Archive for December, 2009

This week we are concentrating on hope and resolutions. The new year brings both. Every year during the holidays people succumb to depression and drug and alcohol use increase tremendously in the state of Texas. Whether you are a vet who has returned from combat, a teen who gave in to peer pressure, a lonely, single mom or a depressed and stressed out husband and father, you have come to realize that drug and alcohol addiction do not just affect the poor and homeless. 

But you can overcome it. You can take that spirit that your ancestors had when they fought for the Alamo, when we had our wake up all that all men created equal meant everyone regardless of race or gender, when we stepped up as a nation when Pearl Harbor was attacked and on 9-11. Just as our country fought battles before, so too, does a person fight a battle when he or she is trying to overcome drugs.

The wonderful thing about it, just as in battles of wars past and present is, you do not have to do it alone. There are wonderful drug and alcohol treatment programs in the state of Texas that will help you. All you have to do is fill out the form to the right and someone will immediately address your request. Why? Not even just because this is Texas, but because you are a worthy and deserving person. YES, you ARE.

Drug and alcohol treatment programs are successfully helping people in Texas, across the U.S., in Canada and other countries as well. Life is worth living, life is worth saving and yours is just as important as the next person’s. So get a hold of that Texas spirit within you, get that Texas pride and stubbornness out and on the table. Show yourself that you are worth it, that your family is worth it, as they are in the depths of addiction right alongside you.

Does that sound optimistic? Does it sound like a dream come true? The wonderful part is, it really can and will come true if you take that all important step and make the request for help. Whether it is for you or a loved one, the new year can begin with a fresh start for your family. Make it your new year’s resolution to start the year off by winning the battle against your addiction. You can do it. I have faith that you can and so do those who care about you.   Make a Texas-sized resolution and start your new life today.

Christmas has just passed and New Year’s Eve is coming soon, a time of resolutions, celebrating and partying. North Texas will not soon forget the Christmas Blizzard of 2009 nor will the many travelers who were and are still stranded here. 

With that in mind, the holidays and celebrations still go hand in hand, especially when you have college students in from campuses around the country. So what does a parent do when an adult child wants to go do his own thing? I mean, it is understandable that if someone is 21 and maintaining As and Bs in college that he is mature enough to make other decisions, right?

We make a compromise. He wants to hang out with old high school friends and that is understandable. Yet, the roads are treacherous and Mom is being over-protective. So after a minor disagreement we do a little texting back and forth.

I love you and I trust your friends. It is the road conditions I don’t trust. We are not used to this weather.

He texts me back and says that everyone is going to stay the night at his buddy’s house just a few blocks from us instead of anyone getting out with the temperature dropping to below freezing again. That was all I needed. These find young men showed maturity and I was proud of all of them.

However, some people do not always show maturity. Even without weather playing a part, people get out after imbibing in alcohol and make an intoxicated decision that changes everything forever if it leads to a fatality or injury. One decision made under the influence can ruin a life forever. It is not a dramatic statement, it is the truth.

Whatever your New Year’s traditions are, make sure that common sense, maturity and responsibility play a part. While drug and alcohol addiction are on the rise, this particular post is addressed to those who do not see themselves as having a problem. If you do not have one, great. Those who do can tell you how lucky you are. But that does not mean you are perfect and drunk driving accidents occur all the time and the intoxicated driver is not always someone who is an alcoholic.

If you go out to a club, have a designated driver. If you are having a party at home, consider making it an overnight stay. A little bit of discomfort for one night is nothing compared to an irresponsible decision that can cause injury or death. Besides, you want to be able to take part in all the good things 2010 has to offer, don’t you? I know I do.

Happy New Year, Everyone!!