Adult Adoptees Affected by Chemical Dependency

AHA LogoIn collaboration with Adoptees Have Answers (www.aha.mn) , David Bohl will facilitate a group named AAABCD – Adult Adoptees Affected by Chemical Dependency.   AAABCD will provide a safe forum for adoptees aged 18 and older who have been affected by chemical dependency, whether suffering with chemical dependency themselves or witnessing a family member or friend ravaged by addiction.  The group will meet at The Recovery Church, 253 State Street, Saint Paul, MN,  in the Doctor Bob Room the second Monday of every month.

David Bohl is a domestic adoptee directly affected by chemical dependency.  He shares the following philosophy with Adoptees Have Answers:  The power of the narrative–sharing one’s story with others – empowers, inspires, and positively affects all of those involved in the dialogue.  For those of you with 12-Step recovery experience, this message clearly translates into “One alcoholic (addict, etc.) helping another.”

The group will affirm 12 Step principles in its support of members, and much emphasis will be placed on acceptance.  Says Bohl: “Accepting ourselves as we are today – truly loving ourselves – is contingent upon giving up all hope for a better past.”

The group is FREE and open to adult adoptees  18 years and older.   The first support group meeting will be held Monday, December 13th, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.  For additional information, please contact David Bohl.  Or simply stop by – no reservation needed!

Lindsay Lohan – Please Get Help

Dear Lindsay,

Please , please, PLEASE ask for help.

You’re quoted in this article as saying “Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn’t go away overnight.”

NO, LINDSAY! Substance DEPENDENCE is a DISEASE. There is no generally-agreed upon definition of substance ABUSE, but it’s no disease according to the DSM-IV-TR of the American Phycological Association of Substance Abuse:

A. A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

1. Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)

2. Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)

3. Recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct

4. Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights)

B. The symptoms have never met the criteria for Substance Dependence for this class of substance.

SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE (ADDICTION) is defined as:

A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring any time in the same 12-month period:

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or the desired effect or
(b) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.

2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance or
(b) The same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.

4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.

5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover
from its effects.

6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.

7. The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent physical or psychological problem
that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.

QUITE A DIFFERENCE!

Lindsay, please stop talking about AA.  Please reach out and ask for help.

New Meeting – Fridays at 9:00 AM Eastern/ 8:00 AM Central/ 7:00 AM Mountain/ 6:00 AM Pacific

Sober24

Please join me for a recovery meeting every Friday at:

9:00 AM Eastern

8:00 AM Central

7:00 AM Mountain

6:00 AM Pacific

See you at Sober24!

Sober 24

Come visit me and others at Sober 24.com

David B. Bohl in Christine Louise Hohlbaum’s The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World

BannerFans.com

This from Amazon.com:

Editorial Reviews

“The Power of Slow is a life-changing book. Far from stating the obvious, Christine Hohlbaum provides new insights and persuasive arguments for reshaping our time and changing our lives for the better. A must read in our over-scheduled world!”–Wendy Walker, author of Social Lives, Four Wives, and Chicken Soup for the Soul – Power Moms

“In the fast-paced world of Blackberrys, Iphones, and Twitter, it’s hard to find one’s footing. In an easy-to-read style, Ms. Hohlbaum has described a process of slowing down that is so very important to our wholeness, balance, and well being. She does so in a poetic and sometimes humorous way. She has captured a heavy topic with a light touch and yet we learn many lessons.  I highly recommend this book to help anyone who wants to stay healthy, sane, and enjoy life more fully.”–Bonnie Michaels, work-life balance expert and author of Solving the Work/Family Puzzle and A Journey of Work-Life Renewal

Product Description

Getting to the heart of our hassled and over-scheduled existence, Christine Louise Hohlbaum cheerfully investigates 101 ways to increase our quality of life and productivity by reevalu ating how we perceive and use time. She claims that everyone has their own personal bank account of time. We cannot control time itself, but we can manage the activities within the time we do have. The Power of Slow gives readers practical, concise directions to change the relationship they have with time and debunks the myths of multitasking, speed, and urgency as the only ways to efficiency.

Recovery for athletes – improves performance but is undervalued and overlooked – Expert Advice

sharonrichter1The following is a guest post from Sharon Richter.

During a workout one burns stored fuel, glycogen, looses water and electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium and Chloride).  The most import thing to replace is lost fluids.  The best way to determine how much your body needs is to weigh yourself before you exercise and after.  For each pound lost, replenish it with 24 oz of water.  Second, you also want to replenish the glycogen within 15 minutes of your activity.  This can be in the form of fruit, juice, or a sports drink.  You want something that is quick and easily absorbed (not high in fiber).  The third element to include in your post workout intake is protein. As you exercise you are creating tiny tears in your muscle. To help repair the muscle, protein is necessary. A good ratio of carbohydrates to protein is a 4:1 ratio.  In addition to helping repair your muscle, protein helps with the absorption of water. An example of what might work are:

codeblue almondbutter

Various activities will require different amounts of refueling. For example, if you run hard for 60 minutes you will need to replenish all of the nutrients mentioned (water, electrolytes, carbohydrates and protein).  On the other hand if you lift weights for 30 minutes you might not need the same amount of water, electrolytes and carbohydrates as you did not burn as much.  Start with testing your water lost.

Women usually are looking to lean out while men want to put on muscle.  Because of this men tend to eat or drink in the form of a shake for more protein. It is usually not all necessary and the extra is just excreted.

No one item is perfect for everyone.  Some of the choices I would suggest trying are Code Blue (www.drinkcodeblue.com), coconut water and pedialyte.  They all provide hydration, carbohydrates and electrolytes.

zicopdeialyte

If part of your purpose for exercising is to loose weight be a little more mindful on your post workout intake.  For an hour of moderate to intense exercise look for something that is about 200 calories and low in fat such as a yogurt and piece of fruit. Your hunger may increase as your exercise does, be careful not to over indulge.  One should keep in mind that we are all unique; our bodies will handle various products differently.  While a banana and some nuts might be the perfect post workout snack, another might do best with a recovery drink and some protein such as an egg.

Sharon Richter

www.sharonrichter.com

sharonrichter2

How to Get Employees to Be Accountable

According to FORTUNE Magazine, the top five companies to work accountabilityfor in 2008 included Google, Quicken Loans, Wegmans Food Markets, Edward Jones, and Genentech.

What makes these companies so desirable?

In addition to good pay and benefits, the businesses on the top-100 list know how to motivate their employees and give them ownership of their work. You too can get your employees to be accountable by using tactics such as offering incentives, giving them a purpose, letting them create their own goals, and offering them projects that contribute to the greater good.

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Bringing More Spirit into Your Life

joyfulby David Bohl

Do you ever notice that your life seems to run on automatic? You have routines, you have habits, and you have expectations? After a while, your life lacks vibrance, as you settle into dull routines. Day in and day out, the same things–work, home and family chores, and if there’s any time left over, a little personal time.

My observation is that the majority of people spend so much time on getting their material needs met, that they’re burned out and have lost their sense of wonder in life. True, it does take time to make money, run a business, and handle home and family needs. But these are all outer needs, and the time they take leaves little time to handle our inner needs–for fulfilling our purpose and taking quiet time to reflect.

“Spirit” is often described as essence or energy. I’ve also seen it defined as peace, love, connection, unity, and truth. The word “spirited” means full of life and energy, dynamic and determined. But what do I mean by bringing more Spirit into your life?

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Love Your Job – Yes it is Possible

mikeydisgustby David Bohl

Do you hate your job? Hopefully you don’t because about half of our waking hours are spent at work.

Many of us just accept that our job is a necessary evil, but it’s not true. This is America! If you hate your job, then get out there and make a change. There is nobody stopping you except for – you.

We are creatures of habit, and it can seem easier to just stick with the status quo, rather than disrupt your whole life trying something new. Making a career change isn’t hard, you just have to make a plan, and stick with it.

Here are a couple of ideas that can help guide you, and put you in a position to change the direction of your career:

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Beyond the Resume: Ideas for Building Wealth in a Bad Economy

istock_000003269650xsmallIt seems like every time you turn on the TV these days, the stock market has sunk even lower and the housing market isn’t looking so hot either. People are getting laid off from their jobs almost on a daily basis and with it being an election year, everyone in America is looking for some kind of a change (no matter who wins the election).

Well, go ahead and take a big sigh of relief because I have some good news to share with you. Even though we’re going through a bit of a rough spot doesn’t mean you just have to throw up your hands and deal with it. Learn how to build your own wealth in a bad economy–and realize that it’s about more than what shows on your resume. Take matters into your own hands and take action now.

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