Four Buddhist Mantras for Turning Fear into Love

Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Now more than ever… –  

Dec. 2020 – In the general Buddhist style of befriending complexity through simplicity and with his particular gift for simple words strung into a rosary of immense wisdom radiating immense kindness, Thich Nhat Hanh writes: ”We have a great, habitual fear inside ourselves. We’re afraid of many things — of our own death, of losing our loved ones, of change, of being alone. The practice of mindfulness helps us to touch nonfear. It’s only here and now that we can experience total relief, total happiness… In the practice of Buddhism, we see that all mental formations — including compassion, love, fear, sorrow, and despair — are organic in nature. We don’t need to be afraid of any of them, because transformation is always possible.”

Such transformation is possible only through deliberate practice — none more challenging, or more rewarding, than the practice of transforming fear into love. In consonance with his teaching that “to love without knowing how to love wounds the person we love,” he anchors this transmutation practice in four mantras “effective for watering the seeds of happiness in yourself and your beloved and for transforming fear, suffering, and loneliness.”

more@BrainPickings

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How to Use Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 to Prevent Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky Gut Syndrome is currently one of the most discussed health conditions in the medical community. Even though an increasing number of people are developing the issue, not all health practitioners recognize the condition which makes it more challenging to treat. For most people, getting treatment for a leaky gut is difficult. As a result, they consistently deal with intestinal pain, increased levels of inflammation, and problems in digestion. Now, Gundry MD’s Bio Complete 3 can provide a solution to every person who is struggling with the condition. With its unique blend, Bio Complete 3 combines pre-biotics, pro-biotics, and post-biotics. By using this supplement, a person can prevent leaky gut syndrome any complications associated with digestive health.

What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome? 

Increased intestinal permeability or having a leaky gut syndrome refers to damage to the inner lining of the intestines. This lining covers more than four thousand square feet and plays a fundamental role in the absorption of the food that is passed and broken down in the intestines. Secondly, it also controls what nutrients and minerals can enter the bloodstream. In doing so, toxic substances are filtered out as well. Therefore, when a person’s intestinal lining is damaged, he or she is prone to experiencing various issues.

An increase in the intestine’s permeability or the formation of holes and cracks in the intestine can allow deadly pathogens, toxins, and even undigested food to enter the bloodstream. Not only can this alone cause a number of problems but also lead to alterations in the gut bacteria, which, in turn, causes major digestive issues-related complications.

In addition, research on gut microbiota has already highlighted its link with various other medical conditions. Initially, several diseases were associated with the gut only by ancient medicine and therapies. Now, studies have also confirmed that changes in gut bacteria can indeed cause many complications and even increase the risk of severe issues including autoimmune diseases.

However, it is still difficult to know who may have higher chances of developing issues related to the gut and the gut microflora. According to research, every person has a certain level of permeability in their intestinal lining. However, it does not cause any issues or increase the risk of another disease.

Read also: Holiday Shopping Likely to Increase Coronavirus Transmission Rates

In cases where a person has a more sensitive lining due to genetic factors, there may be a heightened risk of having issues or even leaky gut syndrome but this does not mean other people cannot have damage in their intestinal lining.

In fact, it has been stated that the increase in the cases of increased intestinal permeability is more to be blamed on modern-day lifestyles and diets rather than genetic disposition. Lack of exercise, having a diet low in nutrients and high in carbs and sugars, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption, can all contribute to leaky gut syndrome.

If left untreated, a damaged intestinal lining along with changes in the gut bacteria can increase the risk of many health conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, celiac, and Crohn’s disease. Some studies have also linked it to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.

 

How Can Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 Prevent Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Bio Complete 3 is one of Gundry MD’s most popular dietary supplements up till now due to its powerful formula that has helped a big number of people struggling with increased intestinal permeability and associated complications. Bio Complete 3 has been developed using biotics nutritional strategies, which means that the supplement aims to restore gut health by improving gut microflora.

The strategies usually comprise of using prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in order to alter the gut bacteria in a way that can help in the management of various health conditions including a leaky gut as well as prevent further damage to the health from the increased permeability.

In Bio Complete 3, a blend of all three of these ingredients is used in order to boost gut health and stop further damage to the intestinal lining. Additionally, the unique formula can also help in fortifying the immune system of a person taking the supplement as gut bacteria also plays a fundamental role in building immune response and protecting from pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

This is why Gundry MD also calls Bio Complete 3 a ‘3-Pronged Defense’ because of its combination of pre, pro, and post biotics. All three of these ingredients can help in different ways. For example, probiotics can boost gut bacteria and prebiotics can facilitate by acting as fuel for the bacteria. Additionally, postbiotics can specifically help in managing complications of the leaky gut syndrome and stop further damage to the intestinal lining.

What are the Ingredients of Bio Complete 3?

As mentioned before, the ingredients and their blend are what makes Bio Complete 3 highly effective. The formula mainly comprises of three main ingredients which are as follows:

Tributyrin (1000 mg)

Tributyrin is one of the main ingredients used in Bio Complete 3 which can significantly help with weight loss and obesity. In addition, studies have also shown that it can improve insulin resistance and its effects on the body.

Sunfiber® (200 mg)

Sunfiber is a dietary fiber that can offer various health benefits including weight loss and maintenance, boosting gut microflora, and its balance in the intestinal tract.

Bacillus Coagulans (16 mg)

Bacillus Coagulans is a form of lactic acid that is known to help with various health conditions related to digestion. Studies have shown that it can relieve abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea.

Who Can Use Bio Complete 3? 

According to Gundry MD, Bio Complete 3 can help any person struggling with issues associated with digestion and gut health. In addition, the supplement’s one hundred percent natural formula can also have various other benefits including higher levels of energy, better control over cravings and appetite as well as better weight management.

Therefore, people who are also suffering from digestive issues, weight management, increased intestinal permeability, can all use Gundry MD’s Bio Complete 3 as it is highly effective and does not cause any serious adverse effects on the health.

The company also ensures that it uses only one hundred percent natural ingredients in its products, which are also tested separately by a third party separately before being launched in the market. Therefore, there is no need to worry as it is highly unlikely to lead to any negative health outcomes.

How to Use and Buy Bio Complete 3?  

According to Gundry MD, the effects of taking Bio Complete 3 can be seen after a few weeks only by taking it no more than twice a day. One capsule of the supplement should be taken before a meal at two separate times of the day. The company suggests taking one before breakfast and the other before dinner.

In order to get Bio Complete 3, simply visit the website of Gundry MD as an order can be placed directly from there. Another good news is that even though it has become widely popular, the price of the supplement has been kept affordable.

One bottle of Bio Complete 3 costs only $69.95. In addition, there are also offers and package deals by Gundry MD from time to time, which lower the price even further. Shipment on all orders above $60 is free all over the US. In case a user is not satisfied with his or her results, the company also offers a ninety days money-back guarantee, which gives all the more reasons to buy and try the Bio Complete 3.

 

 

The post How to Use Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 to Prevent Leaky Gut Syndrome? appeared first on Spark Health MD.

The Science of Addiction and Recovery

By Rand T.

Our human response to food and sex both involve survival issues. If you don’t eat you will die. You won’t die if you don’t have sex (you might think you will but you won’t) but getting pleasure from sex ensures we will seek it out and then there will be babies which ensures species survival. Drugs like alcohol, opiates, cannabis and stimulants work in the same brain pathway as those natural survival mechanisms.

The primary reward neurotransmitter is dopamine; food and sex stimulate dopamine release – and drugs also stimulate a high level of this release.

This occurs in our mesolimbic dopamine system which is below the level of thought. Our brain is hard-wired to respond to reward and the mesolimbic system doesn’t know what is okay or not okay. It just “likes”.

Once we like something we seek it out and start to have an anticipatory dopamine response to the thought of doing it again. Then we do it again, and again receive the reward. This is the fun part.

The not so fun part is that as we recreate that chemical reward we start to reduce the availability of dopamine and also serotonin (sense of well-being transmitter). Dopamine, in addition to being a reward transmitter, is also a connection transmitter. As the availability of these two are reduced (from overuse/overstimulation) our brain functions are reduced, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. Consequently, we have a harder time problem solving, decision making, and managing stress. Remember this is occurring in the same pathway as a food reward. When we are hungry we eat, when we are feeling stress or frustration we look for something to fix that and our limbic system will remember the reward we felt from the drug (including  alcohol) and seek it out again.

The problem is that it works to change how we feel and we have just created a new brain pathway that becomes our primary response to stress. The neurobiological rule is the neurons that fire together wire together. Unfortunately, every time we do this we are weakening our natural stress response system (it’s like paying someone else to go to the gym for you) and more and more things feel stressful which creates more and more desire to use to escape from the stress.

At this point, the “addiction” (substance use disorder) is primarily emotional, as the use increases, we will start to develop physical dependency as well. With both of these as soon as the level of the drug starts to go down our stress response system activates and we start seeking more drugs.

In recovery, we essentially reverse the process and start to recreate and exercise our natural stress response system.


Rand T. is in long-term recovery, having been free from alcohol and other drugs since March 26, 1972. That freedom “from” has given him the freedom “to” do a lot of other things.

Recovery has also given him the energy to expand much of his work into helping others affected by substance abuse. He is a Canadian Certified Addiction Counselor and an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist in drug and alcohol concerns (kids call him the Drug Teacher). He is very grateful that he has been able to do as much work as he has in the field of substance abuse.

Rand recommends three books in particular (their covers can be seen above):

You can also read another article by Rand, posted on AA Agnostica some two years ago, right here: Life in Recovery from Addiction in Canada.


 

The post The Science of Addiction and Recovery first appeared on AA Agnostica.

Anthocyanin-based Gundry MD Power Blues Improves Digestion Within a Few Weeks

Gundry MD’s Power Blues is a nutritional supplement that has been becoming a common choice and topic of discussion, especially among health-conscious people. After its launch in May 2020, the supplement was sold out within a few hours. According to feedbacks on Power Blues, most of its users have seen visible effects, especially on their digestive health within only a few weeks or even days. In addition to improvement in digestion, the supplement also has various other benefits to offer for all people regardless of their concerns.

What Is Power Blues? 

Power Blues is a nutritional supplement that is unique primarily due to its powdered polyphenol texture. It is made up of one hundred percent safe and powerful ingredients such as plant extracts, berries as well as prebiotics and probiotics.

All of these ingredients are scientifically known to provide a range of benefits to the body. The used formula has been noted to be very similar to that of naturally occurring superfoods and can provide a daily dose of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to a person.

Hence, taking the natural supplement can boost not only digestion but also natural immunity, heart, and brain health. Usually, the user will see the results of taking the supplement in as little as fourteen days.

In addition to its various benefits, another thing that makes Power Blues distinctive is its texture. Since it comes in a powdered form, a person can use it and incorporate it into his or her daily routine in a variety of ways.

For example, it can be added to a shake, a smoothie, or any other drink. On lazy days, a scoop of the powder mixed with only 80z of water can also be enough to reap all of its advantages.

What Makes Power Blues Effective? 

Power Blues is being used and recommended by more and more people mainly because it fast results. According to Gundry MD, the formula of the supplement contains some of the most powerful ingredients. The selection of these specific ingredients and their blend is also what gives fast results within a short span of time.

The formula contains natural fruit and plant extracts which are loaded with anthocyanins, which are a type of blue polyphenols. According to research on blue polyphenols, they are some of the most potent naturally occurring antioxidants.

Studies on anthocyanins have also linked the antioxidant to a number of improvements in organ functions and overall health. For instance, they are known to boost immune systems and help keep infections away.

They also occur in a number of fruits including blueberries, which is also why they are also a part of the formula of Power Blues. Similarly, the supplement also contains other plant extracts that contain antioxidants including blue spirulina, dragon fruit juice powder, organic beetroot, and acerola cherry extract.

Along with plant extracts, there are also two other ingredients that are fundamental in making the supplement effective. Both of these work side by side in boosting the health of a user, specifically the digestive system.

Probiotics are bacteria that are also present naturally in the gut and intestines. They are responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food. Any changes in the gut bacteria, therefore, leads to poor digestion or even an inability to absorb all nutrients from the food properly.

People who experience digestive issues frequently are always recommended to consume probiotics. Prebiotics, the other ingredient in Power Blues, are food for the probiotics bacteria. A combination of these can help soothe any digestive issues in a small period of time.

Lastly, a blend of ingredients that can kickstart the metabolism and help with overall cardiometabolic health is also added to Power Blues. These include rosemary extract, ginger, and green tea extract.

By adding Gundry MD’s Power Blues, a person will also get a daily dose of several essential nutrients including thiamin, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin C, riboflavin, biotin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and folate.

Who Can Use Power Blues? 

According to Gundry MD, the formula of Power Blues is one hundred percent natural and is tested specifically for safety prior to being sold by a third party at a separate facility. This means that the supplement is also safe for usage for the majority of people.

Therefore, any person who is looking to boost his or health overall health or is suffering particularly from issues related to digestion can use Power Blues. Gundry MD suggests trying the supplement for at least a few weeks to see the visible results.

Also Read: CDC’s Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution Program Prioritizes Healthcare Workers

However, the company also warns against using Power Blues as a treatment for a disease or medical condition. Power Blues is only a nutritional supplement and should not be used as an alternative or in place of other medicines prescribed for curing any health conditions.

People who have existent medical conditions should discuss with their doctors before adding Power Blues in their diet. Secondly, pregnant and breastfeeding women or people taking other medicines should also not use any supplements without consultation.

Directions for Usage

The directions for the use of Power Blues are simple and easy to follow. For maximum benefits, the supplement should be consumed at once a day by adding a scoop of it to 8oz water. The powder can be combined with any beverage of choice including milkshakes, iced tea, and juices.

The flavor of the powder when mixed with water itself is also refreshing and neutral due to the presence of blueberry extract. In summers, it can be used as a drink itself by adding the powder to cold water.

Are There Any Negative Effects of Power Blues? 

As mentioned before, the formula of Gundry MD’s Power Blues is made up of natural ingredients that have been tested for safety as well. Hence, the supplement is highly unlikely to cause any negative effects on the body and health of a user.

In addition to ensuring safety, Gundry MD also offers a 100% money back policy with no additional questions asked. A person can get a refund within ninety days if he or she is not satisfied with the effects of the supplement.

However, the company does encourage people to use at least eight to twelve weeks to see results. This is because the time of results can vary from one person to another. While some people may see results in as little as four weeks, others may need a longer time.

Where to Buy Gundry MD’s Power Blues? 

It is fairly easy for any person to look up and buy Power Blues as it can be obtained directly from Gundry MD’s website online. Although it may seem like the supplement will be expensive due to its rising popularity but the price is affordable. So, every person interested in using the supplement can buy it at the price of only $69.95.

In addition, Gundry MD offers discounts and deals from time to time. There are also certain packages that allow a person to buy three or even six jars at half the actual price. The shipping charges on orders over $60 are free all over the US.

Since Power Blue’s sales are really high, the company often runs out of stock, which is why any interested person should order it as soon as possible.

The post Anthocyanin-based Gundry MD Power Blues Improves Digestion Within a Few Weeks appeared first on Spark Health MD.

Gundry MD Metabolic Advanced is Now Available at an Affordable Price

Metabolic Advanced is a dietary supplement manufactured by the US-based company Gundry MD, which specializes in products made with one hundred percent natural ingredients. The specific formula of the supplement is mainly responsible for its popularity. Due to its effectiveness, the demand for Metabolic Advanced is also growing. Regardless of its high demand, the good news is that Gundry MD is now available at low and affordable prices as well as in different packages. Now, most people can have increased energy levels, improved digestion, and overall health.

What Makes Metabolic Advanced Different? 

At the moment, there are perhaps hundreds of options in supplements, all of which claim to lead to visible improvement in the health of the body. In addition, each one of such products usually also promises to give results in the shortest possible time without any other adverse effects on the health of the person taking it. However, there are a number of factors that set Gundry MD’s Metabolic Advanced apart from all other dietary supplements.

The most prominent feature of the supplement is that it is manufactured using a formula of natural ingredients only. This blend is what makes the Metabolic Advanced highly effective. While other supplements are loaded with ingredients such as sugars or caffeine, Metabolic Advanced comprises of plant-based, safe-to-use ingredients only.

By taking this supplement two times a day, a person may experience a number of benefits ranging from better digestion, improved mental vigilance, instant energy boost, and better work performance. Some may even have results as early as in a matter of two weeks.

Since the effects are visible in as little are fourteen days, more and more people are preferring Metabolic Advanced supplements to maintain their health and keep up with their busy lifestyles.

 

Ingredients List 

As mentioned before, the company, Gundry MD states that the unique blend of the ingredients used in Metabolic Advanced is responsible for its quick results. Following are the seven ingredients that make up the supplement’s formula:

Berberine HCL (250 mg)

Berberine HCL has been scientifically proven to help in managing a number of health conditions such as metabolic disease. It is a form of ammonium salt that occurs naturally in the Berberis genus plant. Research shows that salt offers different health benefits and can specifically protect from the effects of diabetes.

In addition, it also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can also prevent complications related to a number of issues in the body.

One study on berberine found that patients with metabolic disease were able to decrease levels of inflammation in their bodies, reduce weight, and increase their insulin sensitivity. Taking Metabolic Advanced can also have a similar impact and help people in managing a range of complications.

Zinc Citrate (30 mg)

Zinc is an essential nutrient that many people struggle to obtain especially if they have a strict vegan or a plant-based diet. In recent studies, it has also been noted that low zinc levels are a problem prevalent in people with obesity and associated conditions.

Overall, lack of zinc intake is also generally linked to a higher risk of being overweight or obese, larger waist circumferences, and a higher Body Mass Index as well.  Therefore, consuming foods with zinc is vital to the prevention of obesity and maintaining a healthy diet.

Also Read: Why Is it Important to Eat Healthy This Holiday Season?

With Metabolic Advanced, a person can consume the daily recommended amount of zinc easily. The dosage of zinc in the supplement is also kept to a specific amount so that there are no negative health outcomes associated with overdosing on zinc.

Chromium (20 mg)

Chromium is a nutrient found in a wide range of healthy foods such as whole-wheat products, vegetables such as broccoli, and meats such as beef. Studies have shown that the mineral can help in reducing weight in people with obesity, which is why it is also used in Metabolic Advanced.

Turmeric Root (100mg) and Black Pepper Fruit (10 mg)

Both turmeric root and black pepper fruit are spices that have been studied extensively because of the multiple benefits they have to offer for health. Research has shown that turmeric can boost the health of the brain and heart as well as reduce the levels of inflammation in the body significantly.

The molecule curcumin is mainly responsible for the many advantages of using turmeric. In Metabolic Advanced, turmeric is also used because of the many studies that corroborate turmeric’s benefits for reducing BMI, complications of obesity, and diabetes.

On the other hand, black pepper fruit also has similar benefits for health including reducing body fat and improving digestion. Additionally, it can also help in boosting the effects of turmeric.

Selenium (70 mg) 

Selenium is a mineral found not only in commonly consumed foods but also in soil and water. Studies have shown that it can help in better digestion and also prevent cognitive decline to an extent.

Cinnamon Bark (250 mg)

Cinnamon bark is one of fundamental the ingredients of Metabolic Advanced that give the supplement its fast effect. According to medical literature present on cinnamon bark, it can is loaded with antioxidants. Secondly, its anti-disease and inflammatory characteristics can decrease the risk of developing many health conditions.

According to a review of studies conducted on cinnamon bark, it can trigger carbohydrate energy metabolism almost immediately after being taken. In a period of four to eighteen weeks, cinnamon bark supplements can also significantly help in controlling fasting blood-sugar levels.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The formula of Advanced Metabolic is made of one hundred percent pure and natural ingredients. This not only makes the supplement highly effective but also does not cause any side effects on health. According to Gundry MD, the formula and effects of the supplement are also tested by a third-party in a separate facility to ensure high quality and purity.

How to Use the Supplement? 

The directions to use Gundry MD’s Metabolic Advanced are fairly simple. To get all of the supplement’s benefits as fast as possible, two capsules have to be consumed with two main meals of the day on a daily basis. It is recommended to try the supplement for at least ninety days. If a customer is not satisfied after a ninety-day period, Gundry MD also offers a money-back guarantee.

Overall, the supplement is safe for usage for the majority of people. However, people with existent medical conditions, breastfeeding and pregnant women, and those taking other medicines should always consult with a doctor before taking Metabolic Advanced or any other dietary supplement.

Gundry MD has also clarified that Metabolic Advanced is a dietary supplement that can boost health in multiple ways. It cannot and should not be used as an alternative to other medicines for diseases.

How to Get Metabolic Advanced? 

Gundry MD’s Metabolic Advanced can be bought easily from the company website online. Even though the supplement is highly effective and is becoming more and more popular, it is available at a very affordable price. One bottle of Metabolic Advanced costs $69.95 only. There are also packages and discounts available for people who buy three or more bottles.

The company also offers free shipping all over the United States on all orders over $60. In case a person is not pleased with the results, the money spent can also be refunded under the ninety-day return policy.

The post Gundry MD Metabolic Advanced is Now Available at an Affordable Price appeared first on Spark Health MD.

Saturday’s Free Secular AA Zoom Conference

By Joe C.

It’s a little of the latest science. It’s a little AA folk-wisdom, some entertainment, some community. That’s what you’ll find at the International Conference of Secular AA free December 5th mini-conference.

Washington DC was slotted for our fourth biennial gathering (Santa Monica 2014, Austin 2016, Toronto 2018 and COVID cancelled our in-person 2020 gathering). So we’re going virtual.

We have some keynote speakers including Dr. Koob, director of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). We have panels including “When is it Okay to Leave AA?” + “Not an Outside Issue: Are Gender Bias and Sexism holding AA back?” + a history panel with the authors of Key Players in AA History, Drunks: The Story of Alcoholism and the Birth of Recovery + Writing the Big Book: The Creation of AA. Our “It Came from London” panel looks at the history of The “God” Word leaflet and how it may be a bridge to more secular AA stories in mainstream AA literature. But wait – there’s more; we have a stand up comic from Kansas City and a skit from the worldly Hank Parkhurst Blackout Players.

There will be polls and announcements, discussions about diversity in AA and starting meetings and more. No registration is required. It’s on zoom and $0.00 to attend.

See the program for links, times and a full schedule. ICSAA 2020 doors open at 8:30 Pacific, 11:30 Eastern and 4:30 GMT. View the program in the link below for more details. The after-party entertainment and fellowship starts at 1 PM PST, 4 PM EST, 9 PM GMT.

We hope to see you online. More details below.


Virtual ICSAA Saturday, December 5, 2020

By John S.

The International Conference of Secular AA is meeting via Zoom on December 5, 2020, at 9:00 AM Pacific, 12:00 PM Eastern, 5:00 PM GMT. The doors will open thirty minutes before the official start time.  The conference is free and there is no need to register. There will be two conference rooms and a hospitality suite, so all you need to do is enter the Zoom ID and passcode for the room you want to enter. There will be events taking place simultaneously, but don’t worry if you can’t decide which room to visit, everything will be recorded so you can listen later.

Schedule

12:00 PM Beyond Belief Room (passcode 121212): George F. Koob, PhD. is an internationally-recognized expert on alcohol and stress, and the neurobiology of alcohol and drug addiction. He is the Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), where he provides leadership in the national effort to reduce the public health burden associated with alcohol misuse.

12:30 PM: Beyond Belief Room (passcode 121212): A Discussion on Diversity in AA, (Special Purpose Groups: LGBTQ+, Young Peoples, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women’s, Secular, and other). Tell us about starting your meeting.

1:00 PM Beyond Belief Room (passcode 121212) It Came from the Kitchen: Not an Outside Issue: Are Sexism and Gender Bias Keeping AA Stuck? with Marya Hornbacher, author Waiting: A Nonbeliever’s Higher Power, Beth H, Phoenix AZ, Heather CV, Los Angeles CA.

1:00 PM: OMAGOD Room (passcode 662463): Is it Ever Okay to Leave AA? Featuring Jon Stewart from the band Sleeper, John Huey from DC, and Vic Losick from New York, NY.

2:00 PM Beyond Belief Room (passcode 121212): Dr. George Kolodner is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist who specializes in the intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment of substance use disorders. He founded Kolmac Outpatient Recovery Centers in 1973. Today, he serves as the Chief Innovation Officer. He works to increase awareness of IOP and keep Kolmac on the cusp of leading-edge treatment for women and men. Also featuring Brian Gill,  a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and the Clinical Director of the Kolmac Outpatient Recovery Centers.

2:00 PM OMAGOD Room (passcode 662463) It Came from London: The “God” Word and a way forward for a secular voice in AA literature chaired by Barry, with Cyril, London AA Freethinkers, Antonia, Stonehenge AA Freethinkers Steps, and Brendan, Rainham AA Freethinkers

3:00 PM OMAGOD Room (passcode 662463) Kathy Mitchell is the Vice President and International Spokesperson for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Ms. Mithcell has a Master of Human Services degree and is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor with thirty years of experience as a national educator, clinician, and lecturer.

3:00 PM Beyond Belief Room (passcode 121212): It Came from Our Past. What it was like...Hosted by Jackie B., 2022 Chair of the AA History Symposium, and featuring Chris Finan., author of Drunks: The Story of Alcoholism and the Birth of Recovery, AA History Panel, Bob K., author of Key Players in AA History, and William Schaberg, author of Writing the Big Book: The Creation of AA.

4:00 PM Beyond Belief Room (passcode 121212): Entertainment and Afterparty hosted by comedian David S. from the Kansas City We Agnostics and Freethinkers Groups, and featuring a skit by the Hank Parkhurst Blackout Players, “Is a belief in God(s) necessary for sustained sobriety?” post-program Q&A and discussion. Written by Sri Rahm Ohio with assistance from TJ Green, Rick Hill, and Terry Green Theatrical adaptation Terry Green Ohio Director TJ Green Iowa Producer Terry Green Technical Director Tracy Coates Ohio Actors in order of appearance Mark the panel moderator TJ Green Iowa Joel Holstein. Mega Church minister. Tracy Coates Ohio Jackie Black Recovery author. Leslie Ross Iowa Helmut Vin Schnitzel Clinical Psychologist. Michael Allen Ohio Grod. DanCoffey Thailand Zeus and Hera Rick and Judy Hill. California.

Secular AA Lounge (no passcode needed): Open throughout the conference. A place to ask questions or chat with friends.

Zoom ID’s and Passcodes

About Secular AA | ICSAA

Secular AA | ICSAA has a mission to assure suffering alcoholics that they can find sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous without having to accept anyone else’s beliefs or deny their own. The International Conference of Secular AA occurs every two years. The first conference in 2014 was known as We Agnosics and Freethinkers International AA Conference, the second conference in 2016 was known as the We Agnostics, Atheists, and Freethinkers International AA Conference, and since meeting in Toronto in 2018, the conference has been known as the International Conference of Secular AA.

Secular AA Links

Our website secularaa.org

Our Facebook Page

Our Twitter Page

Our Email [email protected]


 

The post Saturday’s Free Secular AA Zoom Conference first appeared on AA Agnostica.

Drug deaths were on rise locally; then the virus hit

Addiction Recovery Bulletin

The American way of death – 

Now, 2020 – Overdose deaths have spiked in San Diego County this year, as an already worsening drug epidemic collides with the coronavirus pandemic. Over the summer, that amounted to an average of three deaths a day.

Part of the increase is attributed to the illicit drug supply getting deadlier as traffickers increasingly rely on fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. It is either laced into traditional street drugs or sold as counterfeit prescription pills similar to the ones that ended Alexander’s life. But experts say the bleakness of 2020 has played no small part. “I don’t know of anyone who is not impacted by what’s going on,” said Scott Silverman, a crisis coach and founder and CEO of Confidential Recovery, “and someone who suffers from the dependence of self-medication has really found themselves in a precarious position.”  Rising threat! The scourge of fentanyl has been a growing focus of public safety and health campaigns for a few years now. Fentanyl, a prescription pain reliever mostly used for surgery or to treat cancer pain, is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Even small amounts can be deadly. Mexican drug cartels widely introduced fentanyl into the illicit street market about five years ago, won over by how cheap and easy the opioid is to manufacture compared to cultivating poppies for heroin. The cartels also seized upon another trend — Americans’ growing appetite for prescription pills. Little blue pills that began showing up on the streets and sold as oxycodone — with the signature “M” and “30” stamps — were actually filled with fentanyl. Fentanyl has also been regularly found in methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and counterfeit Xanax, making the illicit drug supply deadlier overall. Users are oftentimes unable to identify what they are consuming, much less its strength. Batches not mixed thoroughly can contain fatal hotspots of fentanyl. “One pill can kill,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, “and it has killed many.”

The demographics of the fentanyl crisis in particular are wide-ranging, from a teen at a pill party to a parent self-treating anxiety to a long-time drug user.

more@ENewspaper

The post Drug deaths were on rise locally; then the virus hit appeared first on Addiction/Recovery eBulletin.

‘Recovery is possible’: beating drug addiction to spread hope

Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Never stop trying … it pays off with life – 

Nov. 29, 2020 – Henry continued to use and would go on to fail more than 50 drug tests administered through Indiana Department of Child Services, who still allowed him to participate in supervised visits with his kids. Henry was placed in treatment and was 40 days clean when he was able to have a second visit with his kids. It was during that visit that his then 7-year-old son said something that brought him “out of the fog” of substance abuse.

“He said, ‘Dad, I’m done being bad. Can I come back home?’” 

“This little kid, this little person blamed himself for being in foster care. He blamed himself for everything that I’ve done,” the father said. “For the first time in my life, I cried for someone other than myself. And that was the day that my path to recovery started.”

Henry would go on to attend Narcotics Anonymous and other therapeutic meetings, and lived at the Home with Hope, a facility in Lafayette that provides care often following primary treatment or detox for alcoholism and other drug addictions, for men and women age 18 and older. It was there where he met his wife Lori Henry, who Dock’s kids now call their mom.  

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New Addiction Framework to Empower Patients and Reduce Stigma

Addiction Recovery Bulletin

A time of reason… –  

Nov. 27, 2020 – Pickard then writes about neuroscientist Marc Lewis’ learning model, which considers both the disease and choice model problematic. While the choice model demonizes the addict, the disease model disempowers them and minimizes their agency. Lewis maintains that the brain changes seen in addicts are a result of neuroplasticity, rather than the underlying cause of addiction and that the empowerment and agency of the patient are essential to recovery.

Pickard mostly agrees with Lewis but insists that the choice model cannot be easily rejected. First, there is a growing evidence base suggesting that drug use is not simply compulsive, and addicts have a degree of control and choice. Studies show that most people age out of addiction without treatment because they get preoccupied with life changes. Others quit cold turkey despite years of dependence. Both people and animal studies have shown that people with dependence will often choose rewards other than drugs (like money, small gifts) when provided alternatives; rats addicted to cocaine even chose snuggling over cocaine.

Second, if, as Lewis maintains, we are to use empowerment, agency, and self-awareness to help people, then this means that a person has some level of agency, some control over their behavior, and some power over their addiction.

Pickard writes that we can accept drug use to be a choice, but unlike the moral model, we must not consider it to be a shameful or a selfish one. Thus, we as a society also have a choice in seeing the addict not as someone who is lazy or bad, but as someone who is suffering and in pain.

Pickard’s responsibility without blame framework is about exploring and challenging our own attitudes about addiction. The model emerges from her work as a clinician in a Therapeutic Community. These communities are less hierarchical than hospitals. They require a deep and even a personal connection between experts and patients, and within the patient group. She writes:

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Hulu series on opioid addiction will star Michael Keaton

Addiction Recovery Bulletin

MEDIA: DOPESICK by Beth Macy hits the small screen – 

November 27, 2020 – Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Keaton will executive produce and star alongside Peter Sarsgaard, Rosario Dawson and Kaitlyn Dever.

“We are honored to host the impressive team behind this compelling and consequential project, and to play a role in putting a universal spotlight on the opioid epidemic that continues to devastate American families and communities from all walks of life,” Northam said in a news release.

Production will be required to adhere to comprehensive industry health and safety protocols developed over the past six months during the coronavirus pandemic. Those safety measures are in addition to the current Virginia pandemic workplace safety guidelines and those required by Touchstone Television.

“Dopesick” will be eligible to receive a Virginia film tax credit or grant. The exact amount will be based on the number of Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased, and deliverables, including Virginia tourism promotions.

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