friends”. Ionly give if it is through the church. Dependent people find your softarea and manipulate you to get what they want. I know this becausesomeone who was hanging around me told me this. Don't feel guilty.They will either come to God or find someone else to manipulate. Ifthey have a true need, God will help them. All we need do is pray thattheir need will be meet and the Lord will help if they are truly in need.

And my God will supply all your needsaccording to the riches of his glory inChrist Jesus Philippians 4:19

I had to learn this the hard way. I was in jail for 16 hours for failure to appear for Jury Duty and there was not even one person that I could call that had a job or a car!


How Did We Get Here?By Anneliese Garrison, RN BSN

Everyone has an addiction. There are two types of addictions: habits that are acceptable, and habits that are unacceptable including mind altering substances. When a person's addiction gets them into some kind of crisis (health, job, security, education, mentally or legally) at this time, one's addiction becomes a problem. Who is the only person that can help you? --- You and the power of prayer. If our addiction makes us imbalanced with the world around us, the urge to change has to be strong enough within ourselves to want or need to change. Those of us who do not have the urge, the

want, the need or that driving force deep down within our souls to change our bad addiction, will die of that addiction -- plain and simple. We will die from health issues, overdoses, legal problems, loss of income, loss of

family etc. It is our choice. We will be unable to met basic needs and life will spiral downhill from there. Some of us will make it because of our positive actions and some of us will not because of our negative actions. Positive actions will bring us rewards or awards and negativeactions will bring us consequences and throw us into all kinds of crisis. Crisis is fine if we learn from it and if we self correct. If we do not, our crisis will be the death of us. Either way, it is all part of the circle of life.

What is the definition of addiction? "Addiction is a state characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences.” We can come back out of our addiction if we make the right choices during our time of crisis. Whether one believes addiction is a disease or it is a learned behavior of our own choosing, addiction is NOT an incurable disease.

Because God is the Ultimate Healer!

The food junkie needs medicalintervention, a proper diet to be taught bya Nutritionist, a Physical Trainer forexercise and a mentor and a lot of selfdetermination.

In like manner, the drug addictedindividual or the person addicted toalcohol, may need in-patient or outpatient rehab, a proper understanding oftheir craving and tools to learn how tostop the cycle of going back to theiraddiction. This goes with any addiction:Coffee, cigarettes, food, soda anythingthat we over indulge on or in.

If we make the correct choices during our times of crisis, we can get back into the transitional stage of our lives and create specific, measurable, achievable, realistic goals that can become great accomplishments. We may even have the passion to help others because we stood where they are now. We understand how they got into their addiction in the first place. God is a mighty God. He can use our short comings for good.

No one ever says, “I want to be an addict”. No love one ever says, “I want to raise an addict.” Both sides are at a loss as to what to do.


Russell's Story: From A Mothers PerspectiveBy Alice Grega Wolbert

August 31st 2017 was “Overdose Awareness Day” and I attended. a candlelighting ceremony to honor all who have lost their life, including my son. Hewas the light of my life and had a heart of gold. But his addiction took over andripped our lives apart. We did everything we could to help him including Nothelping- trying not to enable him. But I was unable to turn my back on him theway some people told me to. I knew my favorite guy was still there, he was stillcaring and funny and oh so kind. He quit many times in fact the last time wasfor almost a year. He was doing great. But for some reason he picked it up againon Father’s Day. Was it because he had lost his dear son when he was only 3months? I'll never know. I planned on talking to him the next day when he wassober. But the next morning we found him and it was too late. I know there are

other grieving Mom's and Dad'sout there who have also lost theirloved ones to this dreaded disease. My heart goes out to you. Let's end the stigma that comes with it. Let's not hide it any more. Our children lived, loved and were loved. More people need to come forward and show it can happen to anyone. Maybe it will save a life.

Russell's Story: From A Sisters Perspective

By Dana WolbertAugust 31st- “Overdose Awareness Day” is rough. Addiction not only can ruin another person’s life but the families that are involved also. Addiction ruled my life. I hope people have the courage to not only save their own lives but to save their family from the pain. Losing my brother ripped my family apart. Losing him changed my whole life. Addiction took my brother, addiction changed my life. Hewrote to me saying, “I needed to believe in myself”. I just wish he believed in himself, because I did - I believed in him, and I believe inanyone struggling with sobriety. I'm writing this to not only pay my brother some respect, but for anyone struggling with an addiction, there is hope, your life is worthliving, and someone out there doesbelieve in you -- I do.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he whomade us and we are his; we are his people

the sheep of his pasture.Psalm 100:3

Overdose Awareness ispurple

Losing the battle toaddiction is silver.

We are all God's children. But we can not praise him if we are under the influence. But God will always be .here for us when we are ready. Only God knew the troubles Russell was feeling that day. God is now using his story for good and God can help you too. To the reader – it's time, friend. Give it all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy.

“ I really believe he is happy we are sharing his story”. – Alice

In loving Memory Of A Son & Brother

May 24, 1984 – June 12, 2012


It's All About The DopamineBy Anneliese Garrison, RN BSN

For some of us, we can't “just say no,”or stop a habit or addiction “coldturkey” like some people say they do.Many will even say they turned to Godand stopped their abusive behavior. Whilethis may be true, God indeed gave themthe tools and the knowledge by way ofprofessionals that could show them how.

“Do you not know your bodies ofthe temple of The Holy Spiritwho is in you, whom you havereceived from God. You are notyour own.” I Corinthians 6:19

Bible Word Scramble (NIV)Galatians 5:16

I Corinthians 4:5

John 16:33

James 4:10

1Peter 5:8

I Peter 3:11

Romans 13:1

E

E O E

O E O E

U E

O E

U U E

A U O I I EI am the way, sometimes the truth but I am never the light. What am I?

How Can Pets Help With Addiction?Inspired By Lana Garrison, SD

Pets provide unconditional love. Chances are you are not feeling very loved right now, even from yourself. At this time, two beings love you unconditionally, your petand God. They also help you learn about yourself. Animals exhibit total emotional

….....Continue Page 6

Cravings arise to satisfy emotional needs, such as calming stress and reducing anxiety. It is born out of irrational beliefs about situations. We are seeking to satisfy the pleasure center of our brain.

Illustration 1: Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is so consistently tied to pleasure that neouroscientist refer to it as the pleasure center of the brain, all addiction from food to heroine, causes a powerful surge of dopamine in this area. Source: helpguide.org


How Can Pets Help With Addiction?Continued from page 5Inspired By Lana Garrison, SD

honesty. They are incapable of hiding their emotions and will show fear, anger, happiness and relaxation. You have been eating, smoking, pill-popping or drinking away your emotions. Take a page from your pet so you can work through this phase in your life. Pets help build relationships with other people. When I first had my mini strokes and found myself having to use an assistive device to walk, I was scared to death. I started over indulging in sugary drinks like soda, or alcohol and even some foods. I did not go out of the house for two years. Searching for help and

change, God helped me find my service dog. Pets help reduce stress. Nobody says to themselves, “I want to weigh 400 lbs so let me eat this cake” or “I want to smell like an ashtray so let me smoke” or “I want to be stoned out of my mind so let me drink and drug”, we do these things because we are scared and anxious. Pets help relieve anxiety and stress. They get us thinking about them instead of ourselves. Pets help you to feel not so lonely. WhenI made a decision that I had to change my friends, I forgot to remember that God will always be with me. So too, do I have a faithful companion in Layna. Pets encourage responsibility. Our pets need to be walked and talked and fed! They need food, water, shelter. They need to be taken to the veterinarian. All these things cost money. We now have to redirect our finances, that we may have had for our addiction, to our beloved pet and this is a good thing! Source: TheCabinChaingmai.com

Activities To Help Quit By Anneliese Garrison, RN BSN

Remind yourself the reasons you want to change: Sometimes, it is impossible to change our situation. If we can not change our situation, then we need to change our way of thinking about it.

Set specific measurable goals: This is why I started this newsletter by suggesting you don't make new year resolutions. Don't be so hard on yourself. The minute we fail, we tend to quit. Change is a gradual but continuous process. Set goals not resolutions.

Tell friends and family you are trying to quit something and use them for support: Have people around you that will support you in your endeavor not hinder you.

It does no good to hang out with a bunch of drug dealing friends, if you are trying to recover. It does no to good keep your subscription to Food Magazine, if you are trying to diet. It does no good to be part of the Cigar Club, if you are trying to stop smoking. Be fair to yourself. Give yourself a fighting chance. Family and true friends will support you in your efforts.

Keep track of your progress:Keep daily track o of what you are trying to accomplish on a monthly calendar. If you are trying to exercise,keep daily track of it.

Even if you only do it four times in a month, that's four times more than you did last month.

I can do all things throughHim who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Keep your eyes on the prize: In the Gospel of Matthew, Peter was able to walk on water until he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked down. It was only then he became afraid and beganto sink. Take one day at a time. Put one foot in front of the other. Let God hold your hand. You can do it!

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” Hesaid, “Why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:31


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You can call Anneliese Garrison at856.392.9620

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Answer to riddle on page 5 ----EXCUSES

And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Genesis 1:31

A message from God to YOU!~

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Copyright 2017 - Present "Healing The Community By Caring 4 You"

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MAY GOD BLESS YOU ON YOURJOURNEY &

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Discover thepower ofchoice!

Welcome to SMART Recovery®, a science-based addiction support group – where participants learn self – empowering techniquesto aid their recovery through mutual-help, face-to-face and online meetings and services. No matter what your addiction, SMARTRecovery® tools and techniques can help you overcome the behavior.

How Does Smart Recovery Work?

Every addict has an enabler, SMART Recovery can help youtoo. Meetings can be religion based or non-religion based.SMART Recovery has tools based on scientifically-provenmethods for addiction recovery such as Cognitive BehaviorTherapy and motivational interviewing.

The SMART Recovery 4 Point Program®

What Makes SMART Recovery Different?

SMART Recovery advocates choice. So that those seekingrecovery can choose from a variety of options what works forthem from a variety of options.

The SMART Recovery goal is for you to achieve a healthy,positive and balanced lifestyle and to “graduate” when you feelyour addictive behavior is behind you, not to remain apermanent participant of the program. Upon graduation, manySMART Participants volunteer as meeting facilitators or inanother capacity to help “pay forward” the gains they achieved.

When Can I Start?

TODAY! Visit the Healthy Worship website “Addiction In AllOf Us” Forum. All posts are there for you to explore and join inthe discussion if desired.

Some Specifics

CHANGE PLAN WORKSHEET: This is a chart which youlist your goals, how you will attain them, the ways in which youwill overcome obstacles and challenges.

COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Often called “CBA” this tool isespecially useful for increasing your motivation to obstain fromyour addictive behavior and for the enabler to obstain from theirrole as an enabler.

THE ABC'S OF REBT: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapyhelps identify our irrational beliefs, which in turn, lead to poorconsequences.

DISARM: (Destructive Imagery and Self Talk Awareness andRefusal Method) This tool exposes the thoughts and imageswhich urge us to pursue our our addiction as inaccuracies,excuses and rationalizations.

BRAINSTORMING: This technique is often used in face-to-face and online meetings. A participant introduces a question orproblem. Other participantsthen offer ideas and/orsuggestions without anyjudgment involved.

Role-Playing/Rehearsal: Thistool is mostly used in groups.An example would berehearsing how to avoidaddictive behavior at a weddingor other high-risk upcomingevent with group membersplaying various roles.

Local Meeting: 1740 S. Burlington Rd Bridgeton, NJ 08302 / OR ONLINE (856)392.9620

VISIT OUR LOCAL CHAPTER ONLINE – www.caring4you.net/healthyworship

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