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ADDICTION RESOURCE GUIDE FOR KIDS AND PARENTS

Most people have heard the word "addiction" before. It's a word used to describe compulsive use of alcohol, drugs, or even things like video games or social media to a level where it has a bad impact on the user's life. Addiction is considered by doctors to be a mental illness and a disorder of the brain. Anyone at any age can develop an addiction. Drug and alcohol addiction can cause a lot of damage to kids, families, and people's lives. More than 70,000 Americans die every year because of a drug overdose, and more than 140,000 Americans die every year because of alcohol use. Most kids know an adult with an addiction, and many kids also know other kids who use alcohol or drugs.
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PLEASE SEE FULL WEBSITE INFORMATION HERE

Unsilencing Stories is a podcast reflecting the voices and experiences of people in smaller centres in B.C. and Alberta who have lost loved ones to fatal opioid overdoses.

Across Canada, more than 30,000 people have died from toxic drug poisoning since 2016. In small towns and communities, the risk of overdose is much higher than in urban areas, because of a lack of harm reduction services and stigma about substance use.

In this podcast, you will hear people in Cranbrook, Prince George, and Chilliwack in B.C., as well as Medicine Hat and other parts of Alberta interviewing one another about their loved ones and grief.

The podcast is part of a community-based study facilitated by Aaron Goodman, Ph.D, faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C., and students Jenna Keeble and Ashley Pocrnich

Unsilencing Stories

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R U OK? is a movement to help remind  us all  to connect with one another in a meaningful way and to commit to checking in with the people in our lives who might be struggling. Simply asking someone "Are you Okay?" and taking time for them can make a world of a difference. A simple conversation can change a life. To support this movement in Canada you can buy a tshirt and wear it proudly!
Please email ruok@jimyoungfoundation.com or Tony@doorsofhope.com to buy your tshirt in Prince George. Please let us know your size Small - Med - Large - XL
$20.00 each plus shipping the cheapest possible way :)
For more information about R U OK? visit the Australian website www.ruok.org.au or visit the Jim Young Foundation's website at www.jimyoungfoundation.com. 

Talking to Your Teens About Marijuana and Other Drugs

No one is immune to the risks associated with drugs and alcohol. Kids may come into contact with drugs sooner than you expect, so it’s almost never too soon to begin talking about the dangers of drugs and addiction. By laying a strong foundation of understanding, you’ll position your child to have the tools needed to make healthy choices. Talking to your teens about drugs should be an ongoing process that also involves you listening to your child’s concerns.

Thank You Avery for suggsting this link - So Very Kind of You
SUBJECTS
Marijuana - Cocaine - Ecstasy - LSD and Mushrooms - Amphetamine - Alcohol - Heroin

PLEASE VIEW WEBSITE FOR A LOT OF DETAIL ON THE ABOVE SUBJECTS

COMPLETING A POST REHAB PROGRAM

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Completing a rehab program is both an ending and a beginning, a time to feel pride and an opportunity to plan for the future. Your next challenge is to maintain a drug-free lifestyle that promotes serenity, stability and success. In this post we'll suggest ways to make this step as smooth and easy as possible.

Tip #1: Temper Your Expectations When Re-Entering Society

Going through rehab is an exhausting yet exhilarating experience. While you're in the facility, you're surrounded by people with whom you can relate and staff members whose only concern is to help you succeed. Structure and purpose govern every waking moment of your day. You learn new things about yourself and others. Most important, you eat, sleep, and breathe with recovery in mind. Everything else in your life takes second place.

When you're back in the regular world everything changes. People on the outside devote most of their energy to priorities like paying bills and getting their kids to school on time. Most of them have never struggled with substance addiction and have trouble relating to your stories. Does this make them uncaring or selfish? Of course not. But moving from the world of rehab to everyday life can tempt you toward relapse unless you prepare yourself for the changes you'll encounter. This is all part of the mental self-care needed to make lasting recovery possible.

Tip #2: Know Your Housing Options

Life after rehab requires taking care of life's practical necessities, including the need for shelter. But finding a place to live presents special challenges to those who are just out of rehab. Let's look at some possible options for addressing this concern:

1. Sober homes offer supportive living environments where the residents can access resources like 12-step-type meetings and group counseling sessions. In return, they residents must pledge to stay clean and abide by house rules. It's important to do your homework before choosing a sober home, as locations can vary in terms of quality. According to Gazette Review,a reputable sober home will have regular quiet hours, a system of accountability for residents and staff, and reasonable security precautions. Sometimes these locations are referred to as “group homes” or even “halfway houses.” Funding may come from government agencies, private nonprofits, and/or the resources of the residents.
2. Living with friends or family. These types of situations are sometimes less than ideal, depending on the relationship you share with the other residents. Nonetheless, staying with someone you already know can serve your needs for a time while you put your life back together and assess your options. To avoid conflicts, talk with the property owners before moving in and draw up an agreement that specifies both party's rights and responsibilities.
3. Living on your own. Risk of relapse is especially high in the early stages of recovery, according to the National Institutes of Health. For that reason, we recommend against choosing this option. However, you must live somewhere. So keep this choice in mind if other situations are unavailable. You should stay away from locations that might trigger relapses through associations with old friends or habits.

Tip #3: Keep Your “Inner Home” Clean

You can have the perfect external surroundings and still fail in your recovery efforts if you neglect to keep your inner environment clean and tidy. By this we mean your thoughts, emotions and self talk, all of which can either spur you to success or drown you in despair. Here are some tips for maintaining good mental hygiene:

1. Have a quiet time each day. Avoid watching TV, listening to music or using electronic devices during this period. You can pray or meditate if you like.
2. Avoid negative self-talk. Thoughts or phrases like “I'm a failure” or “nobody cares if I live or die” will sabotage your recovery. Catch yourself when you slip into these negative patterns and correct them with self-affirming statements.

Succeeding with sobriety is a day-at-a-time challenge. So pace yourself as you go forward and take each moment as it comes. You'll look back with pride at how you handled your transition from rehab to the rest of your lif

Canadian Drug Rehab – Canada Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers
Canadian Drug Rehab is a free drug treatment referral program in Canada designed to help the addict and their families find a drug addiction treatment centre or alcohol addiction treatment centre. Canadian Drug Rehab has been developed to give the addict a solid foundation when searching for help or treatment with their drug or alcohol addiction. The general intent of drug rehabilitation or alcohol rehabilitation is to enable the patient to cease substance abuse, in order to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences that can be caused by extreme abuse. If you or someone you love needs help in Canada, please call TOLL FREE 1-888-391-9295 anytime day or night. Our experienced addiction counselors are here to help you locate the drug or alcohol rehab center that is right for you or your loved one.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centres Canada
All drug and alcohol detox program centers in Canada use basically the same three level program to treat the patient for drug addiction. The first step is detoxification of the body which is designed to completely remove the drug from the body. The second step is counseling and therapy that helps to address any emotional or psychological issues and that client may be experiencing. The last step is called re-integration. This part of the treatment program helps to get the patient ready to face life and re-enter society addiction free. This phase helps educate the client on how to deal with life sober and not rely on any sort of drug to get them through day to day life.
PLEASE GO TO WEBSITE - Rehab by Province or Territory in Canada

Teens, Addiction, and Suicide: Facts and Tips for Helping Addicted Youth

Being a teenager is difficult under any circumstances, but being a teenager who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol is even more difficult. Understanding why teens turn to drugs and alcohol is an important first step in helping them to avoid suicide, because many of the underlying causes of drug or alcohol abuse involve the same factors that lead to teen suicide. By helping addicted teens through the issues that cause their addiction, it is possible also to prevent their potential suicide.

Facts about Teens and Addiction

While it may not be a good reason, teens often abuse drugs or alcohol simply because they are teens and must handle all of the challenges that accompany the teen years: they must figure out who they are as they transition from childhood to adulthood, make difficult choices, want to experiment, and lack the experience to know which choices are going to lead to more harm than they can anticipate.

And, while researchers have found that teens do not actually have the feelings of invincibility that the myth perpetuates, they do understand the risks of their behavior but believe the benefits and fun are worth the risk.

The facts about teen drug experimentation and abuse are staggering:
● 50% of all new drug users are under the age of 18
● The majority of adults with an addiction first experimented with drugs before the age of 21
● Approximately 20% of high school seniors reported binge drinking in 2014, and nearly 40% had used alcohol in the last month
● More than 20% of teens reported having used marijuana at least once in the past month
● Most high school seniors do not think smoking marijuana occasionally carries any risk
● Nearly 40% of teens who abuse prescription medication obtain the drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinet
● 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription medication

Teens often turn to alcohol and drugs because they want to self-medicate. Teens see getting high or drunk as a way to escape their problems and as a way to numb or ease their pain. They use substances to be more social or comfortable, to make life more bearable, to fit in with their peers, etc.

The Link Between Teenage Addiction and Suicide

Teenage suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens in the United States. One cause of teenage suicide is drug and alcohol abuse. Drug abuse intensifies teens’ depression or sadness and leads to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Teens also can experience a crash when they abuse drugs, and the associated physical illness and feelings of sadness contribute to depression and suicidal thoughts. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that nearly 10% of drug-related trips to the emergency room for adolescents involve attempted suicide. And, in many of these cases, access to prescription drugs was to blame. The study also found that teenage girls are nearly three times more likely than boys to attempt suicide for drug-related reasons.

A study conducted by the University of Southern Illinois’ Core Institute found that “students who drink or use drugs are much more likely to have suicidal tendencies than those who do not use substances. For example, 8.15% of binge drinkers have thought about committing suicide and 2.34% report attempting suicide.

Similar comparisons hold for students who drink at all, who use marijuana, and who use other illegal drugs. Only 2.34% of non-drinkers have thought about committing suicide, with only .78% attempting suicide.” Clearly, teens who use drugs and alcohol need help before they attempt or complete suicide.

Tips for Helping Addicted Teens

It is critical to help addicted teens receive the help and treatment they need and deserve. Professional treatment is necessary to help teens work through the issues that led to their addiction and possible suicidal thoughts in the first place. The following tips will be helpful in getting your addicted teen the help they need before it is too late.

1. Contact an addiction specialist or local drug and alcohol treatment facility for guidance in confronting your teen and determining the best treatment options. Call sooner rather than later.
2. Determine which treatment program is best suited for your teen. With guidance from the specialist or treatment facility officials, in- and out-patient treatments are available. Some programs include a combination of treatment and medication to help your teen get sober and handle their depression and suicidal thoughts.
3. If your teen has run away, establish a plan and goals for visiting and discussing treatment options. Consult with professionals as needed be sure to be calm and direct.

You can help an addicted teen work through his underlying issues and addiction if you make an effort to understand the problem and find appropriate treatment options. The key is to get help as soon as possible, before the teen resorts to suicide.

Sara Bell grew up in a family of teachers—her dad has taught high school for 30 years and her mom is a university professor. At EducatorLabs, she puts the lessons they instilled in her about the importance of curiosity and learning to great use. When she isn’t working, she enjoys reading, writing, and knitting.

Image via Pixabay by HannahJoe7

STUDENTS
The Best Scholarship Search Platforms of 2018
College is the most expensive it’s ever been. With tuition rates rising an average of 3.5% every year, the average undergraduate now finishes their degree with over $37,000 in student debt.
Scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce these growing costs and scholarship search platforms exist to help students find the most relevant ones. These platforms compile large databases of available scholarships and provide filters to allow students to maximize their searches.
We created this guide to review the best scholarship search platforms and instruct students on how to use them effectively to find as many opportunities as possible.
To determine the best scholarship search platforms, we spent over 200 hours researching 17 of the most popular sites across five core metrics including search functionality, scholarship availability, ease of use, application tools, and additional helpful resources.
The best scholarship search platform was Fastweb. They scored the highest out of all 17 platforms because they were the easiest to use, had the most tools, and had among the most available scholarships with the highest dollar amounts. This search engine is best for most students including high school, undergraduate, and graduate.
We also recommend Cappex. This platform scored consistently high in the most important categories of scholarship availability, ease of use, and tools. It is the best and best for students who want to be able to apply for and track the status of a large number of scholarships.
What we’ll cover in this guide:
The major challenges students face when searching for scholarships
How the right search engine can help students overcome these challenges
What students should know before applying for a scholarship
The most important features of a great scholarship search platform
The best scholarship search platforms of 2017
Advice on early preparation to qualify for scholarships
Tips on applying for scholarships
Our full methodology and scoring process
PLEASE SEE FULL INFORMATION ON HOW FIND THE BEST SCHOLARSHIP

Winning in College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities
The transition from high school to college life is difficult enough for any number of students without considering a disability. Odds are that if you have a disability and you made it through high school, you’ve done it with the help of a very disciplined and structured routine order of classes. College life is a very different game, allowing students to make a lot of choices and decisions for themselves.

Students transitioning from the regimented order to this comparative chaos may find themselves lost. That’s not to say that it can’t be done–there have been many, many successful students that have overcome disabilities and found successful academic lives, and successful careers.
Guide for Students with Disabilities

The Best Scholarship Websites to Fund Your Education
Finding scholarships can be as easy as picking up your cell phone and searching in Google. It used to be more difficult to find scholarships but thanks to the internet, students can find scholarships fairly easily.

There are many websites that will allow you to search a database of scholarships according to a variety of factors such as degree, race, religion, gender, special interests, and plenty of others.

Below, you will find the best scholarships websites online today. Within each, you will find easy access to millions of scholarship dollars to help fund your education. Start your search with one of these databases and you’re sure to find money to fund your college education in no time.
The Best College Scholarship Websites

Quit Smoking Community: Kicking the Habit Together

Quit Smoking Guides
Everything you could ever want to know about quitting smoking. If you want to quit, this section is where you need to be.
How to Quit Smoking
What to Expect
NRT

Effects of Smoking
Check out our guides to the overwhelmingly large amount of effects of smoking. From lung cancer to emphysema, learn about it here:
Why Smoking is Bad for You
Smoker’s Cough
Smoker’s Lungs

E-Cigarette Technology
Did you know that e-cigarettes can help you save money? You can also control your nicotine intake and get rid of that irritating smell of smoke. Learn more about e-cigs and vapes below.
Electronic Cigarette Reviews
Dry Herb Vaporizers
Vape Pens